On Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), my sister and TQ and I all headed up to Annamaria Island, where some friends from the NYC kayaking community spend the winter. We didn't kayak this time; instead Peter and Valerie took us to explore the beautiful Robinson Preserve in Bradenton, just back on the other side of the bridge to the island. This is a very interesting conservation effort, made up partly of former farmlands that are being allowed to return to a natural state, with data being collected and records kept of the process. With development being such a force in Florida, it was great to learn about this effort, and hear Peter and Valerie's firsthand observations on the progress they've seen in the years they've been spending time in Florida in the wintertime.
We didn't walk too far as unfortunately one of the reasons tentative paddling plans for the day had been called off was because Peter had hurt his back, and walking wasn't entirely comfortable either, but we got a good sampling of what the preserve had to offer. There are easy hiking trails, a tower you can climb for wonderful views, a boardwalk that wound through more mangroves, and so many birds! If you're on Facebook, and you like bird photography at all, you will love checking out the Robinson Preserve Facebook Group (thanks to Valerie for sharing that with me). Amazing photos - makes me hope to maybe have a chance to spend a little more time there sometime!
Here are more of my photos from the day. Click on any photo for a slideshow view. Enjoy!
We didn't walk too far as unfortunately one of the reasons tentative paddling plans for the day had been called off was because Peter had hurt his back, and walking wasn't entirely comfortable either, but we got a good sampling of what the preserve had to offer. There are easy hiking trails, a tower you can climb for wonderful views, a boardwalk that wound through more mangroves, and so many birds! If you're on Facebook, and you like bird photography at all, you will love checking out the Robinson Preserve Facebook Group (thanks to Valerie for sharing that with me). Amazing photos - makes me hope to maybe have a chance to spend a little more time there sometime!
Here are more of my photos from the day. Click on any photo for a slideshow view. Enjoy!
3 comments:
It’s beautiful
Beautiful, and I had never heard of this preserve. Will store this away for another Florida visit.
what a lovely park. we haven't done the Sarasota area but may have to put it on our list.
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