Exploring and Bird Watching
Bald Eagles
Ospreys
(Photos by RSheridan)
Tag Archives: Pinellas County
Nature Walk
Exploring the Natural
There is nothing better (at least for me) than getting out in nature! I enjoy the unexpected too!
Exploring . . .
Flora
Look at that Plumage –
Males with Beautiful Tail Feathers
Fauna
Community ROCKS!
(Photos by RSheridan)
How Are You Exploring the Natural? Love to Hear, Please Share.
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!!!
Adventuring
In Sawgrass Lake Park
Bird Life
Fauna & Flora
Wild Life
(Photos by RSheridan)
Happy 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!
Going for a Walk About
In Hammock Park
(Photos by RSheridan)
Escape to the GREAT OUTDOORS – Enjoy!!!
The Sun Dance
Of the Anhinga
Lord of the Dance
Guard Duty
Blending In
(Photos by RSheridan)
Happy Exploring!!!
WILDness
At Sawgrass Lake
Enjoying the Lake View . . . ahhh . . .
Gators
Mama Gator and Her Babies
Look at that tail!
Gator Babies – oh so cute!
Armadillo
I finally saw an armadillo in the wild. Just use your ears to hear all that rustling about and rooting for food.
Natural Beauty
Fauna/Flora
Colorful Catepillar
Birds
Fierce Bird
Looking right at you!
Get my good side. (Photos by RSheridan)
Here’s to Walking On The Wild Side!
Bird Curious
Watching the Birdies
Anhinga
This Anhinga was funny to watch doing its bird dancing!
Grebe
Love the circles these birds make in the water.
Heron
Gator
There is a balance between the birds and the alligators. A nesting bird in gator territory has built in security in the gators keeping away egg thieving bandits like raccoons and opossums.
Catching Some Rays! (Photos by RSheridan)
Are You Bird Curious or A Bird Watcher? Love to Hear, Please Share!
Watching the Wild
At Sawgrass Lake Park
This is the place to walk on the Wild Side and see the Florida Natives! Saw Plenty of Bird Species and oh so much MORE!
Finally a Limpkin Sighting Again!
Ibis
There were plenty of Ibis to Spot!
One . . .
One, Two, Three . . .
One, Two, Three, Four and Five . . .
Egret
Heron
Look at the Pompadour!
Fish
Turtles
A Sunbathing Gator
Warm on Top, Staying Cool Underneath
A Unique Sighting – A Raccoon Out in Broad Daylight
Mama Gator and Her Babies
Fauna & Flora
(Photos by RSheridan)
Happy Exploring! What Have You Spotted Lately? Love to Hear, Please Share!
Flickr Photos
Blogs I Follow
CRAVESAdventure 