Key West Parks
Everglades National Park
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Anhinga Trail
This is by far the most popular trail in the
park. For anyone visiting South
Florida
and wants to get a feel of the Everglades but does not have the time. This is
your
answer. From the time you leave U.S.1 in Homestead drive to the Park entrance
spend some time at the Coe Visitor Center. Drive into the park about 3 miles in
on your left side you will see the turn off for Royal Palm Visitor Center. This
road
goes back another 3-4 miles. Walk Anhinga Trail and drive back to U.S.1 only
takes
3 hours tops. So if your leaving the Florida Keys catching a flight home and you
got
a few hours to kill this is a great side trip for the whole family. Another tip
the fee
you pay to get into the park is good for 7 days. The Coe Visitor Center is just
outside
the parks main entrance. As you leave the park stop back by the visitor center
and
give your park pass to someone going in. "Good Karma"
This is the Royal Palm Visitor center at
start of both Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails.
Here you can see a ranger giving
a talk along the trail. Ask at the
Coe Visitor Center for times.
As you walk along this trail you will
see many different kinds of fish, birds,
alligators, raccoons, and other wildlife.
Its just what happens to be around
that day.
Summer or Winter I have never been disappointed and not seen
Alligators here.
Here are just a couple of the birds
you will find here. I do mean only
a few. Depending on the time of
year there are always many different
types hanging out almost posing for
the tourist.
As you follow the elevated boardwalk though the saw grass
points of interest
will be pointed out to you by signs explaining what you are seeing.
Turtles sunning themselves and the different vegetation this
being an
air plant. All combined this short excursion into the Everglades is one
the whole family will enjoy. So if your in South Florida and only have
a little time don't let that stop you. Take this small trip and get a glimmer
of what the Everglades National Park has to offer you will not be sorry.
Birds
Her are some of the birds you my see
depending on the time of year.
Most are spotted during the dry season November thru April.
Anhinga, Northern Cardinal, Double-Crested Cormorant, American Crow,
Great Egret, Purple Gallinule, Red Shouldered Hawk, Great Blue Heron,
Green-Backed Heron, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis,
Blue Jay, Common Moorhen, Northern Mockingbird, Osprey, White-eyed Vireo,
Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Palm Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler and
the
Carolina Wren.
If you are driving to Key West
either from home or after
flying into Miami this is a must side trip.
Clyde's Key West Parks
