If you have binoculars, take a look at the water tower and find the osprey nest on top. The nest has been there for many years and is occupied from early winter through part of the summer. Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are birds of prey that eat fish exclusively. Their feet and talons are adapted to grab on to slippery fish as the Osprey dives on its prey. The talons can also be pointed forward and used to hook fish on the fly as the bird skims its feet just under the water. During the fall you may see Bald Eagles perching on the trees nearby or sitting on the nest or watertower. Bald Eagles usually do not nest on artificial structures and the Ospreys take over the nest by November or December. Ospreys readily take to structure like this watertower, utility poles and platforms designed for them to use.
Before you leave this stop to continue on your hike look back on the trail. In July 2020 the trail was mowed to the ground as shown in the picture. Now you can see many plants that have sprouted up since. Of course the Saw Palmetto quickly grew from its stems. Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) lives in dryer environments than most ferns and is quick to colonize a disturbed area. Coastalplain Staggerbush, that we saw previously, can be identified by its leaves coated with rusty scales and white bell-shaped flowers.
