<em>This story originally appeared in the Sunday, February 24, 2008 edition of The Kansas City Star</em></p><p><strong>WHEN TO VISIT</strong></p><p>Winter and early spring are optimal times to visit Everglades National Park. From December through April, the dry season, temperatures range from an average of 53 to 77 degrees. Visitation is higher at this time of year, too. Many ranger programs and tours are offered.</p><p>Between May and November, the rainy season, temperatures reach an average of 90 degrees with high humidity. Expect afternoon thunderstorms and bugs, bugs, bugs. Park visitation is lower at this time of year, so not all ranger programs and tours are available.</p><p><strong>WEB SITES</strong></p><p>Beyond the National Park Service's Everglades site (<a href="http://www.nps.gov/ever" target="_blank">nps.gov/ever</a>), check out:</p><p>Fodor's online has a chapter on Shark Valley describing bicycle and tram tours. <a href=http://www.tinyurl.com/yssvwr" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/yssvwr</a>.</p><p>The Tropical Everglades Visitor Association offers maps and links for recreation, tours and attractions. <a href="http://www.tropicaleverglades.com" target="_blank">tropicaleverglades.com</a>.</p><p>TripAdvisor details attractions. <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/2hk7do" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/2hk7do</a>.</p><p><em>| Roger Petterson, The Associated Press</em></p><p><strong>BIRD WATCH</strong></p><p>I didn't see all 400 species, but I'm sure I saw dozens. Here are a few I spotted, mostly near Shark Valley and Taylor Slough.</p><p><strong>Herons:</strong> Blue, great white and tricolored. Wading birds, commonly seen.</p><p><strong>Egrets:</strong> Long-legged white wading birds. Common.</p><p><strong>White ibises:</strong> Long-legged wading bird with an orange beak. Common.</p><p><strong>Woodstork:</strong> Large wading bird that finds fish by touch, not sight. Endangered, not commonly observed.</p><p><strong>Double-crested cormorant:</strong> Brown-and-gray-feathered diving bird with bright blue-green eyes. Common.</p><p><strong>Purple gallinule:</strong> Water bird with purplish-blue head. Commonly seen except in summer.</p><p><strong>Anhinga:</strong> Black wetland bird with sharp yellow bill. Abundant along Anhinga Trail near Royal Palm visitor center.</p><p><strong>TRAVELER'S CHECK | EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK</strong></p><p><strong>Getting there</strong></p><p>Everglades National Park is on the southern tip of Florida, south and west of Miami. The park headquarters are about 10 miles southwest of Florida City and Homestead.</p><p>Round-trip, restricted airfare between Kansas City and Miami recently ran from about $140.</p><p><strong>Getting in</strong></p><p>For motorists, a seven-day permit costs $10 per vehicle. Pedestrians and bicyclists pay $5 for a seven-day pass. Children 16 and younger are admitted free. Annual passes, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, cost $25.</p><p>If you're planning to visit several national parks in the next year, an America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 and permits access to national parks and other federal recreation areas. Call 1-888-ASK-USGS or see <a href="http://www.store.usgs.gov/pass" target="_blank">store.usgs.gov/pass</a>.</p><p>A lifetime senior pass for citizens or permanent residents 62 and older costs $10. Lifetime passes for permanently disabled Americans are free.</p><p><strong>Getting around</strong></p><p>Canoers and kayakers have access to much of the park that hikers and motorists will never see. That doesn't mean you won't see plenty by land.</p><p>The Main Park Road, Florida 9336, stretches 38 miles along the park's southern side from the Ernest F. Coe visitor center to Flamingo on the Florida Bay.</p><p>U.S. 41, the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway, runs along the park's northern edge, accessing the Shark Valley visitor center and tram tour. It continues west through Big Cypress National Preserve to the Gulf Coast. Everglades City and the Gulf Coast visitor center are south of Highway 41 on Florida 29.</p><p><strong>Where to stay</strong></p><p>No lodging is available in the park.</p><p>National Park Service campsites are available at Long Pine Key, near the Coe visitor center, and Flamingo, near the Flamingo visitor center for $16 a night. The Long Pine Key campground is first-come, first-served. Reservations are encouraged for the Flamingo campground. Call 877-444-6777 or visit <a href="http://www.recreation.gov" target="_blank">www.recreation.gov</a>.