Wild Adventures with Steve: Everglades Wildlife Part 1

Check out the amazing wildlife and wild places I discovered while kayaking in the 'Glades a few years back.

Music: Afro Celt Soundystem "Release" and John Anderson "Seminole Wind"

Special thanks to the ASU Outdoor Programs staff for leading this Kayaking Excursion and to all of the students that lived, laughed and learned while on this amazing journey through the 'glades!




This particular excursion took place during the spring of 2000. It changed my life in that I re-discovered my reason for being: environmental education--I am here to teach people about the wonders and values of nature.

Before this trip I was seriously contemplating going down a career path that would make me more money but take me away from my first love--wildlife and nature.

On this trip I had several encounters that changed my entire view on life. One of those encounters you will see in this video--a little snake I found resting alone in the Mangroves. Something began to change inside me that morning--something I cannot explain. I re-discovered my purpose, the passion that I have had all of my life but had almost lost--my passion for teaching people about the wildlife, nature and our environment that I hold so dear to my heart. I decided while on this excursion that I would devote my life to wildlife and nature conservation.

Why did I choose a life that will probably be full of controversy, hard work and confrontation with people out for personal gain and temporary wealth? Why didn't I do like others I know and choose a path that would lead to an easy life of making lots of money, driving a big car and living in a big house (the so called American dream)??

To me the answer was simple. While I was in the everglades the animals, the place and the creator of all things "spoke" to me and gave me what I believe was my one last chance to do what my heart had always told me was the right way for me: the way of the teacher, the educator, the naturalist and outdoor leader and protector of wild creatures and wild places. People need to know why the conservation of wildlife and natural places are so important for us all. Knowledge of nature is quietly and quickly disappearing from our schools and homes and kids are not being allowed to play outside anymore for fear of "bad" people and "wild" animals. Obesity is on the increase, many kids are plugged in so much of the time that they miss out on real life. Many parents are forcing their children to attend programs that are very competitive and so structured that they have no time for to free play and no time to be alone--no time to be kids. Kids need to play with friends and to play alone, explore unknown areas, climb trees, get dirty, go fishing, fall down, chase a lizard, build a fort, keep a snake or a turtle as a pet for a short time (but let it go where they found it) run, jump and just be a kid--without the strict competitive structure that is imposed on them today. Take your kids outside on a regular basis--take them to a wild place like the creek, the woods, the beach, a volcano, a swamp, and island, the Everglades, Yellowstone, the Great Smokeys, Africa, Australia...get out there and live, experience, fall in love with nature all over again and please, preserve, protect and conserve what nature we have left before it is all parking lots and urban sprawl.

Check out part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfwGtH1AanU

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• everglades
• national
• park
• florida
• wildlife
• nature
• alligator
• crocodile
• watersnake
• snake
• reptile
• anhinga

[IronManJr]

This maybe a Water moccasin or better known as a cotton mouth

[snakesteve68]

It's a watersnake...harmless unless you are a fish of frog:-) I checked it out later in my field guide.

[enjoythewildUSA]

This should come with a "don't try this at home warning...." Unless you really know what you are doing, you ought to stay away from the reptiles in the Florida Everglades. Many things there are ready and willing to kill you......

[Shoot1ngStar]

wow the 2nd song sounds very nice.

[austinsplace1]

Great work! Well done. :) ******

[clrhilla]

WOW

[CheesyPanda1]

Amazing!

[k6yardotcom]

1:12; pretty was nice!

Be safe and take care;

:) Ruben