The Orlando Wetlands

The Orlando Wetlands is an animal sanctuary of sorts and actually not in Orlando.  It is only about 18 miles west of Titusville (Orlando is about 45 miles west of us).  With over 1600 acres and miles of hiking trails, the wetlands is not your usual park. It is actually the final stage of the filtration system for the Orlando area wastewater. Highly treated wastewater flows into the17 different cells in order to remove all of the nutrients and end with pure, clean water that flows into the St. Johns River. The cells were planted to allow progressive filtration.  With 20 million gallons of water flowing into the wetlands each day, it takes about 30 days for the water to slowly flow down the gentle 15 foot incline and into the St. Johns.  Here is a great link on the Orland Wetlands, complete with pictures.

http://www.outintheboonies.com/Orlando_Wetlands/

On Fridays and Saturdays, the park volunteers take 14 person golfcart loads of visitors for a 2.5 mile tour of the park.  It is a great, free service.  Stopping to point out wildlife and plants, they also stop for picture taking.  The entire park is teeming with wildlife.

Here is one of the last pond cells in the wetlands.

A big white ibis stands still in his fishing.  Note how long that curved beak is!

We saw several anhingas drying their wings in the sun.  With no oil in their feathers, this is necessary.  That beautiful green eye?  Mating season!  Just as some birds change plumage, the anhinga's eyes turn a bright green.

Fishing big blue heron.  This fellow was standing very close to a small alligator.  Which startled the devil out of me when it suddenly thrashed and shot into the water.

Here is one of the sneaky devils.

We saw a lot of birds, an eagle soaring high, and a mama and baby raccoon running to cross the road behind us. After our 30 minute ride, we walked a bit of the trails before the park closed.  I expect we'll go back.

Taco dinner/cards with Cathy and Rick last night. Today will be a bit of a catch up day.