Saturday November 26th 2016

Usually by the time I sit down to write this blog I’ve figured out the day of the week. Once or twice I’ve had to edit the first line to change the day. This week has been particularly hard. The TV programs that usually give me a clue aren’t all on at the usual times. I bring this up because I went through most of the day thinking it was Sunday and wondering why the traffic wasn’t heavier.

I took a trip about a hundred miles south to the Big Cypress National Preserve on the northwestern edge of the Everglades National Park. There are several visitor centers, roadside turnouts and rest areas along the Tamiami trail as it crosses the state from Naples to Miami. I went about half way across before turning around.

I also went to Everglades City and stopped at the Gulf coast visitors center for the Everglades National Park. This section of the national park is also at the edge of the Ten Thousand Island National Wildlife area.

The following are some of the pictures from the trip.

Alligator starting to dry out in the sun.

Three gators keeping their tails dry.

White Ibis holding court from a brush thrown.

This one found some food and is on the run.

Gators in the canal along the road.

A couple more Alligators with their heads ready to get in the water.

Looking south at some of the Ten Thousand Islands.

Pelican with winds spread to hold position in the wind.

This Pelican doesn’t look as comfortable on the pilings as the other sea birds.