tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post3626264316329915698..comments2023-12-28T17:18:03.050-05:00Comments on In the Direction of Our Dreams: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife RefugeSherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-12181469538012289282015-04-15T10:41:19.605-04:002015-04-15T10:41:19.605-04:00I"m just reading your post today and am so sa...I"m just reading your post today and am so sad we missed seeing you. I had a knee replacement which limited my ability to blog or read posts. Your post is a fantastic overview of the refuge we call home each winter. I thought you captured it so well and gave some great advice to first time visitors who want to explore this amazing place. <br /><br />As to the traffic issue - yes it is horrible. Most folks who work here live off island due to the high real estate prices. Plus all the folks who come to the beach also are exiting at the same time. My best advice is to plan on having dinner here at one of the many great restaurants. Then you can leave the island quickly and avoid the aggravation of bumper to bumper traffic.<br /><br />We will be returning again this fall. If you travels bring you nearby this area please let us know. We have read your blog for several years now and consider you "family". John and Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10358936538485648978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-2185819515979809192015-02-24T19:18:49.403-05:002015-02-24T19:18:49.403-05:00Those mangrove crabs are only slightly larger than...Those mangrove crabs are only slightly larger than a quarter, but so many they would feed a lot of birds, snakes and other predators looking for a crunchy snack to munch. I do love the reddish egret and wish we could have seen his dance again. Great pictures as always!Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10739352885582343624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-31242422371808505072015-02-17T22:02:47.104-05:002015-02-17T22:02:47.104-05:00We are headed down to Ding Darling next month to v...We are headed down to Ding Darling next month to visit with John and Carol Herr, mentioned by a previous commenter. Thanks for the preview!Al and Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02991509802471213755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-34018253748646138902015-02-17T10:09:35.174-05:002015-02-17T10:09:35.174-05:00We love Ding Darling refuge, and agree that biking...We love Ding Darling refuge, and agree that biking it is the best way to experience it. We've twice stayed for a week at Periwinkle Park on the island; although it's more expensive than the state parks it keeps us out of the traffic jams. Looks like you had a wonderful day -- I'm especially taken by your shot of the Great blue heron and Green heron hanging out together! Laurel (www.ravenandchickadee.com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09133248112440273123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-79048682556485653802015-02-16T13:29:54.345-05:002015-02-16T13:29:54.345-05:00had I seen those "crabs" from a distance...had I seen those "crabs" from a distance, I would have most likely thought they were spiders. . .UGH!<br /><br />and yikes on the snake. . .am assuming this is not a native, but something some pet owner turned loose. . .that seems to be a problem in that area of the country. . .so sad. . .<br /><br />enjoy your ride, and the pics, as always. . .Janice Williford Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322596945199192769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-24443659732118541552015-02-16T10:22:42.803-05:002015-02-16T10:22:42.803-05:00Great pics and information. Especially like the fl...Great pics and information. Especially like the flying pelicans (they really are pterodactyls) and the tourist tree. Rogernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-74090970084649655792015-02-16T10:11:37.778-05:002015-02-16T10:11:37.778-05:00I'm with David in the mornings but getting bet...I'm with David in the mornings but getting better. I must be a diesel engine. ;) Never seen anything so wild as crabs climbing trees. Beautiful snake. Imagine, seeing the birth of an island. Interesting color on that heron and they look way to big to be standing on one leg. Seems photography tends to focus our attention yet the photograph reveals more than we could see. Our European ancestors were very good at wiping out existing people, seems like a "stupid gene" passed down to some that would continue to destroy life on the planet. Carve your name in a picnic table if you must but not the trees. I know I'm preaching to the choir here. Looks like a Huge VC. We could use more like D. Darling today. Gaelynhttp://geogypsytraveler.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-29873625958312468842015-02-16T09:47:31.948-05:002015-02-16T09:47:31.948-05:00Yes he did Judy. He is considered the father of t...Yes he did Judy. He is considered the father of the National Wildlife Refuge Federation. You reminded me that I left out an entire paragraph about this amazing man. He was the first head under FDR of what became the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He also created the Duck Stamp and designed the first one. He was often called "the best friend a duck ever had". Thanks Judy, you keep me on my toes.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-5771407704261264772015-02-16T09:31:55.313-05:002015-02-16T09:31:55.313-05:00I love that David's "oil" hasn't...I love that David's "oil" hasn't warmed up yet :-) The snake is beautiful, and the little crabs very strange looking. With the hurricane changing the landscape and the mangrove roots making new islands the grandkids would see a very different place years from now. How wonderful! Those ginormous bolts however, will likely look just like that. That traffic sounds like a nightmare (I'd want an audiobook about then) but it seems like the alternatives to accommodate the cars would be a worse impact on the area. Your resolution seems to be the smart one for sure :-))))Jodee Gravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247098923871155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-33538917975444563782015-02-16T07:38:56.050-05:002015-02-16T07:38:56.050-05:00That is a great place. You got a good photo of th...That is a great place. You got a good photo of that pelican just getting the breeding bump on his beak.Catherine, Jo Beth and Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06889362286725037937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-49502916089488149592015-02-15T22:53:12.762-05:002015-02-15T22:53:12.762-05:00Absolutely horrendous traffic going out there. Our...Absolutely horrendous traffic going out there. Our one day was not enough either but the traffic going there is enough reason not to go back. <br />The snakes and the crabs on the mangrove trees reminded me of what we also saw at our mangrove tree forest in the Philippines on our last visit. <br />I just came across this article, and thought of you, Sherry. <br />http://www.trueactivist.com/science-proves-hugging-trees-is-good-for-health/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-35155104273648081072015-02-15T20:44:32.152-05:002015-02-15T20:44:32.152-05:00I'm thinking Ding Darling was the one who crea...I'm thinking Ding Darling was the one who created the first 'blue goose' that adorns all of our Nat'l Wildlife Refuges, but I could be wrong.Travels with Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-37001377539184161762015-02-15T17:14:24.810-05:002015-02-15T17:14:24.810-05:00Of course they are mangrove crabs not frogs what i...Of course they are mangrove crabs not frogs what in the world were my fingers typing. I've changed it to reflect your astute notice. I need an editor PRE-publication. Would you like to apply for the job. LOL thank you sweetheart!Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-2117293486096119182015-02-15T17:06:51.996-05:002015-02-15T17:06:51.996-05:00Those frogs look a bit like crabs...or no? Neat s...Those frogs look a bit like crabs...or no? Neat sighting. I like the snake picture - nice color. Also, the herons - what a great shot! Looks like a good day - so many birds and an educational visitor center. So much sun and lovely water - I liked that newly started mangrove.Carrienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-1804798238799155312015-02-15T16:59:55.704-05:002015-02-15T16:59:55.704-05:00Maybe that blue heron is a vegetarian? I'd b...Maybe that blue heron is a vegetarian? I'd bet that David has a wrench in his toolbox to fit those nuts on the power pole! :cDPaul and Marti Dahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17332654035718777839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-4708961047438987312015-02-15T16:56:48.694-05:002015-02-15T16:56:48.694-05:00It looks like quite a peaceful place. The pelicans...It looks like quite a peaceful place. The pelicans are such characters!William Kendallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00331324250821836822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-60447889569653730942015-02-15T16:41:28.635-05:002015-02-15T16:41:28.635-05:00Enjoyed reading about Ding Darling..Never made it ...Enjoyed reading about Ding Darling..Never made it there....thanks for the share! Ugh on the snake, but great shot. :-)Jeannie and Eldyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-49379473488778619732015-02-15T16:33:37.491-05:002015-02-15T16:33:37.491-05:00Nice that the drive is closed one day a week to gi...Nice that the drive is closed one day a week to give the wildlife a break. Great shot of the snake!Mike and Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05533734325496528187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-38634415744308011772015-02-15T15:26:02.929-05:002015-02-15T15:26:02.929-05:00I just love how your days are filled with beauty, ...I just love how your days are filled with beauty, hikes and biking, beautiful photos and words. Living every day to the fullest in the wake of ups and downs. You too are amazing! We actually made it to Ding Darling many years ago when we were staying near Fort Meyers, so this was a nice "ride" down memory lane.stillhowlynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10696527643571126874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-91260155318372824822015-02-15T15:02:02.335-05:002015-02-15T15:02:02.335-05:00I didn't see a mention of John and Carol Herr,...I didn't see a mention of John and Carol Herr, but they are lovely people that we met last year. They are volunteers right there at Ding Darling and Carol taught us so much about the place when we visited last year. It is a lovely most wonderful refuge, glad to see you made it over the bridge to check it out!Sue Malonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00332448503740101970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4309293625176086078.post-6182776756418401912015-02-15T14:35:48.779-05:002015-02-15T14:35:48.779-05:00What a great day with lots of interesting sights. ...What a great day with lots of interesting sights. I just love the crabs on the trees! And a snake in a tree...very cool! You don't see that too often (at least not out West).Metamorphosis Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07637866156639686101noreply@blogger.com