Thursday, September 29, 2011

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

September has been a busy month for us here in Florida.  We really haven't taken anymore big trips except for a quick one day trip to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Emergency Room in Miami for Hubby's inflammed eye.  All is good now so, last Saturday, we visited a park close to home.  The 325 acre park is named after the previous owner, John D. MacArthur, who wished to preserve it for future generations.

There are nearly two miles of beach for swimming.  It's is a prime nesting site for sea turtles too.

You get to the beach via a 1,600-foot boardwalk that spans Lake Worth.

It was fascinating to look into the water at all the fish.  In cooler weather you can see manatees too.

If you get tired you can sit down and wait for the tram to  take you back across the estuary to the Nature Center.

The Nature Center has displays and live animal exhibits to learn more about the park.  This is NOT a live exhibit.  YUCK!  That is a live hand though.

This IS a live exhibit.  DOUBLE YUCK!  They're not poisonous but I don't want to meet up with one of them.

The park also has nature trails.

This Banyon Tree has a ways to grow before it reaches the size of the one at Thomas Edison's home.

The fruit on this Sea Grape Tree looked good enough to eat.

Hubby pointed out this guy in one of the trees.  I watched where I walked after seeing that!

Then, we spotted these guys in one of the parking lots.

As I approached, the larger Turkey Vulture flew away but this one let me get close - maybe, too close.  You can tell this one is still a juvenile because his head hasn't turned red yet, so maybe he didn't know any better.  I decided I was close enough.  He was looking at me with a hungry eye!

You can also observe the wildlife by renting a kayak so, tomorrow, we're slathering on the sunscreen, packing up our water bottles, and trying our hand at kayaking.  It will be a new experience for us.  I'll let you know how it goes!






8 comments:

  1. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm -- ♥ those sailboats? Has Capt. Richard been out in one lately?

    Would not like to meet up with one of those ugly ol' turkey buzzards...

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  2. Beautiful park! I am not sure if I have been there but my stepdaughter who lives in Fort Worth took us to a preserved park with a boardwalk similar to this but I don't think it is quite as big. And I have been to Thomas Edison's in Fort Myers too....Christine

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  3. I can't wait to hear that report!! Take some dry clothes...I'm just sayin'!!

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  4. Nice park. Like the beach and boat pictures. spiders/snakes in pictures, not so much in person:)

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  5. I'm sorry to hear about your hubby's eyes! The park is beautiful and have a great time!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  6. Thanks for your visit!! I think you have a wonderful idea about putting her stool in her holes!!! I am going to try it!! All have good ideas but I really don't want to tie her in a fenced place!! Out of 7 dogs she is a first!!!!
    Thank you, Fern

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  7. Oh how I envy ya'll, what a wonderful place to be and here I am stuck right in the middle of the upcomin' corn harvest!

    Enjoy the kayaking!!! Fun!!!

    God bless and have a fantastic weekend!!! :

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  8. What beautiful pictures! I especially loved the one with the sailboat. The water looks so inviting. Those spiders, are beautiful too, but goodness I don't know what I'd do if I ever came across one of those crawling across my bathroom floor! :) Have a happy saturday! Delisa :)

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