The beauty of Everglades wading birds The Everglades are home to more wildlife than alligators. More than 360 bird species have been recorded in Everglades National Park, attracting bird watchers from around the world. Among the most iconic are wading birds who thrive in the slow-moving River of Grass, dining on fish, frogs and snakes in a variety of habitats. Beyond the park, there are plenty of opportunities for observing native birds in the Greater Everglades. One of the can’t-miss locations is Wakodahatchee Wetlands, a place we visit each spring for inspiring, up-close views of hatchlings. Keep reading to learn more about three of our [...]

Wildflowers in bloom are autumn's colorful gift Dear Friend, Florida’s native wildflower blooms have become my favorite part of autumn. And although plants bloom throughout Florida’s seasons, there is something special about the pops of color appearing here in South Florida while other states experience the fall foliage of orange, yellow and red leaves. Sometimes one just gets a quick glimpse, like passing by a field in bloom on the side of the interstate. These sunny roadsides are prime locations for patches of wildflowers, but don’t always allow for up close and personal observation. Southeastern Sunflowers blooming by the millions at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary do allow for [...]

Rain or shine, Florida's natural areas are worth exploring Peace and quiet can be hard to come by in South Florida, where constant threats to our beloved natural spaces shock us and development swells into places we never imagined it would. But I encourage you to take a breath, because tranquil pockets of nature still exist, and the stillness of an early morning in the Everglades ecosystem is the perfect antidote to anxiety. Rain or shine, they are worth visiting, as I did one recent moody morning. With Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto swirling offshore, I decided a sunrise visit to Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area in Palm [...]

Wakodahatchee Wetlands bursts with new life Each year, the spring equinox brings new life and longer days.  I first noticed signs of spring while driving to the Friends of the Everglades office in early March. The bright yellow blooms of tabebuia trees light up Ocean Boulevard in Stuart.  This year, cold fronts extending deep into March offered crisp mornings and breezy evenings worthy of longer walks and outdoor dinners. Without a doubt, my favorite part of spring is an annual visit to Wakodahatchee Wetlands, where dozens of bird nests burst with new life. South Florida nature photographers and nature lovers flock to the [...]