I have a passion for the outdoors and I am most happy enjoying what nature has to offer. Hobbies include photography, birding, Pickleball, astronomy, biking, and hiking. I have been happily married, for 50 years, to an amazing person.
A few days ago, I spent a few hours walking on the beach at Hobe Sound, Florida. I couldn’t wait to sink my toes into the warm sand.
Happiness is feeling the ocean breeze on my skin; the sight of the sky, water and sand as they kiss each other in harmony; and observing the gorgeous shore birds as they search for food fighting against the power of this environment.
We have arrived back on the east coast of Florida staying at Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Hobe Sound, Florida. The beach at Hobe Sound is only four miles away from camp and I look forward to many more beach treks.
“You ate that already?”“Now you want more?”This Royal Tern said, “who put this thing on my leg?”Mesmerized
While hiking in Jonathan, I have had the pleasure of seeing the beautiful Florida Scrub Jay!
Coming up next…
Great Black Backed Gull, Ring Billed Gull, Willet, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone and more
Recently our friends took us to visit the Big Bend Power Station with the hope of seeing Manatee. We were all camped at Alafia River State Park in Lithia, Florida, which isn’t too far from the Big Bend Power Station.
Big Bend Power Station is location on Tampa Bay near Apollo Beach and covers more than 1,500 acres. This power station has four coal-fired units with a combined output of more than 1,700 megawatts and meets strict environmental regulations through the use of flue gas desulfurization systems or “scrubbers”, which remove sulfur dioxide produced when coal is burned. (some info taken from the web-sites mentioned here)
You can read about Big Bend Power Station here: http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/index.cfm?link=banner&source=hp&q=tampa+electric
Manatee enjoying the warm canal water
Beginning around 1986 people started seeing Manatee, in large numbers, in the power station’s discharge canal, where saltwater – taken from Tampa Bay to cool Unit 4 – flowed, clean and warm, back to the bay. When Tampa Bay reached 68 degrees or colder, the mammals would seek out this new refuge.
The Manatee Viewing Center was soon born. Today, Big Bend’s discharge canal is a state and federally designated Manatee sanctuary that provides critical protection from the cold for these unique, gentle animals.
You can read about the Manatee Viewing Center (MCV) here: http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/index.cfm?link=banner&source=hp&q=tampa+electric
Because it was cloudy we didn’t get the best view of these Manatee, but we had a fun time anyway!
An Artsy view
It was very exciting for me to witness the results of a partnership, between the Tampa Electric Company and others, and the need to protect the wildlife that visits this area, especially the Manatee.
I believe they are doing an outstanding job in meeting the power needs of people working and living in and around Tampa, while providing a safe environment for these mammals during the winter months.
Hundreds of Manatee take refuge from the cold at this sanctuary.
Located on site at the Manatee Viewing Center, is an environmental education building that provides a place to learn about the Manatee and also about how power is generated.
Little Manatee River State Park, is a quite state park located in Wilmauma, Florida. It offers miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails along with fishing, boating and swimming.
The Little Manatee RiverHoward, Skye and Kloud enjoying the view.Looks like a nice day to be out on the river.A little slice of river.
We enjoyed our time at Little Manatee River, which we spent mostly hiking. On one of our hikes we encountered a golden colored snake, which we had never seen before. After looking it up on the web we decided it might be a Golden Rat Snake. We admired its beauty as it slithered off into the brush. No photo, it was too fast!
I have to say, not much in the way of birding at Little Manatee River. Hopefully, it had more to do with the time of year than the habitat; however, I have noticed that when an area has a lot of Palmettos the birds are scarce, just not enough for them to eat.
It was time for us to leave Little Manatee River, so this morning we packed up and headed to our next adventure.
Wolf Song Blog 