'Glades Day 3. 3-10-2023

Well, wouldn't you know it. We fell back asleep and got a very late start. Eh, no worries. We'd already had a great trip.

We started out by checking out of the hotel. We said goodbye to the hotel Agama Squad.

After grabbing some chow, we drove deep into the park to a hike that was very good to us last year. Maybe we were too late or maybe things just weren't moving but the only critters we saw during the whole walk (1.8 miles in, 1.8 miles back) were some Brown Anoles. They were very active. Here are a few of the bruisers.

Rather than grouse about our lack of snakes and birds, we decided to be happy that we were sitting alone in the sunny Everglades and enjoy the beauty that was around us. Like these shell imprints on the limestone boulders that we took a rest on...

And the Nickernuts in their pods.

From there we went to the marina since we were right nearby. Why not check on the Crocs? There was one out floating on the saltier side.

The real excitement was with the Manatees. It is a little early for mating season but there were at least a dozen of them frolicking; nuzzling, tails up and just general Manatee fun-times.

A kiss!

A hug!

A trio frolicking!

We watched them for quite a while, enjoying every minute.

From there, we took another walk that was very successful for us last year. The same path we'd walked the night before. Unfortunately, it was very quiet again on the trail. We finally saw a Garter head peeping out from the leaves.

We're guessing that he looked roughly like this when you could see all of him.

They sure grow their Garters pretty down here!

We made it to the end of the trail but saw no Pigmys. We did add a lifer bird to the list, though. I'm calling these Short-billed Dowitchers (#57, Lifer #202).

Again, 1.8 miles in, 1.8 miles back. We definitely got our steps in that day.

And that was that. The last photo from this year's Everglades adventure. We didn't kill it this year but we did pretty well and saw plenty of things that we'll never forget. It will take me a few months longer than usual to pay this trip off (work isn't going so well) but we will regret nothing. 20 reptile and amphibian species and 25 bird species photographed. Worth every penny.