There’s lots of shallow water filled with insects, fish, frogs and other goodies, so wading birds are a common sight.

They don’t restrict themselves to the swamps either. They often fly into residential neighborhoods. I used to love the effect on our cat of a four foot tall egret or heron gingerly stepping through the shrubbery right outside our picture window, very methodically inspecting every stem, branch and leaf for an unwary lizard.

Second, bird’s necks. Florida has more miles of bird necks than the rest of the world. More long-necked birds than anyone can imagine. Coming from the northwest, which has a few birds with necks which would attract attention, Florida was a shock.

Both kids home, life’s good.

I rock and roll my way across Alligator Alley to Fort Myers and pig out with my brother, in-laws, my nephew and niece, and all their redneck friends and neighbors.

If its cold and sunny, like it is today, the ‘gators will all be lined up on the banks of the canal on the N side of the W bound lane, catching the rays. The kingfishers will be evenly spaced on the power line, their backs to me, facing the black water, for mile after mile. In the trees you’ll see flashes of white, roosting egrets, ibis and herons. And above, the hawks and vultures will be tracing lazy circles in the sky, looking for thermals to lift them up above the wet, green earth. Snake-necked anhingas will break through the black water like miniature Loch Nessies, or perch in flocks, or “kettles”, facing N on the trees, drying their outstretched wings in the sun.

If I’m lucky, the sky will be dark and clear on the ride home, although this year, there will be no Milky Way, the moon will be just a few days short of full.

Florida is such a beautiful state once you get out of town. But I guess you could say that about any place. Still, it’s neat living in a place where prehistoric reptiles regularly attack senior citizens, little kids and lap dogs.