Tag: Florida wildlife

By The Canal

Carol 29 Comments

Florida was originally nearly all wetlands. Over the years miles of wetlands were drained for buildings and people.  Today there are many canals and lakes in neighborhoods where you can often see wildlife drawn to the water.  These photos were taken by a canal not far from my neighborhood.

 

 

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Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary

Carol 25 Comments

Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary
3750 South Flamingo Road
Davie, FL 33330-1614

Flamingo Gardens was originally founded as Flamingo Groves, a citrus orchard, in 1927 by Floyd L. and Jane Wray. The Wrays came to Florida in 1925 and were deeply intrigued with the horticultural possibilities of the subtropical locale. They purchased 320 acres of land around and including Long Key in the Everglades. On January 2, 1927, Floyd L. Wray incorporated Flamingo Groves, beginning what was to become one of the first botanical gardens and tourist attractions in South Florida. 

The Floyd L. Wray Memorial Foundation was established in 1969 by Mrs. Wray, in honor of her late husband, to preserve the core property for future generations and emphasize the history of the Florida Everglades. The name was changed to Flamingo Gardens, and the gardens were preserved and  expanded. In 1990, the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary opened with the Bird of Prey Center, followed by the half-acre Free-flight Aviary featuring the 5 ecological zones of South Florida. One of the first of its kind in the country, the sanctuary gave residence to permanently injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife.

$21.95 per day adult admission

Last week my post, Flamingo Gardens & Museum, explored one of my favorite places in South Florida, Flamingo Gardens.  Acres of one of the last natural jungle growths in South Florida with over 3000 tropical and subtropical species of plants and trees, Flamingo Gardens is a beautiful place to wander. See that post for photos and information regarding the Wray Home and the gardens.  Today we’ll explore the wildlife in the sanctuary.

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