The Freshwater Marsh

The Freshwater Marsh habitat relies upon a combination of native vegetation and naturally occurring weather events.  The smaller bodies of water in this habitat often disappear during dry periods, but are restored to their splendor after a rainfall.  The freshwater marsh habitat also depends on fire to maintain its natural state, as it has for centuries.

Wading birds such as the Great White Egret and the Roseate Spoonbill flock to freshwater ponds to search for food and to hide in the thick marsh grasses. These birds are joined by reptiles and mammals such as the American Alligator and the North American River Otter. 


North American River Otter (Lutra canadensis)


Ruby Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)


Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)


Dragonfly (Anisoptera)


American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

Besides a real life adventure in Bird Island Park, the historic Alligator Zoological Park in St. Augustine, Florida offers an awesome adventure for those of any age.

Coastal Dune

 

The Coastal Dune habitat with its unique scrub vegetation is the first line of defense against storm surges from hurricanes, tropical storms and nor’easters.  Sea Oats and other salt tolerant plants help to stabilize the dunes with their long root systems, helping to hold the sand in place and preventing shoreline erosion.  Numerous animals make this habitat a permanent or temporary home.  The Coastal Dune is a critical nesting and foraging habitat for resident and migrating shorebirds, several species of sea turtles, ghost crabs and many other varieties of coastal species. Some of these species are federally listed as endangered or threatened, and are protected under the Endangered Species Act, an environmental law enacted by Congress in 1973.

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) 


Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)


Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)


Sea Turtles - Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta)

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Upland Hammock

The Upland Hammock is characterized by a canopy of native trees, and is home to a variety of wildlife that depend on this unique habitat to survive. 



Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)


Boars (Sus scrofa)


Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)


Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)


We are each a tile in nature's mosaic.


Stay tuned for the expanded Cell Phone Audio Tour of these habitats and creatures as you explore the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway hidden parks and places.


Special acknowledgements: Mosaic Art - Jan Master and Wendy Mandel McDaniel; Photography - Sue and Bob Hanson; Content Research - Emily Davidson and Irene Kaufman