Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area
A little known gem of a natural preserved area across from Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is the JILONA. This Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding National Area is one of just a few places in the country that have received this designation by the Bureau of Land Management. The only ONA located on the east coast, 120 acres are protected close to the posh Palm Beach, Florida.
Part of the National Landscape Conservation System, the area will be preserved for generations to come. Because of its close vicinity to the Atlantic Ocean, I remember when three hurricanes passed through the area, and brush fires devastated the area. Trees were stripped of their leaves by the strong winds, and the fires burned the trees to a crisp. It almost looked like a war zone and I wondered if nature would recover from such disaster.
Six years later and the strength of Mother Nature has persevered. For once you can be proud of me as I remembered to put on bug spray so that the mosquitoes wouldn’t have dinner on my short visit. The pathway is well paved and the walk is through Florida’s natural beach scrub brush.
It was a mid-September day, and coming from Maryland, the high humidity made the air heavy. I thought about immediately turning around and getting into my air conditioned car, but then I came across these tracks in the cement. Excitement overcame me. Laughing at how this little bunny snuck over the wet cement overnight messing up the park ranger’s perfect sidewalk. Nature’s wonderful way of telling the rangers exactly what they thought of this artifical passage in their natural habitat.
Now encouraged that I may see more than just palmettos and mosquitos, I continued down the path, wondering where it led to.
It was a little further than what I had imagined, but that was all right, Florida’s beautiful scenery never ceases to please.
At the end of the walkway I ended up at a pavilion that looks out over the Mangroves and the Intracoastal waterway. An Osprey sat high on a tree, enjoying the late afternoon soon.
And the bunny tracks? I started to think that perhaps the whole thing was staged. Just to play a big joke on this little country mouse. For those weren’t the only tracks I saw on the pavement.
The JILONA is a quaint and well conserved natural area. One of the few places that is fully handicap accessible, so those with limited mobility can enjoy the great outdoors without having to bushwack. It’s a perfect place to visit to quickly step into Florida’s beach habitat and still be just a few footsteps back to your airconditioned car.
If you’re a visitor, or if you’re a local, check out this quaint little preserve. It’s a charming and quiet retreat.
Categories: Florida, Foot Prints, Nature, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Thanks for taking us with you on your walk! I really enjoyed getting out a bit! I love the bird and bunny prints in the sidewalk! Very Cute!
I was so faked out with those prints in the walkway. I really did think they were real. But when I saw several ones, all different, I knew it couldn’t be. So happy you enjoyed this morning walk.
Well it is very whimsical!!!
Interesting, nice place. Is it snow in Florida?
Believe it or not, it has been known to snow in northern Florida. Areas like Pensacola. I remember it snowing in Gainesville when I was a child and it stayed on the cars for just a moment.
Loved your trip to FL as well I miss being there in winter should I ever hit the lottery that I play so seldon I would buy a condo near the inter-coastal as I adore the Melbourne area as well as West Palm Beach. I could take my jewelry I make all summer and sell there come winter (I HATE SNOW) In 2000 when I was living in Plant City I saw snow one cold morning but presto sun came up and it was HISTORY 🙂
Loved your photos
Eunice
I thought having a Florida condo was the cat’s meow. That is until I realized that the months of January & February are cold. Then mid-April through September is just so crazy hot and humid! Doesn’t leave much picture perfect weather. Oct, Nov, Dec, March….sigh.
🙂 I LOVE THE SUN AND HEAT only my pretty yard in spring with Lilacs and Roses could yank me back up 95 lol NC is nice as well but they do not like Yankees much 🙂
I just read a post on another photography site that mentioned going beyond the famous national parks and photographing the lesser known areas. He talked about finding things and places that may inspire. Your photos today have done just that!
You must follow Rob Sheppard’s blog then! I am actually taking a class with him right now. it’s the third one I’ve taken from him through betterphoto.com. It is true, this little preserved area is highly overlooked. Most who come here go just to the lighthouse across the street.
I do follow his blog and have his e-book. More than his photos, which are wonderful by the way, is his inspiring writing. I enjoy his take on nature.
Wery well captured… 🙂
Foot prints in the snow… 🙂
Well..not quite, but close!
Wonderful shots !!
Thank you Karine ! So happy you enjoyed these.
A wonderful walk! Your photos are phenomenal and I love the foot prints!!
You are so kind Judy. You never cease to amaze me with your generous comments. The foot prints were great. I’ll just pretend that they were real.
Thanks for taking me along to view these wonderful sights.
It is my pleasure Phil. Hope you didn’t get bit by a mosquito. 🙂
Lovely trail, Emily. Love the footprints. I think you were duped. 😀
I was totally duped..kind of felt stupid after a little while. 🙂
Hehehe. 😀
Thanks for the nature walk – so needed it! Have a Great One:)
Just a few more days Renee and the crazyness will settle down. Hang in there and think of BEACH..BEACH..BEACH…
Beautiful shots!!! Footprints shots is amazing!!!
Thank you so much Rexlin. Just looking at your gravatar, I can tell you do great things. Off to go and check it out! Bella
Lovely series and a lovely place. I have been to Palm Beach more than once but didn’t know about this gem. I suspect the footprints are a bit of man-made art but very enjoyable nonetheless.
Hi Rachel, this is a quaint little conservation area that is completely overlooked. Perfect for those that need a sidewalk for walking/wheelchair. I’d imagine on a lucky day one would see a Manatee in the mangrove area as it’s a perfect spot for them.
What a great place. WE have signs like that last one in our parks as well, not that people tend to take much notice. Such a shame.
Ahhhh…..the beach. Beautiful. Thanks for the mini-mental vacation!
It is truly my pleasure to be able to share this with you. We all could use more beach time. That is..if you don’t live on the beach. If you do..then more mountain time!
What a fun photo tour! That scenery doesn’t come to mind when I think of Florida, so that was really great!
Certainly not the land of Mickey Mouse right?
Nature is amazing, hurricanes and fire can rip and strip everything apart and yet, as can be judged from your pictures, the soil regenerates and plants regrow and the landscape is restored, Beautiful place, love the pictures, all.