We took another trip into the Everglades a few weeks ago and it didn’t disappoint. This time of year the water levels are low so the birds congregate where there is water to fish. We didn’t see as many as I had hoped – maybe because we were there during midday.
We spent some time watching a Great Egret fishing. He was actively moving from spot to spot, seeming to be oblivious to us where we stood close by.
This favorite place is the Loop Road that runs off US-41, the Tamiami Trail, between Naples and Miami. It was originally built up to be the highway until plans were changed. About the only work done on this road is trimming the brush that grows close to the road and some grading. It continues to be a wild and protected part of the Big Cypress National Preserve.
The fun part of traversing the Loop Road is that there is always something new to see. As the seasons change, the plant life changes and there are always new critters to see. On this trip we spent some time watching a squirrel that looked and moved very differently than what we are familiar with.
And my favorite siting was a Barred Owl, who was perched in the brush a few feet from the road. He seemed as interested in us as we were in him.
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
Hi Pat!
Niiice 🙂
I’ve never seen a multi-colored squirrel before. Have you?
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This was a new one to the four of us and we spent some time questioning whether it really was a squirrel. After looking it up we were able to identify it.
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Fantastic captures, Pat. I love how you caught the egret in flight, so graceful. And that owl is my favorite too. I hear the barred owls in our woods at night, but have yet to actually see one.
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These rae stunning. I particularly love the pictures of the birds. I am hopeless and photographing birds, and these are wonderful.
For some reason WordPress had unfollowed me from your blog. I hope I have corrected that now. It’s good to be back!
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I have had that happen – don’t know how. Good thing I didn’t loose track of you. 🙂
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That is a very cool squirrel.. 🙂 The Tamiami Trail is a very interesting road to travel.
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If you look, you will see the Loop Road to the south of US 41 about in the middle between Miami and where it turns north to Tampa.
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The photos are extraordinary. We frequently go to the Keys. Now I want to add this place to our itinerary.
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I haven’t been to the Keys yet – I want to drive and it is a bit of a journey. Maybe next fall.
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Awesome shot of the flying egret!!!
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Love that little squirrel!
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Gorgeous set of photos – that squirrel is quite different. I love the elegance of the herons (or egrets) – I can never tell them apart 🙂
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wow even his paws/claws are different, makes me think of a lemur
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Yes, that is what we thought. It is a fox squirrel.
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Love those photos…looks like a most interesting place to visit.
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Thanks, Charles. We will be taking visitors there this week and I’m really looking forward to it.
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