A trip to Orlando is not complete without a gator airboat ride!

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A visit to Orlando, Florida, is incomplete without an airboat ride experience on the Everglades (I've been reading National Geographic stories about the Everglades since I was a child). Thus, I included a Wild Willy's Airboat Tour of Lake Tohopekaliga. Besides, Donan likes seeing animals. He thoroughly enjoyed the safari adventure in Animal Kingdom, so why not add some gator sightings to his memory bank?

The Everglades

The Everglades is a flooded grassland in Florida. It begins near Orlando (lucky us!). Water flows south from Lake Tohopekaliga to Lake Okeechobee (the largest freshwater lake in Florida) through the Kissimmee River. From there, the water flows south until it exits at Florida Bay.

The Everglades is notable for its extensive sawgrass (Cladium sp.) growth. It is also home to mangrove forests, pine forests, cypress swamps, and other tropical trees. The variety of flora in these ever-flowing waters creates diverse environments that various animals call home.

Sadly, the Everglades is under threat. People have introduced invasive plants, which compete with the native species for resources. They have also brought Burmese pythons (which can devour native alligators) and Nile monitor lizards (which can eat owls and crocodile eggs). Moreover, people have altered the flow of the water, which created imbalances in the delicate ecosystem.

I wanted Donan to see the Everglades in person. It's a different experience from wondering about it while poring through National Geographic magazines. I don't know how much he understands and will remember many years into the future, as he is still young during this trip. However, seeing the Everglades for the first time with him was a fun experience.

Lake Tohopekaliga

We didn't see the central portion of the Everglades. Instead, we visited where it begins: Lake Tohopekaliga. We went to St Cloud to embark on an airboat ride. This city is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the theme park area (mainly in Orlando and Kissimmee). We basked in the sunlight while waiting for our airboat. The pace was slow, and the atmosphere was quiet. City sounds were replaced by bird calls and whirring sounds of watercraft.

When our boat tour of the lake began, Donan and I sat on two of the best seats in the boat: we were at the rear, beside the captain, with a great view of the lake. Cabe, the boat's captain, deftly drove the airboat to different "grass islands" where alligators are known to nest. We learned that the lake is pretty shallow, and people can go there for recreational activities like swimming and wakeboarding. I don't know if I'd want to be in the water while an alligator sunbaths.

The alligators (and other wildlife)

Since we visited in winter, many alligators were in plain sight, in brumation mode (i.e., sluggish and dormant due to the low temperatures). Cabe pointed out some of the largest alligators I've ever seen. He said that the alligators we were seeing were American alligators (Alligator mississipiensis). These are apex predators and are not very picky eaters. They feed on reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals. 

(Alligator in brumation mode)

In addition to alligators, Lake Tohopekaliga is home to various bird species. Cabe showed us a bald eagle sitting with other birds. He also pointed out a great blue heron. There were a lot of different birds, including those that pecked at the alligators to get them to move out of the birds' way.

(Bald eagle and other birds)

Donan was so excited to participate in the animal-watching activity. He was attentive and even stood up by the side of the airboat to see what Cabe was discussing. In contrast, Mommy kept her head down, not interested in seeing any alligators... anything animal-related. 

We were allowed to handle a juvenile alligator at the end of the airboat ride. Donan, Anna, and Daddy held it for photos. This was definitely a good way to end our trip to the lake. It also provided us with a view of what Florida is like outside the theme park district. 

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