Shark Valley - Everglades National Park
Shark Valley is the northern most portion of the Everglades National Park
Me... Photos of "me taking photos" in this gallery are courtesy of my neighbor, Richard, who accompanied me on this day trip.
My neighbor Richard
The Tram tour of the 15-mile park loop attracts a lot of photographers this time of year. The loop can also be walked or biked.
Great Blue Heron standing on culvert that allows the natural flow of water under park roads
Immature Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Immature Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
This Great Egret was having a heck of a time trying to get its breakfast
Here he thinks he has one...
Doh! Another one got away...
Great Blue Heron in breeding plumage
The Great Egret is a large graceful bird. Sometimes they are mistaken for Snowy Egrets but the Snowy has black in its bill and yellow feet.
When an alligator goes for a swim the other water fowl give him plenty of space
American Wood Storks were considered endangered a few years ago but their numbers are now up considerably
I'm watching you!
The American Purple Gallinule is one of the most beautiful birds in the world and rarely seen outside the everglades
Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
The alligators nose is wide and round as opposed to the crocodile which has a more pointed snout
Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Wood Storks are characterized by their backward-bending knee
Breakfast at last!
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Observation deck at the half-way point of the 15-mile loop
The observation deck provides a nearly 20 mile horizon
Wood Stork
Alligators sun themselves to raise their body temperature which is necessary in order for them to digest their food.
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron in breeding plumage
Alligator sunning itself
Great Blue Heron with breeding plumage
From left to right we have a Great Egret, a Snowy Egret, a Roseate Spoonbill and an American Wood Stork
Pie-Billed Grebe
American Alligator
If I'm hissing, don't come near me because that is my warning sign that I'm about to attack
The Roseate Spoonbill is aptly named.
There are an estimated 50,000 alligators in the everglades. You don't need to look hard to find them.
Roseate Spoonbills are one of the most colorful everglades inhabitants
Roseate Spoonbills use their beak to poke and (hopefully) find their food rather than relying on their eye-sight
Turtle yawning?
Various shore birds
Minor changes in elevation can have dramatic effects on what type of foliage can thrive in the everglades
Royal Tern
Turtle and Alligator
Female Anhinga
Little Green Heron is a patient but very effective fisherman
Tri-colored (or Louisiana) Heron looks a bit like the Great Blue Heron but is smaller and has a white belly.
