Sea Turtle Walks

The osprey  — also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk — is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts. The osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. Presently, we have a resident osprey at 2waterview. 

Red-shouldered Hawks are medium-sized, with broad, rounded wings and medium-length tails that they fan out when soaring. Look for Red-shouldered Hawks in deciduous woodlands, often near rivers and swamps. They build stick nests in a main crotch of a large tree.

The Barred Owl resides in woodlands, wooded river bottoms, wooded swamps. Favors mostly dense and thick woods with only scattered clearings, especially in low-lying and swampy areas. Most common in deciduous or mixed woods in southeast, but in north and northwest may be found in mature coniferous trees.

There is a form of great blue heron in Florida that is solid white, known as the 'Great White Heron'. White herons and blue herons may interbreed, and the offspring are known as "Wurdemann's herons'. They can be found in mangrove swamps, flooded meadows, lake edges, riverbanks, ocean shorelines, and fresh & saltwater marshes. Herons cruise our shoreline around 2waterview.

Dull blue overall with a whitish forehead and a pale gray back and belly. Juveniles are grayer overall than adults and lack the adult’s blue head. Found only in low-growing oak scrub and scrubby flatwoods with sandy soils in Florida. Within these patches of oak scrub, they frequent relatively open areas with bare sandy patches. Presently, we have a few Scrub Jays around our oak trees at 2waterview.

River Dolphins are common around the St. Lucie River. If the water is more salty you may see them by our property at 2waterview.  Other places you may witness them is around  bridges, water channels or towards the inlet. 

These gentle giants are common in our river bends and they are harmless. Manatees are Florida’s state marine mammal. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin. Their front flippers help them steer, or sometimes crawl, through shallow water.  Their habitat is in warm waters near shallow rivers.  They cruise slowly and love the vegetation near shore. You may see them near the shore by 2waterview or south on the river.

The yellow-spotted river turtle  inhabits freshwater environment.  They can be found along the slow moving waters of St Lucie River further south on branches on low lying trees. 

Kiplinger park is a walking trail that is about less than a mile from 2waterview by water or by foot. This small park takes you back to the river or a place to take a break from kayaking. The park features a 1 mile trail with a view of the river. Wear clothing and shoes that you don't mind getting wet.

 Sunset kayaking on the St. Lucie River