The Tortugan Crocodile Smiles & A Disgusting Mystery Bird

I did not expect to find a crocodile on the Dry Tortugas. The Tortugas are a long swim away from any other islands, and lack any kind of mangrove or otherwise swampy habitat, but I guess that didn't deter this beast. Booby Brittany and I watched it for over a half hour as it bashed, thrashed, and half-swallowed its way through this big bird. It was a bit distant, so the tourists swimming around Garden Key were completely oblivious. A few Key West locals were really impressed I managed to photograph the Tortugan crocodile, as it seems to have a kind of Loch Ness Monster mystique about it. Well, here it is, documented killing the hell out of something.

By the way, much respect given to anyone who can identify the bird that lies between the crocodile's teeth.

This Great Blue Heron stood captivated for the whole grisly affair. It showed no fear of the crocodile.

A Peregrine Falcon was also watching the gory action the entire time. When you have the eyes of a falcon you don't need to be up close.

The Great Blue Heron had the best front row seat though.

A Lack of Pronounced Eye Ridges, The Umbrella Move, A Calming Calm

American Crocodile. In the United States, crocs are only found in extreme southern Florida...probably the easiest place to see them is in the marina area and Buttonwood Canal at Flamingo in Everglades National Park. Crocs can be told from gators by their pointed snout, lack of pronounced eye ridges, obvious teeth sticking out, and their preference for salt (and sometimes brackish) water.

How do you like that? Starting off a post with a nonavian organism? Yeah, we get pretty crazy around here, no question.

Now that we know exactly what a birder is, here's another slough of photos from the Everglades for your enjoyment.

I somehow managed to not photograph an alligator while in the Everglades this time, although we saw (and heard!) a few. Crocodiles are listed as "Threatened" in the U.S.

I did not expect Mrazek Pond to be particularly birdy, but there was a lot going on. This Tricolored Heron was feeding hyperactively right next to the road.

Yup, it even busted out the classic umbrella move. Reddish Egrets aren't the only waders that can dance. Nice primaries eh?

Showing off it's tricoloredness while Blue-winged Teal lurk in the shadows.

I really like how the water appears in this picture, even though the heron is a bit backlit. They really are striking birds.

Red-shouldered Hawk is another South Florida classic...it even has it's own subspecies (extimus). They are common and unwary in a lot of places. 

The hawk scans its sawgrassy domain.

The top end of the Buttonwood Canal, nicely framed by mangroves. You need a craft of water to get here...the calm water is indeed calming. Also worth mentioning are the hundreds of White-crowned Pigeons that flew over on the way to this spot.

I think this is some kind of Needlefish (Belonidae). They seem to be everywhere in South Florida and the keys, often right on the water's surface.

White-eyed Vireos are hard to miss in Florida, as with much of the southeast. Their songs are fun to hear, they seem to be gifted with a larger repertoire than other vireos. Whoever named them should get an award for common sense.