The Everglades and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

We are coming to the end of our posts from our two month trip around the coast of the Gulf of Mexico with a few final photos from the Everglades and two from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park off of Key Largo. 

Underwater coral

First the two taken from our glass bottom boat ride to the coral reef. The viewing from the boat was so much better than I thought it would be. However the underwater scenery passed by fairly quickly as we drifted over the reef and photographing it was not easy. I'm describing the photos as corals....I think. 

Underwater coral...is that a fish I see....?

   
And the final photos from the Everglades highlight its flora and fauna.

Close up of the mangrove roots. They look like they are walking.

Mangrove trees

An example of the epiphytes that live on some of the branches of the trees.

American alligator

American crocodile 

My favorite bird for this trip, the green backed heron

A male talapia making a nest

And let's not forget the mosquitoes!
The day after this photo was taken someone had moved the mosquito pointer to HORRIBLE.
My finger was kindly pointing to UNPLEASANT.