Natural Beauty

On Sunday, my dad treated the family to a relaxing day on Sanibel Island. We went to the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge to take a boat tour of Tarpon Bay. The weather was gorgeous and I had forgotten how peaceful it is to be out on the water.



Before the boat tour, our guide gave an informational session about the wildlife and shells in the area. And there was a touch tank. I had never actually seen the live gastropods that live inside the shells. They are quite slimy and squishy - they look like a creature from a sci-fi movie.



Out in the bay, we saw White Pelicans (I'd only seen the more common Brown Pelican before). And there were white osprey (it was osprey, right?) perched in the mangroves fluffing out their feathers, trying to attract a mate.





I really enjoy being in nature and learning about wildlife. I've always liked going up to the mountains and hiking for waterfalls, but I want to spend some more time exploring the beauty of Florida. It is harder because when I have off in the summer, it is too hot to do much here. But I want to try. I hope Kari and I can do another camping trip this Spring, staying fairly local.

Here is my short list of places I want to see in FL in the next year or so:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - for the snorkeling
• Hillsborough River State Park - for camping (maybe in March) and canoeing
• Starkey Wilderness Park - for hiking and bicycling: there are over 25 miles of trails!
• Torreya State Park - for the view and hiking
• Blue Springs and Manatee Springs State Park - for the breathtaking, clear spring water and the manatees
• Hontoon Island State Park - for camping and canoeing in a remote location, feeling away from everything, surrounded by water