Driving east to west along Alligator Alley, one travels through the populated Naples area with its manicured golf courses, the wilderness of Big Cypress Swamp and the sawgrass marshes of Water Conservation Area 3. Wading birds in flight and at rest, and yes, alligators, can also be seen along the canal banks adjacent to the highway. Step out from behind the vehicle window and see some of the alligators and sawgrass marshes that are found along Alligator Alley. A photo gallery is available for this page.
Marshes generally contain grasses and sedges and contain few if any trees and shrubs.
Here many plants prospers in the marsh. American coots are mainly gray and have a short, thick beak. They are commonly seen in open ponds and marshes and in saltwater bays and inlets. Foods coots may eat include aquatic plants, fish, mollusks and insects. Spatterdock are seen in the foreground.