Riverbanks Adventure Forum

Breathtaking Scenery in the untouched Salt Marshes of the Lower Suwannee River Basin!

// May 12th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Adventure Vacations, Adventures, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Florida, Florida Canoe Trail, Great Florida Birding Trail, Hiking, Nature Photography

I had a great day hiking and exploring the 53,000 acre Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge this past weekend. This refuge was established in 1979 to protect one of the largest undeveloped and most scenic river-delta estuarine systems in the United States. The numerous off-shore islands, salt marshes and tidal creeks create an excellent wildlife habitat.

As I set out to hike the Dennis Creek trail, I am amused at how the Fiddler crabs run abundant as they quickly scatter from my seemingly giant footsteps.  I veer from the main trail to explore the trail created by Fisherman along Dennis Creek.  To my surprise I see several oyster bars and two great white egrets feeding across the creek and a few fishing traps. The marshes explode with color as the lime green of the perennial glasswort and the brown cord grasses contrast with the blue water and sky. I cross one of several boardwalks over a salt flat to an island inundated by pine trees.  This offers a welcome shady relief from the hot sun while day hiking this scenic trail. I notice one tree has a CatFace….a scar cut over 70 years ago to drain the tree of its sap.  I spot a Pileated Woodpecker and pause to watch as he flys from tree to tree in search of insects.  The trail leads me back over the salt marshes of Dennis Creek. Again the view is breathtaking today with the white fluffy clouds hovering over the treeline in the distance.  This side of the trail is lined with hardwoods.  The Red Cedars really stand out from the oaks as they are filled with baby-blue berries.   This trail leads me back to my truck.  A short hike but breathtaking scenery in these untouched lands!  One can only hope these lands are spared from the tragic Gulf oil spill that is haunting the Gulf Coasts……

 This refuge was established in 1979 to protect one of the largest undeveloped and most scenic river-delta estuarine systems in the United States. The numerous off-shore islands, salt marshes and tidal creeks create an excellent wildlife habitat.  The refuge is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and also the FWC Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail.  The FWC Paddling trail has maps and GPS coordinates for designated campsites.   For day paddling, there are several Canoe put ins through out the Refuge to allow for paddling shallow salt marshes and along the designated Canoe Trails.

Click here to view more photos of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge on Flickr.

Guide Books: Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State, Author Sandra Friend

Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area: Truely a Magical place for Birders!

// April 28th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Adventures, Florida, Great Florida Birding Trail, wildlife photography

Emeralda Marsh Map

Emeralda Marsh is a 1500+ acre conservation area that is rich in wildlife especially birds. I began my 8 mile  trek along a lime-rock road at the Trail head of the Great Florida Birding Trail. This birding trail also allows vehicles to cruise the 3.5 mile loop for birding. Soon I found that the fumes left by the cars were undesirable for myself and probably for the birds too. As soon as I came upon Haines creek, I took this opportunity to leave the birding trail to follow the water. Although this was more tranquil than the birding trail, there were weekend boaters and Jet skiers riding up and down the creek. There were moments of peace but they were few and short lived. I did see two owls and a couple of gators as I turned north along the east side of Lake Griffin. Eventually my path met up with the drive-thru Birding Trail again but it was short lived as I spotted a yellow guard rail blocking off the trail along the Lake to curb the vehicles back to the Trail-head. I decided to explore this more remote section of the marshlands. If for nothing else, some seclusion and tranquility.
I was delighted to soon find out that this was the best decision I had made all day. While hiking the trail along the northern end of the eastern dike, I witnessed hundreds of Ibis as I came upon a bird rookery. I paused a few moments to eat a snack and savor this incredible sight. As I ventured further along the rookery I saw other sets of nests including Anhinga, Great White Egret, Great Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis and Cormorants. I was in awe as I observed the birds coming and going and have never seen so many of our feathered friends in one location! There was a leafless tree that had a Cormorant resting on what appeared to be every branch.  Sights you would have only seen during childhood as an illustration in an old storybook.  I certainly had a great time trying to capture the birds in flight with my camera.  The opportunities were endless!  After about 3/4 mile of the birding frenzy, the hike certainly became less eventful.  However, the daylight was starting to wane and I need to hightail it back to my vehicle.  As I scurried along Emeralda Isle Road for my last mile, I was still in awe of the sights I saw.  I could not help but think what a magical day that was! 

Circle B Bar Reserve: Fun Florida wildlife viewing for all ages!

// March 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Adventure Vacations, Adventures, Florida, Great Florida Birding Trail, Hiking, wildlife photography

Gator Head 8 footer by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

Although you can’t tell by its name, Circle B Bar Reserve is a spectacular place for viewing Florida wildlife and is just a stones throw from the Polk Parkway. With hardpan Ranch roads as the trail, Circle B lends itself to birdlovers of all ages. On our first visit we counted 17 species of birds including Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Green Heron, and clouds of Tree swallows flying around.
Parking is available at the visitor center and you can begin the journey from there or stop inside and view the exhibits as the little ones climp the mock moss covered Oak.  The Center is the hub of the Reserve as several trails lead you in various directions disecting the swamp and then circling back.

Slider Turtle Balancing Act

One of the most exciting walks is down Alligator Alley, where you are sure spot an alligator…if not many.  There are also several different species of turtle including Red Bellied, Cooter, Slider and the prehistoric looking softshell turtle.  Several species of wading birds co-exist amongs the reptiles while feeding on insects.

Our favorite trail was Marsh Rabbit Run to Wading Bird way.  This trail proves the most exciting for the bird watchers!  Glossy ibis, flocks of White Ibis, and Cattle Egrets feed and flutter about.  Great Blue Heron hide in the tall grasses while little blue heron and Green Heron wade through lotus, duckweed and water lettuce fishing for food.  Roseatte Spoonbill and Sandhill Cranes make an occassional appearance as flocks of Cooter, Morehen, and Blue winged tern duck are scattered about.  Hundreds of tree swallow dart overhead inexhaustabley.

Glossy Ibis

Once drained to support an old cattle ranch land, Circle B has recently been restored to is natural wetland state. The land was purchased in 2000 as a joint venture between Polk County and South West Florida Water Management, SWTFMD, to help increase the water quality into Lake Hancock. This parcel also plays a key role in the preservation efforts of the Upper Peace River restoration.

In this short time, it has become a natural haven for wildlife, reptiles, and wading birds as well as a winter home for migrating birds. The old ranch roads provide a nice place to hike/walk while still allowing you to experience the wildlife up close.   Great place for family members of all ages!

See Circle B Bar Reserve on Flickr for more spectacular photos!

Honeymoon Island State Park: Osprey caring for thier young!

// February 2nd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Adventures, Florida, Great Florida Birding Trail, Hiking, wildlife photography

Osprey watching young in nest by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

The mid-winter season is when the Osprey are busy caring for their young. The Osprey hiking trail on Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, Florida, is a great place for viewing the Osprey in their natural habitat. Watch as Osprey maintain their nests with twigs, bring fish back to feed the young, and switch places with mates as they take turns watching over the young.

Pinecone forming on a Slash Pine

Honey Moon Island located just north of Clearwater Beach is well known for its recreational beach area, variety of sea shells, and the Ferry to Caledesi. It is also a protected home for Florida’s endangered Osprey. The 2.5 mile Osprey trail is a loop around the north end of the Honeymoon Island through one of Florida’s few remaining virgin slash pine forests. This area was also an old turpentine camp in the early 1900′s. If you look closely, you can still see cat face scars on some of the old pines.
There is also a picnic area with a playground. A great place to spend an afternoon or for a family outing! Dogs are welcome on the hiking trail with a leash.
For more information:
www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland

See more photos of Honeymoon Island State Park on Flickr

Armadillo

Great Florida Birding Trail: RedFish Hole Trail hosts an abundance of birds!

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Adventures, Florida, Great Florida Birding Trail, Hiking, wildlife photography

American Robin in a Juniper Bush

It was 12 noon and the outside thermometer was reading 39 degrees.  It was the coldest day of the year in Florida….probably the coldest day in 20+ years.  While these old block wall homes are great for with standing Tropical Storms, they take on a cave effect during long winter fronts keeping the house cold and damp.  Keeping warm with thermals, sweats, many blankets and a modest space heater in the living room, I came to the conclusion that if I was to be cold, at least I should be doing something adventurous.  So I headed up to Crystal River to the Red Fish Hole hiking trail. 

This Trail is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail Series and has been touted as a scenic walk on a karst ridge out into the Coastal tidal flats.  As I arrived in the early afternoon, I was delighted and surprised that I was the only visitor here.  Anytime I have a trail to myself, there is more opportunity to see wildlife.

I could barely get my daypack over my shoulders as I was multilayered with two shirts, one sweatshirt, a fleece jacket and an outer shell.  I chuckled as the lack of arm movement reminded me of the scene of the bundled up little boy in the classic movie A Christmas Story  

Past experience on these birding trails has taught me not to expect too much, as some are seasonal and need to be visited during migration, and I haven’t learned the ropes of birding just yet.  As I walk down the trail, I was happy to be outside and was hoping the Sun would show its warm yellow rays soon.  Not 100 feet down the trail, I ran into a large family of Robins. There must have been fifty of them!  It is a common song bird but I have never experienced them such a vast flock.  Determined to get a photo, I stood motionless in hopes they would settle down and forget I was there.   After several moments, they were still unsettled; somehow they knew I was there. Could it be the purple ski hat with the tassel is too noticeable?  I try to snap a few photos without any luck of getting much color.

I continue on down the path, not 200 more feet I see a flock of Great Egrets flying away.  They were in a small tidal stream that I was not quite close enough to view, but too close for their comfort.  Here begins the karst ridge with water and mudflats on either side.  I pause to watch a sanderling running along the bank. His movement is too erratic to allow a photograph. A few steps more I spy an anhinga drying his wings across the canal. 

The ridge leads me out into an open marshland full of grasses. In the distance I see dozens of wading birds.  Many Great Egrets, snowy egrets, male and female white Ibis, one Great Blue Heron, Wood storks and others.  I pause to take in this wonderful moment.  I try to take a few photos.  I continue along the ridge as it turns south watching as three seagulls attempt to pick up a dead fish.  I spot a lone white pelican cruising the skies in the distance.  The path curls back west where it appears to end on a peninsula.  There is a crossing built of rocks just high enough to get you past the shallow water.  If you lost your footing, tt would be a cold fall but worth the risk.  I smile; the parking lot is only ½ mile back.  I cross over and begin to follow a muddy fisherman trail that cuts though the marsh grasses.  It ends with an abandoned crab trap along a shallow tidal stream. There are other trails in the distance that could be explored on a warmer day when wet feet would actually be a cool welcome relief.  I pause to take in the beauty of the vast marshland with the silhouette of hour glass shaped Nuclear Power stacks pumping out steam.

Clapper Rail

I turn and decide it is time to return back to the truck.  As I warily make my way back through the muddy trail, the clouds thin allowing the sun to poke its head through. I stop as I spot a little blue heron and a pair of killdeer in the tidal flats.  I am amazed that I am still finding more birds!  I snap a few photos in delight.  I round the bend and the sunlight has brought to life the colors of the marshland.  The scene is inviting as the blue sky over the brown winter grasses contrast with the green from the juniper bushes and cedar trees.   To the left I spot a hefty clapper rail poking about in the shallow marsh water looking for food.  He does not even notice I am there.  I pause to take several photos of this special find.  I finish the 1.6 mile hike in 1. 5 hours. So much to see in such a short space.  This trail is indeed a GREAT Florida Birding trail.

View more photos of the Redfish Hole Trail on Flickr

Guidebooks:  Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State, author Sandra Friend