There are so Many Great Things for Families to do in the Florida Keys!
As stated on Friday's blog, I spent a quiet Christmas in the Florida Keys with Alexis, Jude, Truman, and Kevin. We stayed at the very accommodating Pines and Palms in Islamorada in an airy, breezy, and comfortable bungalow. After our day excursion to Key West, we decided to explore what the Keys have to offer closer to our home base. A real highlight of the visit was spending time at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. No one was disappointed!
1 There are many experienced captains in the keys with boats for rent. Captain Samantha Zeher was an excellent boat woman and guide in the waters around Islamorada. A local and an educated marine biologist, she was full of information and lore about the Keys and their history.
2 We learned a lot about the mangroves, three varieties of which thrive in the waters of the Keys. The black mangrove is the most common and makes up many of the smaller islands stretching the 120 miles down to Key West.
3 Perched on any of the utility poles and other high structures are the most common of the birds of prey, the magnificent osprey. Many were tending babies in giant nests they construct, atop poles and high platforms.
4 Ospreys mate for life, and mated pairs come back to the same nest year after year. The nests are made bigger and stronger before each use. Ospreys usually lay 3 eggs.
5 Black mangrove is named for the color of its trunk and heartwood. It is a hardy species that expels absorbed salt mainly from its leathery leaves. The other types of mangroves in this area are red and white.
6 This crocodile (its tail is tagged with the number 9) has been basking in the sun on this patio for about six years. It has taken up residence here. It's not a pest and appears quite friendly and has actually become a tourist attraction.
7 Jude and Truman loved seeing this creature up close. 'Crocodillo!', exclaimed Jude, who, at 22 months, is quite fluent in Spanish, as well as English.
8 Crocodiles have sharp teeth for tearing and holding onto flesh, and powerful muscles to close the jaws and hold them shut. Those jaws can bite down with tremendous force, by far the strongest bite of any animal.
9 In the canals we observed many of these jellyfish, which resembled beautiful flowers.
10 The jellyfish turn over when they detect boat turbulence or other disturbances in the water.
11 We also got to see many iguanas of varying sizes and colors. Iguanas are not native to Florida. Most were former pets, illegally dumped in canals or swamps, or descendants of former pets. They are considered by many to be a nuisance, as they devour vegetation.
12 We saw herons, egrets, and cormorants everywhere, as they fish in the mangrove areas.
13 The long canals between the mangroves are beautiful and full of wildlife. There was much to see and hear.
14 Small mangrove patches are establishing themselves into larger islands, slowly but surely.
15 The old cement piers, which once supported the railroad, are now roosts for sea birds of many kinds.
16 Mostly cormorants were upon this one, waiting to dive into a school of fish.
17 Jude and Truman really loved the boat ride. They looked, and then snoozed, and then looked again.
18 There were many pelicans along the way. The white on these mangrove leaves is expelled sea salt.
19 A pair of cormorants - Their bills are long, thin, and sharply hooked.
20 We loved observing the diving tactics of the cormorants. They appeared everywhere around us.
21 They are graceful and stealth. In East Hampton, cormorants have become known as the dirty birds who soil boats and docks. But in the Keys, they are a major part of the landscape.
22 Mysterious waterways permeate the underworld of the mangroves. Without a guide who knows the waters, one can easily get disoriented and lost.
23 We wondered what animals lived on these shores.
24 More pelicans - Pelicans have a large throat pouch used for catching fish. Contrary to popular belief, a pelican does not store fish in its pouch. Once they catch a fish, they tip the pouch back to drain out water and swallow the whole fish immediately.
25 This is a great egret with yellow legs, indicating a young bird. Egrets with black legs, are mature. These small mangrove tufts are an important part of the Keys' ecological system.
26 Hidden in the mangroves are many, many iguanas.
27 They look away when observed.
28 This was an attractive one and very visible from the boat.
29 Thriving on vegetative growth, the iguanas add a bit of pure exotica to the landscape.
30 To encourage new mangrove cultivation, these poles have been stuck in the sand bars for birds to perch upon. The birds eat the mangrove fruit, passing the undigested seeds into the water, where they will hopefully germinate in the shallow sands below.
31 Pelicans were perched everywhere. These hungry birds are fun to watch.
32 We ate at a favorite spot, Hungry Tarpon Restaurant at Robbie's of Islamorada, a dock not far from where we stayed. Captain Samantha keeps her boat there. It's a great place to eat, shop, and drink a cocktail or two. The fish tacos are so so good! We went there twice for lunch.
33 Jude ate quantities of black beans and rice - arroz con frijoles negros.
34 The pelican were a bit pesky, but they are kept at bay.
35 This long-legged great egret is one of several resident birds.
36 Pelicans come in many sizes and colors and perch on the docks to dry their wings before taking off on another fishing expedition.
37 The Brown Pelican the smallest of the eight species of pelican.
38 This spot, is one of many, to rent a boat, or a captain and boat, for an hour or more for sightseeing or fishing.
39 A good look at a pelican and the famous pouch.
40 The sunrises were magical!
41 This mangrove island is right off the beach where we stayed.
42 Waiting and waiting for the sun to rise.
43 Will it ever come? Jude became very patient day after day.
44 This is an osprey nest near our bungalow.
45 This wonderful banyan was also nearby.
46 Our trip to the Dolphin Research Center was a highlight of the trip. This is Rita Irwin, President and CEO of the Center.
47 In preparation for our experience with the dolphins, we donned our swimsuits and coverups.
48 There's a small platform next to the dock where we stood to interact with the dolphins. Because Jude is so young, it was a requirement that she be held on mother's hip.
49 There are specific hand motions the dolphins follow to perform beautiful balletic movements. Jude tried all of them and they worked!
50 Two dolphins swam together for us. They were beautiful. The Dolphin Research Center (DRC) is a not-for-profit education and research facility, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions.
51 Here I am calling the dolphins to ready them for a swim around the lagoon. Nearly half of the dolphins were born at the Center, while the others either arrived from other facilities, or were collected years ago by previous management.
52 Touching a dolphin is a life-altering experience. Jude was very willing to try everything. In addition to caring for their family of dolphins and sea lions, the Center is also dedicated to assisting marine mammals in distress in the surrounding waters of the Keys.
53 The dolphins and sea lions at the Center live in ninety thousand square feet of pristine seawater lagoons with low fences separating them from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A natural tidal flow flushes the lagoons daily.
54 Alexis was so happy that Jude loved the dolphins. She touched them, kissed them, and laughed with them. The fences surrounding the pools protect the dolphins from large predators and the curious public, while admitting a variety of local marine life.
55 Their noses are very sensitive. The air hole, the ears, the mouths, and the eyes were examined closely by us.
56 Jude loved petting their heads and looking at their faces and mouths.
57 The dolphins are very friendly and intimate.
58 Their tails come up on command.
59 And they put on quite a playful show!
60 Holding onto the dorsal fins, I was pulled around the training lagoon.
61 This is a lot of fun!
62 Nibbling toes caused lots of giggles!
63 Such happy creatures!
64 Jude talked about the dolphins for days.
65 On another day, we went deep sea fishing for yellow tailed snappers. The babies conked out very quickly in the rocking boat.
66 Baby Truman
67 We hired a tourist fishing skiff with captain from World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina across the road from our lodging. We went looking for fish in the ocean on the coral reef.
68 Alexis became proficient at dropping line and sinker with shrimp for snapper, however, the fish we caught were too small to keep.
69 No supper that day!
70 Returning to the marina we came in under the highway bridge and spotted several schools of dolphin. I did not take any pictures - darn!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
How enjoyable that all must have been. I'm glad Jude wasn't afriad of the Dolphins.
And, I'm glad you all had such a good time.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | January 7th, 2013 at 12:47 am
Martha, I'm speechless! The detailed comments on the photos were great! I am so glad you guys had that much fun!!! I've been sitting here hitting refresh over and over just anticipating this post. Hoping it would come early. It will leave no one disappointed. I love dolphins, wished they could be apart of your farm. Thanks for sharing this blog.
P.S.
Flying back to Arkansas today.
Posted by: KLBrown | January 7th, 2013 at 12:47 am
Martha,
I love you so much just seeing you enjoying yourself with those dolphins brings back memories when i went to Sea World, You always have such fun on your excursions around the world.
Posted by: C. Corseion | January 7th, 2013 at 3:51 am
Hello Martha.
Wow! What a such wonderful place! The Florida Keys are really exciting. The marine life is also very rich too. Here, in Brazil we have a great variety of iguanas, and the famous Pink Boto, which is a type of dolphin. Very interesting too. Thank you for the pics.
Malú
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | January 7th, 2013 at 5:36 am
Hi Martha,
What a wonderful place to go to get away from the winter cold in our area. That must have been awesome to swim with the dolphins. Awesome pictures. Thanks again, for sharing your travels with us.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | January 7th, 2013 at 6:35 am
Martha, love your posts about the Keys! Brings back many happy memories from the time we spent there living on our boat. Can't wait to go back.
PS that Jude is a cutie...fearless like her mom and grandma! What fun to share such great memories.
Posted by: Elizabeth Borton | January 7th, 2013 at 7:38 am
Martha, your vacation pictures are spectacular and the commentary is both fun and informative. The mangroves are beautiful and they support so much life. The photos from the Dolphin Research Center are very special. I'm sure that was an experience you, Alexis and Jude won't forget! Thank you for sharing this blog Martha.
Posted by: Cindy F | January 7th, 2013 at 7:59 am
Hi Martha, I just read your latest tweets and commented on them a few minutes ago and they were terrific to learn about! Was so sorry to hear that sweet, little Sharkey hurt her paw and is wearing a headcover so she won't pick at the bandage! This is an interesting morning already! Thanks so much for this latest blog about the great fun that was had by you, Alexis, Jude, Truman, and Kevin at the Florida Keys! I absolutely love every photo again and the information you provided is great! This seemed to be your greatest Christmas vacation I have ever seen! Jude and Truman look so adorable in every photo of them and the three of you were so wonderful to see having fun with the babies!!!!! This was the greatest tour I have ever seen and I enjoy being able to view it again and again! My favorite part of this tour was seeing you, Alexis, and Jude enjoying all of that time with those beautiful dolphins-awesome!!! Thanks again for sharing this wonderful tour with us! Hope you are continuing to have a great day again! Off to see The Daily Wag about "Sharkey's Hurt Foot"! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | January 7th, 2013 at 9:46 am
I was glad to see that they are attempting to cultivate more mangroves. Does anyone that reads this remember when Long Boat Key by Sarasota had no high rise condos? It was much better in those days.
Posted by: Sharon | January 7th, 2013 at 10:13 am
Beautiful place and holiday, Jude and Truman looks adorable and cute. Love the photos. Thanks for sharing
Best wishes
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | January 7th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Hi Martha,
There's nothing like the Florida sky just before sunrise. I caught a beautiful one a couple of weeks ago and put it up on my Twitter header. Your pictures are fabulous. You really had some nice weather and what fun to swim with the dolphins. Deep sea fishing is the best as long as the water isn't too rough. It can make one a bit sea sick so it's probably a good thing the kids conked out! Picture #30 is so neat with the poles for our industrious birds to perch on while they germinate the water. The different blues of the sky and water are gorgeous too - that's a great picture. Trish
Posted by: Trish | January 7th, 2013 at 11:19 am
What a treat to swim with those dolphins! I love you, Martha! You help to "bring the life back"...into our souls, and we all need that today!
Thank you, for being you!!
I also love the manatee...such harmless and innocent souls. Blue Springs keeps track of their local population, and it warms my heart to see the same returning manatee every year.
I have a large pot of sea grapes in my window, and a couple of red mangrove I planted several years ago. These have a special place in my heart, as a former greenhouse girl from PA.
BTW...The PA Farm Show in in progress...yesterday I enjoyed the heavy horse teams...The Sandoe family of Sunny Hill Farm, from nearby Myerstown, was a beautiful first place. The Honey Bees were also proudly displayed, too! My father enjoyed beekeeping many years ago. He never wore netting when working with them, and was only stung twice in his life while keeping bees. I have spring fever already from the farm show! Shown by PCN TV if interested.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Barbara Mayer | January 7th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Dear Martha,
I also love the Keys I took my Boy Scout Troop there to go scuba diving at the Boy Scout High Adventure Camp in Marathon. Your trip looked great. Thanks for the wonderful pictures brought back great memories. Linda Sue Rzatkiewicz
Posted by: Linda Sue Rzatkiewicz | January 7th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
We're so glad that you enjoyed Dolphin Research Center. Thank you for visiting.
Posted by: The Dolphin Research Center Family | January 7th, 2013 at 2:55 pm
What a fun time. I am all about introducing our kids to the thrill of nature!
Posted by: nantucket Daffodil | January 7th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Alexis looks very skinny! Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Posted by: Betty | January 7th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Went to islamorada last year for a week of relaxing after a 4 day hectic Miami. My kids still talk about it. After all the travelling to the mediteranian ... This was heaven. The boys just with their boat fishing( or trying ) after biking around the vorner for best bait.... Me and my daughter preparing on the bbq catch of the day ( with a bit of cheating ) Soooo different than hectic rush of NY or London... Sooo family ... Loved the dolphincenter , full moon party's on the beach and all the rest of Islamorada ! Katlijn , Bxl , belgium
Posted by: Katlijn | January 7th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
Thank you Martha for sharing your wonderful pictures. I need to plan a trip for my family to see the Dolphin Research Center. Your blog is part of my morning routine and I am always grateful and inspired. Thank You again!!!
Posted by: Leo Stroessenreuther | January 7th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Dear Martha Stewart,
My wife and I spent out 43 wedding anniversary at Pines & Palms. Jim & Sarah were perfect host; we had a great time at their facility. It is a good location for boating, fishing, seeing the dolphins and more. Islamorada is a central location for day trips to all the Keys! We stayed in the front cottages which gave a great view of the ocean.
We will be going there again on our next anniversary in October of 2013; God willing!
Paul & Marilyn Kelly
Posted by: Paul Kelly | January 7th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
so glad you post so many wonderful photos every one looked like they had a lot of fun some day I hope to be able to travel to see more than just Colorado thanks again for all the wonderful photos
Posted by: deb | January 7th, 2013 at 8:18 pm
I never tire of looking at your pictures with your beautiful grand babies Martha, they are absolutely adorable!
Posted by: Rosa Clifford | January 7th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
What wonderful pictuures, reminds me a little of vacations we took to Sanibel and Captiva, when my boys were little....about 30 yrs ago.
Posted by: Sandy | January 7th, 2013 at 8:23 pm
How wonderful to see these beautiful photos and informative comments about my beloved fabulous Florida Keys!! I too vacationed here in 1984 and never left, (except to go back to NJ to pack my things and quit my job). I met my husband here and we have raised our two children here. They are known as Conchs; Tim and I are known as freshwater Conchs. Many visitors head straight to Key West, but these days its quite commercial and touristy. Marathon, the heart of the Keys, has the best beach in the area.
I think the Florida Keys is a national treasure and one of our best kept secrets. Next time you visit be sure to visit the reefs for amazing snorkeling and diving.
Posted by: Debra | January 7th, 2013 at 8:30 pm
Golly Martha, I love "following" you around the country! You made Maine/Acadia special for us, now we are headed to the Keys in February!! Thanks, I got some ideas!!
Posted by: Teri Spurgeon | January 7th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Martha,
Wonderful photos. I love the birds of Florida. The pelicans look so goofy, they make me smile. There's so much beauty and wilderness in that area..all kinds of creatures. Visiting the dolphins looked so much fun! How cool to swim with them and to see them up close! I'm sure Jude and Truman will hold those memories for the rest of their lives. Nice trip for all.
Posted by: Judy | January 7th, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Never been to Florida but hope to do so in the near future. The Keys is the place I'd love to see. The pitcs. are really great....
Posted by: Irene McInerney | January 7th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Dear Martha-
Having spent in my 20s many summer vacations at a very dear friend's parent's summer house off mile marker 55 (Key Colony City to be exact) I attest to the quiet charm of the Florida Keys. The towns beach had me witnessing Manta Rays leaping out and back into the water just a few feet away as I was neck deep in the ocean. Territorial crabs waiting to take me on with fury as I rode bike thru the towns residential area streets. Nesting Eagles taking flight from eletric posts by the 7-mile bridge. Nurse sharks below my dangling feet in my friend's house backyard Bay waters. Fledgling tornado funnels dancing ontop of the ocean's surface as my car rode by in terror thru the narrow passageways. Crane birds tossed around like paper by a severe tropical storm. Tiny Key limes growing on my friends property. ( In fact, theirs being one of the few trees in the Keys.)
The heaviness of the heat and the calmness of life off the highway in the many small towns and overall spaces can lend the Florida Keys nature as being the main focus. Strangely, as quiet as the Keys (not Key West) are its nature can be quite spectacular and wild as I previously noted from my own personal experiences and travels thru them.
The food too has been pretty satisfying. Although not the Maine lobster in taste the Keys Spiny Lobster sold fresh in interior (off the main road) fishermen shacks is tasty too. Not sweet and a bit more rubbery than its Northern cousin it was a summer staple ethnic dish for my family and I. It was simmered in a Cuban tomato-olive oil based sauce with green peas. Key Lime pie is also a favorite. Florida named it the state dessert but its origin is believed to be Cuban as is another Keys favorite-Sloppy Joe's. See Key Limes are not native to the Florida Keys they were an import from Cuba (only 90 miles away). A ferry connected the city of Havana to Key West in the 1950s but much, much prior to this transients were commonplace between both cities. Key limes known in Cuba as "limoncitos criollo" grow wild all over the island. They are not the favorite lime the larger one is but nonetheless they are found wild all over the country. The story goes that two Cuban brothers created the pie in Key West around 1860. It is not found in Cuban-American bakeries but I have seen recipes in Cuban cookbooks.
The other is Sloppy Joe's Bar named after the American sandwich which is Cuban but not American as blasphemous as it sounds. Having eaten sloppy joe's as a child in grammar school I always wondered why the Franciscan nuns which ran the school served a Cuban meat filled sandwich and why it was called Sloppy Joe's. To my surprise years later I learned that a Mayor from NJ had traveled to Havana in the 40s and fell in love with the sandwich which was sold at a Bar called "Sloppy Joe's" (Joe being Jose and called Joe by his American patrons). Sloppy Joe's still exists but is closed (last I heard) in Havana. During its heyday it was a bar/restaurant visited by most of Hollywood's elite of that time. A quite beautiful establishment boasting the largest Mahogany bar in the world-not kidding. Cuba is also known for its beautifual Mahagony. My grandfather a hobbyist carpenter worked with it and built many pieces of Mahagony furniture. I hope I haven't overextended my visit but its been a while since I visited the Keys and these photos brought me back with a unique intensity.
Posted by: Teri | January 7th, 2013 at 10:30 pm
We were searching for ideas for a vacation spot last week and your post about your Christmas vacation inspired us to book a trip - couldn't get a spot at the Pines and Palms, but found a sweet spot at the Post Card Inn nearby. Then we needed to find 'Things to do" and here you provide that also - love the photo tour. Thanks!
Posted by: Marie | January 7th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Beautiful family and vacation photos. My favorite place on earth!
Posted by: Lorrie | January 7th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
MARTHA, I MISS YOUR SHOWS ON HALLMARK CHANNEL...I DON'T LIKE HOME AND FAMILY...WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK???
Posted by: MARYHELEN FERGUSON | January 8th, 2013 at 2:58 am
GREAT PICTURES MARTHA,...I WENT TO FLORIDA ONCE ON NEW YEARS DAY...IT WAS SO MUCH FUN GOING DEEP SEA FISHING AND WE CAUGHT ABUT FIVE BIG ONES...I DID COOK THEM FOR DINNER AND WE WENT TO THE LOCAL MARKET TO GET SHRIMP (THEY WERE HUGE ONES)...IT WAS GREAT FUN...I WENT WITH A BOYFRIEND THAT I WAS DATING AT THE TIME...THERE WERE FIREWORKS AND GREAT FUN...
Posted by: MARYHELEN FERGUSON | January 8th, 2013 at 3:31 am
Thank you Martha for sharing your lovely photos of your Christmas vacation. It looks enchanting there!
Posted by: Donna Campbell | January 8th, 2013 at 3:34 am
The keys are my most favorite place on earth.
Posted by: Laura | January 8th, 2013 at 6:24 am
Martha - Thank you for visiting the Florida Keys and letting the world know how much there is to do here for families. I'm not surprised you had a wonderful time at the DRC. It's truly one of Marathon's treasures. However, next time, be sure to make the drive a little further to Captain Pip's Marina in Marathon where you will fish with a charter captain who will put you on fish big enough to keep. And lots of them to enjoy cooked at one of our local restaurants. What a shame you had a bad experience out of Worldwide Sportsman!
Posted by: Christy | January 8th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Enjoyed your photos of the Florida Keys. We were residents of Marathon for 4 years. We miss it very much. I volunteered at Dolphin Research Center and was very happy that you chose to support such a great place.
Posted by: Sue | January 8th, 2013 at 11:27 am
Very glad you enjoyed your trip to the Florida Keys and were able to experience the natural beauty that make the Keys so special. Just for clarification, the birds stakes featured in photo 30 aren't for the purpose of growing new mangroves as the caption reads, but a restoration technique to add nutrients to the waters in areas where boats have run aground and damaged seagrass. Boat groundings are a major cause of habitat degredation in the Florida Keys. Trained marine biologists at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary use a variety of techniques to restore, when feasible, damanage to both seagrass and coral reefs which have been hit by boats. Bird stakes are planted in seagrass areas so that the bird droppings will fertilize the surrounding waters and stimulate seagrass growth. Learn more about seagrass restoration at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/restoration/methods.html or watch this short educational video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUTBsx-FxIg
Posted by: Karrie Carnes | January 8th, 2013 at 11:27 am
Martha,
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful vacation. Learned so much. My husband swam with the dolphins in Jamaica a few years ago, so much fun to see that. I cannot swim with them now because I have an artificial heart valve, and the noise would distract them with their sonar, I am told. I wish I had gone swimming with them years ago when I could, as it is such an experience. Anyway-love your blogs-next best thing since I cannot see you on the Hallmark channel any more. So glad you are taking time to enjoy your precious grandchildren.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen Trost | January 8th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Glad you enjoyed your visit...Capt. Sam is wonderful...she gave us an eco-tour a few months back. The Hungry Tarpon is definitely a stop we make every visit for the mahi! Nice to see my favorite placse get some kudos from Martha!
Posted by: Marsha Wheatley | January 8th, 2013 at 1:02 pm
I just saw then shared the link for this post from my facebook page. As an "island artist" (very common here) who truly loves these islands for all they offer I cannot tell you how refreshing it was to read someone else's experience that wasn't fueled by the much commercialized "party" reputation. We are so much more here. We have a heart & rhythm all our own. How wonderful you and your family enjoyed all that you did. I also find it sort of cool that I had absolutely no clue you were just about 3 miles away from me ~ I like than anyone, even celebrities, can come here and find refuge. Even when we DO spot a well known person, we respect them and let them just enjoy. (despite the occasional burning desire to meet them
. Thank you for visiting our islands for your holiday & sharing your experience.
Posted by: Coconut Sal | January 8th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Martha,
Thank you so much for writing this and allowing me to take you and your family on a boat tour. I am glad to see you enjoyed it as much as I did. All of your pictures and stories about what you saw are great! I hope you come back to visit us again some day! Happy New Year!
Capt. Samantha
Posted by: Capt. Samantha Zeher | January 8th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Loved the photos of the kids. So adorable! I'm worried that Alexis looks too thin. I heard her say on her radio show once that she tends to forget to eat. But great to see everyone sharing a holiday together!
Posted by: Marybeth | January 8th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Hey Martha- Great post about one of my favorite places. Are you sure about that juvenile Egret? It looks like it could be a white variant of a Great Blue Heron. The souther tip of Florida is the only place where they exist and they also have yellow legs. --L
Posted by: Lauren Young | January 8th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Martha
Thank you for including us at Easy Adventures Boat Tours for your vacation charter needs. Sorry the larger Yellow Tails weren't bitting. Well get them the next time..
Posted by: TIm Anstett | January 8th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Nice to see you in the Keys. I was the guy counting shrimp at Worldwide Sportsman while you were showing your small boy( grandson?) the white bird. Come back and visit again soon.
Posted by: Frank Meulenberg | January 8th, 2013 at 9:22 pm
Thanks for posting these! I was at the Dolphin center when I was in high school in the 70's. I used to go to a biology research center on Big Pine Key as a summer intern when I was in high school. A great summer experience! The Florida Keys are the best place on earth! Your photos made me homesick. I am glad the keys still look pretty healthy. I am happy you were able to make such a personal and relaxed trip there.
Posted by: Susan Fields | January 8th, 2013 at 11:24 pm
I grew up in Islamorada and was just there last week! Breathtaking isn't it? Glad you had a wonderful time and glad you're spreading the word. =) Happy New Year!
Posted by: Stephanie Vatalaro | January 9th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Booked a trip here because your photos were so beautiful!! Pines and Palms looks like such a lovely place to stay I had to book a trip!
Posted by: Erin | January 9th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Martha, what beautiful pictures and wonderful commentary. Islamorada is one of my favorite places to visit and relax. Not only blessed with a view of the sunrise, but the sunset as well. Thanks for sharing this wonderful community with the world for all to enjoy!
Posted by: Faith McDaniel | January 10th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Did you get to feed the Tarpon at the end of the dock next to the Hungry Tarpon? We have a time share just down the road from there and visit there often!
Posted by: Kathy DiStaso | January 12th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I think I am going to live there and work, snow bird.
Posted by: sana powers | January 13th, 2013 at 8:44 pm