A loop drive takes us into the cypress swamps. This time of year only the lowest elevations, the cypress strands, stand full of water and the wildlife concentrate along that channel.  There are flashes of bright white as egrets and herons move through the watery mangrove lined tunnel.  The big red eyes and yellow green legs give away the position of black capped night herons skulking among the roots.  As the day brightens it seems nearly every sunny spot is filled with a resting alligator.

Odd factoid. They radio collar

Big Cypress Fox Squirrel

and track a species of squirrel.  Yep, a squirrel.  Typically we think of them as cute and annoyingly plentiful but this guy is endangered.  Might this be one of those rare fellows?

Along a short walk along the Tree Snail Hammock trail we found the areas tiniest endangered creature, the tree snail. They seal themselves to tree bark in the winter to conserve moisture.   Pretty cleaver…..hmm, never thought I’d say that about a snail.  Anyway, the shells are beautiful.

Marsh trail in Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to check out an evening fly in. Graceful, agile wading birds glide in singly or in large groups as they return from feeding all over the park.  Ibis are here in the largest numbers but egrets and heron make a showing as well.  A few anhinga show up as the light dims.  There is ongoing chatter as the numbers grow as well as a few raucous altercations as individuals via for most prime locations.  We are on the watch of a big crocodile who is reportedly in these pools.  It is pretty far inland but regulars say he’s been seen around here.