November 20, 2020
Flamingo
Flamingo Campground Everglades National Park Homestead, Florida
Morning walk.
Today we made the 34 mile trek from Long Pine Key to Flamingo. It took us all morning. We drove in and out of all the access roads. At Paurotis Pond, we stopped for our breakfast. We watched the mullets throwing themselves out of the water. We looked for birds. Often there are storks and heron and roseate spoonbills here…but today it was very quiet. We had this American Crow for our company. He was not scared of us at all and seemed to be waiting to share our yogurt and granola.
Tim spotted this little 12 inch alligator on the bank. His mother was probably not far away. Mama gators keep their babies close for about the first two years.
Our campsite for the next ten days.
This afternoon we took our bikes out to explore. This was our first glimpse of Florida Bay.
At the marina we saw this crocodile on the boat ramp. Crocodile survive in salt or brackish water. They do not live in fresh water lakes, ponds, or rivers like alligators do. However, alligators can also tolerate brackish water. This is the only place in the world where you can find both alligators and crocodiles living in the same habitat.
An alligator in the marina.
An osprey on his nest. Female osprey choose a mate based on the quality and size of the nest. This guy is a master builder!
We found another crocodile at the second ramp…this even bigger than the one before.
We cycled as far as the bridge.
Sunset in the campground.
We took the Jeep out for a ride after dark. No snakes or critters tonight.
