located on Sanibel Island. The refuge is home to thousands of water birds such as Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, herons, egrets, ducks, pelicans, and many more. Visitors can pay $5 to drive through the preserve every day except Friday (the birds' "day of rest").
Sanibel Island, FL Dec. 15, 2009 There are 3 kinds of Mangrove trees (Red, Black and White) in the south Florida area. The grow in the shallow water along the shores. Red mangroves have long, arching roots that help trap sand, mud and dead vegetation; these trees help add new land. Black Mangrove trees have aerial roots, called pneumatophores, used for obtaining oxygen.
Sanibel Island, FL Dec. 15, 2009 Samphire grows in thick mats along muddy shorelines. It is a salt-tolerant plant.