Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Tours

Many people don’t realize how many of Florida’s beautiful and rare birds they’ll see on an airboat ride!  Michael and his family took an airboat ride with us, and here’s what he had to say: 

I’ve made an Excel spreadsheet of the birds I saw either from the boat, or on land near your boat launch. Considering the trip was in the heat of the day, and in the middle of summer, it isn’t a bad list for a trip that is NOT focused on birds.  

Here’s Michael’s list of birds:  Wild Turkey, Double-Crested Cormorant, Anhinga, Green Heron, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Tricolored Heron, Little Blue Heron, Wood Stork, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Common Moorhen, American Coot, Sandhill Crane, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Florida Scrub-Jay, American Crow, Common Grackle, Osceola Turkey and Boat-tailed Grackle.

By the way, Linda, our son Brandt, and I all had a wonderful time.   We loved it and have no regrets at having chosen the 2-hour trip.   It seems that the short trips couldn’t possibly get one back into the more remote sections of the county as you were able to do with the longer trip.   Thanks again.  Michael Hay

Wood Stork, Snowy Egret, Snail Kite and More!

Chris Smith from the UK and his family took an airboat ride with us last week… and he sent some beautiful photographs that I’ll be sharing with you over the next couple of days. 

Today’s photos are of the endangered Snail Kite and Wood Stork.  The Wood Stork favors marshes and swamps – perfect habitat for an airboat ride!  You won’t believe all of the beautiful birds you’ll be able to photograph while on an airboat tour!

Click on the photos below for a larger view!

Chris Smith from the UK and his family took an airboat ride with us last week… and he sent some beautiful photographs that I’ll be sharing with you over the next couple of days.  First, here’s what Chris had to say about his airboat ride:

Hi Debi,

Thanks to you and Captain Harold for a most enjoyable experience on your airboat.  We will happily recommend your tours to our friends who visit Florida.  Please find attached a few of my photos which you can use on your web site or blog - please can you let me know the different bird names for the attached too.

Best Regards, Chris (& Lydia, Sam and Dan) Smith

Today’s photos are of the Roseate Spoonbill – we only see this bird during the summer months, as we are at the very northern edge of its range in Florida.  Because of its beautiful pink color, it’s often confused with a flamingo.  The spoonbill was once hunted almost to extinction due to its beautiful plumage, and although it has recovered, it is still a species of special concern in Florida.  Take a closer look at its bill and you will see why it’s called a spoonbill!