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Description:
Near the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River, northwest of Orlando in Lake and
Marion counties, visitors may hike along levees and other marked trails to
view wildlife in the hammocks, pastures and extensive sawgrass and wet
prairie marshes.
Watchable Wildlife:
Waterfowl are abundant here. Look for northern shovelers, hooded mergansers,
blue-winged teal and Florida, wood, ring-necked and fulvous whistling ducks. Sandhill cranes are common. Bald eagles soar overhead year-round
but are most abundant in winter and spring. The wetlands also attract white
pelicans, purple gallinules, limpkins, glossy and white ibises, wood storks,
alligators and otters. Dawn and dusk are the best times to catch a glimpse
of a bobcat or deer.
Ownership:
St. Johns River Water Management District
Contact:
(386) 329-4404
Directions:
From Leesburg, take U.S. 441 south for two miles to C.R. 44. Take C.R. 44 to
Emeralda Ave. and turn left (north). Turn left onto Emeralda Island Road NW.
Entrances to the marsh properties are located on both sides of the road.
Related Sites:
Other Central Florida Wildlife Sites
Florida State
Parks |
Wildlife Viewing Site
