Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Trail 6

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Look up! That's what a smart person I know once told me. Look up! People forget this all the time. We tend to observe in a cone somewhere around eye level. But don't forget to look up. That's where eagles fly! That's where clouds go drifting by. That's where woodpeckers and owls are found in trees. That where you'll see nests of hummingbirds and bees.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Trail 5

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Meet Frank and Ethel, they came out to walk the nature trail 13 years ago, and they loved it so much, they never left! That's right. People come out and bring them food, and rumor has it, Frank has a fishing pole stashed somewhere, so he can fish at night. During the day they hunt for the illusive Ivory Billed Woodpecker. I've heard him out there, but never seen him.

Just one note, when we catch up to them and make the introductions... if you are holding a candy bar or energy bar or other such snack in your hand, be ready to give it up. Face it people, those two are probably HUNGRY!

Pssst... just between you and me... I would LOVE to run away and live out there on the island. What an awesome place!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Trail 4

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Look, look, look!!! (much gesticulating and pointing of hands in an upward motion) Ahhhh, there you go, that's why we're here. Well, except for the guy who had to taste the berries. Look at that beautiful view, what a picture indeed.

What you see before you is a nesting pair of Osprey. The one on the branch to the left is obvious, but if you look closely at the nest (click the image above to see a larger version, or click here to see a REALLY big picture), you can see the head of another just above the edge of the sticks.

At this point I would like to remind you all that the Osprey's main food source is fish. So whoever it is that I have been smelling since we met in the parking lot, you know who you are, the one who smells like a bait shack, I recommend you keep a low profile. Don't wiggle too much, eh?

ps: IS IT FRIDAY YET????
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Trail 3

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Now... please, please, please, don't go all Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory on me, OKAY?!?! We've already lost one hiker who could not resist tasting the pretty white berries. But know this: There are no Oompa-Loompas here to save you! Alright now, ready to move on then? Good.

When you see scrub areas like this one, enjoy them sensibly. We are quite safe on the path, for the most part, so please stay on the path. When you go off the trail, you intrude into the area that is preserved for the wildlife here. You may be tempted to strike out into the scrub for a closer look at an armadillo, but you may also end up with a way-too-close look at a rattlesnake. Yes, they do live out here on the island. So let's respect their space, and I assure you, they will respect ours.


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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Trail 2

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Alright everyone, let's stick together, shall we? You there! Stop that! No!

"Ack.. phhllppphhh... ack... aassssspppppllllttthhhhhh..."

Oh bother! Does anyone know the number for nine-one-one? As I was going to say... NO EATING THE BERRIES! I'm afraid our little hike on the Honeymoon Island Nature Trail is off to a sad start, and shall be delayed slightly. (Sorry, no refunds for eating the berries!)
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Trail

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Ready to go for a walk? It's a nice walk, not much of a hike, but enough to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

Come with me, c'mon, I'm going to show you a piece of Dunedin that a lot of people don't see. This is the Nature Trail on Honeymoon Island. It's only something like a mile long. Don't worry, we won't do it all in one day. We have plenty of time. Just get some good walking or hiking shoes on, grab your camera if you have one. A little water and a snack, and we're ready.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: 16th Annual Mutt Strut on Honeymoon Island

News Flash: 16th Annual Mutt Strut to be held on Dunedin's Honeymoon Island, this coming Saturday, March 8, from 9am to 1pm. Click here to read a short article about it, or here to see the Humane Society's web page about it.

And be sure to check out We Love Dog Pictures.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach 2

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Another view of the beautiful beach at Honeymoon Island. I hit the color tweak button to juice it up just a little bit. The sand beach is to the right in this photo, the scrub inlands to the left. It's great to see a bit of 'wild' so close in to Dunedin.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Center Exhibits

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As I mentioned yesterday, here is a view of the inside of the Nature Center at Honeymoon Island State Park. I think a lot of people will like it because it has lots of interesting information about the Island, and yet it is not so big that you would get bored before you finished enjoying it. But it is big enough that you could cool off a bit while the kids learn about raccoons and osprey.

The Nature Center website has a neat map of the Island. Click here to check it out. Admission fees go like this: $5.00 for up to 8 people per car. Single occupant fee of $3.00. Sunset fee of $3.00 per vehicle starting one hour prior to sunset. Admission to the Nature Center is included.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Nature Center

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This is the somewhat imposing stairway to the Nature Center at Honeymoon Island State Park. But don't worry, there is a wheelchair accessible ramp also, so you don't have to climb all those stairs if you don't want to.

The Nature Center is wonderful. I have a picture from the inside that I will post next time. It's the kind of place where you could spend quality time with your children, and actually have them enjoy learning.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Dunedin Causeway Welcome Sign

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If you are looking for a good time along the Dunedin Causeway, or on the beaches of Honeymoon Island, this is the sign you are looking for. Once you pass its welcoming greeting you are on your way to fun in the sun.

On the Causeway, you can rent sail boats, kayaks, windsurfers and so on. Or just lay on the narrow beach near your car. Or walk your dog, play in the shallow water, or even enjoy the Pinellas Trail spur that runs the length of the Causeway. And that means either walking, jogging, biking or skating.

Drive just a little further, and you can enjoy the many features of Honeymoon Island. That includes a large expense of beautiful beach (a remote part of which is open for pets), a Nature Center, Honeymoon Cafe, various picnic and play areas, as well as a wonderful nature trail system through the wild northern part of the island. It's an incredible place.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach And Cabana View

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Here is another view of the beach at Honeymoon Island. It's beautiful out there, and it's just not that far away. Check it out.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island: Heart Of Rocks

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Someone thinks a lot of "Mom Koletsos". I came across this declaration of admiration on the beach at Honeymoon Island during a recent photo safari. It made me smile, and it still does every time I see it. I have no idea who Mom Koletsos is, but she must be doing something right!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Sunset: Lovers

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Like I said, there is another whole dimension to a sunset. After all, if there is no one to see it, does a sunset look so awesome or wonderful or... romantic? Perhaps, perhaps not. But I can tell you, for a pair of lovers marvelling at the sunset together, the colors are richer, deeper, more intense than if no one were to see it at all.

I believe any given sunset looks different to each person that sees it. Some might simply see a planetary phenomenon that has played out millions of times over the eons. Other might not see a sunset at all, but rather the rotation of a spot on earth from looking one way to looking another. Me? I see the most incredibly splendid, postively cataclysmic, and yet daily, reminder of beginnings and endings, birth and death, finality and eternity. Every day must end... and yet, a new day must come.

As for these lovers? They see their love, their devotion for each other, painted across the sky for the world to see. And we do see... and we marvel.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Sunset #2

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I believe I had just shown you Honeymoon Island Sunset #1, when I interrupted for the Mardi Gras festivities. This beauty is Honeymoon Island Sunset #2. Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. This sunset was cut short by the wall of clouds hanging low over the Gulf of Mexico. If you think it looks wonderful like this, check back tomorrow to see a different dimension of this sunset. :)
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Sunset #1

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I think I will just let this one speak for itself.


I do, however want to mention the big event happening this evening on Main Street in Downtown Dunedin! Can you say Mardi Gras!?!?!?! That's right, the Downtown Merchants Association brings Mardi Gras to Dunedin tonight, from 5pm to 11pm. There will be a parade that starts at Knology Park at 7:30pm and ends up on Main Street. There will be live entertainment before and after the parade, as well as wine, food, and souvenirs for sale. Admission is FREE!

Oh, and this coming Saturday, your pet is welcome at the BOWser Games at Highlander Park in Dunedin. Yup, 10am to 3pm, it's all about family and pets and fun and FREE!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island View 2

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This is another view from the Nature Center on Honeymoon Island. This view is looking to the southwest. In the distance on the right, you are seeing the Gulf Of Mexico. The building that seems to be on the water is the Honeymoon Cafe. To the left of the Honeymoon Cafe, in the far distance, you can see just a sliver of land with some buildings on it (easier to see if you click on the picture and enlarge it). That is Clearwater Beach. Left of those buildings, you see a dark green strip of land, separated from Honeymoon Island by a narrow bit of water. The green strip of land is the north end of Caladesi Island, and the water is Hurricane Pass.

Here is a satellite image from Google Maps that might be of interest. This image was captured before the nature center was built. The water at the bottom left of the image is the Gulf Of Mexico. The water at the bottom, where you can see a boat traveling, is Hurricane Pass.


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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island: View From Nature Center

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If you have any chance at all, at any time, you really must get out to visit Honeymoon Island State Park. There are a variety of features to enjoy there. It's only US$5 for a carload of people, or US$3 if you are alone. It's just not that far away from anywhere in Dunedin, so if you are a local who hasn't been there, then you are missing out on a real gem.

You can start at the Nature Center if you like. This is the view from the deck of the Nature Center, looking south out over St. Joseph Sound. You can see the eastern shore of Honeymoon Island curving away and into the distance. All the greenery is there for you to explore. There are beautiful trails out there, to get you into the woods, as well as the wonderful beaches facing the Gulf Of Mexico and Hurricane Pass. Don't forget the pet beach, and there is also a place to eat called Honeymoon Cafe.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Dog Beach: Dog Wash!

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I had thought the people who manage Honeymoon Island State Park must be pretty cool, when I heard they have a pet beach. But then, when I got there and saw this, I thought "These people are AWESOME!". I mean, this is like considering the whole deal instead of just throwing up some signs and leaving it at that. It is so nice to see them making the effort for those 'alternate family members' that we love so much.

And be sure to check out We Love Dog Pictures.

Have you ever been to Romania? Brasov, Romania? Check it out.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Dog Beach: My New Best Friend

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As promised... Meet my new best friend. Actually, if I were really a true friend, I would know his name. Sadly, I neglected to ask. But he is a handsome dog, that's for sure. Like I said, he was having a good time, and getting used to the beach. I hope it was worth the wait Lara.

I have to admit, when I see medium sized and large dogs it makes me miss my dog. My good friend Buddy, who would run up and down the hill until his tongue was dragging on the ground. My curious best friend Buddy who didn't whimper at all when I had to wash him down with tomato juice in the middle of winter after he learned, the smelly way, about skunks. Buddy was a good dog, and I miss him still.

And be sure to check out We Love Dog Pictures.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today!