Fun day in the Swamp (despite the intense, mid-July heat!)

It was a pretty day in Everglades National Park.  This time of year, there aren't as many birds and alligators that I see in February, March and April.  But, there were plenty of fish, turtles, and swampland to look at

 

A big soft-shell turtle

 

This bird wanted to go home with me!

 

Pretty butterflies

 

Swamp flower (with a little grasshopper on the leaf)

 

Nice hawk

 

A little turtle looking for some shade - like me!

 

Despite the heat, I enjoyed my day here!

 

 

 

This is just wrong on SO many levels (to me).  We spent years protecting the alligator because it was an endangered species.  Now, they EAT it.  WTF?  And, if you are a frog or gator eater, why not eat the entire body, not just the legs and tail?  I mean, gross is gross!