Florida 2020 (part 3)

July 9, 2020

Big Cypress National Preserve

We took the slightly longer way on our return from the Keys. I had seen the "Loop Road" in Big Cypress on the map, but had missed the turn on the way south. Our friends had taken the detour on the way down and said they saw tons of gators. Since we were in no real hurry to get back to Naples, we took the long way home. 

Lots of gators, so many that the kids got bored and would not get out of the car :) I grew up in Florida and have seen tons of gators, but it had been a really long time.

This one was about 5 - 6 feet long

Another one in the 6ish feet size

Lots of gators honking, but I did not see any

The next two are the same photo, but I can't decide which crop I like better, so here are both and you can decide

I stopped at what looked to be a good spot and did not see any gators. Then I looked straight down and saw this, he is about 10ish feet and was right below my feet (I was standing on a concrete culvert). 

Photographer's shadow for perspective

Same gator, slightly better angle. 

At this point, my wife was ready to get out of the car and we had another 2 hours to go, so one last gator

We were back on the regular roads and heading for I-75 when I saw a lump in the road. This is the second turtle this summer that I've "rescued" from the middle of a road. A good way to end a trip.

 

Florida 2020 (part 1)

 July 1 - 4, 2020

Big Cypress National Preserve and Dolphin Research Center (Grassy Key, FL) and Florida Key Deer Refuge.

We were headed to the Florida Keys and were in no hurry to get to the house we were renting since check-in time wasn't until 3pm. So, we took our time along the Tamiami Trail through Big Cypress National Preserve. 

We did a short hike along a boardwalk. We could hear gators honking, but did not see any. 

We then stopped at stopped at the Oasis Visitor Center which was closed but had a short boardwalk along a pond where we saw a couple gators up close.

Then we continued to the Keys and meetup with friends. A couple days later we went to the Dolphin Research Center. I don't normally like things like this because it feels like it is exploiting the animals. I don't like most zoos for the same reason. With that said, this was way better than something like Seaworld. And it was neat to see dolphins up close.

My wife and kids got in the water while I took photos. They said it was awesome. 

We took our time getting to Key West because of another afternoon check-in time. 

We took a short hike to the Blue Hole where we heard gators but did not see any.

And then drove around a bit exploring and looking for Key Deer. I saw a couple crossing roads in the distance, but by the time I turned around, they were into the brush. I was hoping that the kids would get to see one so I kept driving. As we passed an intersection, I saw a car stopped a bit up the crossroad and I immediately thought "bear jam" like Yellowstone. So I turned around and drove up the road to find a moron out of her car and feeding a deer. There are signs all over saying that it is illegal to feed animals. I stuck my head out the window and yelled that she was breaking the law and she hopped in the car and quickly drove off. I took a couple photos and left the deer in peace.

A little more wandering/driving.

Flamingo in the distance.

And then off to Key West for the big adventure.