Wild Life in the Keys February 2-8

Our first Manatee sighting

There is a lot of wildlife on the Keys both above and below the waterline.  We had our first manatee visit a few days ago.  We were beginning to think that they went the way of the flamingo.  The manatee swam slowly by and stopped for a spray of fresh water from our hose on the dock. I’m told that you’re not supposed to water the manatees, but it is clear that they like to drink it.  It hung around long enough for all us trailer park folks to take its picture and then moved on up the bay.

I have been diving in the Penenkamp underwater reserve, an underwater sanctuary that has forbidden fishing for over fifty years in the reef areas.  I have never seen so many fish that are so very tame that you can swim right up to them and swim through the schools of fish without having them run away.  The majority of the fish are somewhat small as this area is a “nursery” for many species, but there were some big guys as well: 4ft moray eels, 5ft barracuda, 6ft nurse sharks, and some big manta rays and turtles.  The diversity of fish here is amazing, lots of tropical colored fish, “lobsters”, eels, rays, turtles, and dolphins.

On land, we have crocodiles, alligators, iguanas, snakes, deer, birds, dogs, cats and people.  While it is very rare for people to be injured by the crocs and alligators, it does give one pause to run into one of these critters when walking in the woods.

 Great white Heron

The birds here are quite impressive.  One of the most prevalent are the pelicans whose graceful glides along the shore are pleasing to watch.  There are a number of water birds, here that swim underwater, only their heads popping up occasionally to the surface for a breath of air. After their swim, some sit in the trees with their wings spread out to dry in the sun. Anhinga’s have no oil in their feathers and have to dry their wings out before they can fly very far.  Ibis walk on the beach poking in the sea grass with long beaks looking for minnows to eat.  Giant herons and egrets stand stock still in shallow water or on the banks waiting for the next unawares fish to swim by.  Most of these birds seem to be unafraid of people and only grudgingly move off if you come too close.  The pelicans might even give you a nip if you don’t watch out. 

Three Birds Spoted  in the Gumbo Limbo forest

There is a bird sanctuary here on Key Largo which is privately run and funded by donations.  It is a funky establishment, the cages for the birds are spacious, but built out of donated bits of 2x4s, plywood, and chicken wire.  The help is mostly volunteer and they seem to be very attentive to the birds.   Many of the cages look to be on the verge of collapse.  They house the injured birds that are here to recuperate.  They have a few owls and hawks, but seabirds by the dozen.  There must be a couple of hundred pelicans  that are not patients but just hang out here for the free food.  The sanctuary is in a mangrove swamp next to the bay so it is a natural habitat for all these birds to hang out at. 

Lunch at the Big Chill

Speaking of wild life, Bobbie and Jackie came to visit us for a week.  We had a great time visiting the Everglades, airboat rides, and hanging out in the local establishments.  The weather turned warm and we all enjoyed some tropical days.  Pats took them to Key West for a couple of days, where they told me that they spent all their time in “museums”.   With all the fun and games over on Duval St. I don’t think they spent all their time in stuffy museums.  Anyway, we all had a great time, and sent them home today back to the cold stark reality of a northern California winter