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Nature and Wildlife Tours
06/07
Merritt
Island National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades National
Park 
Available
December through April - 2005/06 schedule Brochure or Flyer
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Florida’s
unique location as a peninsula gateway between temperate regions and
the tropics makes it one of the greatest bird viewing locations anywhere
on earth. Tremendous numbers of migrants fly into or through Florida
each year, with many congregating in spectacular natural environments
along the way. And we have selected the best of the best of these places
as destinations for our annual Nature and Wildlife Tours.
Note that these
are our own groups, and are led by our own knowledgeable staff. We
drive the van, we go where we want, and we set the schedule to suit
ourselves. When we see something interesting we stop, get out the binoculars,
spotting scope, and cameras, and just enjoy the moment. When everyone
has had their fill, we move along. No lengthy hikes are necessary on
any of these trips, although the opportunity exists for the more adventurous
among us. Our destinations teem with so much wildlife that we can “road
hunt” in comfort; something new and exciting always awaits us
around the next bend! Our naturalists are pretty darn good at finding
fascinating critters, and also quite good at explaining their habits
and natural history. You need no prior experience; we accommodate first
time nature lovers as well as experienced birders, and both amateur
and professional photographers. Frankly, we love going to these places
ourselves, and delight in pointing out natural wonders to new eyes.
Group size is limited, ensuring personal satisfaction for everyone.
We all have a great time, and we learn something new on every trip.
Join us!
Merritt
Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore (MINWR)
is the place for waterfowl and shorebirds. We've seen the skies
darkened by tens of thousands of ducks of a dozen species; observed
the unusual feeding habits of hundreds of gigantic White Pelicans;
watched a Peregrine Falcon literally tear through the sky as it
chose a meal from a flock of Lesser Yellowlegs. A Bald Eagle engaged
in an aerial dogfight with an Osprey, over some fishy meal. Rare
birds include the Roseate Spoonbill, the Reddish Egret, and numbers
of Scrub Jays.
With America’s
Space Shuttle in the background we’ve watched Northern Gannets
dive headlong into schools of baitfish where Horned Grebes, Common
Loons, and Red Breasted Mergansers swam in pursuit. Finally, Manatees
gather at a viewing area almost within arm’s reach. The list
goes on and on; during most trips to MINWR we have observed and identified
more than 70 species.
Everglades
National Park (ENP) is rightly one of the most
popular of our national parks. Vast panoramas encompass pristine
portions of Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ archetype “River
of Grass” Everglades. Forests of tropical hardwood trees
are festooned with orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. Birdlife is
abundant; winter drydown concentrates herons, egrets, and the
endangered Wood Stork sometimes into teeming throngs. Nesting
Anhingas are found along the trail bearing their name, but so
are rare Purple Gallinules and Least Bitterns. We have seen Bald
Eagles, Swallowtailed Kites, Broadwinged Hawks, and other raptors.
ENP is of course
a great place to see American Alligators up close and personal, but
it is also the only place in the country where we have a good chance
of finding the incredibly rare American Crocodile as well. With the
approach of evening, vast rookeries of birds gather around us. Typically
our groups see more than 60 species.
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Nature and Wildlife Tours
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Merritt
Island NWR
Everglades
N'tl Park
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