(visit 2 of 3) - see links at the bottom of this page for the other
visits
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 The
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a 147,392-acre
wildlife sanctuary located west of Boynton Beach, in Palm Beach County,
Florida. It includes the most northern remnant of the historic Everglades
wetland ecosystem. The refuge was established in 1951 under the authority
of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and is managed through a license
agreement between the South Florida Water Management District and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge contains one of three water
conservation areas (WCA's) in south Florida and is maintained to provide
water storage and flood control, as well as habitat for native fish
and wildlife populations. Water is regulated by a series of pumps, canals,
water control structures, and levees built by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Loxahatchee NWR is one of over 500 national wildlife
refuges located throughout the United States. The refuge not only preserves
and protects native wildlife, but also offers compatible public recreational
and educational opportunities including walking trails, a canoe trail,
bike trail, boat ramps, fishing platform, observation towers, and a
visitor center. It is home to American alligator, the endangered snail
kite, and as many as 257 species of birds. As such, it has been designated
a 'gateway site' for the Great Florida Birding Trail. |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies
rented a convertible so Karen Duquette took photos through the sunroof
of the many birds on the overhead wires. |
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Note: in 2012
Karen Duquette and her friend Monica Ekedahl visited Loxahatchee National
Wildlife Refuge and saw a really big alligator. So Karen took Lee Duquette
here in 2016 to see the alligators. First they went into the Visitor
Center and took photos of some signs about alligators. (The Visitor
Center was closed when Karen and Monica came here.) |
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Below: The two
RV Gypsies walked several trails and areas, but they did not see any
alligators on this date, which is unusual for this area. If you wish
to see the big alligator from the 2012 trip, click
here, but be sure to return to this page afterwards because there
are some really nice photos below, plus a link to a lot more areas in
Florida at the bottom of this page. |
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Below: A turtle in the water |
Below: Beautiful scenery |
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Below: Birds
in Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge |
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Below: Butterflies |
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Below: After a
picnic lunch it was time to leave. Karen Duquette signaled Lee Duquette
to get in the car. They had a rental car on this date and enjoyed driving
around with the top down. |
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