Pelican Island

  Driving south on A1A

On Jungle Trail, in Indian River County

On the water at the south end of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge at 8:12

Pelican Island.  The small island is the birthplace of the Wildlife Refuge system.   It was set up tp protect birds in 1903.

I was far off shore.  Coming close to Pelican Island is prohibited.  My camera has an excellent zoom.

Wood storks on Pelican Island

Northern gannet. Only the second time I recall seeing one.  The other was years ago, in Palm Bay

Overlook on the mainland, well, barrier island part of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Landed at 11:10

After changing a bike tire, I was riding on Jungle Trail. A well maintained, sand road.  Built in the 1920's, to transport citrus.  Pelican Island is in Indian River County.

Off the bike, walking on the Birds Impoundment Trail in the Refuge

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A  2.5 mile hike

 

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Next stop, the Centennial Trail.

Short. .75 interesting trail. Planks have every Refuge in the US in chronological order from 2019, to Pelican Island in 1903.

View of Pelican Island from the overlook pictured from the water, earlier. 

The trail was built in 2003, for the Centennial of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Back on the bike

 

Driving to the condo my brother was in, I made a stop at Ponce de Leon Park

The Town of Melbourne Beach claims this is where he landed, in 1513.

Next stop, the beach at the Indian Harbour Beach Club

Cocquina?

On the other side of the barrier island, Oars and Paddles Park is on the Banana River.  An arm of the Indian River. 

A pod of four or five dolphins were very active

As no fish were flying about, I thought, oh.......they are mating. 

Caught a glimpse of dolphin genitalia when one rolled over

The Mathers Bridge

Closing

Landed at 6:20. A very fine day