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Thursday, February 27, 2020

Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County Park System, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA



From the southeastern tip of the Fort De Soto Park, in the distance, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (I-275) stands tall and spans the entrance to Tampa Bay connecting St. Pete to points south including the greater Bradenton/Sarasota areas. The main span of the cable-stayed bridge is 1200 feet. Contrast it with the 750 feet cable-stayed Zakim Bridge in Boston spanning the Charles River as it meets Boston Harbor.



It is a stunningly beautiful park with sculpted picnic areas, recreation areas, and lots of undisturbed dense Everglades-like swamp growth. The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, Fort De Soto consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands (keys). These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and scores of native plants.



A pleasing visual arrangement.



Local birds........



... digging for good bugs in the sandy soil (American White Ibis).


One of many ospreys sighted throughout the park area.



And over at the beach, humans are enjoying rest and relaxation and shade and sun.



Fort De Soto was named America’s Top Beach for 2009 by Trip Advisor, and, in 2005, “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach. It's easy to see why. Restrooms and parking are offscreen right nearby.

It has been a wonderful visit to the St. Pete area over the past two weeks.  I have enjoyed sharing my observations with you through these blog posts.  Only one more to come.......




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