We attempted day hikes around the southern ranger station at Flamingo in Everglades National Park. There were multiple issues going on, some of which are evident in photos:
- Water flow from Lake Okeechobee has been cut by Big Sugar and there is not enough fresh water flowing down. See second photo of desiccated ground.
- Multiple hurricanes have hit the area and inundated with storm surge, killing even salt tolerant plants and leaving seaweed stranded high in the trees. Evident in second, third and fourth photos.
- Many trails and facilities are destroyed.
- There is not enough funding to maintain and repair the park.
- When we were there the government shutdown meant no services at all.
- Invasive Burmese Pythons are killing the mammals in the park.
Mangrove roots above.
Regenerating vegetation below.
This was the natural color of the water in 'Snake Bight.' The trees were still dead there from Hurricane Irma storm surge.
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