Pine Island Bike Ride to St James

We arrived at Pine Island KOA a couple days ago and literally have been hanging out at the pool the whole time. Today I decided I needed to get out and took a bike ride all by myself!

I decided to ride down to the south end of the island to the tiny town of St James in search of an even tinier beach area I heard about. It was a hot bike riding day but it was so worth it. I did however stop more often then ride on the way there to observe the wild life and snap some photos of the wildflowers.

First discovery were these Wood Storks enjoying the waters along the roadside. I had to look them up as they were new to me.

 There was a Great Blue Heron a little further down.

My favourite spot of the day was this (I think) a Gopher Tortoise. He was crawling a long the sidewalk. Every once in awhile he would dip off onto the grass and have a snack and then carry on his way. I watched him for awhile.

 Finally I managed to make it to the little beach.

 On the way home I saw the tortoise again.

This time I noticed many different wild flowers growing a long the roadway. 

The last photo with the circular purple flower reminded me so much of Horton Hears a Who...

There were more Wood Storks on the other side of the road on the way home too.

I enjoyed my bike ride and really need to head out by myself more often. So hard to sometimes just take the time for myself.

Fort DeSoto Park, East Beach Walk, Florida

One of my favourite days in Fort DeSoto park was actually a day when I went by myself. Rarely do I ever go anywhere without the kids but neither of them wanted to come with me and I really wanted to get out to the beach one more time before we left. So I headed to East Beach...ALL by myself!

When you arrive you hit the playground first from the parking lot. It was another great playground with lots to do and shade covers for those hot days.

 There are lots of reserve-able covered picnic areas for your use and nice clean washrooms near by.

The beach was pretty quiet. Not like those on the bigger more famous beaches. This beach was nice and calm and natural.

There were alot of birds to be seen, collecting some diner a long the shoreline...

Or relaxing on the water waiting for their dinner to swim by.

There were so many Ospreys. I saw many nests and even a couple Ospreys with their dinner caught in the talons.

There were many butterflies but only this little guy posed for a picture.

There were other birds too.

It seemed so surreal to see these guys flying free. They certainly aren't seen in the wild at home in Canada.

Then I took a walk to the pier. I love that there are opportunities for people to fish without the required fishing license.

On another trip I'd like to take the ferry over to Egmont Key. I passed on it for this trip since we will be going to Sanibel Island in March and I have to save something for the next time we are in the area...right???

I really enjoyed my walk out all alone for a change. I love having my girls to explore with me but I do need to do this alone more often when they choose not to come. It was a beautiful way to spend our last day in Fort DeSoto Park. Have you visited here before? Did you enjoy it as much as I did?

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and wildlife boat tour, Florida

Aayla and I had a wonderful day trip to Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. The entrance fee to this park was $6 per car load and we thought it was a great park.

We started out by walking the new Hammock Spur Trail at .9 miles, it was about an hour to walk with Aayla. The main trail is a 6 mile one way walk and then we would have to turn around and walk back. That was too much for Aayla to do. You can also ride your mountain bikes here on the trail and that sounds like a great way to do the trail sometime.

This trail was a forest walk and started out at a couple of sink holes. One was filled with water and has become a natural aquifer.

This little cardinal was having a wonderful little bird bath on the edges of the pool.

We meandered through the the forest trail.

Love this lichen

Aayla examining the fungi

fungi... I can't pass by without a picture

Mommy this tree feels like a pineapple

Aayla carries Minnie along the hour trail

More gorgeous fungi

A little lizzard...Sierra will be sad to miss them as we saw four

Perhaps a turtle home?

Aayla teaching Minnie about the Bald Cypress trees

Bald Cypress trees

Ferns and moss...another fav of mine

Aayla gave Minnie a shoulder ride for most of the walk

A vulture feather...so one of the park rangers told us

Riding on her stick horse

When we were done our walk on the Hammock Spur trail we headed over to buy a ticket for the boat ride. We had to wait about 1/2 an hour so we played at the playground while we waited for our boat trip. It was a fair size playground and there were lots of nearby picnic tables with grills to cook on.

Then it was time to walk down to the boats. On the way there we stopped to read a few of the signs about the park.

And then headed down to the waters edge. In the summer the beach here and these swim platforms are full of visitors swimming and there is even a high dive platform.

We saw our boat arrive and headed to the dock.

Our selfie on the boat taken by Aayla

This boat tour cost an extra $8 per adult and $5 per child over and above the $6 entrance fee. Its roughly 45 mins but we were a little longer. The boat tour runs 365 days a year depending on the weather. I thought that was an amazing price for all the wildlife we saw. I would highly recommend you do it as well. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

A soft shell turtle in the front.
Not often seen here the ranger said

Hello Mr Alligator

Really had to crop this one but it was fun to watch this Osprey eat his lunch

Turtles on a log

Ibis in the tree. This reminded me of the front gate sign.

White Ibis

Turtles basking in the sun

Mr Smiley

Female Anthinga drying her wings

Can you see the manatee?

Another female Anthinga

A Double Crested Cormorant I believe

White Ibis

Great Egret

Little Blue Heron

Watersnake basking in the sun. Note the blue eyes?
He's getting ready to shed his skin!

Hello Mr Alligator

These vultures return here to these very trees every winter

Male Anhinga

more manatee

Great Blue Heron

Moorhen

View of the lodge from the boat tour

An excellent day all around and I am so glad Aayla and I decided to visit here.