The Everglades provided a perfect opportunity to see the importance of balance in nature. We were very lucky to get to work with four Park Rangers from the Everglades on Sunday. We were given the opportunity to hike through two different areas of the park. I observed numerous birds and one in particular was fascinating. I have included information about its adaptations and method of eating on the Toyota Wiki linked below. Many alligators were sunning themselves. One very large male seemed to be guarding his territory as he ferociously chased away a smaller gator. He then proceeded to roll from side to side in the water exposing his belly like a dog rolling in the grass. The ranger said it appeared to be a mating ritual. That may explain why he chased away the other male alligator.
While hiking in the Cypress Dome my group came upon a Water Moccassin-a venomous snake. It was a few feet ahead of us on a fallen branch. We took a quick picture and then backed slowly away so as not to provoke it.
I also sampled a piece of sawgrass. One can gaze upon a rolling sea of sawgrass in portions of the Everglades that seem to go on forever. The edible portion of the plant is tender and tastes like potatoes. After biting the stem, it changes color from creamy white to a lavendar.
The trip was amazing and I gathered many ideas for implementing activities into my classes on the Everglades and the preservation of ecosystems in general. I look forward to sharing my stories and pictures with you upon my return to class.
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