We spent a perfect afternoon with Don, Garl's other guide. He has a PHD in Biology and is just an amazingly knowledgeable, interesting, great guy. We dropped in at the visitor's centre for a quick look at the highly concentrated bird life and alligator hangout there and then moved on to wad into a Cypress Dome, where we saw a wonderful ecosystem of flora and fauna, including Wood Storks, two Barred Owls, two resident alligators and an array of flowering bromeliad. incredible.
Stopped briefly to look for Roseate Spoonbills, saw several in flight (a thrill), then on to the Nine Mile Pond canoe trail where we kayaked into the mangrove and saw more alligators, Florida Gar, Ibis, Wood Storks, Great White Herons, Kingfishers. Drifted back to the van after watching a beautiful sunset while enjoying a lovely chilled bottle of rosé.
Took lots of great photos, learned so much about the ecosystems of the Everglades and about Don's research. We arrived back in Key Largo long after dark. Can't say enough about this tour. If you go take a camera, water shoes, sunhat, sunscreen (no bug repellent necessary in winter), everything else for the half day trip is supplied... they'll stop at a concession where you can pick up snacks. When we return to Florida we plan on doing the full day tour. Thanks Don!