Florida Images - !Bandwidth Warning!

**DavidEccleston** · 03-09-2016, 04:22 AM

As a follow up to the "Florida, what not to miss" thread, I'm posting my pics from where we ended up. There are many pics, so I created this new topic in order to keep all that helpful information accessible to the bandwidth deprived.

Also, right off the top, let me suggest you not do this in a week. There was far too much driving involved (and far too many toll roads!). Pick one area and enjoy yourself.

Heading to Homestead, we found this guy at the side of the road:

Along the highway, just north of Homestead by Dave E, on Flickr

And when stopping for a restroom break, this guy landed in front of us, as were we backing up to drive away:

Just off highway, just north of Homestead by Dave E, on Flickr

We did visit Robert is Here. We skipped the smoothies due to the length of the lineup (and the announcing of orders being ready meant the lineup wasn't the end of the wait). Bella picked up a coconut turtle, and Magda bought a bunch of fresh fruit. The avocados are like 4x the size of what we get up here in Canada.

We then went to the Alligator Farm:

Alligator Farm, south of Homestead by Dave E, on Flickr

Alligator Farm, south of Homestead by Dave E, on Flickr

And did the Airboat ride. While we did see some baby gators, herons, and iguanas in the brush, it was a bit too dark and/or obscured for a nice shot. Once we got out into the more open space, we picked up speed and scared some birds into the air, where I got a few silhouette shots.

Airboat Ride, Alligator Farm, south of Homestead by Dave E, on Flickr

Airboat Ride, Alligator Farm, south of Homestead by Dave E, on Flickr

Just in case you weren't aware of it... there are palm trees.

Palm Trees! by Dave E, on Flickr

We didn't get to the Anhinga Trail, due unexpected circumstances.

**DavidEccleston** · 03-09-2016, 04:23 AM

Next stop, Miami Beach:

Miami Beach by Dave E, on Flickr

Miami Beach by Dave E, on Flickr

Next up, Merritt Island. First, a bit before the Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, there's an Osprey Nest platform, and a little roadway beside it. These are some shots from there:

On the right, just before Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island by Dave E, on Flickr

**DavidEccleston** · 03-09-2016, 04:25 AM

Then into Blackpoint Wildlife Drive proper (bring a pen in which to fill in the payment envelope details!):

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island by Dave E, on Flickr

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island by Dave E, on Flickr

We accidentally turned right and skipped the section with some tower on it (section 9 I think), which looked quite large. Don't tell me about all the awesome stuff I missed...

**DavidEccleston** · 03-09-2016, 04:26 AM

Next, just Northeast of that, was the Haulover Canal with a manatee viewing area (and Southeast was a Sea turtle area we never got to). There were no manatees to be seen (though locals expected to see them, so they *are* there), but we did catch a few pelicans. I was excited to see them though there were much better sightings of them later on in the trip.

Haulover Canal, Merritt Island by Dave E, on Flickr

Haulover Canal, Merritt Island by Dave E, on Flickr

Next up, NASA!

NASA by Dave E, on Flickr

SpaceX - NASA - Day before launch by Dave E, on Flickr

**DavidEccleston** · 03-09-2016, 04:26 AM

Next up, Indian Rocks beach. Clearwater beach parking was full (it's a tiny lot), so we headed down the road until we found parking that wasn't private. It was far. Despite being told that the Gulf side would be much warmer, these beaches had a constant cold wind and were fairly chilly... Miami Beach, they were not. Due to the chilliness, there were mostly deserted.

Indian Rocks Beach by Dave E, on Flickr

**DavidEccleston** · 03-09-2016, 04:27 AM

Next, Down to St. Pete's Beach, where we never actually made it to the beach, but to Dolphin Landings, a dolphin boat cruise. There are several boats available to watch dolphins. None of them seem to leave the little bay. Find a public spot near the southern bridge and watch the dolphins from there, for free. The boat ride did get us near some birds on posts though:

St. Pete's Dolphin Landings by Dave E, on Flickr