Everglades Canoe Trip January 2003

Rabbit and Pavilion Keys

We got to the Everglades City ranger station about 9am and were quickly on our way across Chokoloskee Bay to Sandfly Pass. The power boat traffic was minimal; the day was sunny and cool. We took a small detour and got very close to a group of American White Pelicans. The wind was at our backs and carried us down the coast.

We stopped for lunch on Rabbit Key at low tide. We were entertained by a pair of Ospreys who had a nest in the top of a perfect bonsai mangrove nearby. From there it was a short paddle with the wind to Pavilion Key.

Once we had established our campsite we went for a long walk on the beach. The Gulf-side beach was much more extensive than I remember from the 2000 trip. We were able to walk at least half the length of the island.

Just before dusk, hundreds of small shore birds landed on the beach in front of our tent. We identified several common and less common species including Dunlin, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-Bellied Plovers. Many spent at least part of the night there.

There were two other parties on the island that night: a large school group and a pair of kayakers. Our dinner was Taboli, Humus, and Bread. The wind intensified after dusk and we spent some time looking at Orion, Saturn, Jupiter (with two moons visible in binoculars!), and the Andromeda Galaxy. The sky was magnificent!