Parked Between Two National Parks in Florida

The group moved next to Homestead, FL, ideally located between Biscayne NP and Everglades NP. We went first to Biscayne. Most of the park is located underwater, but there is a short walk on the boardwalk that you can take.

At the end of the walk is a bird protection area.

The birds all congregate here - I guess they can read.

There were a few pelicans outside the area - this one just caught a fish.

Way in the distance, you can just make out the high rises of Miami.

The following day we went to Everglades Safari Park, a private park just outside the Everglades. The major attraction is an airboat ride.

We zoomed through the grassy water -

And eventually stopped at a spot where several alligators came by.

We saw a couple softshell turtles.

And then another alligator.

They also had an alligator show. This guy obviously gets fed more than the alligators in the wild!

Caroline was the brave one in the group, holding the baby alligator.

On the next day, we went to Everglades National Park. When we got to the parking lot, we were confused as to why all the cars had blue tarps on them. Apparently, the Black Vultures attack the rubber on cars, and the park provides the tarps.

We went on a couple short walks on boardwalks.

The water is higher than normal, so the wildlife is more spread out and harder to spot.

Does this little guy count?

An anhinga was posing nicely.

A Purple Gallinule -

And a Green Heron!

I've seen lots of Great Egrets, but this one had the best plumage.

On the way home we went over the big pass again. Whew! I hope the car didn't get overheated.

And then we stopped at "Robert is Here" Fruit Stand to get a Key Lime Shake. Yum! Robert has been selling fruit on this corner since 1959 when he was 6 years old!

Out back there's a little petting zoo to investigate.