Today we visited another Wetland area, Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands.
Walking up to the center there is a butterfly garden on each side of the walkway. There is also signs labeling some surrounding trees and plants. I have found that this is fun way for the kids to learn about the different fauna of the areas we have visited.
After checking out the butterfly garden and the plants and trees we visited the Nature Center. In the nature center they had several displays with information including the Native American people who once inhabited the area, how the wetlands were created, and animals, fish, and birds in the area. They had large aquariums housing different types of turtles and one that had a couple of small alligators.
Green Cay offers a mile and a half of wooden boardwalk. After reading the information boards I learned that they modeled Green Cay after the wetlands, W, and I enjoyed looking at the pictures of the progression on the construction of these man made wetlands.
While there we met people who were bird watchers and very knowledgeable about when different birds migrate, the differences of appearance between male and females and some other characteristics. We also observed an egret eating a snake. That was a highlight of the visit.
Here is a hut built by modern Seminole people in which their people lived in the past :
One of our favorite sightings was the soft shelled turtle. He is a funny looking turtle with a long neck. We think his face looks kind of like a mole.
We enjoyed the visit. If you get the opportunity to visit with children (or even without) check out the Green Cay website– they have birds check lists among others that can keep the kids occupied and engaged and if you homeschool, can definitely be used as a science lesson!
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