Even more and the Keys too!

We've made a second bike ride from Long Pine Key campground to Royal Palm Hammock to see the birds in the morning along the Anhinga Trail. Our efforts were more than rewarded with many sightings of the green heron and we even saw a black-crowned night-heron! Of course the young anhingas were active and we watched as some black-headed vultures taunted an alligator! These bold fellows would step ever closer and pick up little sticks and drop them or find a feather on the shore of the pond pick that up and drop it. Finally the gator had all it could take and rushed them but they just hopped up and flew a few feet away to the railing of the board walk. Later, we drove into Homestead and took care of necessities such as doing internet at the library, shopping for food, and having an excellent dinner at Mario's; a locally-famous Cuban restaurant.

young Anhinga, note the blue/green around the eye, amazing.

Today a quick trip down onto the Keys....unfortunately, that seems to be the other Florida and we like the one we've experienced in the Everglades and state parks.