2/5/17 Sunday

This morning we decided to meander up the coast to Dunedin (north of Clearwater).  We crossed the causeway onto Honeymoon Island and then took a catamaran ferry over to Caladesi Island State Park.  We started at the Ranger Station and walked the nature trail (3+ miles after all the loops).  It started inland through palms, pines, live oak, and even a stand of red cedar.  We saw an osprey on a nest high up in a tree and when we got to Cat's Eye Pond, we saw egrets and a Great blue heron.  We then cut over to the beach for the last mile and collected shells while we walked.  The pictures today are of the trail, the osprey on the nest, a Great blue, egret, oyster catchers, a shot down the beach and some plovers.  It started out a bit foggy this morning and we were nearly frozen on the boat ride over, but the walk quickly warmed us up.  The shoreline was lovely - lots of shells, gulls, and shore birds.  We chatted on the beach with a young couple from Kansas City, MO.  They were excited to talk with someone from New England as that is one place they want to visit.  We got back to the starting point and had a late lunch at the small cafe next to the Ranger Station before boarding the ferry for the trip back to the car park.  We had a nice chat with the captain of the boat and found that he is coming to Mystic in May for the Sea Chanty weekend.  We gave him our card and hope that he gets in touch with us.  Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island were one island (Hog Island) before a hurricane in 1921 broke it into the two islands.  We took a more direct route back to Largo and are now relaxing before dinner.  I have washed the shell collection and put them out to dry on the patio.  I think we will have a light dinner tonight as we had a late lunch.  The temperature did get into the mid 70's once the sun came out this afternoon.  It was a great day.