Why I bike - local nature seen via cycling South Miami-Dade County. Bears, tortoises, fish and Iguanas

Sunday, June 30, 2019, was a big day for nature sightings while bike riding in South Miami-Dade County.

Cyclists stop for many reasons including traffic stops, mechanical breakdowns, as well as rest and bathroom breaks, but Palmetto Bay resident Palmetto Bay resident (and Triathlete) Mike Estevez who had the experience of the day for Sunday, June 30, 2019

This blog post is to document another of the many reasons why I ride. It is not just the health reasons, but so many interesting items of nature can be seen while biking any of the numerous trails and back roads of South Miami-Dade County.

But the big sighting of the day, and unfortunately I was not blessed with my own personal sighting (but I will be in the look out when bicycling in this area in the future):

A native bear! That's right, a BEAR (location not disclosed).

Thankfully the cyclists who were fortunate to see the bear in person did take photos, from a safe distance, without risk to themselves or the bear. Thank you to Mike Estevez and team mates for the photos (and for permission to publish here).

Please note that the Bear was spotted in a very secluded are of South Miami-Dade County, few people would have an opportunity to come across this bear - so fear not.

Posted below is the list of reported nature observations for Sunday, June 30, 2019:

Iguanas (lots of them, especially along 87th Avenue in Cutler Bay on the way to Black Point) - Biscayne Trail

Turtles (in the drainage canal along 87th Avenue in Cutler Bay) - Biscayne Trail.

Many fish were visible today in that same canal, same Biscayne Trail, some quite large. I am thinking some of the fish could be Snook.

A Gopher Tortoise - (I haven't seen this guy in a while, felt released to see it) in the Deering Area. Old Cutler Trail area

RELEVANT PRIOR POSTS:  I have documented much of the local nature on this blog, much of it observed due to biking, e.g., Saturday, June 20, 2015, Photos of the Day - Mainland Marsh Rabbit.

Local nature has been documented throughout this blog, including crocodiles at the Palmetto Bay Village Center.

I remain proud of my sponsorship of Palmetto Bay resolution 2015-105, opposing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's action to permit Bear hunting in Florida .... (Sponsored by Mayor Eugene Flinn)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  There are significant materials available online relating to the Miami-Dade County Trails (CLICK HERE).