The next day we head to Bald Point State Park. We walked along some trails and saw some birds and a few Monarchs, but nothing worth mentioning until we stopped at a picnic area before the entrance. It was there that we found some salt marsh bushes and thus, more Monarchs. We talked a bit with the ranger who was working on something. Then two people came, who were probably birders, and noticed the Monarchs. They mentioned about the butterflies going to South America. I just shook my head in disbelief. The birds go to South America and the butterflies to Mexico. I guess we have a lot yet to learn.
We continued on our journey and found the area interesting and as different from other parts of Florida as can be. It is a mostly forested area and has lots of wildlife in the area. Also, we noticed many for sale signs on the houses we saw. The older houses are built on the ground and the newer ones are on stilts. Many are located near the Gulf and I think of what happens during hurricane season.
We then made a stop at Crooked River Lighthouse near Carrabelle. It is a skeletal tower and is only open on Saturdays to climb into. On the grounds is a children’s playground with a 70 foot replica of a pirate ship as playground equipment. A keeper’s house, to include a museum and gift shop, is open at various hours and we were lucky that it was open. The lighthouse was built in 1895 to replace another lighthouse on Dog Island that was destroyed in a hurricane.
Our next stop was St. George’s Island and its newly rebuilt lighthouse. This is the fourth lighthouse to be built and in a new location. Some of the original bricks were cleaned and used in the reconstruction. We climbed up into this lighthouse which is 74 feet tall and has regular steps and you don’t experience the problem with heights here. On each step is a bronze name plate. To rebuild the lighthouse extensive community support and public and private funding was required. Each name or organization listed on these plates donated $250 and were sold out within a few hours.
We then headed to the St. George Island State Park and just walked on some trails and observed. When we left, just outside the entrance gate are many goldenrod plants and Monarchs were there, maybe 75-100.
Next, stop was Cape San Blas Lighthouse. It is another tower structure like the Crooked River Lighthouse. It is located near the town of Port St. Joe and erected in 1849. Again, due to circumstances this is the fourth lighthouse for this area. The road is not always open to view the lighthouse. A gift shop is located in the restored keeper’s quarters and open limited hours.
Over to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, we headed and did not spend much time there as it was getting late. There are some nice sand dunes here. We only saw a few Monarchs here and not much Salt Marsh, but we didn’t explore the park, so maybe in another area one may have seen the Monarchs.
We then stopped for a few days in Panama City. One stop there was St. Andrew’s State Park. It is a nice park with a turpentine still exhibit. Around that area is a trail and we saw many Monarchs in that area. We also scared a deer. It is a nice park to explore.
That was the completion point of our trip. I would have liked to have gone further west and observed if any Monarchs were around. Years ago we had been in that area and I observed many Monarchs washed up along the Gulf. Were they alive or dead? I hadn’t realized at the time that they could have been alive just waiting to dry off their wings and fly off once more. But the big question remains, where do these Monarchs go for the winter?
We continued on our journey and found the area interesting and as different from other parts of Florida as can be. It is a mostly forested area and has lots of wildlife in the area. Also, we noticed many for sale signs on the houses we saw. The older houses are built on the ground and the newer ones are on stilts. Many are located near the Gulf and I think of what happens during hurricane season.
We then made a stop at Crooked River Lighthouse near Carrabelle. It is a skeletal tower and is only open on Saturdays to climb into. On the grounds is a children’s playground with a 70 foot replica of a pirate ship as playground equipment. A keeper’s house, to include a museum and gift shop, is open at various hours and we were lucky that it was open. The lighthouse was built in 1895 to replace another lighthouse on Dog Island that was destroyed in a hurricane.
Our next stop was St. George’s Island and its newly rebuilt lighthouse. This is the fourth lighthouse to be built and in a new location. Some of the original bricks were cleaned and used in the reconstruction. We climbed up into this lighthouse which is 74 feet tall and has regular steps and you don’t experience the problem with heights here. On each step is a bronze name plate. To rebuild the lighthouse extensive community support and public and private funding was required. Each name or organization listed on these plates donated $250 and were sold out within a few hours.
We then headed to the St. George Island State Park and just walked on some trails and observed. When we left, just outside the entrance gate are many goldenrod plants and Monarchs were there, maybe 75-100.
Next, stop was Cape San Blas Lighthouse. It is another tower structure like the Crooked River Lighthouse. It is located near the town of Port St. Joe and erected in 1849. Again, due to circumstances this is the fourth lighthouse for this area. The road is not always open to view the lighthouse. A gift shop is located in the restored keeper’s quarters and open limited hours.
Over to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, we headed and did not spend much time there as it was getting late. There are some nice sand dunes here. We only saw a few Monarchs here and not much Salt Marsh, but we didn’t explore the park, so maybe in another area one may have seen the Monarchs.
We then stopped for a few days in Panama City. One stop there was St. Andrew’s State Park. It is a nice park with a turpentine still exhibit. Around that area is a trail and we saw many Monarchs in that area. We also scared a deer. It is a nice park to explore.
That was the completion point of our trip. I would have liked to have gone further west and observed if any Monarchs were around. Years ago we had been in that area and I observed many Monarchs washed up along the Gulf. Were they alive or dead? I hadn’t realized at the time that they could have been alive just waiting to dry off their wings and fly off once more. But the big question remains, where do these Monarchs go for the winter?
All photos, background and buttons are copyrighted by Sue.
Where to See Some of
Florida's Fall Monarchs - Page 2
Florida's Fall Monarchs - Page 2
Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Monarchs on Salt Marsh
Pirate Ship Playhouse
