The Florida Keys, Part 4: Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda State Park, and Key Deer Sanctuary
The island of Big Pine Key is home to both Bahia Honda State Park and the Key Deer National Wildlife Sanctuary. Bahia Honda State Park features more beautiful beaches and also a short trail that leads to the Old Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge, from which you can see almost the entire island. The beaches there also feature large amount of seabirds including dive-bombing pelicans, which happen to be a favorite of mine.
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
View from atop Old Bahia Honda Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
Beach at Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
Sea grass in water at Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
The Key Deer National Wildlife Sanctuary protects both the eponymous small, white-tailed species of deer and the fragile habitats of forest and wetland that supports marsh rabbits, rare mice rats, and other animals. I saw four or five of the tiny deer while driving to and from the trails, but none when I was out of the car with my camera ready. The trails made for a nice stroll however and I did see multiple birds.
Blue Hole Pond, Key Deer Sanctuary, Big Pine Key, Florida
Jack Watson Nature Trail, Key Deer Sanctuary, Big Pine Key, Florida
