Limpkin Florida Bird

Limpkin Florida Bird that takes up residence year round dining on apple snails and often traveling on foot in small groups limping along, hence the name.

These Limpkin live happily in Brevard County, Florida.

Find out more about Limpkins and check out the very sweet nests of the Limpkins and their young.

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Cocoa Beach Pictures =)

Sendler Education Outpost Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sendler Education Outpost is a beautiful sprawling area dedicated to environmental education programs. 

Scout troops, 4-H, class field trips, or other club, group, or organization  can book the pavilion and surrounding amenities for field oriented activities, marine studies, or habitat exploration. 

With over 500 species of wildlife and 7 distinct habitat types found at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, this location is perfect for the expanded refuge education program. 

The Sendler Education Outpost has restroom facilities, firepit with seating, picnic tables, exploration areas, and shore-line access.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has a visitor center, Sendler Education Outpost, five hiking trails, two wildlife drives, two observation towers, and a manatee observation deck. Access to the refuge property and facilities are free.

North Brevard Business Directory explores options for Environmental Education at the
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Just wondering how many Teachers, Scout leaders, or other kids group coordinators have forgotten or never knew about these cool outdoor field trip style options! North Brevard Business Directory also has a listing, including location information, of Walking Trails, Wildlife Drives, and Observation Platforms in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Guided programs are free and available by appointment like Habitats are Homes, Manatee Mania, Sea Turtle, and Water Quality of the Lagoon.

Field equipment like binoculars, field guides, water quality testing materials, hand lenses, discovery scopes, microscopes, and seine nets are available for loan to Teachers with a required refundable deposit. Free teacher orientation packets are available to aid in your trip preparation.

For information regarding any of the Environmental Education programs at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge please contact Ranger Nancy Corona.
Phone: 321-861-0668
Email: Nancy_Corona@fws.gov
Address: P.O. Box 6504, Titusville, FL 32782 

US Fish and Wildlife Service Online PDF Brochure Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

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Wavecritter aka Stephanie Haile

Truck Stops in Brevard County Florida: Pilot Flying J and Truck Stops of America

Just off I-95, exit 202, 1101 Friday Road, Flying J #1096 Cocoa is the 29th Florida location for Flying J Travel Centers. 

Truck stops are few and far between once truckers venture into Florida. The closest full service truck stop from Cocoa is the TA (Truck Stops of America) in Vero Beach on I-95. 

The Vero Beach TA has a full service restaurant, Country Pride open from 6 am to 11 pm, with 24/7/365 roadside and in-bay truck service. The TA has been around a long time and knows what "full-service" means. 

The only full service Pilot Flying J Truck Stop in Florida is 950 SR 206 W, St. Augustine. 

Flying J #1096 Cocoa, Florida

While this post may seem "off the grid" of Cocoa Beach Pictures, the "Useful Pot" that is the Flying J Travel Center may be a bear necessity, shower, sleep, eat it and beat it style truck stop, the service it offers to our truck drivers is indeed priceless. 

Flying J #1096 Cocoa, Florida

There are 14 fueling positions, eight diesel lanes, 89 truck parking spaces, 10 $15 a night, single-width Semi prime parking spaces, Diesel Mobile Fueling, 7 showers, 8 CAT Scales, check cashing, public laundry, Western Union, Wi-Fi, and ATM. 

The consistent review states cleanliness is the rule at this Flying J locale. Welcoming service and homey selection. Check the Pilot Flying J website here for availability and to reserve prime spaces.

Flying J #1096 Cocoa, Florida

The Flying J has its usual truck stop selection of items truckers need like straps, lights, and radios. Food choices include a full menu Wendy's, Cinnabon, pizza, hot soup, cold sandwiches, delicious coffee, beverages, and salads.

Flying J #1096 Cocoa, Florida

Find other Flying J Travel Centers and Truck Stop locations in Florida. Visit Allstays. 

ALLSTAYS

CU on the Beach =) Wavecriter aka Stephanie Haile

Cocoa Beach Pictures

Sometimes Wildlife Cams Take the Best Pictures

We set up our Hunting Game Trail Cameras in several locations throughout Brevard County, Florida. The back woods adjacent to Upper St. Johns Marsh came out with the best Wildlife Cam Pictures. Just an overgrown, reclaimed cow pasture really that now has a new St. Johns Parkway running right through the middle of it. What a trade-off, thanks to Brevard County ... I guess they needed a new road. At least these 2018 photos are still alive and well.

A feeder and hunting stand set-up about a mile off a dirt road in West Melbourne, Florida.

Florida Deer and Wild Turkeys

The diversity of Florida's Wildlife runs about 700 vertebrate land and freshwater species. 

The five most deadly of Florida's Wildlife include the American Alligator, Water Moccasin, Florida Panther, Mosquito's as they transfer disease, and the non-indigenous Burmese Python. Read More at News-Press.

These pictures were taken in a field you could categorize as a Florida Scrub, Marsh, or Pine land with standing water for part of the year, sandy loam soil, wooded grass land, no mangroves but palms, oak,  maple, and pine trees.

Other Florida ecosystems include Mangroves, Scrub, Pine lands, Freshwater Swamp or Marshes, Dunes, and Coral Reefs. The USGS has more on Florida Ecosystems.

CU on the Beach! Wavecritter =)

Cocoa Beach Pictures

Eddy Creek Gazebo Canaveral National Seashore Playalinda Beach

Canaveral National Seashore, Playalinda Beach, Eddy Creek Gazebo overlooking the beach entrance. This is such a scenic lunch area while enjoying the Florida sun, sand, and surf at Canaveral National Seashore. The Eddy Creek parking area has roughly twenty parking spots with easy access to the beach ramp. This is a family oriented spot with an awesome vista.

CU on the beach =) Wavecritter

Cocoa Beach Pictures

Observatory Canaveral National Seashore

The Observatory at Canaveral National National Seashore, Florida is a mystery owned by NASA. The Observatory sits at the end of the drive-able road, just past parking area 13. We have asked several National Park Rangers about this structure and we get shaking heads and hands, nope, that belongs to NASA. We can still admire the building and wonder of its use.

Canaveral National Seashore is a full day trip of fun in the sun or come for a morning stroll down the beach. The sunrise view from this Florida east coast beach is spectacular. August 2019.

Canaveral National Seashore includes Playalinda Beach with access from Titusville and Apollo Beach north, access from New Smyrna Beach.

CU on the beach =) Wavecritter

Cocoa Beach Pictures

Toys for Tots Brevard County, Florida 2019

This year, Brevard County Toys for Tots will have 2 campaigns North and South

Denise Farias' areas are Scottsmoor, Mims, Titusville, Port St. John, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Rockledge.

Brevard County North Toys for Tots

Phone Lines Will Be Open September 1, 2019

Campaign Officially Starts October 1, 2019

Toys for Tots Coordinator: Denise Farias 321-200-6173

Live in Melbourne, Viera, Palm Bay, Visit Toys for Tots South Brevard County.

Coordinator: Fabio Cedeno 312-434-1283, 312-434-0553. 

Campaign Officially Starts October 1, 2019

Enjoy a blast from the past, December of 2010, Merritt Island gathering at Merritt Square Mall of the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run. Take a Ride Down memory Lane...

US Marine Corps Reserve Motorcycle Run

Check out the coolest bikers in Brevard County, Florida setting up for the Toys for Tots Run this morning at the Merritt Square Mall, Merritt Island, Florida. These men and women get together each year to support The United States Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots Program, Brevard Co. Florida. We took some great pictures of the motorcycles and riders (if you see a lot more Sportster's than not, ... I like them)

Toys for Tots Brevard, Florida MySpace

                                                                  Merry Christmas

Cocoa Beach Pictures is Thankful for Toys for Tots! 

Too many good ones ...

Thanks to all who enjoyed the ride! 

CU on the Beach! Wavecritter aka Stephanie Haile

Cocoa Beach Pictures 2010

Looking to Connect with other Brevard County, Florida Surf Fishermen and women?
Florida East Coast Surf Fishing

Connect to our Facebook Group and page, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Blog
All links are on our Website.

Sea Turtle Tracks Canaveral National Seashore

Sea Turtle tracks coming up the beach at Canaveral National Seashore, Playalinda Beach, Florida. New tracks are sought after each morning by National Park Rangers, Scientists, and volunteers. They locate the tracks, cover the newly laid nest with protective mesh to keep predators away, and journal the location and date. 

Sea Turtle activity this year has been booming! This means many little turtle babies will be added to our wonderful waters.

"Where Can I See Sea Turtle Nests Safely?" Visit FWC

Florida Fish and Wildlife has more information on nesting, projects, and threats for Sea Turtles.

Find out more about Sea Turtles at Florida Fish and Wildlife

CU on the beach =) Wavecritter

Cocoa Beach Pictures

Atlas V Rocket Launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

August 8, 2019, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket delivered an advanced communications satellite to space for the US Air Force. This is a picture of what civilians saw from Melbourne, Florida. People viewing the rocket launch in Brevard County, standing outdoors can also hear and feel the power of the launch. Any launch is a site to behold. 

Exceptional viewing areas can be found at Jetty Park or on Upcoming Rocket Launches page for Kennedy Space Center. 

Or look for more spots to get a great view of Space Coast Rocket Launches Florida Today, Space Coast Launches.


CU on the beach =) Wavecritter

Cocoa Beach Pictures

Toys for Tots Brevard County

US Marine Corps Reserve Motorcycle Run

Check out the coolest bikers in Brevard County, Florida setting up for the Toys for Tots Run this morning at the Merritt Square Mall, Merritt Island, Florida. These men and women get together each year to support The United States Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots Program, Brevard Co. Florida. We took some great pictures of the motorcycles and riders (if you see a lot more Sportster's than not, ... I like them)

Toys for Tots Brevard, Florida MySpace

Cocoa Beach Pictures is Thankful for Toys for Tots!

Too many good ones ...

Thanks to all who enjoyed the ride! 

Harley Davidson 2019

CU on the Beach! Wavecritter aka Stephanie Haile

Cocoa Beach Pictures