Three evenings we returned to our Orange Island campsite at sunset and were treated to views such as this on Mosquito Lagoon.
As at most National Parks, all campsites were assigned, and we were at "Homestead." Although bugs were not a problem while paddling, the no-see-ums were bothersome on the island campground when we were there in mid-March, so four of our participants wore "bug suits." Yes, Mosquito Lagoon was properly named!
Many of the islands within Canaveral National Seashore had man-made canals which we could explore when high tide allowed access. Here Laura, Lee, Rick, and Diana paddle and enjoy the scenery and abundant wildfowl. It was a daily occurrence to see pelicans, osprey, egrets, heron, ibis, vultures, moorhen, coots, grebes, wood storks, blue wing teal, cormorants, ducks, and many others. In addition, we viewed manatees in Haulover Canal, saw a few alligators, and most days we saw dolphins while paddling in the main channels.
In the photo below, Laura and Ricardo hike Castle Windy Trail. During our week, we also paddled Shipyard Island, Callalisa Creek, the Intracoastal Waterway, hiked Castle Windy Trail and New Smyrna Beach Dunes Park, spent two afternoons on the ocean beach, toured Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and toured Eldora House.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has the best waterfowl viewing I've ever seen. Here'a a brief video I made of the Florida wildlife, most of which was filmed at Merritt.
front row (l to r): Ricardo, Rick, and Seth
back row: Lee, Greg (our leader), Diana, Sue, and Laura
Greg Pflug, our leader, offers numerous wonderful trips, in Florida, across the USA, and internationally, through his company, Adventures in Florida.
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