Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
the river of grass (exhibit under construction last update 2-28-06)

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Everglades, Marl Prairie

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Through the sawgrass the long neck sways, feathers pulsing with the stems and blades, as the sun burns down on on a glistening day. It is an effort of patience and concentration, the invisible bird with determination, harpoon beak poised to strike, the bittern is ready to have a bite!

Walking like an egyptian on soggy feet, eyes turned down for what's beneath, invertebrates, or vertebrate, will feel its beak, should the bittern spy a peak. Should it spy a threat large and near, the bittern may not reveal it's fear, but rather blend with the tall marsh grass, bill straight up hoping you'll pass. This is a game of survival every creature must play, to live the grassland or prairie life and chance does give, to be the eaten or eater or both, in an eon's old race in a world so great. Success and failure, and luck seals ones fate...

Check back for more images of American Bitterns such as the individual depicted here, photographed on Christmas of 2006 by David and Mary Ross.

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) is a creature to be marveled at. With a plumage apt to the showy boisterous behavior, truly a clownish beauty, captivating to both the first time viewer, or experienced gawker. The Everglades offer many opportunities to see these birds of the marsh and slough edge at close range. Check back here for more information and additional images.

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus is a common predator near woodland and wetland swamps through much of the eastern US. This Florida form has a slightly lighter gray colored head. The bird perched on the pine bow to the right seems to be feeding on perhaps a snail pulled from a slough at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.