The winds and tides were against us on this 2 week trip to Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys. As we pulled into the park you could smell a really ripe odor. Not only was the sargassum seaweed washing on shore in record numbers due to the warming ocean, the ocean side beaches were closed due to high concentrations of bacteria. We did not let the smell discourage us from having a good time. We went to Key West 3 times, met some locals, had dinner on Sunset Key to celebrate Waynes birthday and saved a chicken from a garbage can jail as well as we walked the famous Duval street. Played putt putt golfed at Boondocks. Wayne beat me by 10 strokes. Current competition is Margaret is up 2-1. Had some great food at Keys Fisheries in Marathon, Geiger Marina and Fish Camp on Geiger Key, and had the best fish dip in all of Florida at No Name Pub on No Name Key. We Snorkeled Looe Key, Horseshoe Beach, and off the campground. Explored Bahia Honda by kayak and walked the sand bar on the north end at low tide. Read some Carl Hiaasan books – Hoot, SCAT and Flush. Relaxed and hung with our friends who were also camping for 2 weeks.
Wildlife sightings: Squid, Sea Hare, hermit crabs in really nice shells, tarpon, lobster, octopus, mangrove crab, horseshoe crabs, Osprey, Magnificent Frigetbird, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Juvenile Green Heron, Great Southern White, Gulf fritillary, Land crab, Flamingo tongue, Goliath grouper, Caribean Reef Shark, Yellowtail Snapper, Scrawled Filefish, Porcupine fish, Foureye Butterflyfish, Banded Butterflyfish, Spotfin Butterflyfish, Juvenile French Angelfish, Great Barracuda, Nurse Shark, Gray Snapper, Sergeant Major, Blue Parrotfish, Hogfish, Yellowfin Mojarra
Nature Moments
Never know what you are going to see when you walk down a jetty. Maybe an octopus looking for dinner.
Note: All photos and videos unless otherwise stated are property of Wayne and Margaret Shoemake. If you would like to use any of them please email us at FloridaysRV@gmail.com.