beach

Anna Maria Bayfront Park

Anna Maria Bayfront Park, located on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island in Florida, offers stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. This park is known for its diverse ecosystems, including sandy beaches, mangroves, and seagrass beds, which support a variety of wildlife. Visitors can enjoy activities such as swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the park’s calm, clear waters.
Birdwatching is also popular, with species like herons, egrets, pelicans, and ospreys frequently spotted. The park’s conservation efforts include habitat restoration, educational programs, and sustainable practices to preserve its natural beauty. Anna Maria Bayfront Park is an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone seeking a peaceful escape.
Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the coastal environment, or learn about local wildlife, this park offers something for everyone. Visit Anna Maria Bayfront Park to experience the unique charm and ecological richness of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
For more information: https://tinyurl.com/2ycxlfy6
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Jungle Hut Park

Jungle Hut Park is an excellent beach choice for nearby Flagler residents and tourists.
The two-acre park hosts an abundance of amenities, such as beach access, bathrooms,
showers, and parking. Jungle Hut Park is also dog-friendly!
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Peruse the sand dunes and search for local wildlife that puts Jungle Hut Park on the map.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds usually stop to smell (and pollinate) the flowers during summer
while the unusual gannet stops in for the winter. Throughout the year, you can spot plenty of
seabirds and rock-dwelling sealife.
Jungle Hut Park is perfect for relaxing, bird-watching, and throwing a stick for Fido, but
this beach is not suggested for swimming. Rocks in the surf make this location subject to strong
undercurrents dangerous to swimmers. We suggest instead a lovely picnic with a pair
of binoculars. Happy birding!
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
Author: Sarina Pennington – IOF Volunteer
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Follow That Dream Parkway to Bird Creek Beach

Follow That Dream Parkway to Bird Creek Beach
Nature enthusiasts and beach lovers, get ready for an adventure! Bird Creek Beach is a serene and secluded destination along Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast. This hidden gem lies within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, offering a peaceful coastal experience perfect for relaxation and picnicking. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the diverse birdlife that frequents the area, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife observation.
To reach Bird Creek Beach, park at the end of Follow That Dream Parkway, also known as Florida State Road 40. This scenic highway stretches across Central Florida, starting from US Route 41 in Inglis and heading eastward through the breathtaking Ocala National Forest before reaching the charming Ormond Beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast.
Apart from its stunning coastal landscapes, Follow That Dream Parkway has a special connection to an iconic Elvis Presley movie. “Follow That Dream,” released in 1962, showcased some of Florida’s most beautiful locations, including Bird Creek Beach and the scenic route of Florida State Road 40.
So, pack your bags, hit the road, and experience the allure of Bird Creek Beach and Follow That Dream Parkway in Florida! Share your favorite moments and experiences in the comments below! Bird Creek Beach and Follow That Dream Parkway await your exploration!
Photo Credit: Dan Kon and Debbie Long
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Sand Key Park

Where can you visit a park and walk on the beach? Sand Key Park, a Pinellas County Park, is located in Clearwater. Between tall condos that line the beach on both sides, an amazing park and a beautiful white sand beach lie within its 95 acres.
At Sand Key Park you will find a boardwalk and a nature trail. Sit for a while on the benches in the rare salt marsh where you will see a variety of wading birds nesting or feeding. If you are lucky, you will discover the great-horned owl who makes its home there. There are two covered areas with grills to enjoy your picnic, a playground for the kids, and a large fenced dog park for your dog. Events and weddings with permits can be scheduled in the picnic area and green space.
The beach area is the perfect place to spend the day. There are two bath houses with restrooms and changing stalls. Umbrellas and cabanas are available to rent. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. Beach wheelchairs are available. Special Events and Beach weddings are popular on the beach. Gulls share the beach, and sea turtles use the beach to lay eggs. At the end of the day, rinse the sand off in one of the outdoor showers. Be sure to stay for the gorgeous sunset. Will you see a pirate ship?
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Photo Credit: Dan Kon
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Canaveral National Seashore

Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore

Imagine spending a day at the seashore, a day free of condos, hotels, and tourists. A day where you can be one with nature in a place where you feel the power of the ocean, hear the pounding of the waves and share all of that glory with only your friends and the wildlife who make their home there.

There is a little-known gem in Florida known as Playalinda Beach. It is a part of Canaveral National Seashore. Take a trip to Titusville, go east on Garden Street, and continue driving east until you reach the beach. The ocean is not visible from your car. As you drive parallel to the ocean, you will see sand dunes on your right. There are 13 parking areas, each with its own boardwalk. Any of the boardwalks will lead you over the sand dunes where the ocean in all of its magnificence will appear before your eyes.

There you will meet some of the 310 species of birds found at Canaveral National Seashore, including migratory birds, who will enjoy the beach with you. If you are lucky, you may meet a loggerhead, green or leatherback sea turtle who makes her nest in the sand or hatchlings as they make their way to the ocean. Enjoy your day swimming, surfing, sunbathing, fishing, and bird watching.

Stop along the way to or from the beach and explore by car or on foot, some of Canaveral National Seashore ecosystems. These include a barrier island, offshore waters, lagoon, coastal hammock, and pine flatwoods. Outdoor experiences include canoeing, kayaking, boating, hiking, camping, and historical trails.

There is an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers at Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Keep your eyes open for bobcats, raccoons, and more. Look for beautiful flowers and the pollinators among them. We hope you encounter some of the threatened species who make their homes there. You may see Florida scrub-jays, Southern bald eagles, wood storks, peregrine falcons, eastern indigo snakes, and manatees.

Take a day, or two, or three, and immerse yourself in the beauty of natural Florida, the way nature intended it to be.

 

 

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Sand Crabs

Sand Crabs are also known as mole crabs or sand fleas. These crustaceans are smaller than a human thumb. The two species predominant on Florida beaches are Emerita talpoida and Emerita benedicti. They are silvery or white in color and seem transparent. The Crabs have antennae, which they use to catch plankton for food. They have no claws and do not bite or sting. The Sand Crabs live between two to three years. The crabs are food for fish, Florida shorebirds, and water birds. They feed on micro-organisms found in the Florida beach sand. That means that they ingest any toxins that might be affecting the shore or the water. Environmental engineers and scientists are able to conclude the health of the ocean based on the condition of sand crabs.

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