The Everglades, Florida

Contrary to most people’s preconceptions, The Everglades is not simply a vast swamp but a subtle array of habitats often determined by only inches of elevation change. Today this whole area of southern Florida is protected as The Everglades National Park and The Big Cypress National Reserve.


40-65 inches of rain from May to October soak into the thin veneer of soil that overlies this vast limestone platform, the fresh water moving imperceptibly southward through a 50 mile wide ‘River of Grass’ toward the Mangroves fringing Florida Bay and the Keys.


Nowhere is the elevation more than 8ft above sea level and large areas are covered with Sawgrass and dwarf Bald Cypress, a conifer that loses its needles in winter.


In some environments the Cypress can be much larger. Note the alligator eying the Blue Heron.


If an individual tree survived the widespread logging of the early to mid 20th century, it could rise high above the canopy and play host to an array of Air Plants clinging to the higher branches.


Sometimes small islands (Hammocks) are created when the underlying limestone is dissolved leaving a surrounding swampy moat. This habitat is home to some of the largest remaining old growth Mahogany trees in the US.


Here a large tree has been enveloped by a Strangler Fig.


Pine Forest, occupying some of the drier land is one of the more beautiful and diverse habitats.


The Turner River, one of the more well defined water courses through the Everglades.


Trees lining the river bank are overwhelmed with Spanish Moss, an air plant that lies dormant for much of the winter dry season but thrives on summer rains and humidity.


Other common air plants are orchids and bromeliads.


Rafts of an algae called Periphyton occupy large tracts of the wetlands and provide nutrients for the rich and diverse ecosystem.


In the dry season animals and birds are drawn to the water holes in large numbers. Alligators sun themselves on the banks.





You’re too close Deb!


A Great Blue Heron patiently fishing.


On the other hand the Anhinga is a very adept underwater swimmer. If he’s not fishing he is drying out on whatever perch he can find: in this case a water level indicator.


The female Aningha has a distinctively brown head and neck.


A Turtle catches a few rays!


Egrets, Herons, Ibises and Wood Storks all congregate this fishing hole.


A Wood Stork on take off.


This Red Shouldered Hawk seems to have eyes in the back of its head!


A Black Vulture surveys the landscape.


A Blue Heron wanders through the lily pads.


More alligators.





As the Everglades transition to open water and Florida Bay, Gulf of Mexico, three White Pelicans troll the shallow tidal flat.