Nature Walks – Birds, Bogs and Beaches

I love alliteration… as if you can’t tell from the title of this post!  Anyway, the first part of this article should be entitled: “Birds, Birds & More Birds!”  It has been said that timing is everything and that certainly held true today.

I started out on a hike through Bulow Woods, entering the forest trail at Walt Boardman Lane and walking south towards Cedar Creek Marsh.  The first 1/4 mile or so of the walk I was serenaded by a huge flock of robins, careening, tittering and fluttering through the forest.  I’ve never seen so many birds in that forest and that was only the beginning…

Further along, the robins ran out, but when I turned to follow the trail across the marsh, I spied some white birds standing on the new bridge over Cedar Creek.  As I edged quietly closer, I saw the brackish creek was at extremely low tide, which attracted all kinds of wading birds for a fishy feast.  There were the rare Wood Storks, ibis, Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets, White Pelicans, and herons, all jostling, squawking and snapping at each other in an attempt to reach their fishy prey.  I stood there for the longest time just trying to take photos of this amazing sight.  Flocks of ibis, pelicans and egrets kept arriving like the affair had been well advertised in advance.  It had to be the most wading birds I’ve ever seen in one area at one time during my stay in South Carolina and Florida.

The next portion of my walk was a bit more sedate, walking through quiet woods, but I ended up walking with a lady and her dog.  We chatted animatedly as we wandered through the oak hammock.  Guess I was all up for some company for a change…

Next I headed to High Bridge and the Coastal Strand Nature Trail at North Peninsula State Park.  There’s a nice picnic ground, restrooms, a good parking lot and a two-mile hiking trail for the more active.  Beach access is available off of Florida A1A, just a 1/4 to 1/2 mile away.  I didn’t walk the full trail today as my feet were a little tender, but ended up talking to some Canadian visitors who were staying for a month.  Later, when I stopped at the Gamble-Rogers SP Beach Access, I also ended up talking to another gentleman, mostly about the weather, high surf and the damage from the hurricane — a lot of beach sand was lost during that storm.

The surf was high, strong, with brisk winds cutting along the coast.  Still, it was a mighty refreshing day for a walk in the woods and a nice drive along the coastline.

The energies remain intense.  I slept 9.5 hours last night, with lots of active and colorful dreams.  Take the time for plenty of self-care, with time in nature, salt baths, water and lots of rest.  It is a full moon today, with the added energetics of a lunar eclipse.

Blessings to all and enjoy the upcoming weekend!

Eliza Ayres

All Rights Reserved, Eliza Ayres, http://www.bluedragonjournal.com

Photo Credits:  Bulow Woods and North Peninsula State Park, Volusia County, Florida