The Everglades is hot and humid, with an unrelenting sun and little shade. If you want to see a unique landscape with diverse and plentiful wildlife, though, this is your place. Abbey and I saw about 4 million Alligators.

Momma Alligator is always nearby, even if you don’t see her. This one was pretty obvious, though.

Roseate Spoonbills are goofy looking but practical. They swing their spoonbill side to side to stir up delicious yummies in the muck. They almost went extinct in the late 1800’s but have made a recovery.

The Everglades is too close to Homestead and Miami for really excellent stars, but Abbey and I still had a good show (until we retreated from the mosquitoes).

Green Herons are very stealthy. They sit motionless and you don’t see them unless you’re really looking.

We rode our bikes a lot in the Everglades. Seen here is typical attire of big floppy hat and sunglasses. All that and you’re still squinting most of the day from that pesky sun.

Abbey and I got the kayak out to do a 5 mile paddle at Nine Mile Pond. They should probably change the name.

The kayak trail went through dense mangrove tunnels. We had to use our hands to pull ourselves through since there was no room to paddle.

We found a place where the water was blood red. Not sure why. We left shortly after.

Cheers!