Anhinga trail, Everglades National Park

Cormorant, Anhinga trail

The Anhinga Boardwalk Trail at Everglades National Park is one of the most incredible boardwalk trails I’ve ever explored. Though relatively short, it immerses you in a world teeming with birdlife and alligators. I visited this trail with my friends a few hours after sunrise, and as expected, it was already a popular spot for photographers. A large group was just wrapping up their morning shoot as we arrived.

Even before stepping onto the trail, the wildlife experience began. In the parking lot, a flock of Turkey Vultures hovered overhead. Interestingly, these birds seem to have a peculiar habit of picking apart windshield wipers from parked cars—so much so that a sign warned visitors about it.

Right at the start of the trail, we spotted a massive alligator basking on the bank. A little farther in, a pair of Great Blue Herons stood elegantly along the water’s edge. I took some time composing shots of these stunning birds before continuing down the path. Soon, I encountered a few Cormorants and Anhingas sunning themselves. I’ve never been able to get this close to Cormorants before, and it was a real treat. The sunlight illuminated the striking orange on their cheeks, making them even more beautiful.

One of my favorite birds in the Everglades is the Purple Gallinule, but unfortunately, I couldn’t capture any good shots of it this time. I followed one for about fifteen minutes, but it stayed hidden among the reeds, always just out of clear view. The Anhingas, too, were positioned a bit too far off, and by the time I spotted them, the sun was already too high for ideal lighting.

Still, the Anhinga Trail is an incredible destination for bird photographers. I was disappointed that I could only visit once on this trip, but I know I’ll be back many more times in the future.