The kids fell asleep on the drive to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, so Daddy stayed with them while I looked for birds along the trails at the visitor center. At one point I heard some rustling in the vegetation right along the boardwalk, which is only about a foot above the ground. I wasn't able to get a look at what was moving around and all of a sudden it stopped. A few minutes later I heard it again and this time I was able to locate the source, an alligator! She was moving about 10 feet at a time then laying in the tall brush for a few minutes. When she stopped it was like she completely disappeared.
I caught these little anoles in the process of making more.
When I returned to the truck, the kids were awake. We took the Black Point Wildlife Drive, a 7 mile loop that allows you to see lots of wildlife from the comfort and safety of your vehicle and minimizes disturbing wildlife.
The kids had fun counting alligators along the road plus finding and identifying birds.
We stopped to take a few photos so you could see the area.
(No worries, they did not actually travel like this!)
A perfectly reflected roseate spoonbill. Love their coloring and unique characteristics.
On our way out of the refuge I spotted these wild boars foraging along a pond.
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Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral offers low cost boat trips, a good opportunity to see birds, but it's so popular that it usually fills immediately once the window to book opens a week prior. I figured since the weather was not looking good, maybe someone canceled. We drove out to take a chance, but once we arrived they said they decided to cancel it due to expected rain. I was disappointed until it did actually start raining a bit later and I knew it wouldn't be so fun to be on the boat in the rain.
We decided to hike the Castle Windy trail as it offered some shelter from the light rain. This is the only trail in the park that takes you from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mosquito Lagoon. Here's where we started.
Walking thru this beautiful hammock of live oaks was enchanting.
Soon these monkeys were climbing vines and swinging from the trees!
Finally we arrived at Mosquito Lagoon.
We only spent part of one day at Canaveral, which wasn't enough. The park isn't super large, but it is spread out and getting from one end to the other takes a long time because the roads aren't connected. You actually need to leave the park and drive back thru town to get to the other end. We'll have to return to this park when we have more time to explore.
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