February 15th, 2011

The Sandoway House, Nature Center, Delray Beach, Florida, Shark Feedings, Educational Programs, Exhibits, Village by the Sea, Palm Beach County

I have visited the Sandoway House before I started writing this blog and thought it was time to visit it again and see what was new.  The Sandoway House is located at 142 South Ocean Blvd., and it is very visible from A1A.  Tel. is 561-274-7263.  Website?  www.sandowayhouse.org.

This house used to be the winter residence of a retired produce broker named J.B. Evans.  It was designed by Samuel Ogren, Sr.  Since it was built during the great depression, the only ostentation is the cathedral window on the south side of the house.  Samuel Ogren, Sr. is considered the Father of Delray Beach Architecture.  In 2002 this house was listed on the National Historic Places.  You can read more information on the Historic Marker placed by the entrance of the Sandoway House Nature Center.

On Sundays, the shark feeding is at 1:30 p.m. and it was about time.  As I walked around the gardens I noticed plaques identifying indigenous plants.

 I love porches and the Sandoway House has a beautiful one; I could only imagine sitting there when times were less hectic; life more simple.

The Blue and Gold Macaw was the bird I encountered first.  I heard he can be a little cranky.  He was calm on Sunday, though, checking everyone coming in.

In this porch you will also find a large fish tank and a gorgeous lobster.  Also there is a turtle pond and a gopher tortoise habitat.  The gopher tortoise, Speedy, was hiding.  This tortoise is protected in Florida because the iguanas are eating their eggs; construction is destroying their natural habitat. 

The box turtle, Gigi was out and about.  Conservationists are concerned because their habitat is being destroyed.

There is an entry fee of $4.00 and I cannot remember the volunteer’s name working there but him and Steve, who feeds the sharks were very informative.

There is a shop with souvenirs and books on Florida, Delray and nature.

There is a microscope lab for viewing nature up close.  Tha’st where I saw The Knight Anole, Pedro.  Native to Cuba with strong jaws and sharpt teeth. 

The Brown Basilisk was another lizard found from Mexico to Columbia.  They are excellent swimmers.

And then there was Rose, the Chilean Rose Tarantula.  She eats grasshoppers, cockroaches, and crickets.

In this room 2 microscopes are set to be used by the public to view various objects found in nature.

Another room has photos interpreting Delray Beach History.  One watercolor shows the Sandoway right on the beach.  It was before A1A was even there.

The Yvonne S. Templeton Shell Gallery is one the largest private shells collections in the world.  It is housed at the Sandoway House and even though there are so many on display, this is only about 6% of a collection of 10,000 shells.

Steve called me since it was time to feed the sharks.  They were sand sharks and fed by hand once a day.  He was very knowledgeable and connected well with the younger crowd in attendance.

There were other fish but one that acted like the residence dog was Bob.  It was a Spotfin Burfish.  This fish is found in tropical seas.  It eats clams, crabs, and lobsters.  Bob has a beak and grinding plates that crush the shells of the animals he eats.

The Sandoway House offers educational programs to the public.  Besides the shark feedings, they have guided historic tours, nature walks, astronomy nights, summer camp and special events like Earth Day.

Guests speakers add to the special events, talking about environmental topics.  The website will be the best information source to check out what’s on the schedule.

Schools and special interest groups are welcomed, as well, so please call to schedule a group adventure.

This beautiful house and grounds are also available for special events, like meetings, weddings and birthday parties.

Hours of operation are:  Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Sundays from 12 Noon until 2 p.m.

Shark feedings are Tuesdays to Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and on Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

Tired of sitting on the beautiful Delray Beach?  Too cloudy?  Kids are driving you insane?  The Sandoway House is located just a block and a half south of Atlantic Ave., on the west side of A1A between Sandoway Park and Ingram Parking Lot.

Have a great day.  My visit to Delray is winding down…..talk to you later….

January 30th, 2011

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, Nature Preserves, South Florida, Palm Beach County

This post is for the people visiting Delray Beach and Palm Beach County.  As I have mentioned more than enough times, Delray Beach is the perfect town for visitors.  If you are lucky enough to be a resident, then you already know this.  This Village by the Sea offers the perfect vacation spot because it has it all.

I love walking the town but for this post I needed a car.  I have written about the wetlands before.  But, it is good to mention them again, since this website is written in a blog style; you might forget or saw the pictures but never read the content of the post.  I do have a few friends that do that, believe me.

Someone mentioned to me that I needed to visit the Wakodahatchee Wetlands.  They said the birds are beautiful and throughout the year you can watch birds in their nests and new life showing its face.

There are 2 wetlands, not far from each other.  One is called Wakodahatchee in suburban Delray and the other is called Green Cay Nature Preserve in suburban Boynton Beach.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Wakodahatchee means “created waters” and this is exactly what this is.  Fifty acres have been transformed into a wetlands ecosystem.  And since its transformation turtles, frogs, alligators and many species of birds call this nature preserve home.

It is located at 13026 Jog Rd.  It is a little tricky but not that hard.  You need to go west on Atlantic Ave., crossing over 95.  Continue until Jog Rd and turn right.  Go through the intersection of Lake Ida and about 1/4 mile on the right you will see it.  The sign is not very big, though.

This is the southeast side of Palm Beach County Water Utility Department’s Southern Region Operation Center.  Tel. 561-493-6000.  Website?  http://www.pbcgov.com/waterutilities/wakodahatchee/location.htm.

It opens from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.  It is the perfect place to relax, walk and enjoy nature.  It is free.  The 3/4 mile elevated boardwalk takes you through twists and turns, all the time enjoying the view.  It is quiet and there are areas to rest. You will see photographers, walkers and someone just sitting and relaxing, taking in the scenery.  I like it in the early evening; the birds are coming for the night.

“Every day, PBC Water Utilites Dept. Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility pours approximately 2 million gallons of highly treated water into Wakodahatchee’s wetlands.  By acting as a natural filter for the nutrients that remain, the wetlands work to further clean the water.”

Green Cay Nature Preserve

Same type of setting as Wakodahatchee; but bigger.  Ninety acres of nature preservation.  Green Cay is located at 12800 Hagen Ranch Rd.  It is suburban Boynton Beach between Boynton Beach Blv. and Atlantic Ave. 

This elevated wetland boardwalk is 1.5 miles long.  It winds through the wetlands and it really is the perfect place to take in a walk either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.  It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.  The actual Nature Center is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 until 4:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:15 until 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 until 4:30 p.m. 

For more information please visit http://pbcgov.com/waterutilities/waterfacts/green_cay.htm.

If you have gone to the beach, walked the town, eaten, shopped, then get in your car and check this out.  It is never boring; it changes every second of the day.  It is worth it.

Have a great day….talk to you later…..