We made it down to Palm Coast Florida for a quick visit for some family time, some nature time and some sunshine. Mother nature didn't disappoint. While it may not have been super warm by Florida standards, it was 40 degrees warmer than home and the sun was shining.
We flew in on Saturday morning and that night we went into St. Augustine for dinner and to look at the lights. St. Augustine goes all out for their Christmas lights and leaves them up the whole month of January. So after some fresh shrimp, we took a tram tour historic area of the city.
The next morning, we headed down to the beach for sunrise. One of my favorite things to do, that is, except for the waking up early part. A morning person I am not. The sunrise was underwhelming. But how can you not be happy to be on the beach. The wind. The waves. The wildlife. The sun. The company.
After breakfast at our favorite local diner the Chicken Pantry, what we affectionately call the duck hut, for what reason, I have no idea, Kerry and I were off to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Started on the beach side and walked north along the beach to an outcropping of coquina rock.
We then crossed A1A to the botanical gardens side of the park. The live oaks and spanish moss here are amazing and the golden afternoon light lit them perfectly. We were sitting behind the visitor center on a patio under the shade of a massive oak. We heard the low rumbling of a great horned owl waking up from a slumber and spent the next hour or so looking for it in the tree we were sitting under. It's call grew louder and louder, and we were certain it was in the tree we were sitting under. Eventually a crowd grew, all of us with our necks crooked, looking up into this tree. We met a local photographer who said he has been hearing the owl for weeks, but has yet to find it. We left, still without seeing it. We checked the photogs website, and he too was unsuccessful. While we did not see the great horned owl, we did see 4 bald eagles, an osprey, and a Florida water snake.
The next day another shot at the sunrise. Again. A little underwhelming photography wise. Today we met up with the family to explore St. Augustine. Such a cool city, rich in history and lots to do. We started with the Castillo De San Marcos National Monument. It was MLK Day so it was free for the day, which also meant it was crowded. A really neat place to visit, for both history and photography. Afterwards we then took a walk down St. George Street, passing the oldest wooden school house in the United States.
After lunch, we headed over to the St. Augustine Lighthouse. A climb up the 219 steps to the top deck and a great view of St. Augustine, and Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean.
The next morning was the sunrise we were looking for, and just in time as it was our last of the trip. A front was moving through, and the temperature was only about 34 degrees and windy. My hands were frozen after taking pictures but it was worth it. The clouds associated with the front provided excellent interest in the sky and the colors were spectacular. The middle of the sunrise was the best and lasted only about 5 minutes. After that I concentrated on the seabirds in plentiful numbers. We had a little ruddy turnstone following us, nearly underfoot. I wonder if he was hoping for us to kick something in the sand as we walked. Ring-billed gulls were plentiful. And a new species for me, a redknot, though it was in it's duller winter plumage.
Later in the day we took a walk along one of the numerous greenway trails in Palm Coast. A nice 3 mile walk through the oaks and palm trees. Another new bird for me, a limpkin, and we saw a bald eagle soaring high above too. A great trip hate to see it end.
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