#Biscayne National Park

[captainmartinisblog]

More of Biscayne National Park….

[iicraft505]

Biscayne National Park Ranger Station and Visitor Center | Florida Fish and Wildlife

[dakotapuma]

While we know we cannot save every coral; we are focusing on individual corals that represent unique genetic lines that are thought only to exist in certain National Parks. —Ilsa Kuffner, a USGS research marine biologist

[coralmorphologic]

The Biscayne National Park episode of National Geographic's series 'America's National Parks' is now available to watch on the Nat Geo channel, Hulu, and Disney+. Look out for our coral fluorescence segment.

“To protect from the bleaching power of the sun, the park’s coral community have developed their own extraordinary type of sunscreen,” Garth Brooks narrates. “The results are cosmic.”

[thorsenmark]

I Spy Biscayne National Park from My Airplane Window View! by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: An aerial perspective of southern Florida around the Miami area, captured from an airplane window during a flight from Austin to Miami. The view is to the south at Biscayne Bay with its waters and island/keys in the namesake national park. The sight just filled me with a sense of wonder and imagination for the days ahead that were only to grow! I was needless to say eager with anticipation for my upcoming visit, where I would take a boat tour conducted by the national park institute there. In the interim, I was fortunate to have this breathtaking view to savor.

[adventuresofalifelonglearner]

Sailing Under The Wing Of The Great Frigatebird

I first decided I wanted to learn to sail when I was 10 years old. I don't even remember where the idea came from; I didn't grow up in a family of sailors. Maybe I read it in a book, and the idea of riding the wind and waves spoke deeply to a wild part of my heart.

So when I was visiting Miami on my own, I decided to book a sailing, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling excursion at Biscayne National Park. I'd hear that this National Park wasn't "worth visiting" because of that fact; which, looking back, is a ridiculous reason to write off an entire area of beautifully preserved ecosystem. I'm so glad I didn't listen, and instead chose to experience Biscayne as it was meant to be experienced: with water as the central theme.

When I arrived, it soon became clear that I was the only passenger booked on the sailboat that day. The captain and I eyed each other up, realizing we were two very different people, about to spend 6 hours on the water with a stranger. However, it turned out we had much more in common than either of us anticipated.

Captain Jeff told me his life story, how he'd raised a family in Pennsylvania and endured a painful relationship rife with infidelity. As it happens with situations like these (I know from personal experience) his body started revolting, which sent him in a journey of reclaiming his power. He ended up changing his entire life: leaving Pennsylvania, leaving his job and his family, moving to Florida and becoming a captain, meeting his now-wife and finally, being happy.

He shared great wisdom about relationships - with others, as well as with the self. Looking at life as a "play, not a work" - that was a central theme of our conversation.

Captain Jeff taught me how to work the lines, and read the angles of the sails to ride the wind in the direction we wanted to go. It takes finesse, and an intuitive sense of how the elements work together. With every passing moment, I knew more and more why I'd always been drawn to this art.

We braved a thunderstorm, we saw dolphins. I snorkeled near a reef wall and played with tiny, colorful schools of fish that engulfed me, dancing all around in suspended motion.

On our way back to the harbor, Captian Jeff told me a story about a special bird we were watching, soaring high in the sky. The Magnificent Frigatebird is a formidable, yet graceful, predator and scavenger. It can stay aloft for up to 6-8 weeks at a time. And this spoke to me. Perhaps I can channel some of the energy of the Magnificent Frigatebird - to stay aloft longer than others think is possible, and when I land, I'll land where I am meant to be.

[hegdetravelphotos]

Everglade National Park

Everglades National Park – ever heard of it? It’s an expansive wetland, a vibrant landscape, and a Biosphere Reserve in Florida, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Essentially, a giant swamp teeming with alligators, a haven for exotic birds, and a diverse ecosystem bursting with wildlife like crocodiles, snakes, manatees, and the endangered Florida panther. The park is often called the…

[amalgamatedalcove]

Black Point by Pedro Alberni Via Flickr: Sunset in Biscayne Bay National Park

[sorrysomethingwentwrong]

 Matthew Mazzotta Art,

Known for stalking front lawns in plastic form as much as they wade through the shallows of Everglades National Park, Biscayne Bay, or the Keys, pink flamingos are practically synonymous with Florida. Around the turn of the 20th century, however, native populations were decimated due to overhunting. Although residents later began to foster captive colonies, of the estimated 260,000 to 330,000 mature birds worldwide, Florida is thought to accommodate only about one percent of them.

For the artist, the iconic avian and the importance of sharing space with wildlife inspired a monumental, immersive installation at Tampa International Airport.

[flyingrttakespictures]

Biscayne National Park

Miami Florida

December 2024

[madlori]

National Parks progress

I haven't posted about this in awhile. I'm going to pass the halfway mark in May (they keep making it harder, though, four new National Parks have been added since I started this ten years ago).

Here's where I've been. I have a trip planned for May, those are in italics.

Cuyahoga Valley

Great Smoky Mountains

Mammoth Cave

Congaree

Grand Canyon

Petrified Forest

Big Bend

Guadalupe Mountains

Carlsbad Caverns

White Sands

Saguaro

Shenandoah 

Acadia 

Joshua Tree 

Badlands 

Wind Cave 

Theodore Roosevelt 

Hot Springs 

Channel Islands

Biscayne

Everglades

Dry Tortugas

Glacier Bay

Wrangell St-Elias

Kenai Fjords

Denali

New River Gorge

Indiana Dunes

Voyageurs

Arches (May 2024)

Canyonlands (May 2024)

Capitol Reef (May 2024)

Mesa Verde (May 2024)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison (May 2024)

[arthistoryanimalia]

For #WorldReefDay:

Charley Harper (American, 1922-2007), The Coral Reef, 1979. Virgin Islands, Biscayne & Dry Tortugas National Parks & Buck Island Reef & Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monuments. One of a series of posters made for the National Park Service:

[pnwdoodlesreads]

Israel Lafayette “Parson” Jones

Jones Family Historic District

“Parson” and Mozelle Jones

The Jones family on the porch of their Porgy Key home.

In the 1980s Lancelot Jones continued to harvest and sell sponges from his Porgy Key home.

[cowboyhatesithere]

1. Acadia National Park, Maine

2. American Samoa National Park, American Samoa

3. Arches National Park, Utah

4. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

5. Big Bend National Park, Texas

6. Biscayne National Park, Florida

7. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

8. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

9. Canyonlands National Park, Utah

10. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

11. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

12. Channel Islands National Park, California

13. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

14. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

15. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

16. Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada

17. Denali National Park, Alaska

18. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

19. Everglades National Park, Florida

20. Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

21. Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

22. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

23. Glacier National Park, Montana

24. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

25. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

26. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

27. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

28. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina

29. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

30. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii

31. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

32. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

33. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

34. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

35. Joshua Tree National Park, California

36. Katmai National Park, Alaska

37. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

38. Kings Canyon National Park, California

39. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

40. Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

41. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

42. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

43. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

44. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

45. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia

46. North Cascades National Park, Washington

47. Olympic National Park, Washington

48. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

49. Pinnacles National Park, California

50. Redwood National Park, California

51. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

52. Saguaro National Park, Arizona

53. Sequoia National Park, California

54. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

55. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

56. Virgin Islands National Park, United States Virgin Islands

57. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

58. White Sands National Park, New Mexico

59. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

60. Wrangell—St. Elias National Park, Alaska

61. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho

62. Yosemite National Park, California

63. Zion National Park, Utah

[plsrl]

It's time for the next sneak peek!

We have many locations on site. There is plenty of opportunity to plot and visit various places in the Miami area. Just so you know, the location of some neighbourhoods has shifted from real-life Miami to suit the site's needs.

Brickell is the financial hub of the city, boasting gleaming skyscrapers and luxurious waterfront condos overlooking Biscayne Bay. It's a haven for professionals with rooftop bars, upscale dining options, and the trendy Brickell City Centre for art and shopping. Don't forget the picturesque Brickell Avenue Bridge, offering stunning waterfront vistas, and nearby Miami Circle, an intriguing archaeological site, add to its allure.

Coconut Grove, a chic neighbourhood by Biscayne Bay, features lush greenery, trendy cafes, and CocoWalk mall. Highlights include Barnacle Historic State Park and the lavish Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Sailing clubs and marinas line the waterfront for maritime enthusiasts.

Downtown Miami pulses with activity, offering shops and entertainment galore. By day, explore malls and stores; by night, catch a Miami Heat game or a concert at the American Airlines Arena. However, be cautious; with a higher crime rate than the national average, especially for violent crimes, it's best to stick to daytime outings. Keep an eye out for homelessness and panhandling, and stay vigilant against potential theft, even on public transit." Little Havana embodies Miami's Latin spirit, brimming with lively art, cuisine, and culture. Explore galleries, sip strong coffee, and enjoy political debates at Domino Park. Tower Theater offers indie and classic films, while vibrant nightlife features live Latin music for a truly immersive experience. Between Wynwood and downtown Miami lies Liberty Square, Miami's toughest neighbourhood, established with the Liberty Square Housing Project in the late 1930s. Model City, with a population of around 25,023, earns notoriety as the hotspot for violent crime, especially in the drug scene, leading to gun violence and break-ins. Despite increased police efforts, it remains sketchy, particularly after dark. South Beach is Miami's top destination, renowned for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Lincoln Road Mall offers diverse shopping, while Ocean Drive showcases stunning Art Deco architecture and alfresco dining. Explore the cultural side at the Wolfsonian-FIU museum for a taste of Miami's unique charm. It's more than just beaches; it's an unforgettable experience! Surfside, a coastal gem, offers a cozy residential community with tall condo buildings lining Surfside Beach, providing stunning oceanfront views. Surrounded by vibrant neighbourhoods like North Beach and Bal Harbour, it's part of the larger Miami metropolitan area, offering the perfect blend of beach and city life in one package.

Let's talk Wynwood, a vibrant hotspot bursting with colour and creativity. Wynwood Walls showcase stunning street art, while converted warehouses host craft breweries and galleries. It's a hub for the young and hip, with boutiques, bistros, and bars. Though property crime exists, it's part of the lively atmosphere. From lower to middle-class homes, Wynwood embraces diversity and creative energy.

[hegdetravelphotos]

Biscayne National Park

Just a 15-mile escape from Miami’s bustling city lies Biscayne National Park (U.S. National Park Service), an underwater wonderland waiting to be explored. Biscayne National Park offers a unique island hopping adventure! Unlike many national parks, you’ll explore Biscayne by boat, cruising between the islands and discovering the wonders of Biscayne Bay.  The park is a hidden gem that boasts…