This week has been bookended by pelican sightings, with many peppered in-between. However, this photo is NOT of a pelican, it’s a black skimmer skimming the surface to pick up a meal.
For reasons known only to themselves, flocks of white pelicans descended on Paynes Prairie early last week, and when I crossed the prairie on Friday, even in the pouring rain they were still there. An anomaly, a sign from above? My last white pelican sighting en masse like this was on my 40th birthday, driving along the Tamiami Trail. I stopped at Collier-Seminole State Park and there in the gift shop, a local artist had a card with a photo of white pelicans on it. I bought it and it hangs about my desk still today, as inspiration.
Yesterday I took a trip to Vero Beach to do a little research while taking Mom out for her birthday to a place we hadn’t been since I was as young as niece Amber, who tagged along: McKee Jungle Gardens. It’s now a botanical garden, but at least it’s still there. I took A1A north to head for home and introduce the family to Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the very first NWR in the USA. On my last visit, I was disappointed to find the two round-the-impoundment hiking trails open to bikes. Biking and birding doesn’t mix well – I was trying to take a photo of roseate spoonbills when they, and I, were startled by a biker going full-tilt around a a corner. But I’m glad to report that the trails are now footpath only! So I’ll be back. Meanwhile, the family enjoyed a stroll up the Centennial Trail, where indeed, we saw more pelicans – brown AND white.
This week’s new additions to the site were piled out there in a hurry, so you may have missed a few in passing. Enjoy and explore.
NORTH FLORIDA
Florida Trail, Gold Head Branch State Park
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Geneva Wilderness Area, Geneva
Little Manatee River Hiking Trail, south of Tampa
North Loop & Gobbler Ridge Trails, Lake Kissimmee State Park
Buster Island Loop, Lake Kissimmee State Park
SOUTH FLORIDA (okay, kinda South-Central…)
Centennial Trail, Pelican Island NWR
Fort Drum Marsh, east of Yeehaw Junction
Hiking is good exercise and healthful for some however, on our vacation in Florida, we utilized guided horseback trail rides with gentle, well-trained horses, and a staff of experienced, friendly, trail guides that were located near the Orlando Theme Parks as an option for those not able to take long walks to see Florida’s natural beauty.