818 October 13, 2022 Shark Valley

We got up early and drove to Shark Valley.  We were the first to pass through the gate at 8:30. 

This is absolutely my favorite place to ride bikes.  It is such a privilege to be able to ride into the Everglades. 

It was so quiet this morning.  We could hear small plops as frogs slid into the swamp, the only evidence of their presence, the tiny ripples in the still water.

We passed dozens of herons and egrets standing still as statues at the edge; a few allowing us to pass without taking to startled flight.

We could hear the chirping of baby alligators calling for mama.  They are easy to spot with their rings of yellow.

And other gators…

I tried to notice the small things…like dragonflies

And grasshoppers.

Lots of flowers are in bloom at this time of year.

Ahead on the path, we watched this 8-foot big bull alligator crossed.  He slipped away with almost no trace.  We did find his wet footprints on the asphalt.

We spotted this beautiful turtle.  He ducked his head in as we approached and we waited patiently for him to emerge again. 

We saw researchers performing some kind of testing or survey.

After 8 miles, we came to the observation tower.  From the top, everything you can see is the Everglades.  The water slowly makes its way from here to Florida Bay and the Gulf more than thirty miles away.  This is where we encountered the first other tourists of the day.

Another couple of hatchlings, this time the mother alligator was close by and watching us.

We have biked here before.  We are earlier than usual.  It is still the wet season here.  Big Cypress gets 54 inches of rain each year.  Most of that falls between June and October.  The water is plentiful and the temperatures are hotter.  The alligators like to be in the cooler and deeper water now.  The migratory birds have not yet arrived.  Each time we come here, it is a new adventure and we love it!  We hope to be able to ride here again this week before we leave this area.

The storm clouds were gathering as we left the park.

And then the rain came.  It rained on and off all afternoon and evening…filling the glades in preparation for the dry season ahead.