Tag / Nature

by Cheryl Batavia

Photo Highlights from our Road Trip, 2026

Relaxing Rest Stop

A new elevated walkway at a rest stop gave us an opportunity to stretch our legs. Ellen walked the entire walkway. Cheryl just climbed to the tower and enjoyed the view, the cool breeze, and the company of birds.
Artistic Landscaping featuring native plants has a subtle beauty that welcomes wildlife and visitors. We saw one tiny alligator in the water, but animals come and go as they please, so you might see more on another day.
You can see the wetlands for miles from the tower. Looking down, Cheryl saw many different birds from this cool, shady vantage point.
Katey, didn’t I tell you not to feed the alligators?

Feeding Tarpon Before Breakfast

Ellen’s presence caused a commotion!
Ellen feeding tarpon, a fish popular with anglers. The largest one we saw was about four feet long.
This little guy tried hard, but was out-competed by bigger fish!
One of the big guys gets the fish!

Walking around Theater of the Sea

The show begins.
This Parrot thinks he is a big star, and he will perform when he is good and ready. The other tropical birds in the show and the spectators will just have to wait until he finishes his pedicure.
The Seal Show is delightful. You can also book a swim with the seals.
Sea turtles like lettuce.
A Manta Ray prefers a large fish.

Theater of the Sea also has sharks, crocodiles, tortoises and other animals.

Everglades National Park Boat Tours

The Starlight boat tour included a spectacular sunset, stars, and bioluminescent seaweed. Fish in the boat wake were eating seaweed, an exciting sight. A very informative presentation. Our guide, who developed this popular new boat tour, was knowledgeable about the various constellatioons we saw and the mythological stories about them. She also told us about the history of the area. Coot’s Bay was named for the ducks that used to live there before engineering projects turned it to saltwater.

Photo by Arnold Dogelis from Unsplash.
It was a beautiful day in Everglades National Park for our daytime boat tour.
Lovely reflections!
Can you find the baby American crocodile hiding among the mangrove roots?
A large mangrove tree.
Tannins in the water camoflauge this small manatee.
Our guide was very knowledgeable about the wildlife we saw and the turbulent history of what is now Everglades National Park. The area around the town of Flamingo was inhabited by Plume hunters and charcoal manufactures. The flamingos are back and multiplying, but to see them, you have to rent a kayak and go to another area.

Everglades National Park is still home to the Micosukee tribe of Native Americans. Their villages, airboats rides, and restaurants are scattered throughout the Park.

Robert is Here Zoo & Farm Stand

Katey went back for more lettuce. 11 AM, but it seems to be lunchtime already!
Still nursing, this calf also enjoys hay!
Ellen feeds lettuce to the Mama cow.
Aw, what a sweet face!
Where’s my watermelon?
Ellen bought watermelon just for the emus.
Relaxing in the shade.
Tortoises in their “tunnels”, and iguanas everywhere!

A Big Thank You to Katey & Ellen for providing the photos!

Thank You, Katey

Caring and kind,

when Katey says she loves you,

you know she means it!

When Katey says she loves you,

you know it, ’cause she shows it!

Copyright© 2026 by Cheryl Batavia

by Cheryl Batavia

Abandoned Dreams of Flying

Vulture. Photo by Mark Boss from Unsplash
Monarch butterfly on milkweed, a host plant on which monarchs lay their eggs.
Photo by Winifred Helton Harmon from Unsplash
Osprey carrying a fish. Photo by Stephen Crane from Unsplash.

Abandoned Dreams of Flying

With vultures, I’d gladly traverse the sky,

surrounding atmosphere so clear, so pure.

Above blue mountains, eagerly I’d fly,

but dining with vultures holds no allure!

Two butterflies take flight on dazzling wings,

in nectared frenzy, sweetly procreate.

Though watching them flying, my spirit sings,

to fly, then die, would be a tragic fate!

With ospreys, I’d fly over seas and streams;

An ocean-view nest is all I could wish.

Their seaside lifestyle haunts my dreams,

but dreams of flight don’t mean I like to fish!

Of course, I could just book an airplane flight.

On second thought, a walk would be just right!

Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia