In the steam bath of the Jupiter Island coast, Feygirl and I headed out to the Blowing Rocks Preserve a 73 acre parcel of protected land on the barrier island. With the largest Anastasia limestone coast on the U.S. Atlantic coast, Blowing Rocks brings the feel of the northern coastlines to the Florida tropics.
Walking into the sea grape covered pathways, we were immediately greeted by a Banana Spider. Now mind you, I may not mind spiders, but the Banana ones I do. They can jump like mad and before you know it, they can land on you! So carefully capturing the spider, we continued on our pathway to adventure.
With the meticulous effort of many volunteers, the vegetation has finally returned to its native and natural state. Removing the invasive species of Latherleaf, Brazilian Pepper, and Australian Pine, allowing the native sea grapes, sea oats, bay cedar and beach sun flower to return. (source: Nature Conservancy.)
Feygirl and I were imagining what it was like for the Spaniards to hack through this dense forest of sea grapes to try to reach the other side. In the heavy humidity and heat of today, it was just an inkling of what it may have been like. Imagine in the middle of the summer with warm wool suits on?
And then I started to hear something – a huge thunder. Oh No ! We weren’t going to be rained out of our adventure were we? I listened again, and the the roaring thunder happened again. Oh wait…is that the Blowing Rocks? Excited to see the surf pounding through the rock lined coast, we reached the beach. The sand dunes lined with sea oats floating gently in the breeze, while the hard surf hit the dark rocks.
It was between tides, and the surf pounded and forced its way on and through the rocks, making its own nature symphony.
We spent quite a bit of time enjoying the musical orchestra of sea and rock before succumbing to the bright sun. Returning to the protected sea grape trail, I remembered that I had left my bug spray at home. The mosquitoes quickly found me. Did Feygirl get bothered by the mosquitoes? Of course not ! Why should they bother her as their favorite buffet was right next door. So while I was fighting mosquitoes, Feygirl began running into spider webs.
Between the two of us, we have a good portion of the bug population taken care of ! She’s dodging cobwebs, I’m dancing around because of the mosquitoes. Such a funny thing to see. But neither of us were deterred as the pathway enchanted us with its magical curiosity. Tunneling through sea grapes we continued on.
We had the chance to watch the Florida State Butterfly, a Zebra Long Wing.
And enjoyed the bright morning glories along the fenced pathway.
Walking along with Feygirl is like having your own naturalist guide with you. Her love, passion and in depth knowledge of Florida’s natural beauty is nothing short of spectacular. She shared with me how sea grapes were once a protected plant and that when ripe you can actually eat them! Now I’ve lived in Florida for a good portion of my life, and I had never heard that sea grapes were edible. We came across one section of sea grapes full with fruit, but alas they weren’t quite ready to try.
But the Blowing Rocks preserve was not the only place we wanted to visit today. We took a drive down to Juno Beach’s Loggerhead Marine Life Center and quickly visited the cute turtles they had onsite there for rehab. This is Haymitch, a Loggerhead Sea Turtle who loves to sit and watch the world outside of his tank.
It was a fabulous day being able to enjoy the beautiful natural Florida treasures. No words can express how wonderful it was to meet a very special lady and a fabulous blogger. If you don’t already subscribe to her blog, what are you waiting for? http://serenityspell.com/
Categories: Florida, Foot Prints
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
What a wonderful day and fabulous pictures!!! I’m soooo envious. Please see me when you get home to speak further about this spectacular trip.
Great post and amazing images! What a fun day.
Thank you so much Susan ! One of these days I’ll make it west and you can show me your world.
Great trip and beautiful pictures! 🙂
Thank you so much Calee, we had great fun and it was wonderful meeting a fellow blogger.
All are absolutely stunning pictures!
You are truly too kind. Thank you so much for your wonderful compliment.
A lovely article and gorgeous pictures. You sound as though you’re having a wonderful time. Bless you.
Hi Lizzie ! We had a great time regardless of the oppressive high humidity and heat. Its wonderful to meet a kindred spirit. Thank you so much and best wishes to you.
Awesome photos! I’ve never known the Golden Silk Spider to jump (I prefer their “legal” name, lol)…I am afraid of most spiders, but rather fond of the “Banana” spiders, and always get my face up close to look at them…I wonder if I’ll be more paranoid now? You do a great job of capturing Florida’s natural treasures, thank you!
I never knew their official name, so thank you so much for sharing. Yes, this is a big spider which equals creepy. They really do move super fast too as this one was going for a bug flying close to his web.
Interesting post and great shots – a jumping spider, great.like that… ‘smile’
Want me to box some up for you and send them to you Drake ? They are crazy creepy bugs….
‘hahaha’ – and what may I so sent det other way… ‘hahaha’
Somehow I believe you could think of something. 🙂
Hahah!! What a WONDERFUL post. And such amazingly beautiful images!! That spider came out perfectly! You really do capture these places / landscapes with tremendous beauty and heartfelt emotion…
It was so perfect meeting you — such a treat! And now, my turn to visit your lovely area. 🙂
I had such a fabulous time! Can’t wait to see your images from the day. It was wonderful meeting you and enjoying a great outing.
Well it certainly looks like you two had an excellent adventure! Super photos and I really enjoyed reading the account which made me feel like I was along for the day’s fun!
Thank you so much Phil ! Something tells me that you would have enjoyed the day and fit right in as true nature adventurers.
Well I would have fit right in as far as the mosquitos go…I’m a mosquito MAGNET! If there are ten people standing around and one mosquito in the area guess who it attacks?! Those tiny biting flies love me too. There have been times when I have been out by the marsh and I am required to shamefully retreat from the endless onslaught.
I’m sure you and FeyGirl have a blast out there and always definitely come back with some amazing photos! 🙂
Bella your photos are truly amazing, I can’t believe how great they look! Really impressive and a great story to go along with them!
Hi Aaron ! Welcome back ! How are things going with you? Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. You are too kind with your words and I appreciate your complements.
You really met, no joke, oh thats lovely. And lovely photos too, very much so. My favorites are that wonderful butterfly and the pink flower. Great post, Emily! 🙂
Thanks Bente ! Perhaps one day I’ll make it over the ‘pond’ and visit you! 🙂
Neat angle for the banana spider. I didn’t know sea grapes were edible either. Were you at Juno beach or….
The Blowing Rocks preserve is on Jupiter Island, and yes the turtle is at Juno Beach – great catch!