Riding through the Everglades on an airboat provides a close-up view of some its rich diversity. Here, a Great Blue Herons is in mid flight just above the treetops. Calm, balance and uniqueness describe this large creature. Read more here. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergToday I’m focusing on the plantlife in this amazing environment. The Everglades is actually a river; it is a moving river of grass. Often misunderstood, thought to be stagnant waters it is now understood to be a river. The Sawgrass and Bonnet Lilies actually float through the waters allowing airboats to ride through the flora without harm to boats. Marjory Stoneman Doublas opened the public’s eyes when she wrote detailed, important, The Everglades: River of Grass“. Higher, dryer lands are interspersed throughout the Everglades providing small habitats for settlement by drier loving plants, animals and even people. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergSawgrasss (Cladium) is actually a sedge with sharp, sawtooth-like edges. As one rides through the Everglades it is not recommended to try to run one’s hands through the grasses while passing through these waters because of the sawtooth edges as well as encountering nesting Alligators. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergOur airboat ventured sometimes slowly through the plantlife instead of around the growths. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergThe vastness of the Everglades is hard to describe. It is an incredible piece of the United States and needs to continue to be treasured and preserved. There are no other Everglade-like places in the world. Care needs to continue to care for this natural, beautiful, oxygen producing, wildlife home needs to be valued and saved. Nine different habitats make up the Everglades. Copyright 2024 Pamela Breitberg
Accordingly: “Along with being a natural habitat for more than 360 bird species, 300 types of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 different mammal species and 50 species of reptiles, Everglades National Park is the most important breeding ground for wading birds in North America. It is home to 36 threatened or endangered animal species”. ……Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
