“Turn off the computer, Lyn”, it whispers, “and go for a walk on the beach.” When I heed the advice, I return home tired physically, refreshed mentally, and nourished spiritually.

I love strolling leisurely on all of “my beaches” in east central Florida; and because I visit often, I am struck by how the beach scene changes. The tides, the weather, the season, the number of people, or even my own state of mind make each seascape and each experience unique.

Over the last several days, I walked on two very different beaches, separated not so much by distance, as by human use.

New Smyrna Beach takes pride in its beach, as well it should. Locals and tourists alike enjoy not only the sand and surf, but also the hospitality, activities, and accommodations of a beachside community that values its “charm.”

Twin Condos, New Smyrna Beach Florida

PSA area, Jet skies only!

I was pleased to share smiles and friendly greetings with others that were enjoying a day in the sun.

On this trip, I was amused to see a portion of the beach designated as a Personal Watercraft Area for launching jet skies without, I presume, needing to avoid bathers or surfers.

Several days later, I visited Apollo Beach in Canaveral National Seashore about 10 miles to the south of my first stop.

Agave plants in bloom, Apollo Beach

Certainly, structures are present. Some are remnants of early settlement, such as the Eldora House, now a museum. The National Park Service builds and maintains other structures, such as boat ramps or dune walkways, to help visitors enjoy the outdoor environment, from the Mosquito Lagoon estuary, (aptly-named, by the way) to the Atlantic shore.

“Leave only footprints” has a very special meaning here.

How fortunate I am! I can tailor my beach experience to my mood: festive and sociable, reclusive and contemplative, or somewhere in-between.

Apollo Beach, Canaveral National Seashore

“She who loves the beach” will always be…Lyn

Rocks Rule!

Nature, modified by man

I returned there May 02, but this time accompanied by photographers from the Southeast Volusia Camera Club. Our group of ten took many photographs, not only in different natural settings but also in changing light as we moved from the bright light of the beach to the deep shade in the park as the morning passed. I share some of my photos with you here.

Washington Oaks is truly two parks in one as it spans the extent of a barrier island from the ocean to the (estuary). The field trippers gathered around 9:00 a.m. at the rocky beach portion of the Park at dead low tide, the best time to see the exposed coquina rock formations. We explored and photographed tide pools and the rocks, covered with algae and encrusting organisms, such as snails, barnacles, and limpets. Seabirds and a large, blooming yucca plant provided more photo opportunities.

Shore line at low tide

Here, we found a mix of formal gardens and typical barrier island hammock vegetation. Roses bloomed in the formal gardens; a variety of plants flourished along paths that wound around spring-fed ponds. A gazebo, fountains, foot bridges and small statues provided additional evidence of human maintenance. Huge live oak trees covered in epiphytes, such as ferns and bromeliads, dominated the natural vegetation.

The dominator!

On the beach, life battles harsh elements – wind, waves, and heat as well as erosion. The algae and small creatures survive by clinging to rocks, waiting for relief as the tide moves from low to high twice daily. Each rock is covered by these tenacious organisms; every tiny spot is prime real estate. Competition for a foothold on the rocks is fierce.

Environmental conditions in the Gardens are more moderate. The plants provide shade and moisture, and enrich the soil as they live and die. But, competition for space here is as fierce as it on the beach. Seeds and seedlings claim turf and try to dominate green competitors as well as outlast hungry herbivores. However, some animals have evolved to assist plants as pollinators, a win-win relationship with the plants. Tall trees serve as habitat for not only animals but also other plants.

As an ecologist, and college instructor, I have often taken students to Washington Oaks to investigate how plant and animal communities change and blend along a continuum from lagoon to beach. This time nature photography and artistic expression were the goals.

While all of us enjoyed the lush park setting, a few did not find artistic inspiration on the severe beach landscape, where geology rather than life seems to dominate. Many photographs recorded the strikingly different settings on the beach and in the gardens, but perhaps, it is macro photography that best captures the less obvious battles for life in both places. Lyn

Bright sails on a bright day!

The day of the SEVCC field trip to Mt. Dora dawned with bright sunshine and no predictions for rain. It was as if we knew that this would be the one perfect day that week. Fourteen members and guests arrived at 9:00 AM at Gilbert Park, the loading and launch site for the annual Mt. Dora Sailing Regatta.

Wating for the race

The picturesque setting became more crowded and lively as the 12:30 PM race time approached giving us ample opportunity to photograph the crews as they rigged sailboats of many shapes, sizes, and colors before setting sail on Lake Dora.

In addition to sailboats, we photographed the park lighthouse, a nature garden, birds, interesting structures, a sea plane (landing and taking off), each other, and yes, even some snakes. Although warned by a sign that a hungry alligator lurked near the shoreline not far from the dock, the reptile did not make its photo shoot.

Children's Artwork on Tiles

Antiques and history were on the agenda after lunch – antique shops, an antique car show at the Lakeside Inn, historic buildings and the Royellou Museum downtown set up in an old jailhouse. A few ventured off around Lake Dora to Tavares, where skiff races provided shots of different kinds of boats.

Just a few of the many antique cars in the show..

Thanks to Andrew Mullen, President of the Mt. Dora Historical Society, for providing an informative and entertaining tour of the Royellou Museum.

Thanks as well to Tommy Stevens, VP Administration of the Mt. Dora Yacht Club, for helping us to plan the visit.

No doubt many of us will return to Mt. Dora again, as there is so much more to see and do in this charming Lake County town. Lyn

The Forest Floor, Covered by Ferns

Would participants, all graduates of one or more modules of FMNP, be put under a magic spell by our guides, Jay S. Barnhart, Jr., M.D, an expert on mushrooms and native plants and Joannie Faulls, Sanctuary Steward? Or, would we be entranced by nature as we wandered along trails through several different habitats: oak scrub, mesic and hydric hammocks, wet prairie, and pine flatwoods?

Sunday, March 29 dawned with overcast skies and a prediction for rain. Both the rain and I arrived at the Sanctuary in Titusville at the same time. But, FMNP graduates are undaunted by a little rain, and off we went, raingear protecting us from the elements. Drizzle and dark skies seemed only to enhance the potential for spell-casting as we hiked from open sandy sites into lush forest vegetation.

We stopped often to identify species of plants and fungi and learn more about human use of the area, including a tale about the uncompleted Addison Canal. The 1912 plan to drain agricultural land into the Indian River Lagoon was thwarted by an unyielding coquina rock ridge in the Enchanted Forest. Perhaps forest spirits hexed the digging equipment?

How could I capture should lush vegetation on camera? A forest floor blanketed with ferns gave me one opportunity for a shot, but then the forest closed densely around me. Birds darted in and out of trees – only their calls provided identification.

A hickory bud unfurls

Tiny Pink Mushrooms

Helping to decay a log

Ah, so this was the spell – the dense forest growth had charmed me into looking at the little things.

Our knowledgeable leaders safely guided us out of the Enchanted Forest after a very enjoyable hike. But was the forest following us as we left? Maybe it is my (active) imagination, but what would YOU say about the final photo? Lyn

Is the forest following us?

Ampitheater Stage

Stairs to Suspension Bridge

Azaleas are the theme flower of the park. By 1934 over 95,000 had been planted by Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) workers. In 1999, the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although Azaleas can bloom from January through April, I arrived to find that (sadly) most of the Azaleas were past bloom, but I still photographed some lovely examples. (See the pink and white and bright pink azaleas included on the previous blog entry.)

A 1.8 mile loop trail encircles the ravine; visitors can either drive or walk, stopping at several parking / observation areas along the way. I hopped aboard an open-air wagon hitched to a truck, with a dozen other guests. A park ranger narrated as we slowly wound around the loop, providing an overview of the Park’s natural and human history.

I learned, for example, that the ravine was created over thousands of years by water flowing from the sandy ridges on the shore of the nearby St. Johns River. The park is actively managed to prevent erosion, to maintain the historic architecture, and to control invasive, exotic plants, such as air-potato and Chinese tallow. (For more information, see the Park’s Management Plan.)

Fountain and Garden

Bridge over pond

What a treat! I will surely visit next year, hopefully when the abundant azaleas are full-bloom. That must be a glorious sight! Next trip… Mt. Dora. Lyn