Nature

Natural areas along A1A possess some of the few remaining examples of native Florida habitat. These areas are home to many animal species, some of which are threatened or endangered, including least terns, Anastasia Beach mice, migrating peregrine falcons, indigo snakes, gopher tortoises, wood storks, alligators, piping plovers, roseate spoonbills, and brown pelicans.

A visit to Bird Island Park in Ponte Vedra Beach will provide an aesthetically pleasing experience for art minded nature lovers. In the storytelling area at the rear of the four acre county park, visitors may view artisitic samples of mosaic replicas ofFlorida's upland, coastal and marsh habitats. Local artists, Jan Master and Wendy Mandel McDaniel, created three tiers of richly designed nature scenes a few of which are shown below. 

Freshwater Marsh - Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)



Coastal Dune - Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)



Upland Hammock - Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)



Photography by the Hansons