Sneak Peek at Neal Preserve April 8, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Nature, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
Our neighborhood is a bird sanctuary surrounded by 3 nature preserves ~ Robinson, Perico, and Neal. Avian visitors include egrets, heron, pelicans, cormorants, anhingas, ibis, ducks, geese, vultures, and roseate spoonbills.
Robinson Preserve opened in 2008 with walking and biking trails, a picnic area, kayak launch, playground, visitor’s center, viewing tower, and lots of wildlife ~ including several nesting pairs of bald eagles.
Perico Preserve, still under construction, will be a bird rookery for nesting parents and baby birds. “No Dogs Allowed.”
Neal Preserve, located just to the west of our neighborhood, is scheduled to open tomorrow. A few weeks ago, we had a chance to take a sneak peek.
We walked along the elevated boardwalk and climbed the viewing tower.
We saw fluffy cotton and cacti growing wild, 2000-year-old conch shells lining pathways, and palms swaying overhead.
We enjoyed stories shared by the resident archeologist about two ancient burial mounds (300 B.C. – 100 A.D.) found on the grounds.
And admired a trio of skeletons acting sentry over the ancient mounds.
We didn’t see even the whisper of a ghost. Maybe next time.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 