Day Hike

Exploring and Bird Watching

Bald Eagles

Ospreys

(Photos by RSheridan)

What Have You Seen on Your Walks/Hikes? Love to Hear, Please Share.

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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!!!

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)