Life's full of surprises! Next time you see a road you've never taken, why not give it a shot? You might find something amazing just around the corner.
While looking for scrub jays I came across this other under-appreciated critter. The gopher tortoise is known as a keystone species because it's burrows are up to 10 feet in depth and up to 40 feet long. This tunnel is used by over 350 other species to survive droughts, fires, freezes, extreme heat, and predators. Without those tunnels, an entire ecosystem can collapse.
Meet Florida’s only endemic bird and a master of teamwork. 🤝 The Florida Scrub-Jay relies on a cooperative breeding system where siblings help feed and protect the next generation.
While they are famous for these tight-knit family units, their numbers are increasingly fragile. Current 2026 data shows that only about 7,700 to 9,300 individuals remain in the wild—a staggering 90% decline from their original population. Because these birds are "homebodies" that rarely travel more than a mile from where they hatched, they are highly vulnerable to habitat loss.
This is why Sebastian is so critical. The St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park serves as one of the most important strongholds for the species. In a world of increasing development, this preserve provides the specific, fire-maintained oak scrub these families need to stay together. Protecting the land in Sebastian isn't just about saving a park; it's about ensuring Florida's only unique bird has a future. 🟦🌿
#flscrubjay
Got my brothers out on kayaks for my last day in town. My first time taking the camera over the water was a little scary and I wasn't able to capture the dolphin that torpedoed around us, but wow that was cool.
