Q: We will be visiting southwestern Florida the first 2 weeks of July with our 9-year-old son. I'm having trouble deciding what kind of eco-activities would be best for us given the season. Do wildlife and birding fall off that dramatically? Are the Everglades unbearable? -- Jeff

A: Good for you, Jeff, for introducing your son to the great outdoors and Florida's natural areas.

You may want to plan some water-based activities because (obviously) getting wet is cooling. (Just be sure to wear a waterproof sunblock.) You may want to paddle a kayak around the barrier islands or down a river, for example. If there's an activity you know will make you hot and sweaty, like hiking around Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, plan to do that in the early morning.

As for watching birds and wildlife, you can still do this in the summer. However, it's true that there aren't as many birds around -- Florida is known for its flocks of migratory birds that come here for the winter. But the full-time residents are always around. You may even get a chance to see some birds with their juvenile plumage, which the winter bird watchers miss. Higher water levels due to heavy summer rains may make it harder to see alligators and turtles in some areas. Visit Ding Darling or a Florida state park, and ask a ranger about recent wildlife sightings and good bird-watching places for tips on where to look and what to see. Go early or late, as wildlife watching is best around sunrise and sunset. All Florida state parks open at 8 a.m. and close at dusk.

Are the Everglades unbearable? Hmm. That probably depends on which part of the Everglades you visit, and whom you ask. I visited the southeastern Everglades in late June a few years ago. Before I got to the toll entrance, I saw a person walking down the park road in a full mosquito net suit. Frightening. The mosquitoes were indeed bad that day, but I covered myself with repellent and managed to walk around Anhinga Trail for about an hour -- swatting and slapping myself every so often. Tip: Don't blow bubbles with your gum here. You and your family may fare better if you take a guided boat tour from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center of Everglades National Park, the nearest entrance to the park from where you'll be. (See our archived article on Everglades City, where the visitor center is located.)

Spending time outside in Florida in the summer isn't out of the question, but you should plan your time with care, and keep an eye on your health and the weather.

People who are very young or very old, or have asthma or other respiratory conditions or are in generally poor health, have a harder time outdoors in the heat. Heat exhaustion is nothing to fool around with because it can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal. It doesn't even have to be extremely hot for you to become heat exhausted. To help prevent heat exhaustion, drink plenty of water, juice or sports beverages. Also, you don't want to over-exert yourself. Some people in your family may need to slow down for others in the family so they don't become too fatigued. Are you familiar with wet neck bands? You can get them at sporting-goods stores, or wet a bandana and tie it around your neck for a constant cooling effect.

Weather can change quickly, as you know, and July falls in Florida's wet season. Rain and thunderstorms are common during the summer, and hurricanes are possible. Lightning is prevalent, so you don't want to be around the water during a storm. (Florida has a reputation as the lightning capital of the world, but actually that record goes to a country in western Africa. Still, we get a lot of lightning!)

While visiting Florida during the summer may not be as pleasant as visiting during the cooler months, you may take comfort in knowing that there will be fewer people visiting natural areas, and that you'll see a side of Florida that some tourists don't get a chance to see.

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