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• Botanical Gardens, Butterflies, Eagles, and Sea Turtles

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: June 22, 2009

  Botanical Gardens, Butterflies, Eagles, and Sea Turtles

  As our state’s name implies, Florida is synonymous with flora and fauna. 

  In Pinellas County, summer has arrived!  Mother Nature is relishing the season.  Bird of Paradise, Blue Daze, Bougainvillea, Jasmine, Crape Myrtle, Verbena, and perennial Oleander and Hibiscus, are in bloom in a bevy of enchanting colors.  The names of native flowering plants hint at the magic of this special time of year-Beach Sunflower, Golden Dew Drop, Sunshine Mimosa, Magnolia, and Coral Honeysuckle.

  Many of these beautiful plants are intoxicatingly fragrant, attracting another of Mother Nature’s wonders . . . butterflies.  These winged creatures are equally enchanting in their diversity of color, shape, and size. 

  Flowers and butterflies are everywhere right now, but anyone who enjoys viewing them may wish to visit the Florida Botanical Gardens.  Located minutes from the South Gulf Beaches in the community of Largo, visitors are welcome to stroll through the Gardens and the adjoining historical park at Heritage Village.  Both are conveniently open every day-and there is no admission fee!   

  Preview the Florida Botanical Gardens online at: http://www.flbg.org/.

  Aside from the plant world, our neighborhoods offer attractions to behold in the fauna world, too!  Hot pink Rosetta Spoonbills, snowy white egrets, giant gray Heron, tiny Sandpipers, and the occasional (and rare) white Pelican, are here and have helped to welcome summer. 

  Another sight to behold is one of our nation’s most patriotic emblems-Bald Eagles.  Recently, a pair of these majestic creatures constructed a mammoth nest near the top of a dead wood tree situated on the secluded side of a lake in Tierra Verde.  They have attracted birdwatchers from around the globe.  Eagle sightings are not an uncommon occurrence in Pinellas County.  The winged ambassadors are admired and respected (with the latter attribute being mutual in its dissemination).

  Most excitingly of all, summer ushers in sea turtle hatching season.  Pinellas County is home to miles of beautiful beaches.  Several species of sea turtles are prevalent in the waters off of our shores in the Gulf of Mexico.  Nesting and hatching season runs from May 1 through October 31.  At this time of year, residents and visitors may encounter a sea turtle nest or hatchlings.  Help protect our sea turtles by visiting Pinellas County Environmental Management online by clicking here.

   

  To see sea turtles, including “Stubby,” the Green Sea Turtle, and Leatherbacks (the largest local species), visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Pinellas County.  Photos and videos of turtles and other aquatic life, including Winter, the rescued Dolphin, are online at:

  http://www.cmaquarium.org/cms

  Flora and fauna are abundant (and valued) throughout Pinellas County, which contributes to our area being such a special place to live, work, and play.  There is much to marvel at and fall in love with . . . from botanical gardens to eagles, sea turtles, and the carefree flight of butterflies that, in itself, defines the laidback lifestyle in our neighborhoods.      

  The opportunity to live in harmony with awe-inspiring plants and creatures is, in my estimation, a treasured gift from Mother Nature.  It represents another example of the beauty of life in Paradise Found! 

  Enjoy it.  Thanks for visiting!

  NOTE: Photos used in this blog post are courtesy of the Florida Botanical Gardens and Clearwater Marine Aquarium.