Shell Key was designated a nature preserve because it provides a home for nesting and wintering shorebirds, including those most subject to loss of habitat. As the land above water has shifted, so have the wildlife. The new ebb-shoal has quickly became an important nesting ground for birds. The protected side of the shoal was covered in plovers and terns…and so many jumping mullet! The jumping mullet made me terribly happy. My family members were not quite so enthralled.
Outback Key was idyllic. We played in the ocean, ate some snacks, and played some more.
We even broke in our new dual-string sport kite. This was the first place we have been that has really been ideal to get our kite started—plenty of open space, and no one to hit. I was not an immediate success, but my husband was really good at it!
Next, we headed across Bunces pass on the ferry to Shell Island. As advertised, it was kind of shell-y and a bit tough on the feet. We were all sun-tired by this point in the day. I took a walk down the beach looking at plants while my daughter hunted for shells (Gingerman hid under towels). On my walk back, I caught up with a Reddish Egret. At the time I didn't know such a thing existed. Naturally, I assumed it was some ugly accident in a line of Great Blue Herons. The bird was showing some wear.
Get out, and misidentify some birds.
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