Day 8 - Snorkeling in Pennekamp

Today we took a boat named "The Dolphin" out to snorkel and visit three different coral reef systems.  It wasn't as sunny as we'd hope, but the water was great!  It's so funny, we were highly encouraged to wear wet suits as this is winter for the Floridians.  We all say no thanks and chuckle a little.  While entering the boat, our captain asked us if we'd like some hot chocolate.  I said, "Nah, we're from Michigan, we've been drinking hot chocolate since October."  In all seriousness though, it was cool when we were out of the water, between reef stops.

Here is a list of the fish I saw today.  My water camera, a 35 mm disposable camera did not take the best pictures.  I will still post some later and will post some from our other DU team members.  

• Stoplight Parrotfish
• Redband Parrotfish
• Great Barracuda
• Bluehead wrasse
• Rock Beauty
• Rockhind or Redhind
• Some groupers
• Bar jack
• Blue Tang
• Sergeant Major
• and a statue of Jesus

These are only those that I remember.  I could be off on some, but I will firm up the list as soon as I review all of our group's underwater photos.  My excitement for identifying the fish surprised me.  They were so beautiful.  Colors in drawings cannot even come close to the true beauty of the color of the fish in the ocean.

Plant life included the following:

• Labrynthine Brain Coil
• Staghorn Coral
• Sea Lettuce
• Coral Reefs

Our boat route to and from the marina included numerous mangroves.

Pennekamp Park Website: http://www.pennekamppark.com

The travel to and from snorkeling and the four hours snorkeling took up a good portion of our day.  Following snorkeling, we returned to the Everglades Hostel, showered and went out to dinner at Mutineers, where they have EXCELLENT seafood.  

Day 6 - Departing to Flamingo, In the Southern part of the Everglades

We've departed for Flamingo, with a stop at the Gator Grill. We ate alligator today! I learned that the part of the alligator we eat is the tail. I was nervous about it at first, but it was great!! Sortof like chicken, LOL! Why do all the odd things taste like chicken!

There are four crocodiles (not alligators) known to be in the Everglades, FL. Last year's DU group saw 2 of the 4 in Flamingo. Today we're hoping to see them all! [Update: we only saw one crocodile, but it was amazing. They have longer tails and bumpier backs]

In addition to searching for the crocodiles, we're going kayaking. (Yay!!) We think it will be in the Florida Bay, but we will see. [Update: it was in the Florida Bay which leads out to the Atlantic Ocean].

Love how birds fly across the water really low. Are they just getting their wings wet or are they getting ready to eat a fish? Hmmm.

We are canoeing among the ten thousand islands. Charlie said their are probably ten thousand islands.

We saw the brown and white pelicans, a crocodile, seagulls, cormorants, jumping fish and we thought we saw a shark fin, but Charlie says it was a big fish. Boo!! Saw Royal Tern birds. Also saw dolphin fins and manatee noses.

In Everglades National Park Today

We are on our way to do service Project #2 today. Just checked in at the visitor center and met up with Park Ranger Hillary Cooley. Today we are removing invasive plant species, we think it will be removing ardisia. I will confirm later for sure. The location of removal will be in Royal Palm. We are wearing long sleeve shirts and pants today to protect ourselves from scratches. We also need to be on the lookout for fireants. I guess last year's park ranger ended up covered in them and had to strip down to his undies, just to get them off of him. spreading over area where native plants are and are using up the nutrients that the native plants need. (side note, wondering how long strangler fig tree lives for)