Captain Shells boating excursions

10/14/2023

Getting into fall fishin. Morning snook

10/12/2023

Manatee Internship Opportunities!
Do you know a college junior, senior, or recent grad interested in completing an internship with FWC’s manatee program? We currently have Winter internships available in four locations around Florida! As an intern on the manatee team, you’ll work closely with FWC biologists by assisting with manatee rescues, handling animals during transport to critical care facilities, and helping with releases after rehabilitation. In addition, interns will participate in carcass salvage, necropsy, and other important field research projects that contribute to the conservation and care of this iconic species.

To see a list of available internships and more information about each location and how to apply, please visit https://myfwc.com/research/manatee/research/internships/

09/30/2023

Hahaa

The range is absolutely unbelievable

09/27/2023

Wow now that's a get away

09/27/2023

Halloween duck!!

09/27/2023

09/27/2023

The September Full Moon is this week on Thursday Night. This Full Moon is maybe the most famous of all: The Harvest Moon! Why is it called the Harvest Moon? It marks the transition from Summer into Fall, so the preparation for the harvest must begin. The crops are ready! Shine on.... (Photo: Bea Glass)

09/25/2023

Manatees doing well after the storm. As awesome as ever!!

09/25/2023

Little Luna loves her island adventures

08/04/2023

The Refuge offers the JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM. Stay tuned for more info to come via Discover Crystal River Florida on Tuesday!

08/04/2023

The original swamp buggies. Ford and Edison had estates in ft Myers side by side. They were buddies. From my understanding Ford created the buggies that are similar to today's. Lifted and we'll suited for the Florida swamps. Where us 41 and s.r 29 intercect there is a rest area where you can view one of the earliest swamp buggies. Florida history is so cool that even our American geniuses used this state as their winter playground. Go FORD!!

Driving on Main Park Road it is easy to sit back, relax, and enjoy the drive while we look at the park from the comfort of an air-conditioned car; but getting around the park wasn’t always so easy or pleasant.

Before the park was authorized in 1934, there were very few paved roads in the region, and the ones that did exist didn’t extend deep into the Everglades. This made exploring the park slow, difficult, and an unattainable experience for many.

Early cars like Model T’s were not made to be driven off-road, especially not in marshy environments like the Everglades. In the 1940s Floridians began to customize them with oversized tires to make exploring remote parts of the park easier.

These modified cars became known as Glades buggies or swamp buggies and were used by park rangers, hunters, and tour guides alike.

Over time as the infrastructure of the park developed and roads started to get paved, there was less need for specialized vehicles like buggies. While not commonly used today in Everglades National Park, neighboring Big Cypress National Preserve allows some off-road vehicle use on designated trails with a permit.

What’s your favorite way to travel in the park?

Photo courtesy of Florida Memory

ALT TEXT: Men standing in a swamp buggy in some tall grass.

08/04/2023

08/02/2023

It’s EntoMonday! Say “hello” to the eastern lubber (Romalea guttata). This insect’s bright colors are a warning to predators: When threatened, it can spew a foul-smelling spray of toxins! Found in the fields and forests of the southeastern United States, this grasshopper can grow up to 3.5 in (9 cm) long. Did you know? A bird called the Shrike eats these insects, despite their toxins. It impales the eastern lubber on thorns, then digs in after the toxins have broken down. You can spot this jumbo insect and more in the Museum’s Solomon Insectarium!

Photo: mnd10, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist

07/20/2023

My Favorite Cassopidia beautiful in the morning sky!

07/19/2023

Moccasin on our dock! Maybe..

07/09/2023

Please be careful

11/11/2022

Love it!!

11/11/2022

This is awesome. Great memorial.

On 11-11 at exactly 11:11 am, every Veterans Day, the sun aligns perfectly with the Anthem Veteran’s Memorial in Arizona to shine through the ellipses of the five marble pillars representing each branch of the Armed Forces, illuminating The Great Seal of the United States!

10/09/2022

Cool

10/09/2022

The mornings moon!

10/08/2022

Post-Storm Marine Mammal Strandings ⚠️
Manatees, whales and dolphins can become stranded or trapped after a hurricane and may need medical attention by wildlife experts.
What should you do if you see a stranded or trapped marine mammal?
⚠️ STOP: Don’t Attempt to Rescue the Animal
⚠️ CALL: FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-3922
⚠️ ASSIST: Follow Directions from a Trained Responder

Please note, rescue response may be limited or restricted until conditions are safe for our marine mammal rescue team.

Photos by FWC and USFWS Officer Ryan Maier

10/08/2022

Beautiful morning sky.

10/07/2022

Hee hee baby Capt Michele. With sister Carolyn my Mother and late 1st cousin Mary Beth MY aunt Martha was there not in picture. Yep not much has changed still have denim jacket and messy hair and I still don't care. Picture taken Tarpon Springs around 1972 73 when we move to beautiful FLA

10/06/2022

Beautiful morning

10/06/2022

Ibis