The self-guiding 0.8-mile Anhinga Trail “winds through a sawgrass marsh, where you may see alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, egrets, and many other birds, especially during the winter.  This is one the most popular trails in the park because of its abundance of wildlife.”  The trail starts from the Royal Palm Visitor Center, four miles from the main park entrance and Ernest Coe Visitor Center.

This impressive alligator looks fat and happy.

 

 

 

 

“What are you lookin’ at?!”

 

 

 

 

Check out the armor on this alligator’s webbed foot.

 

  

 

 

Most of the Anhinga Trail is on a raised walkway above the swamp, providing excellent views of the wildlife, safe from the numerous alligators.

 

 

 

 

Speaking of numerous alligators…

 

 

 

  

It would be unfortunate to hike the Anhinga Trail without spotting an Anhinga bird.  The word "anhinga" comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means “devil bird” or “snake bird.”  Unlike ducks, the Anhinga cannot waterproof its own feathers, which makes it difficult to float on the water.  However, the Anhinga uses this to its advantage to dive easily for fish and amphibians and remain underwater for long periods.  (wiki)

 

 

 

 

A bird in the hand is better than two dozen in the bush?

 

 

 

 

The amount of wildlife in the Everglades is astounding.

 

 

 

 

Spanish moss is a flowering plant that grows upon larger trees in the southeastern United States.  Spanish moss resembles but is not a moss or lichen.  Instead, it is an angiosperm that grows hanging from tree branches in full sun or partial shade.  Spanish moss propagates both by seed and vegetatively by fragments carried by wind or birds.  (wiki)

 

 

 

 

A powerful thunderstorm approaches the Royal Palm Visitor Center.  We made it back to our car just as the storm hit.

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