This week I'd like to take you on an adventure into The Florida Everglades. Florida Everglades National Park covers quiet a large area in Southern Florida. I visited an area about an hour west of Miami.
I highly recommend you take a tour when you get there. We picked an air boat tour. This way you can get into area's that you might not normally be able to get into in a regular boat. Additionally, you don't have to worry about hurting any of the wildlife because the boat just sort of floats above the water!
At first I wasn't sure if we would see any alligators. But as we were driving to the park, I saw so many alligators in peoples backyards that I figured we were bound to see at least one. But lucky for us, we saw lots, they were everywhere.
The thing about the everglades is it the terrain can change in an instant. One minute you can be surrounded by tree's, shrubs and millions of lily pads, the next you can be right out in the open or near little island pockets. It's actually quite beautifully diverse.
If you take the tour, they'll tell you all about the area and the wildlife. We learned that the swamps are home to far more wildlife than just alligators.
You may have to look close, but perched in the tree is a huge lizard!
The area is also home to wild boars, deer, Florida panther, snakes, turtles, toads and so many more. Although I didn't see any of those on my trip! Darn it!
After the air boat tour we hung out in the park area for a while. It was neat, there was the opportunity to try alligator, and visit different live exhibits and shows.
These next few pictures were taken inside the park-like zoo.
And if you're lucky, you can even get a chance to hold a few of them. If your wondering why I am holding $5, well the guy who was doing this was basically charging a $5 tip, I figured why not.
We learned that this is one place in the world were both Alligators and Crocodiles exist together! They let me hold this little guy, I think he was a 2 year old. But thankfully the mouth was taped shut! They are actually quite a bit more smooth than you would think.
One of the great parts about visiting the National Park portion and going on a tour. You can see a few of the animals that you might not have seen while out in the swamps and Cyprus tree's. (I would not want to get caught behind that fence that is for sure, LOL)
I don't know why so many gators come up to the fences, but if I am going to guess it's probably because people feed them. If not that, maybe they are hoping a stupid tourist will come too close?
I guarantee you'll love your trip to the Everglades if you take it! It was well worth it. I was only able to spend a day there, but if you have more time there is lots more to see and do!
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IF YOU GO:
* I recommend taking a tour, its the safest and best way to insure you will see wildlife. Not to mention you won't have to worry about getting lost in the vast swamps, or eaten by the local wildlife:)
* There is a $10 entrance fee into the park.
* I recommend bring bug repellent! There are mosquitoes but also chiggers.
* You can see a lot in a day, but you might enjoy spending a few days there!
* There are campgrounds, hiking and boating available in different areas.
