Two walks in the Everglades

I didn't know that we'd be driving on mountain roads when we left to spend a few days in the Everglades .  But this is what we saw at Rock Creek in Everglades National Park:

 

 Only in Florida

Here's a mountain pass that's definitely climbable without worrying about a lack of oxygen.  Only in flat-land Florida would three feet even count as elevation.  I'm not even sure people can count that low in some states.   

There's a short interpretive walkway at Rock Reef, but we didn't take it -- we were heading to Pa-hay-okee Trail where we walked on a boardwalk trail: 

 

Pa-hay-okee Trail, Everglades National Park

Pa-hay-okee is a Calusa word for "Grassy Waters".  There's an observation platform along the trail where hikers can view the Everglades Wilderness as it appeared to early inhabitants.    Calusa and Miccosakee peoples adapted to living in these rivers of grass.  A few early pioneer settlers settled here as well.  

 

This from a sign along the Pa-hay-okee trail is a great reminder.  We are grateful for The Wilderness Act and the wild places it protects.  I'm so happy that these exist.  I'm also thankful for walks like this one that allow us this glimpse at what is left of the real Florida.

 

 

We drove on to Flamingo Campground at the southern tip of the Everglades.  A  little more water and a few more birds.  We had three days of lovely weather while we were on this trip -- and missed at least one day of heavy downpour back home at the Canal Cottage.  Perfect timing for a perfect get-away.

 

Flamingo Campground area, Everglades National Park 

 

"Florida"  Cardinal

One of my favorite Southern birds practically hopped on my shoe as we were walking back to the car from taking the above pictures.   We couldn't decide if he wasn't afraid because he didn't see enough people to know better or if people feed the birds.  It was a very quiet area while we were there anyway. 

On the way back to the campground where we were staying we passed these beauties in a bit of water just off the roadside.   Roseate Spoonbills are always a treat to see.   What a great day -- and we still had more "vacation from our vacation" days to come.  

 

LINKING this week to the following with thanks to the hosts:

 

MOSAIC MONDAY;   NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; WILD BIRD Wednesday;  SIGNS SIGNS;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  SATURDAY CRITTERS and RATHER B' BIRDING

 

 

 

Comments

[Michelle Nature Notes]

I am amazed at what you were able to do and accomplish is I am younger than you are but nowhere near as active. I love all your photos, and I am thinking of spring as I can hear all the birds in the yard mostly overshadowed by the arguing geese and ducks. . Michelle.

[Anni]

What a great day indeed! Such fantastic sights (and good weather!)
Thanks for linking in at IRBB

[Traude "Rostrose"]

Dear Sallie, I actually had to laugh at the sign - we Austrians are "wild mountain people" 😉 - and even if I live in an area that can be considered flat or at best gently hilly, it wouldn't be 3 feet-elevation signs here 😁 Anyway, I'm also glad there are places where the wilderness is still being protected - in America and everywhere else - and I'm very pleased with the wildlife you've seen ❤️
All the best and a happy new week!
Hugs, Traude 😘
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/03/costa-rica-9-kapitel-nationalpark.html

[Beatrice]

We have been to FL a few times in recent years, Sallie, but unfortunately only to major cities for ham radio events that my husband was keen to attend. Unfortunately, there was never time to appreciate some of the state’s natural beauty away from city areas, so thanks for sharing your trip. The roseate spoonbills were lovely too.

[Adam Jones]

The everglades look like a great place to explore and there was plenty of wildlife for you too. Love that Cardinal.

[Bob]

Beautiful swamp Sallie.

[Lavender Dreams]

Roseate Spoonbills are my very favorite of all the Florida birds. We so rarely see them that it's very exciting when we do. Wild places....oh that speaks to my heart! And it's so nice to have boardwalks to walk on, feels a little safer! Thanks for sharing your trip and those high elevations you conquered! heehee! Hugs!

[mae]

That looks wonderful! I think I’ve been on that trail, and while it is sad that so little remains of the original wild land — what a pleasure to see the remnant !

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Eileen]

Hello,
I am thankful for the wilderness act, it is nice to have these places preserved and remain intact naturally. Wonderful photos of the birds you saw, the Roseate Spoonbill is one of my favorites.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

[Kb]

Elevation 3 feet, lol

[Little Wandering Wren]

I love boardwalks and lookouts and taking a detour for a wander in my day. It's how we love to travel. I'm excited to devour all things Florida as I am planning to be there in August. I always love to see the birds

[Linda P]

Wilderness sounds like a great concept where you can see plenty of wild creatures in their natural habitat. Wonderful photos captured of a variety of birds.

[Michelle Keltner]

Those "grassy waters" can host a lot of wildlife. Thanks for linking up.

[Heidrun]

The Everglades are famos here... We often see Dokumentation about, it's very interesting.

Thank you for sharing your mosaics at

MosaicMonday

Have a good weekend.
Hugs by Heidrun

[Cathy]

The cardinal is so regal and beautiful. I really love that photo, but all are wonderful! Have a grand weekend1

[Shiju Sugunan]

Such an interesting piece to read! I would thoroughly enjoy taking that walk as well. You managed to capture some beautiful sights and take some lovely photographs.

[Alan]

Hey you don't make fun of my 920 foot high mountain and I will respect your 3 foot pass.

Looks like a great place to visit. Lots of wild birds. I like seeing what things looked like way back when. It's often quite different from the way things look now.

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Beautiful.

[Jocelyn]

Great pictures.

[Peter B.]

I really like the Wild Places sign, and wish we had some out in my neck of the woods. It's really important for people to understand what a designated wilderness area is, and that it is disappearing. Oh, and be careful navigating that elevation gain!

[Breathtaking]

Hello Sallie
Wonderful Everglade photos! Your vacation in the beautiful wilderness of the National Park where you saw the Sandpipers, the confiding Florida Cardinal, and the Roseate Spoonbills is something I would have loved to have seen, but your photos speak for themselves. I'm glad it didn't rain and hope that the rest of your vacation is just as fantastic as these three days have been.
All the best and have a great weekend.

[somewhereinireland]

Great photos, Sallie. I love the Cardinal, its a beauty.

[Fun60]

That sign made me laugh. I had to read it a couple of times to make sure I hadn't misread it. It is good that the Everglades are protected and to have a glimpse of what Florida used to look like.

[Life Images by Jill, West Australia]

That is a good point they make about us now encircling the wilderness. Governments must work to keep our wilderness areas, but unfortunately the growth in human population makes urban sprawl go further and further. Enjoy the rest of your week, and thankyou for visiting my blog last week. So sorry I am slow in replying.

[Angie]

Sallie - my husband and I had a good belly laugh over the the pass with three feet of elevation!!!! The experience of indigenous tribes in this country is a travesty - we owe them so much. Loved the photos of the various birds. We are slowly starting to see the migration of birds into the area - spring is on the way. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.

[Carol]

Have you ever been to Zephyrhills? I was amazed when I first drove there and the road went up and down several hills. You leave Zephyhills and it's all flat again. Love your hike in the Everglades. Beautiful photos

[Amy]

Wish we had a wilderness act, mind you we probably do but I'm not sure what it's called, always good to have more wetlands.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! Awesome photos of nature in the Everglades ~ what fun for you and us too ~

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...DeSantis needs to get his head out of his butt when it comes to climate change or Florida will disappear.

[handmade by amalia]

Lovely! Spending time in nature is the best remedy for life.
Amalia
xo

[Lillian]

Spring time

[Veronica Lee]

What a wonderful getaway!

Love your photos of the Everglades.

Hugs and blessings, Sallie.

[Linda W]

Three feet! I hope you weren’t out of breath.

[Suzan Batz]

I LOVE that sign about the elevation..what a hoot.
So glad you had a great get away. We all need that now and then.
Beautiful photos.
Sue

[ellen b.]

Such pretty coloring on those Roseate Spoonbills! Sounds like a lovely getaway. Cracking up at the elevation of 3 feet!! Happy First day of Spring to you!

[Hazel]

Fascinating reading! Another world from here in UK Midlands.🌞
It’s good that you seem to have sorted out your canal cottage so soon.

[Hazel]

Fascinating reading! Another world from here in UK Midlands.🌞
It’s good that you seem to have sorted out your canal cottage so soon.

[Eileen]

Hello,
Wonderful photos from the Everglades! The Roseate Spoonbills are one of my favorite Florida birds, they are lovely. Nice vacation photos.
Take care, enjoy your day! Have a wonderful new week!

[Lorrie Orr]

Love the sign! No altitude sickness worries there. Shorebirds are always interesting to watch. Flamingoes and cardinals are so richly coloured!

[William Kendall]

Spoonbills look like such characters.