Anhinga Trail - Everglades National Park

During our early February 2013 visit to the Everglades, we strolled along the three-quarter mile roundtrip Anhinga Trail.  The trail starts as a paved trail at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, but changes to a boardwalk loop over Taylor Slough near its southern end.  We saw Anhingas as shown above, alligators, turtles, fish and numerous birds along or in the water.  If you want to see wildlife in the Everglades, this is the place to be during the dry season.  

While we didn't have any problems, please be aware that vultures are attracted to rubber on vehicles and have caused severe damage to windshields, sun roofs and wipers.  Also note that vultures are a federally protected migratory species.  The visitor center has a limited number of tarps to strap over your vehicle in an effort to prevent damage.

Taylor Slough

Great Blue Heron

Gar

Alligator sunning in the middle of the slough

Another alligator sunning on the shore

Wood Stork

Tricolored Heron

Alligator sunning beside the trail

Great Egret

Over a dozen of nearly 30 alligators sunning near the end of the boardwalk

Turtle

Alligator lurking under the pond apple tree
(also known as a corkwood tree)

Boardwalk along Taylor Slough

Taylor Slough, part of the River of Grass

Royal Palms

The $10 entrance fee per vehicle is valid for seven days.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm.