On the west coast of Florida, far above Tampa and Busch Gardens and down a quiet and remote road sits a sleepy fishing village known as Cedar Key.
In all the years that have passed since I was first introduced to Cedar Key, this village has managed to maintain its original charm and quiet serenity along the Gulf of Mexico. Located in the middle of a 200-mile stretch along the Gulf known as the Big Bend, Cedar Key provides a quiet respite full of fresh salty air, and incredible sunrise and sunsets.
I remember driving here for the day from Gainesville with my family and enjoying the “Captain’s Seafood Platter” at one of the several waterfront restaurants. With the freshest seafood imaginable and the local specialty of Heart of Palm Salad served with a peanut ice cream dressing, Cedar Key offers the best life offers.
There are plenty of vacation rentals and small inns that you can call your home away from home, while you rent a golf cart to take you through the quiet streets. Activities are abound including fishing, boating, kayaking, and incredible birding. There are two fantastic festivals in Cedar Key that has always been a favorite of mine to attend. The Cedar Keys Arts Festival in April, and the Cedar Key Seafood Festival in October.
Having an early start in the morning, I went out to explore while my friends slept through this magical time of the day. Heading over to the beach area, I quickly discovered how full Cedar Key is of a wide variety of waterfowl. The flocks would gather and fly through the sunrise to paint the sky with their black silhouettes.
Once I reached the beach, it was as if it was Christmas morning for birders and photographers. With at least five different species of birds, and a large flock of spectacular Black Skimmers I could have spent all morning watching and photographing these birds.
In fact, while observing such incredible bird life, this Laughing Gull decided to come and check me out as well. He was probably laughing at me as I really had no clue what I was doing as my Canon 60D was brand new to me and I was trying to figure out how to work the darned thing.
These cute little buggers were dodging in and out of the surf nibbling on some small microscopic thing that I couldn’t see. But they are truly charming Sanderlings.
When wandering back through the quaint waterfront on Dock Street, Brown Pelicans were warming themselves in the early morning sun and getting ready for a new day of fishing.
Throughout the day I enjoyed additional birds such as the White Ibis, the Tricolored Heron, a White Heron, and Ring-billed Gulls with the evening ending with a perfect sunset.
My soul-filling day in this quiet little hamlet ended picture perfect. With a visit to the well-known Honeymoon Shack which had been built in 1959. It has stood the test of time and is now the home for Cormorants.
Categories: Birds, Florida, Foot Prints
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
These are amazing photos!
Thankyou so much Stephanie ! I was just learning how to use a DSLR and was surprised how well these turned out for a newbie.
Beautiful place and beautiful photos:) Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Cravesadventure. Hope to see you back soon.
Serene photos. Good job.
Thank you so very much Jeremy. So happy you enjoyed them.
Oh man. I was really, really hoping you weren’t going to blog about Cedar Key. But that’s only because it’s my favorite vacation place ever and I don’t want too many people discovering it. I live in Central Florida so I’m able to hop to Cedar Key once or twice a year for my CK fix. Just love its old Florida feel.
Jeanni
Hi Jeanni ! Had to laugh out loud to your comments ! Well, I did have to share this beautiful and serene secret place of ours. I still think most people will take the effort to go out of their way to visit CK, so no worries, it will always be a quiet escape for you.
Forgot to add that I’ve got a pic that I took of the Honeymoon Cottage on my desk. Just looking at it relaxes me. Am thoroughly enjoying your blog.
Jeanni
I wonder just how many pics have been done of Honeymoon Cottage. I feel your sense of serenity with Cedar Key. Have a great weekend!
Outstanding photos! 🙂 🙂
Thank you SO MUCH Maggie !
Madison, Florida, is also a pristine area for birding and eco-tourism. The county of Madison is located in the North-central part of the state, has a low population count and minimal industrial development, making it a great destination for birds and birders alike.
The Lidell Brothers Nature Center, located on the NFCC campus is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and is open to visitors year round.
Thank you very much for this information and referrals for birding in Florida. The links above didn’t work for me, but the following are accurate websites if anyone is interested in learning more about Florida birding:
http://floridabirdingtrail.com/index.php
http://www.nfcc.edu/community-programs/nature-center
loved the pictures
Thank you Namita!
Thanks for the lovely read. I, too, found it relaxing and I’m sitting in Cedar Key! On a separate note, I love that your logo crediting the photography (“Bellaremy Photography”) is understated and discreet, fully allowing the viewer to enjoy the image with distraction. Nice work.
Hi Connie! How wonderful to be able to be in Cedar Key. I am most certainly jealous ! I’m glad you are able to enjoy it in person. Thanks for your comments on the watermark, I agree – need it, but it shouldn’t have to shout to the viewer.
Just returned from CK, your pictures are fantstic and I can’t wait to return again.
Thank you much TSP ! So jealous that you were able to spend some time in CK. Hope you get back there soon.
Beautiful pictures!this is my home town!(:
Hi Shealene ! Must say…I’m quite jealous ! Thanks for visiting.
Thank you for your beautiful pictures and words about Cedar Key. I was blessed with being able to live and grow up in Cedar Key. I don’t think you ever appreciate that privilege until you are older and no longer live there. I have been sick and I haven’t been able to go home to CK for awhile so thank you for bringing Cedar Key to me. There is no place in the world like Cedar Key.
Hi Wilma, It is so very true, we rarely appreciate how great our own neighborhood is until we’ve left. I’m sorry that you have not been well, and hope that things are looking up for you. Perhaps Cedar Key will keep calling you to come back to visit.
Great photos, especially with an unfamiliar camera! I absolutely love the yellow sky with black birds. Those skimmer birds are wild looking, I’ve never seen one before! Very cool.
Just discovered this comment in my spam basket. I had never seen skimmers before either. They are really cool birds and I could have spent all day watching them. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend – 80 degrees on Sunday ! Crazy !!!