Pelican Island Audubon Society President Richard Baker led a special walk at Cypress Bend Community Preserve on 4/10/2016 for the 2016 FMEL – PIAS volunteer class and prior class “veterans”. Purchased in 2006 by Indian River County for preservation, this 47.25 acre property along the south prong of the Sebastian River includes 2.5 acres of hardwood hammock, 1.5 acres of freshwater wetlands, and 43.25 acres of abandoned citrus grove/ruderal land.
Vestiges of sand pine scrub grace the high ground, shown below with Bob Bruce, Joyce Thompson, Cindy Hersh & Dave Thompson for scale …
The happy group posed against backdrop of sand pine (Pinus clausa) at the beginning of the walk.
The coralbean (Erythrina herbacea) was in spectacular flower, shown above amidst red mulberry (Morus rubra) and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens).
Bastard false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) also was putting on quite a show.
Water hickory (Carya aquatica) was just beginning to leaf out in the freshwater wetlands …
Two swallow-tailed kites soared overhead, and the sound of a red-bellied woodpecker caught the attention of folks on the trail …
Swamp lily (Crinum americanum) and bullrush (Scirpus sp.) grew along the sandy “beach” …
The diverse habitats of Cypress Bend Community Preserve delighted a all, including Nancy Soucy & Ken Gonyo …
Enjoy the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 
2 comments
Comments are closed.