Made it to The Keys

We visited Corkscrew Swamp and Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on our way here, and will catch up with those places in later blogs.

But to get current, we want to let you know that we've arrived at Key Deer NWR on Big Pine Key. It is in the Lower Keys, about 30 miles from the end of the road in Key West. There is a whole lot of bridge connecting these small islands.

Seven Mile Bridge

This refuge was created to protect Key Deer, which are the smallest subspecies of the Northern White-tailed Deer. This group of deer was isolated on the Keys when the seas receded long, long ago. The food supply here is somewhat limited and the climate very warm, so they evolved into a subspecies that are significantly smaller than their northern cousins. To be honest, they don't appear to be a great deal smaller than some of the stunted Texas Hill Country deer!!

Key Deer

There are three volunteer sites here. One is occupied by our friends Penny and Earnie who we volunteered with at Santa Ana back in 2011, and the other by a single volunteer named Bob. The sites are in a private area of the refuge and are very nice.

RV Site at Key Deer NWR

So far we're a little up in the air on what we will be doing. We met with our coordinator Kristie and she has given us plenty of things to choose from. We plan to help with or lead nature walks, participate in some kid's programs with Penny, and whatever else they ask us to do.

We did get a chance to assist with the Friends Group's monthly Full Moon Kayak Trip. We helped people get squared away with their kayaks, paddles, life vests, and flashlights, and got them into the water. We all paddled out to a mangrove covered shoreline and watched the sun set while the moon came up. Everyone paddled back in after dark and we helped get folks out of the water, then put all of the gear up. 

Flotilla

Kayaking alongside Red Mangroves

Sunset over Big Pine Key

Stay tuned for more adventures from Key Deer NWR...

Mark