November 29, 2020

Saying Goodbye

Flamingo Campground Everglades National Park Homestead, Florida Day 10

We set our alarm for 3:30 am and got up and dressed and took the Jeep for a night ride.  We saw some night herons but other than that we were kind of disappointed…no critters and no snakes.  It might not yet be cold enough for the snakes to come and lay on the pavement at night We did just sit in the quiet with the lights off.  The almost full moon bright in the sky…just gorgeous.  We were back in bed before 5 and slept until 8!

Today was our last full day in the Everglades.  I decided to walk to Eco Pond for my morning walk.  There were plenty of mosquitoes and a few birds.  I was all by myself…no other people…no noise.  It was so still and peaceful. 

We rode our bikes from the campground to Florida Bay and to the marina.  We saw this osprey.

This manatee was drinking fresh water from this drain outlet.

This croc was swimming in the marina.

Volunteers were hauling this dead manatee out of the water to take back to the Mammal Rescue Center to determine its cause of death.

We rode to Mrzak Pond.  It occurred to me today that all of the dead mangrove trees might be a reason that the birds don’t gather here like they used to.  Perhaps the influx of salt water changed the nature of the fish and other foods that the birds were accustomed to…just a guess.

This evening we grilled tuna steaks, made homemade guacamole, and grilled some apples.  We took our picnic and sat by Florida Bay to watch yet another beautiful sunset.

This quote was posted at Eco Pond and resonated with me today.