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!