In Memoriam – Captain Bob Cowlishaw (12/12/41-5/5/21)
My friend, former boss and owner of Everglades Day Safari, Captain Bob Cowlishaw passed away unexpectedly yesterday. It would be an understatement to say he had a huge impact on my life. He not only changed the direction of my life but he had a huge influence on so many of the staff, colleagues and…
The Florida Softshell Turtle
Eventually we will come out of our shells but for the time being we remain temporarily closed due to COVID. In the meantime, let’s talk about Florida Softshell Turtles (Apalone ferox). Like all turtles, the vertebrae are attached to the shell but unlike most turtles, the carapace is flattened and leathery providing them with the…
Palm Warbler
As we ride out the COVID pandemic and plan for a safe re-opening in the next few weeks or months I have been looking back at some of my favorite tour photos including this pair of “Palm Warblers” perched in a Cabbage Palmetto (Sabal palmetto). It’s an atypical plant (palms are not true trees!) for…
The Great White Heron
Great White Heron From a distance this striking white bird looks like a massive Great Egret (Ardea alba) but the resemblances are limited to white plumage and an S-shaped neck. As I approached I could tell it was a Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis), a subspecies of the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) found predominantly in the…