Shark Valley, FL trip

[RobbiesCornField]

While visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, we decided to take a trip down to Shark Vally in Miami, FL. This is some of the wonderful wildlife that's still out and about. Sorry, no snakes this trip. But definitely NOT for my lack of searching.

During one part of the tram tour, the guide asked if anyone wants to get in the water with him. He was stunned when someone volunteered. He jokingly said "Come on, then!" and was even more surprised when I hopped off the tram, hiked up my jeans, and joined him in the muck with a huge smile on my face.

Great Blue Heron

First herp of the trip! American Alligator.

My dad loves gators. If there wasn't a park ranger standing there, he was going to pet this one.

This one was even closer than the other one.

My older sister, however, didn't exactly have as friendly feelings as her father towards them.

TO BE CONTINUED

 

[RobbiesCornField]

He was kind of blocking the path.

Dad tried to get him to move. The reply was a FULL gator hiss. We all took about 3 giant steps back.

A couple gators chillin'.

The view from the observation tower.

Is that a log?

Nope!

Wood Stork

Do you see what I see?

TO BE CONTINUED!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

BABY ALLIGATORS!!!!!!!

My nephews were a little concerned about the 6.5' gator basking behind them.

Dad and I were happy we got to get so close.

Turtle!

TO BE CONTINUED!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Golden Slipper bird.

Great Blue Heron.

Male Anhinga

This Great Blue Heron was a bit of an oddball. As we approached him, he took on this stance. These pictures are from about 15 feet away.

TO BE CONTINUED!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I snagged the camera from my mom and crept a bit closer. He let me get about 6 feet away from him before he started motioning that he was going to fly away.

Female Anhinga

TO BE CONTINUED!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I think he's reading the menu.

Or snoozing after a nice meal.

Tri-color Heron

I cannot, for the life of me, remember the name of this bird. Does anyone know? EDIT: Mud hen! Thanks, Aaron!

This guy decided he wanted to move AS I was taking the picture.

TO BE CONTINUED!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

There is absolutely NO zoom in this picture.

Or these.

Coming out to say HI!

Thanks for looking!

 

[Outcast]

That little blue thing you cannot figure out the name of, well my father in law calls them mud hens. When we went fishing I saw a few, in fact, one stole my breakfast burrito.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

That little blue thing you cannot figure out the name of, well my father in law calls them mud hens. When we went fishing I saw a few, in fact, one stole my breakfast burrito.

THAT'S what it is!!!!!!! Thanks!

 

[ShenziSixaxis]

Pictuuuuuures.

The oddball herring is funneh.


And you guys got enough gators? xD

 

[diamondlil]

Isn't that lovely purple bird a gallinule?

 

[desertanimal]

Isn't that lovely purple bird a gallinule?

That's what I'd call it. Never heard of mud hen, but the ones that look like that in Costa Rica are called gallinules.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Isn't that lovely purple bird a gallinule?

That's what I'd call it. Never heard of mud hen, but the ones that look like that in Costa Rica are called gallinules.

That's a very good possibility/probability. Thanks, ladies!

 

[Hail_Britannia]

I adore Great Blue Herons, Robbie, great pictures!

 

[crackerhead]

I have always loved Shark Valley. When I lived in Miami we would go there regularly to bike the 15 mile loop. It is best in the late fall and early winter when the alligators move into the area due to the drop in water levels. My first encounter with a "hot" snake was there. A very cute little Pygmy Rattler. It looked so harmless until it started to shake its baby tail.
Thanks for bringing back such fond memories!

Terri

 

[OkeeteeMom]

Robbie, thanks for sharing all of these wonderful photos! I adore nature in any form I can get it. The purpley-blue bird is lovely, and I could not stop chuckling at the intense concern on the faces of your adorable (but very uneasy) nephews...too cute! OH...and those baby gators!!! Thanks Again.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Thanks for the comments!

Terri, I'm glad I could help you relive a little of your past.

Tina, they were so cool about it afterwards. "Well... I wasn't scared." "ME NEITHER!"

 

[Nanci]

I think you should have had a contest to see who could jump over the gator blocking the trail!

There is a bird that is similar to the gallinule called the American coot, which is frequently called a "mud hen."

I want to go there!

 

[ratsncorns]

Great pictures, Robbie!

American Coots and Purple Gallinules are both in the rail family. Very closely related, so the term "mud hen" could apply to both species. The one pictured is definitely a Gallinule though What a great picture! What excellent pictures! The time I went to Shark Valley, it was closing time so we missed out. Maybe one day though.

There is an exotic species in Florida called the Purple Swamphen, that looks very similar to the Gallinule. Perhaps that is what you were thinking of?

EDIT: My 5,000 post!!!!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I think you should have had a contest to see who could jump over the gator blocking the trail!

There is a bird that is similar to the gallinule called the American coot, which is frequently called a "mud hen."

I want to go there!

Had my dad not already ticked him off, I was going to try. LOL

Great pictures, Robbie!

American Coots and Purple Gallinules are both in the rail family. Very closely related, so the term "mud hen" could apply to both species. The one pictured is definitely a Gallinule though What a great picture! What excellent pictures! The time I went to Shark Valley, it was closing time so we missed out. Maybe one day though.

There is an exotic species in Florida called the Purple Swamphen, that looks very similar to the Gallinule. Perhaps that is what you were thinking of?

You and your wealth of avian knowledge. <3