Daylight in the Swamp!

My first impression of the Everglades from a distance was that this could be Africa.  Grasslands and a canopy in the distance.  Actually this was part of the Everglades that had dried up because of the over development north of the Everglades.  Much has been done to mitigate this drought and signs of new life are everywhere.

We walked out on a boardwalk deep into a section of a state preserve and marveled at the diversity of the plant life.  And birds apparently do very well here.  Huge birds of all kinds and lots of waterfowl that may be wintering here. 

The alligators were quite lethargic due mostly to the cold weather they have been experiencing for almost two weeks.  A good alligator will be lethargic when I am in the swamp.  One of the coolest things was a marine trail that goes from the west side all the way down and around through the everglades.  Lots of parked vehicles with empty canoe and kayak trailers.  There are campsites, presumably on dry ground along the route.

My dad used to announce morning by saying "Daylight in the swamp!"  That would work very well here in the everglades. 

Daylight in the Swamp!