Florida Everglades / Natural Areas

Sep 1

Everglades Wildlife at Green Cay + A New LENS!

As always, for my birthday, I was a very lucky girl. Lots of new — well, ca. 1920s/30s — art and other goodies! I also received a 55-250mm telephoto ZOOM lens for my Canon SLR as a gift from my guy… YAY-OH-YAY-OH-YAY-OH-YAAAAAYYYY! My friend Lisa and I have been lusting for this lens for our respective cameras for months, now.

This week my camera and I (I really should name her) braved the spotty rain at Green Cay. I couldn’t wait any longer to test her new lens with the area’s critters. I was completely giddy. Besides, I hadn’t yet caught a glimpse of Momma Gator and her brood — 28 born in her mound on 8.23. Leo/Virgo-cusp babies! Although there are far fewer surviving offspring, as to be expected, I was able to spy them swimming near an ever-vigilant momma.

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Aug 29

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Mounts Botanical Garden

In a somewhat interesting section of Palm Beach resides the county’s oldest and largest public garden: Mounts Botanical Garden. The gardens cover a serene 14 acres, with 18 plant collections. Tropical and subtropical plants and trees from six continents make their home at Mounts with more than 2000 species, from cacti and succulent plants to edible herbs, citrus, palms, and exotic trees. Beyond the flowers and trees, there are butterfly gardens; herb and vegetable gardens (a favorite of visitors, mine included); lovely gazebos and arches dotting the trails; and ponds with aquatic plants and fish. The occasional plane roaring overhead is in striking contrast to the serenity of this space — the gardens neighbor the Palm Beach International Airport.

The gardens were hit especially hard by the dual impact of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004, but reopened to the public in early 2005. While 150 trees were lost, more flowers were planted and the ensuing growth has proved healthy.

Mounts was conceived as a 3.5-acre county site for pasturing 4-H horses, and was named for Palm Beach County’s first assistant agricultural extension agent, Marvin Umphrey “Red” Mounts. A native of Oklahoma and 1925 graduate of the University of Florida, Mounts was hired to educate farmers in modern farming methods. The gardens continue to draw on experts for their educational programs due to their association with the PBC Cooperative Extension Service, and affiliation with the University of Florida. A leader in providing horticultural and botanical information related to South Florida’s unique plants and environment, Mounts hosts a variety of events and programs, including plant sales, festivals, workshops, and auctions. The Garden Shop at Mounts further offers a wide range and hard-to-find selection of books geared to the region’s gardening, wildlife, and environment.

For More Information:

: Flower Power, Mounts Botanical Garden

: Flower Power, Mounts Botanical Garden

: Mounts Botanical Garden

: Star Fruit Tree Heaven, Mounts Botanical Garden

: Herb Garden, Mounts Botanical Garden

: Flowering Tree, Close-up, Mounts Botanical Garden

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Aug 7

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Another favorite excursion site we are fortunate to have nearby, is the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is the last northernmost portion of the Everglades, and contains more than 221 square miles of Everglades habitat. It provides sanctuary for the American alligator and the critically endangered Everglades snail kite, as well as migratory waterfowl, migratory passerines, wood storks, great blue herons, anhingas, white ibis, little blue herons, tricolored herons, black-crowned night herons, great egrets, cattle egrets, snowy egrets, and many other birds. Additionally, more than 250 species of birds use the Refuge’s wetland habitat. Myriad indigenous species of plant and insect life also make their homes in the Refuge. We’ve also had the great fortune of seeing great horned owls (a mating pair often visit the boardwalk and the Marsh Trail), screech owls, red-shouldered hawks, a very shy bobcat, and otters.

The swamplands within the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk represent one of the few remaining cypress habitats lining the Everglades. While the original trees were sadly lumbered in the ’20s and ’30s (like most cypress in South Florida), this second-growth remains protected and is truly a magnificent sight. Also included are 5.5 miles of canoe trails, providing an ideal vision of the Everglades.

For More Information:

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge: http://www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/
Friends of the Refuge: http://loxahatcheefriends.com/index.shtml
Arthur R. Marshall Foundation: http://www.artmarshall.org/arm-refuge

: Welcome, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Birds of the Swamp Signage, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: At the Boardwalk, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Trees of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Boardwalk, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Lost Path, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Cypress of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Alligator on the Path, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Gator Along the Path, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Why I Wear Boots

: Harmless Snake, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Marsh Trail Swamp, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

: Marsh Trail Vista, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

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Aug 2

Green Cay Wetlands

Without the sanctuary of Green Cay and Wakodahatchee, I may nearly have lost my mind this past year. No joke. Both boardwalks/wetlands are an oasis of green, here in suburban Delray Beach (land of wayward development and concrete). Located on Hagen Ranch Road between Woolbright Road and Atlantic Avenue, it’s open seven days a week, making it readily available to the public.The present-day wetlands are the progeny of Ted and Trudy Winsberg who, for more than 40 years, grew vegetables at their Green Cay Farm. Time passed and surrounding farms were razed for commercial development. But the Winsbergs’ love for the land prompted their most generous gift: 100 acres of protected land. In its pre-farmland existence, the land was open prairie with wetland areas. But it has now been transformed into an Everglades ecosystem, with marsh habitat, intermittent tree islands, and cypress hammocks. Along the 1.5-mile elevated boardwalk are helpful signage about the habitat, as well as traditional Seminole chickee huts. Designed to naturally filter several million gallons of highly treated water daily from Palm Beach County’s Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility, the wetlands also help to recharge groundwater resources and maintain earth’s water cycle. Green Cay incorporates 86 different species of trees, shrubs, and aquatic vegetation to manage this feat. Additionally, the 9,000-square-foot Green Cay Nature Center is one of the county’s newest nature centers, and features a host of interactive exhibits and programs, providing educational opportunities about South Florida’s unique wetland habitat. A pioneer in the fields of wastewater treatment and reclaimed water distribution, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department has proven its effective and innovative management philosophies in the Green Cay Wetlands.

Besides affording a sublime stroll, Green Cay is a birdwatcher’s paradise — a camera and/or binoculars are always handy. Common bird sightings include egrets, herons, ducks, grebes, bitterns, ibis, moorhens, warblers, blackbirds, cardinals, owls, hawks…and the list goes on. Many turtles make their home at the wetlands, including the Florida Red-bellied Turtle and the Peninsular Cooter. Marsh rabbit can also be seen in the grassy and low-lying marsh areas. As always, alligator sightings are common at Green Cay, and non-poisonous snakes and frogs live on the fringes of the boardwalk. But I’ve even had the most fortunate sighting of a shy bobcat.