While visitors paddle through Silver Springs and the connecting Silver River, Double Crested Cormorants catch some rays of sunshine. Mid-day is a quiet time for many of nature’s hunters. Copyright 2026 Pamela BreitbergEvidence of Manatees neraby is the bubbles moving through the waters. Occasionally they surface for a moment confirming their presence. Much wildlife goes unobserved. The preserve is both to educate us as well as to provide home for native flora and fauna. Also mostly unseen are Aligators: no swimming is allowed in this Park’s waters for that reason Copyright 2026 Pamela BreitbergKeen eyes can spot wildlife if patient and determined. Copyright 2026 Pamela BreitbergNear the Cormorants was a sunning Turtle. Copyright 2026 Pamela BreitbergSome wildlife would be unexpected to see in Florida’s wilds: Rhesus Macaque Monkeys. I didn’t see any on the day I visited. Southern Florida also has areas where some wild monkeys can be found. Read about these monkeys here. Copyright 2026 Pamela Breitberg
