Friday – Sunday, January 17-19, 2025
OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP TO ST. MARKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
We will join Pam Overmyer who, with the Bay County Audubon Society will be leading an overnight field trip to St. Marks Nat. Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 17-18, 2025.
There will be birding stops in Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, and Panacea area before arriving at the Magnuson Hotel Wildwood Inn near Crawfordville to spend Friday night.
Please make your own travel or carpool arrangements and hotel reservations for this trip. Hotel Reservations (online or call 855-213-0582.) Hotel link: https://www.magnusonhotels.com/…/magnuson-hotel…/
Friday, Jan. 17
If you are an early riser out of Pensacola, meet Pam at 9:00am (EST) at the downtown Port St. Joe boat ramp at Frank Pate Park near the lighthouse for an hour or so of birding. This is on Fifth Street at the traffic light. We will continue to Apalachicola and to our destination hotel with several stops along the way.
For a later meetup, meet Pam and the rest of the WAPC at 12:00 Noon in Apalachicola at Lafayette Park off Hickory St. to view Apalachicola Bay off a pier and have lunch in Apalachicola. (Bring your own or eat at a local restaurant.)
Planned Birding stops on the way to the hotel:
- East Point -view some oystercatchers and other birds on the jetties and sandbars.
- Mashes Point in Panacea
- Bottoms Road just past Panacea (time permitting)
3:00 pm (EST) Check in at the Wildwood Inn
You will need to make your own reservations (see above). Rates including taxes and fees are about $180 per night. The hotel is located about 8 miles east of Panacea on U.S. Hwy 98. The historic Seineyard Restaurant is located adjacent to the hotel and the hotel serves free continental breakfast. There are several other dining options near the hotel. There is a campground next to the hotel for RVs. Tent camping is available at Newport Campground across from the entrance to the refuge.
Saturday, Jan. 18
7:00 am EST Meet Pam and WAPC in the Wildwood Hotel lobby for breakfast or at 7:45am if you are not eating there.
8:00 am EST Leave for St. Marks NWR It’s a 15-minute drive from there to the refuge to spend several hours birding the impoundments and trails. Be sure to bring snacks and drinks while birding. The trip to St. Mark’s is usually a very productive field trip that we have taken many times over the years. We typically see well over 100 bird species during our outing. The Audubon Society officially ends the tour around noon on Saturday but WAPC members can continue exploring and enjoying the area if they wish! We can discuss exploring together or on your own and decide if people want to get together for dinner or a night shoot. Other photo ops we can consider in the area are Harvey’s Ford Truck graveyard, the large Humpty Dumpty, and the food and ambiance at Ouzts Too. We’re open to other suggestions if you know of something cool to see/photograph in the area!
Sunday, Jan. 19
If you choose to stay a 2nd night, plan on taking the Wakulla River Jungle Cruise Boat Tour leaving just yards from the Wakulla Lodge, approximately a 15-minute drive from the Wildwood Hotel. (There are currently very limited rooms available at the historic Lodge, book now!) The 45-minute Jungle Cruise takes you on a nature tour from the Springs up the river. Experienced guides tell you about the environment, wildlife, and history of the springs. You must book your boat trip in advance. The cost is $8.50pp including tax and fees and is non-refundable except for extreme bad weather. The first departure is 11AM. Book the 11AM tour now so that we can all be on the same boat. They depart every hour after that. Call 850-421-2000 or book online:
Boat Tour – The Lodge at Wakulla Springs or https://thelodgeatwakullasprings.com/boat-tour/
Take time to visit Wakulla Lodge. Check out the old-time elevator and the Soda Fountain. You will still find trained soda jerks behind the counter serving guests ice cream treats, plus traditional lunch counter food. The classic counter is 70 feet six inches long, making it the longest marble soda fountain ever built. The front of the fountain was made of one piece of marble that was cut and book-matched to make a symmetrical pattern at every joint. At the end of the bar is the Post Office, the first in Wakulla County! No longer operational, it still displays mementos from that time. Be sure to look UP at the painted ceiling in the lobby!
The outing officially ends after the boat tour but feel free to keep exploring on your way home!
RSVP. It is not required but it’s good to know who to expect. If there are changes, I will email or text you directly. Please let me know at least 2 days before the outing date. Text Yvonne at 970-759-0181 or Email: DgoPhotographer@gmail.com directly. Please let me know at least 2 days before the outing date. Text Yvonne at 970-759-0181 or Email: DgoPhotographer@gmail.com
Disclaimer: WAPC is not responsible for any damage or injury to self, other person, or property. Participation is voluntary.