Alligators have made a huge comeback since the early 1970's, when they were one of the first animals to be protected by the Endangered Species Act. They're nowhere near as numerous or widespread as they were before people starting killing them for all the usual reasons, but they're plentiful in certain places, including Everglades National Park.

We arrived at Anhinga Trail right at sunrise, and admired the spectacle of early-morning activity from the numerous herons, egrets, ibises, anhingas, and other birds. Meanwhile, plenty of alligators drifted to and fro in the dark water, often revealing only their eyes and snouts.

I saw my first Louisiana gators in this wildlife refuge alongside a nice well-kept trail. My wife was walking our three little dogs while I went on ahead on large predator alert. All family members, human and canine, remain unconsumed.

Anhinga trail is an excellent locale for gator spotting. On this warm winter's morning we must have seen a couple of dozen in forty-five minutes or so.

Hmm, maybe a log full of baby alligators is cuter than one?

There's nothing cuter than a tiny baby alligator floating alongside your inflatable kayak, nothing!

On this stormy morning, it seems that most of the alligators at Anhinga Trail decided to gather together in one small area. I'll bet James Bond could have escaped by running across their backs.

Most of the roads in this part of the Everglades ecosystem have parallel "borrow canals" beside them, ditches where material was excavated to build the road up on top of the swamp. These canals are hugely popular with the local fish, bird, snake, and perhaps especially alligator population. Here's a happy alligator enjoying his roadside dining room.