Bradenton Discovered

From Long Boat Key, we motored over to the Bradenton area for a visit to two interesting sites. We anchored in a large cove off Snead Island, opposite  Emerson Point Nature Preserve. Our first day there, we dinghied across the Manatee River to the Hernando DeSoto National Park. This was a bonus find. We knew nothing about the park and were greeted with a wealth of fascinating information about the explorations of the Spanish, in particular, Hernando DeSoto. Beautiful walking park, with well-marked signs and displays explaining the Spanish presence and exploration from the west coast of Florida all the way through Arkansas, down to Texas and back. DeSoto died somewhere in Arkansas.

Life-size cutouts showing Native American life.



Beautiful Beach at DeSoto Park







Rick and Jose and DeSoto National Park



Following a cookout dinner at Emerson Point and a good nights sleep, we investigated the nature preserve. This is a great place, with miles of easy trails, kayaking in rivers and lagoons, piers for fishing, fire towers for climbing up to see spectacular views, and an abundance of nature. One of our more interesting sights was that of a group of professional photographers, with lenses aimed at a dead palm tree. Inside the tree, in three different holes were a families of woodpeckers, whistling ducks, and wood ducks. Turns out the whistling ducks had commandeered a hole made by the woodpeckers,smashing the eggs, and moving in, a few weeks earlier. The irate woodpeckers still chase the ducks whenever they see them coming and going. These photographers gathered every morning for weeks, filming the story. We were treated to a whistling duck/woodpecker chase, while watching.

 

The Matanzas River parks were so interesting that we never made it to the town of Bradenton. That will have to happen next time. And so, on to St. Petersburg.