Long-Lost Fort Harrell Found Again In The Everglades

August 25, 2014 by
painting of the Seminole Wars

An artist’s interpretation of the Seminole Wars.

The Seminole Wars was a series of three wars that were fought in the 1800’s between the American Army and the Native Americans who originally inhabited the area. The wars centered around land disputes – land that they the Native Americans felt was already theirs, land the American Army felt should belong to the newly formed United States. History tells us how this story ended, but little is known about the events that actually occurred during these wars.

The American Army built a series of forts throughout Southern Florida, areas where soldiers could rest and recuperate as well as stock and collect supplies. Many of these forts were destroyed during the wars, and others fell into ruin shortly afterwards. Many of these forts were simply lost to time and never seen or sought after again. Fort Harrell was one such fort that remained forgotten about until it was recently rediscovered by three local men in the Everglades.

Three amateur explorers and friends became fascinated by the story of Fort Harrell and set out on a quest to find it. Though their discovery has not yet been scientifically confirmed, they have found what appears to be the foundation for the long-lost fort, a structure last seen by the human eye in 1917 while road workers labored away on construction for the Tamiami Trail. The site is currently only accessible by boat, located deeply within the alligator-infested waters of the Everglades, but the three explorers dream of seeing the Tamiami Trail extended to accommodate tourists interested in seeing this piece of Florida history.

Everglades tours are a fantastic way for residents of and visitors to Southwest Florida to experience this history up close, while also observing Florida’s most wild creatures in their native habitats. Airboat rides with Captain Mitch are not only thrilling and fun, but informative and educational too.

Filed Under: Captain Mitch, Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades Airboat Tours, Everglades City, Florida, Everglades History Tagged With: , , , ,

The American Alligator Vs. The American Crocodile

August 25, 2014 by
image of an American Alligator

An American alligator.

American alligators and American crocodiles have a few things in common, the most important being that both creatures strike fear into the hearts of people and small dogs throughout Florida and the Southern United States. Both alligators and crocodiles are some of the most feared and respected predators on earth, both with coveted spots very close to the top of the food chain. There are however, some important differences between the two species.

Crocodiles and alligators are very similar in appearance, but, upon closer inspection, some very subtle physical differences can be detected. The most obvious difference is in the shape of the snout – alligators tend to have wider and rounder snouts, while the snout of a crocodile is longer, leaner, and more pointed. When an alligator is resting with its mouth closed, only the top row of teeth is visible because an alligator’s upper jaw completely covers its lower jaw. With a crocodile, on the other hand, both bottom and top teeth are visible when the mouth is closed. Crocodiles also tend to be more light and green in color, while alligators are darker and more gray.

While it’s easiest to tell American crocodiles and American alligators apart by their appearance, the two species differ most greatly in the behaviors and preferred habitats. Alligators are much more common in Florida and the Everglades, because they prefer the freshwater and brackish consistency that can be found here. Crocodiles prefer saltwater environments, so they are more commonly found in or near the oceans surrounding Florida. While alligators can be aggressive and dangerous, crocodiles are typically docile and shy towards humans. Between 20 and 25 fatal alligator attacks have occurred in Florida over the years, but not one fatal crocodile attack has ever been recorded here.

Airboat rides with Captain Mitch are a fantastic way to see both American alligators and American crocodiles from the safety of a boat. Florida Everglades boat rides are family-friendly and an experience you will never forget.

Filed Under: Captain Mitch, Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades Airboat Tours, Everglades Animals, Everglades Wildlife Tagged With: , , , ,

The American Wood Stork Is Making Its Comeback

August 25, 2014 by
image of an American wood stork

An American wood stork in flight.

The Obama administration has announced good news for the Florida Everglades this week: the American wood stork, a species which at one point had been predicted to be extinct by the year 2000, has made a glorious come back. This beautiful wading bird is getting an official upgrade from “endangered” to “threatened,” and current estimates cite the population to be close to 9,000 breeding adults.

Though related species thrive in other parts of the world, namely South and Central America, the wood stork has struggled in subtropical areas of Florida, mostly due to habitat destruction for commercial and residential development. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has worked hard over the last three decades to restore wetlands in and around Florida, and due to their efforts, this once rare bird can now be found as far north as Georgia, South Carolina, and even North Carolina. The wood stork still has a long way to go before it will no longer be considered “threatened,” but wildlife officials are optimistic.

This impressive bird can reach heights of up to four feet with a wingspan that can reach up to five feet, and is the only stork species found in the United States. They prefer swamplands and marshes, where they can feed on fish and frogs, and use the surrounding trees and mangroves to nest and protect their eggs. Adults have no natural predators in the area, except for the occasional alligator, so the only real threat to them is human interference.

More and more visitors to Florida are able to see these birds each year as their numbers rise, and airboat rides through the Everglades with Captain Mitch are a perfect opportunity to try and spot one of these birds for yourself. The knowledge and love that Captain Mitch and his crew have for this area and its creatures are passed on to everyone who steps foot on their airboats; you’ll step off the boat from your Everglades swamp tour inspired and with a new understanding and appreciation for this unique yet fragile eco-system.

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Marco Island Airboat Tours Never Disappoint

August 25, 2014 by

Whether you are a year-round resident of Southwest Florida or are just visiting friends and family, Marco Island is always a popular attraction and a wonderful destination to experience some of the area’s beautiful weather. People live in Florida or travel to the area for a variety of reasons, but most people can agree on the attractions of sunshine, beaches, and local freshwater and saltwater rivers and lakes. While Marco Island offers all the basics needed for a tropical vacation, there are a couple of truly unique opportunities here as well.

There are always an abundance of outdoor activities available on Marco Island and the surrounding areas, many of them both exhilarating and family-friendly. If you find yourself in the area, don’t miss your chance to experience Florida the way it was truly meant to be seen, on an Everglades swamp tour with a friendly and knowledgeable guide.

Marco Island swamp tours are one of the only ways for people to experience the natural beauty of the Everglades up close, on one of the original methods of transportation invented specifically for fast transport over shallow water. Visitors can experience the Everglades with the guides who know this area best, guides that grew up in the area and have lived here their whole lives. The Everglades is truly one of the most unique ecosystems in the entire world, and Captain Mitch and his crew are passionate about sharing their home with others and spreading an appreciation and love for the plants and creatures that also inhabit the swamplands.

Marco Island is centrally located within Southwest Florida, and is easily accessed from any number of popular surrounding cities, such as Naples, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers. Marco Island is also just a quick drive from the opposite coast of Florida, and can be easily accessed from Miami, Homestead, or Fort Lauderdale.

Filed Under: Captain Mitch, Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades Airboat Tours, Marco Island Airboat Rides, Marco Island Airboat Tours Tagged With: , , , ,