2.18.2024
Our final full day was rainy, like really rainy, and we had booked a boat tour into Florida Bay so we turned the truck south and drove the 40 miles to the third visitor's center in the park. This center only reopened this summer following damage it sustained during Hurricane Irma. The fresh exhibits were well done and showed much of the wildlife and the history of the park.
The visitor center is named for one of the first game wardens who worked in the park. He was shot and killed by hunters who harvested the plumage of birds to adorn ladies hats. His murder led to new protections for birds and other wildlife in the area.
Before we boarded the boat we saw two residents of the marina. There is a family of manatees that live there. This guy was right near the dock.
There are also two crocodiles that live in the area.
Ospreys also nest in the area in the winter.
On the tour we saw many birds. While there was a break in the weather it wasn't quite long enough for us to get the entire tour in before the rain set in.
We enjoyed seeing all of the birds. The tide was coming in so much of the seagrass that would normally be exposed was under water. While a bit soggy it was a great afternoon.
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