Honeymoon Island

December 2014

Honeymoon Island State Park - Dunedin, Florida.

We were pleased that we were able to bring Brontë with us in Honeymoon Island State Park.  There’s a  beach on the southern tip of the island where pets can enjoy the sun, sea and sand with their families (albeit on leash at all times).  They are also allowed on nature trails.  

"Honeymooners"

Here are some of the critters we encountered on the trail.

Palm Warbler    

Gopher Tortoise

Osprey

 

Nesting Bald Eagles

Iguanas' Invasion

December 2014

Key West, Florida.  Feral iguanas were invading the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park!

Meanwhile, Brontë met other feral feathered friends on Duvall Street.

And she also had fun at Dog Beach (end of Alberta St.).

Gators Vs. Crocs

December 2014

Where in the world can you see both an alligator and a crocodile in the same body of water?  Only in Everglades National Park, according to its website.  What are the differences between a croc and a gator?  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission enumerates the following characteristics that distinguish one from the other:

Crocodile                                                                       Alligator
Grayish green color                                                       Black in color
Fourth tooth on lower jaw exposed when mouth          Only upper teeth exposed when mouth is
is closed                                                                         closed
   Narrow tapered snout                                                    Broad rounded snout
    Young are light with dark stripes                                   Young are dark with yellow stripes

Another difference I noted is that baby gators stay longer with their mother, "typically one year to three years" according to Florida State University Habitat Tracker.  I was surprised to spot a small baby crocodile in Flamingo Canal without any sign of its mom.

On the other hand, this baby alligator still enjoys its mother's care and protection. (Photo taken in Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia and South Carolina) 

Here are the other croc and gator photos taken in Everglades:

CROCODILES

We saw these two crocs at Flamingo Canal.  It was difficult to snap good pictures because the area was cordoned off.

Croc number 1 seems to be missing its lower jaw.

Croc number 2's mouth is closed.  One can notice the exposed fourth tooth on lower jaw.

ALLIGATORS

All the gator photos were taken at Anhinga Trail except for this.  I snapped it at Flamingo Canal where we also spotted the baby croc. 

Alligator Lounge