St. George Island State Park – A Different Trip to the Beach

September 27 – 28, 2015

The rain started about four hours into the six hour drive. We woke to cloudy skies that morning, and clouds stayed with us all day as we made our way on back roads and small highways, so we expected it eventually. The rain stayed light and occasional during the drive, but by the time we reached the park, it poured down. When we reached our site, the downpour had diminished to light rain. We did get a walk in around the park, but rain started again so we retreated to the RV for dinner and a movie.

St. George Island State Park occupies the eastern section of St. George Island, a small barrier island just over the bridge from Eastpoint, FL. We visited four years prior and looked forward to returning. We went in November that year, and the morning and evening sun lighting the sand dunes, with Ghost crabs everywhere, stayed in our minds. That beautiful lighting would not be happening much this trip.

The forecast started changing a few days before our scheduled departure. The low pressure area in the western Gulf started moving toward Florida, and the forecast changed at least twice a day as they tried to predict the direction of the storm. The day before we left, it was clear we were in for a rainy stay. We considered canceling, but the opportunity for interesting seascapes for Karl’s current project won out, and a little rain wasn’t going to stop us.

Then it wasn’t just a little rain. The storm intensified overnight and the forecast the next morning showed strong rain and thunderstorms heading our way. We considered leaving, but realized we would be driving in the storms and felt staying put a safer option. We planned to stay at our campsite or close by in the park, and kept the RV ready to leave quickly if circumstances warranted it. As the day progressed, we had several downpours but not the predicted storms. We learned that the storm tracked more north than east, and we missed the worst part of it.

We did get to the beach several times the first two days, keeping an eye on the sky at all times. These were not the idyllic beach walks of gushing travelogues or enticing post cards. The warning flags on the beach stood out straight in the heavy wind, the waves built more and more as we watched, and even the few shorebirds got out of the way. People stood all over the beach, or huddled down against the wind in the shelters, but everyone watched the sky and the waves. Travel pieces rarely write about these types of days, but they show the other side of those sunny dream trips, and maybe capture the imagination even more.

September Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve

We woke on Saturday, September 26 to rain. On the drive to Brooker Creek Preserve we saw fog, and evidence that rain still fell in other parts of the area. Of the dozen people who signed up for the hike, only one determined person showed. The weather kept the rest away. Fortunately, the rain stopped, so we did our brief introduction in the auditorium and then set out on the very personalized hike for our guest.

The hike to the parking lot took some time, as the bird activity picked up considerably. We briefly saw the Blue winged warbler sighted the week before, but before any of us could focus it flitted around and dove deeper into the canopy.

As we walked toward the bridge over the main channel, some wasps buzzed around building a nest in a tunnel of saw palmetto leaves, directly at eye level. At the bridge, an anhinga sat on a branch over the creek, allowing for shots from various angles. Then a Green Heron flew by and hid in some leaves, challenging all of us to find an angle for a shot. Further along we saw the start of the Fall wildflowers, numerous air plants, plenty of birds and dragonflies, and some interesting damage done to some leaves and vines. We spent a lot of time composing our shots and taking the photos.

As we came up the boardwalk behind the education buildings, a Black-crowned night heron stood in the wetlands. He saw us, but continued his slow walk looking for food. At the perched wetland just behind the education center a banded water snake lay on a branch just above the water.

In spite of the questionable start to the day, we experienced good light, and found great subject matter. Had the rain continued, we came prepared to do a classroom session but luckily we ended up with a varied and interesting hike.

Our next hike is Saturday morning, October 31 starting at 8:30 a.m. and continuing to 10:15 or 10:30. We hope to see you there.

Morning Walk at Green Key, New Port Richey

Hot days continued through September, not unusual for this part of Florida but the above normal rainfall meant above normal humidity, and it felt hot!

We decided one slightly cloudy but not rainy (finally) Saturday to head to Robert K. Rees park on Green Key. This tiny park sits at the end of a small causeway, off of US 19. Look carefully for the turn, it is easily missed. The clouds hung over as we arrived, causing hazy sun and an interesting view.

Not long after this shot, the sun finally made its way through the overcast.

First we wandered the beach, finding quite an array of waterbirds including a Green heron who squawked loudly, then seemed to follow us as we left the beach to walk the boardwalk.

 I spotted a warbler, but it dove into the mangroves too fast for a shot. I noticed the last time I walked the boardwalk that the mangrove crabs on the boardwalk felt the vibration as I approached and scurried away quickly. Looking carefully in the mangrove trees, I found other crabs more involved in finding a meal than paying attention to me.

This immature White Ibis sat on the railing watching us approach, finally flying away.

We are hoping for a milder, and much drier Fall!