Florida Keys Bird Sanctuary

Last Sunday, El Hombre and I rambled halfway down the keys for a short getaway. We've both been busy with home renovations, work, car issues, etc. so a mini day trip was long overdue.

If you have followed us for awhile, you probably have figured out that the Keys, specifically Key West, is our go-to when we need to relax and unwind.  Normally we head straight down Overseas Highway and don't stop 'til we hit mile marker 0.

Since we didn't have that kind of time, we stopped into several places along the way and explored. One such place was the Florida Keys Bird Sanctuary.  This is a pathway that started and still operates as a wild bird rehabilitation center.  It's located at 93600 Overseas Highway in Tavernier, and can be hard to miss if you aren't looking for it.  It's on the gulf side and has a faded, painted sign. 


There are a few paths that lead you past several large cages that house all sorts of native wild birds, including hawks, penguins and owls (my favorite because they have a perpetual alarmed/angry face.)  One of the paths will lead you out onto a beach where you can observe different types of ibis, pelicans and more. You may also cross paths with a few cats or the "attack rooster."


I had several pictures, but of course my memory card failed (never buying a Panasonic memory card again.)  I did snap this photo on Instagram, which ended up getting reposted on the Sun-Sentinal site.


While it's an interesting stop, I don't recommend walking around in the middle of the afternoon as we were dying of heat by the time we got back in the car.

PS, if you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is @xtinakm

Off the beaten path: feeding Tarpon

Sometimes there is nothing better than a perfect, clear Sunday afternoon in the Keys. Most people in Miami will drive to Tikki Bar (which we did later) or, if adventurous, will drive to Key West.

We stopped in Islamorada for lunch, and ended up driving a little more south to feed Tarpon, under the recommendation of El Hombre's cousin, and it was definitely cool. Admittedly I was pretty disgusted with touching dead fish, but quickly got over it.


NOTE the evil bird in the background. I was enthralled with them until I turned around and had two pelicans less than 2 feet from me, flapping their wings and following me, trying to beg for fish. Not cool. Especially since I am a little terrified of birds. Especially big ones. And FYI, throwing a fish way out in the water does not make them go away. I tried.



Not exactly something you want to be surprised from. But the fish feeding was cool. Essentially you lay down on the dock and wave the fish over the water and the tarpon will jump out of the water from them.

Check it out:

When Pelicans Attack

More photos from my recent daytrip to Jupiter. There were a million minnows - as one fisherman said to me, "It's not a good day to be a minnow."

In the inlet it was like Thanksgiving dinner for the Pelicans. They didn't even have to get up and divebomb the water like they usually do. Attack!