Beach Day

Here’s to Sun, Salt and Sand

(Photos by RSheridan)

 Enjoy – Play, Laugh and Have FUN!

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Dolphin Cruising

All Aboard

Sun Light

Dolphins

Dolphin Splash Downs

Fun Ships

Water Views

Birdlife

Osprey Fledgling

Sailing

Bridges

Moonscapes

(Photos by RSheridan)

 Happy Cruising – Enjoy!            

Island Time

On Honeymoon Island

There is nothing better than taking in a nature walk and then heading to the beach to relax!

The Eagle’s Nest

The Osprey and Their Nests

A Falcon

A Great Horned Owl – A 1st for Me to See!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Here’s to Some Much Deserved R&R! What Are You Doing to Relax & Rest? Love to Hear, Please Share.

The Osprey Trail

Honeymoon Island State Park

Decided to go on an exploration to see the Eagle Pair at Honeymoon Island State Park. Did not see the Eagles, however; their nest was pretty impressive!

“The 2015-16 season was the 8th consecutive year for eagles to nest on the island. This new nest is the first time eagles have reestablished nesting on the island since the 1935 homestead nest.”

Eagle Facts:

• May live up to 40 years.
• Eggs are laid 36 hours apart and both male and female incubate the eggs.
• Average gestation period is 35 days with eggs hatching one at a time 36 hours apart.
• The chicks are called Eaglets and remain in the nest for 10 to 12 weeks.
• Both parents feed the Eaglets.

Those Eagles have some exact timing when it comes to laying and to hatching their Eaglets!

Eagle Nest

The Osprey Trail

Imagine being on an Island within a Pine Forest! You will see sand as well as pine cones. Plus Ospreys Galore along with their nests!

I have lived here long enough now to know the call of the Ospreys. It makes my ears tune in and my eyes focused on the trees or skies every time.

Fauna & Flora

Other Birdlife Out & About

Egret

Woodpecker

Pine Cones

Spooky Trees aka Snag Trees

These trees are perfect places to build an Osprey nest. Also, Ospreys build and repair nests by snapping off dead limbs in flight instead of collecting downed wood from the ground.

Briefly touched on to the Pelican Trail that works its way around the edge of the Island and along the Gulf of Mexico. Mangroves, Salt Air and Sea Breeze Oh My!

A Baby Mangrove Plant

Never Far From the Water (Photos by RSheridan)

Get Outside to Explore, Adventure & Walk On The Wild Side!!!

Honeymoon Island

State Park

A Florida State Park located on Honeymoon Island, a barrier island across St. Joseph’s Sound from Palm Harbor, Ozona and Crystal Beach. The park is 385 acres in land area with 2,400 acres submerged and 4 miles of beach. Honeymoon Island was formerly known as Hog Island.

The American public were introduced to Honeymoon Island in the early 1940’s. The advertisements promised undiscovered pleasures for newlyweds. Honeymoon-type huts were built on the island for vacationing. Hence Hog Island became Honeymoon Island.

Then World War II began and the thatched huts fell into disuse. The structures were torn down as the island was turned into a state park. A causeway was constructed in 1964 leading to the island.

The Dunedin Causeway

Recreational Activities

• Birding (Osprey, tern, plover, wading birds, etc.)
• Bird observation areas
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Nature trails
• Swimming

The Island is a refuge for a number of species of plants (i.e. slash pines, mangroves, etc.) and animals (i.e. dolphin pods, birdlife, wildlife, etc.).

The beaches are sandy.

Amenities

• The Rotary Centennial Nature Center (elevated observation deck, exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the Islands, etc.)
• Bath houses
• Concession stands
• Passenger ferry service to Caladesi Island State Park
• Picnic areas
• Pet beach

Rattlesnakes are common to Honeymoon Island – exercise caution! Mosquitoes can also be a nuisance. Sunscreen+Bug Juice = Happy Beach Goer!

Caladesi Island

Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island were originally part of a large barrier island that split in half during a major hurricane in 1921. The waterway between the islands is known as Hurricane Pass. Located in the Gulf of Mexico across St. Joseph Sound to the west of Dunedin, Florida and north of Clearwater Beach. Caladesi Island is not its own island, but shares its island geography with Clearwater Beach.

The Gulf of Mexico

There is a ferry from Honeymoon Island out to Caladesi Island. There is a dock on Honeymoon Island to launch private boats to go out to the island. You can also walk to the island via Clearwater Beach from the south; it is only separated by a “welcome” sign.

Hurricane Elena filled in Dunedin Pass in 1985 marking the island accessible by walking northward from North Clearwater Beach.

Recreational Activities

• Beach area
• Birding
• Boating, canoeing, kayaking
• Fishing
• Hiking (3-mile nature trail)
• Shelling
• Swimming and snorkeling
• Wildlife viewing

Amenities

• Marina
• Picnic areas
• Bath houses
• Concession stand

Caladesi Island (Photos by RSheridan)

Happy Exploring & Adventuring!!!

Cruising

For Dolphins

Took the Parrotdise Express out of the Dunedin Marina for a 2 1/2 hour boat cruise! The wild bottlenose dolphins were being a little more tame and relaxed than wild and jumping about.

The best was when the Captain turned on the Gilligan’s Island theme song while pulling out of the marina!

“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale
a tale of a fateful trip,
that started from this tropic port,
aboard this tiny ship.”

“For a three hour tour,
a three hour tour.”

At least the punch was secured and at the ready – ha!

I loved that they covered so much of the water surrounding the Dunedin and Clearwater area too!

• Dunedin
• Honeymoon Island
• Caladesi Island
• Clearwater
• Clearwater Beach
• Sand Key
• Bellair
• Hurricane Pass
• Clearwater Pass
• The Gulf of Mexico

Let the Fun & Adventure Begin!!!

Great Day for Sailing!

The Birds Put On Quite A Show!

Anhinga

Herons

Ospreys

Pelicans

Seagulls

The Beautiful Gulf of Mexico

AMAZING! Day to Be Out on the Water!

DOLPHINS!!!

I think this is Mama and Baby.

A Great Way to Escape and Relax for About 3 Hours! Enjoy!

Dunedin Marina

Looking . . .

Looking For Manatees

No Manatees on this expedition.

For Dolphins

This would be GOOD too – ha!

Looking For Birds

Plenty of birds!

The Marina

(Photos by RSheridan)

Happy Exploring!!!

Hammock Park

A NEW! Place To Explore

Hammock Park is located at 1945 San Mateo Drive, Dunedin, FL.

90-acre nature preserve. “Represents one of the last examples of a coastal forest that was typical of West Central Florida prior to development.” Mixed hardwood forest. More than 300 native species of trees, shrubs, ferns, wildflowers, and small animals. Over 100 species of birds inhabit the preserve throughout the year.

• Boardwalks & Trails
• Butterfly Garden (the newest addition to the park)
• Frisbee Golf Course
• Picnic Area
• Playground

Need to go back and explore the Butterfly Garden. The garden features 11 beds with 225 plants in 40 varieties. A flowering display of butterfly favorites. More than 35 species of butterflies.

Andrews Memorial Chapel

Built in 1888. Styled in Victorian Gothic architecture.

Birds

This Osprey was all fluffed out!

Lunch Special Today is Crab!

Elephant Ears

Fauna

Spiderwebs

The spiders were really into web design here!

Water

(Photos by RSheridan)

What Have You Been Exploring Lately? Love to Hear, Please Share!

Sunset

Honeymoon Island

The sun was setting in front of me while the moon was behind me – pretty cool!

Heron

Osprey

Dinner is served . . . fish is on the menu – YUM!

(Photos By RSheridan)

Here’s To Taking A Moment To Be In The Present . . . Enjoy!

Honeymoon Island State Park

A Natural Beauty

Honeymoon Island State Park. A barrier island across St. Joseph’s Sound from Palm Harbor, Ozona and Crystal Beach. The park is 385 acres in land area with 2,400 acres submerged and 4 miles of beach.

Nature. Bird Life. Seashells by the Seashore.

History

Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island were originally part of a large barrier island that split in half during a major hurrican in 1921. The waterway between the islands is known as Hurricane Pass.

Honeymoon Island was formerly known as Hog Island. In the early 1940’s, honeymoon-type huts were built on the island for vacationing and the name was changed.

Osprey Watching

(Photos by RSheridan)