2019 Everglades Trip Part 4: March 11th.

Our last day. We planned on revisiting some of our spots where we either did well or where we failed and sought redemption. Our goal was to be relaxed, look around and get ready for the ride home that evening.

One thing we hadn't noticed on any previous visit or so far this visit... the hotel grounds have become overrun with Agamas! There were a dozen running around on the trees, including a male in full breeding colors.





That was a nice surprise.

We headed toward the park but I wanted to stop by the Milkshake Place to get a shot of a Purple Martin. We'd missed them the other day but plenty were out as we drove by. I got more than I bargained for when a guy walked by and startled the bird (#61 on the year).


We wanted to walk the canal one more time on this trip so that was our first stop. We'd walked in about a half mile when we concurrently lost animals. Over by the brush, I had an Everglades Racer in my sights but it bested me and at the same time, over by the canal, Andrea had a Glass Lizard book it away from her and slide into the water. I'd never heard of them doing that but since they're built like snakes, I'm sure they're adept in the drink. The only picture I managed at this spot was of a beautiful person.


And then a few Brown Anoles.



Since it was still relatively cool (well, un-scorching), we went back to walk the spot where Andrea spied our Lifer Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake the other day. We took a few extra trails but it wasn't until we got back near to where we'd seen Saturday's specimen that I heard Andrea again call "Eeedeebee".

This one was much tougher to see than Saturday's but it looked to be about the same size and around roughly the same place. When I got home, I matched up markings and it is indeed the same snake!


From there, we did our usual route and wound up at the Gator and Turtle spot. There were a couple more baby Gators about.



Good thing for them that this Gar was otherwise occupied.


Turtle butt.

Note that the webs between the toes are light colored.

Some lazy Monday Alligators.


Our last Gator photos from the trip.

Andrea made a friend.


The weekend's last turtle, a Pen Coot.


Looks like Swamp Thing's dining room.


Our last herp in Dade County, a Brown Anole.


We went for a milkshake and relaxed, sharing our sweet with this rooster, who sang for his sips.


From there, we hit the highway. But traffic was thick. I actually got our last bird from the highway, from our non-moving car! Cattle Egret, #63.


Finally, we made it back up to Broward County where the airport was. I also wanted a little revenge on the Glasshouse Frog that had evaded my camera on Friday, so we stopped by a park on the way. The frog could not be found, and time was extremely tight so we couldn't do a proper hike. We went to the spot where we'd seen two Ringnecks on Friday. Lo and behold...

Like the EDB, I'm pretty sure these are the same two from Friday.

Time to return the car and catch our plane. We ended this wonderful weekend with a couple of Brown Anoles... one sneaky Pete and one with Alice Cooper make-up on.



We made it home without incident, filled with wonderful memories of the weekend. 30 reptile and amphibian species and 35 birds added to the year. A few lifers, too. Sunburn, dozens of bug bites, exhaustion... a perfect way to get some Vitamin D. Until next year- adios, Everglades.