Coopertown AIR BOAT TOUR

Everglades, here we come!

Scott waiting on the airboat...

Great White Egret... How do I know?  Black legs, if the legs are orange, they belong to a heron!

"Georgette", a female Great Blue Heron watching us depart.

Water Lilly blossom

Our airboat driver was very knowledgeable of the Everglades - plants and animals.

A closer look at female heron.

This is our pathway; it was really hard to get used to riding in a boat going 35 miles per hour in the grass!  But airboats are designed to go in water as low as 10 inches and were originally used by frog hunters in the Everglades.

Yes, we took the airboat across this area to the hammock (island) that can be seen in the distance.

Scott and I in the Everglades;  we arrived at 9:00am and ended up being the only people on this personalized airboat tour!  AWESOME!!!

There are three main types of grasses in the Everglades - needle grass, sawgrass, and cat tails (just like at home).  This photo is a close-up of needle grass or sometimes called wire grass.

Sawgrass, can you see the saw edge?  It's actually a sedge.  The saw edge is designed to collect dew so it waters itself!

"George", Great Blue Heron, mate of female heron we saw earlier.

Mating season is just beginning so George is growing a feather beard and the long feather plume behind his head.  Is it a mohawk?

Red mangroves

"Henrietta", our guide called Henry and Henrietta much like you would call chickens.  

She is a Purple Gallinule.

Henrietta hopped right up on the airboat and said hello.

Henry talked to us in the grass but never did show his face; maybe he was calling Henrietta back because she just got closer and closer.  As soon as our guide started up the airboat's engine she hopped off.

Alligators

White Ibis sitting in a tree and now in flight...

See his black wing tips?

Epiphyte (air plant)

Redbelly Slider

Roosting White Ibis

Same birds in flight.

This little alligator is 3 years old and he wasn't scary to hold.  He was cold so he didn't move much!  They will bite...

Scott and gator friend!

One more family photo!

Albino Burmese Python; scientists are trying to eradicate the Burmese Python because it is taking over the alligators habitat.  In Shark Valley the pythons have eaten all the rabbits, opossums, and raccoons.  There are still a few river otters but scientists predict they will be gone soon.  The pythons are totally disrupting the ecosystem of the Everglades.  In a battle between an alligator and a python, where they are equal in weight, the python always wins - ALWAYS.

This alligator is only one year old, see his striped tail?  Do you know who his number one predator is?  His Dad!  Male alligators eat their own young!

Florida Snapping Turtle

Is that a skunk?  Yes, but his scent glands have been removed so he was like petting a cat!  Very soft...

Anhinga

Anhingas are easy to identify especially when they are drying their wings.

Great White Heron, notice her yellow/orange legs.

Another turtle.

"Georgette", in this photo you can see her colors better.  When we came back to the dock she was still fishing in the same area.