Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Punta Gorda, Florida

Today we went for a walk at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (Alligator Creek location) in Punta Gorda.

The trail we were on was an easy walk with wonderful signs along the way which we stopped and read to learn about the native plants and animals.

 

We walked to the education centre which was all closed up. I think it may just be available for classes and rentals.

Beyond the centre was a pond with an alligator but he was hiding today and we could not find him.

After we walked along some more trails and saw many different plants and butterflies. The trails are a combination of wider and narrow paths. Some areas were quite mucky at this time of year but all the trails were well marked when we visited.

The Spring buds were emerging

An apparently air plants bloom??? I never knew!

Walking on the board walk with Grammy Sue

Aayla riding her palm frond "horsey"

Lots of lizards

This poor monarch has seen a better day

All in all we thought this was a great place to explore for a day and as a bonus it was just a few minutes from our campground.

Peace River Wildlife Center, Punta Gorda, Florida

We visited the Peace River Wildlife Center and I would recommend this as an family friendly excursion if nearby. It is located at at 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway in Punta Gorda Florida. However you need to use their GPS address of 3400 W. Marion Ave to easily locate it.

This wildlife center is a non profit wildlife rehabilitation center dedicated to preserving and protecting native species of Florida wildlife. They treat and rehabilitate orphaned or injured animals in the hopes to have them return to the wild. Those animals that can not return to the wild are given a permanent home here at the wildlife center. Admission is by donation.

The center is not huge but it is home to many many animals.

There were mainly birds here but there were also turtles and rabbits and other small animals but I didn't get photos. My favourite of course was a horned owl that was visiting. His handler was from New York I believe and every winter they visit the area and this Horned Owl has become a real "snowbird". He was a rescue bird. I do not remember the back story but I do recall the handler saying that he obtained papers to become this birds handler just days before the owl was destined to be destroyed.

The center had a small gift shop with a couple little displays which I thought were quite interesting.

Outside the wildlife center was Ponce de Leon Park.

It had a picnic are with covered tables and a beautiful view as well as a small playground.

There were fishing piers and a boat launch. 

As well as life jackets to borrow if anyone needed one.

There was a short walking trail which had little plaques along the way to inform you about some of the wildlife you were seeing along the trail.

As we were leaving we noticed a Great Blue Herons nest with a baby up above the wildlife center.

What a cutie!!

Next time we are in the area we will bring a picnic lunch and plan on staying for the day.

Sanibel Island, Florida: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

After visiting Lighthouse Beach and Bowmans Beach we got dried off and headed to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. It is located at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd. Admission was $11 for adults and $5 for children. Four and under are free. (If you have a NARM membership this is currently listed as a reciprocal participant. We will be upgrading our membership to include NARM next year and that membership would allow you in for FREE).

I totally dropped the ball on this visit. They offer so many different outings and programs daily with paid admission but we showed up late in the day and had very little time before closing.

They also offer different events on each day of the week. Some free and some at an additional cost. If you go be sure to pre-plan and take a look at their schedule of events. I know I will next time.

We arrived just in the nick of time to see their last  Live Tank Talk for the day.

 It was a very informative hands on talk. Afterwards everyone was allowed to touch the animals in one of the tanks following the two finger rule.

Looks like these guys are planning an adventure

After the tank talk we were off to explore the rest of the museum.

There was a hands on learning area for the kids.

And so many educational displays throughout this jammed packed little museum.

I always wondered how these buttons were made.

A whole bouquet of flowers made from shells.

Not only was there information about the many local shells but there was a ton of info about worldwide shells as well.

I so wish we could have participated in some of the other daily activities. Next time I will pre-plan ahead of time so we can get the most out of our entrance fee. It was a very interesting little museum and I look forward to returning some day down the road. I really want to participate in one of their guided walks.

Have you ever visited Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum?