Snapshots from the Everglades

Tamiami Trail sign at State Route 29 and State Route 41

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Ochopee Post Office, the smallest post office building in the U.S., at the Northern end of the Florida Everglades

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Shannon Mitchell has worked at the Ochopee Post Office for 10 years. I asked her if it ever feels claustrophobic. She said maybe at the beginning, but she's gotten used to it.

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Ochopee Post Office at sunset, December 19, 2015.

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Grilled alligator with lime and mango chutney at Camellia Street Grill

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Sunrise clouds over Turner Lake, on my first Kayak ride, with guide Dillon at the helm.

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Snail eggs on a reed of grass at Turner Lake, in Ochopee, FL

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Tricolored Heron at Turner Lake, in Ochopee, FL

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Tricolored Heron at Turner Lake, in Ochopee, FL

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Little Blue Heron at Turner Lake, in Ochopee, FL

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Fuchsia and violet flower on Turner Lake, in Ochopee, FL

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Alligator air bubbles surround an aquatic flower in Turner Lake

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Florida Redbelly Cooter crossing Loop Road in Ochopee, FL

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Red-shouldered Hawk at Sweetwater Strand on Loop Road in Ochopee, FL

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Red-shouldered Hawk hiding its head at Sweetwater Strand on Loop Road in Ochopee, FL

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Red-shouldered Hawk at Sweetwater Strand on Loop Road in Ochopee, Fl

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Big Cypress at Sweetwater Strand on Loop Road in Ochopee, FL

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Alligator kitsch in Everglades City, FL

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Alligator kitsch in Everglades City, FL

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Hobo alligator in Everglades City, FL

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John Bedford Jr. (l) and George Brummet (r) at Hamilton Stone Crab fish house in Everglades City, FL

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John Bedford Jr. examines his catch, a Drum fish, at Hamilton Stone Crab fish house in Everglades City, FL

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John Bedford Jr. shows me his catch, a Drum fish, at Hamilton Stone Crab fish house in Everglades City, FL

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Female Anhinga dries her wings at Royal Palm Visitor Center in Everglades National Park

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Female Anhinga profile at Royal Palm Visitor Center in Everglades National Park

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Double-crested Cormorant at Royal Palm Visitor Center in Everglades National Park

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Little Green Heron at Royal Palm Visitor Center in Everglades National Park

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Couple of alligator hatchlings at Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk

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