Why I bike - local nature, environment and other eclectic sights seen via cycling South Miami-Dade County. Presidents Day 2020 excursion

From the "Why I bike" series. Presidents Day weekend 2020 was yet another great weekend to be active outside and view our South Miami-Dade County communities.

Above - seen along the Biscayne Trail - an abandoned bike carelessly thrown into the canal adjacent to SW 87th Avenue - south of SW 216th Street.

Above left & right: The infamous bike pose- #BAAW - where it crosses over the Deering Estate Flow-Way -along the Old Cutler Trail that runs from SW 87th Avenue Traffic Circle in Cutler Bay, through Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest - ending at the Cocoplum Traffic Circle in Coral Gables. 

Looking over the bridge, looking West (back toward Old Cutler Road) at some of the water flowing properly (as best as possible) back through the Deering wetlands into Biscayne Bay. The photos were taken attempting to book end parts of the Deering Estate Flow-Way - This is a (CERP) project that I am proud to have been involved in advocating for. This was a South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) project (CLICK HERE for more). 

The Deering Estate project is part of a larger master plan to restore Biscayne Bay, known as the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project. This plan is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which is helping to restore the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of fresh water in the South Florida ecosystem.

Take your family out there sometime when the water is running. The otters seem to like it, but good luck spotting them.

And of course, Deering Point (17350 Old Cutler Road  Miami, FL 33157) is located adjacent to the C-100 Canal at the southern point of the Deering Estate property. It’s almost like being in the Florida Keys as there is free public access to Biscayne Bay for canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, watching a sunrise, and fishing. 

Below – families enjoying kayaking and a beautiful flat water day. (photo credits - all photos on this page were taken by me on the 2/17/2020 Presidents Day Ride)

The Ride route:

Prior related post in the "Why I Bike" series: June 30, 2019, Why I bike - local nature seen via cycling South Miami-Dade County. Bears, tortoises, fish and Iguanas - also known as Palmetto Bay resident Mike Estevez and team run across a wild bear (and thankfully, it got away - eluding capture)

Palmetto Bay Village Center – TDR – what is in it for us? Plenty. Don’t let this opportunity for preservation and park land slip by!

This land could official become part of the Palmetto Bay Parks system - restored, protected and available to be enjoyed!  We ask your support. Note that I have extended an official invitation to the officers and members of the Palmetto Bay Garden Club.  I want to demonstrate what we can accomplish when we work together.   

(Saturday, March 12, 2016) I was honored to lead the first of what I hope to be many tours of the Palmetto Bay Village Center (PBVC) to demonstrate the potential as well as the importance of transferring ownership of portions of the PBVC from private ownership to control (ownership) by the residents of Palmetto Bay. 

The pictures posted below tell part of the story of what we found there and demonstrate the importance of taking ownership - and preventing this land (the area NOT in blue) from EVER being developed.

To be clear - the photo to the right shows the portions that we would NOT be taking over - the blue defined area remains develop able land - as it is now.  The green areas will remain green - green, undeveloped open space.  Areas that become the responsibility of Palmetto Bay.  Our land - to be restored in parts, protected in all and available without question for the residents of Palmetto Bay. 

This was the first tour - we reviewed the various native and invasives located on the property.  Pines, silver palm, coontie, poisonwood, poison ivy, oaks, palmetto, mangrove.  So many species are located on site. 

(Above) Too funny - and the dedication to the environment shows.  It was hard to keep certain people from jumping in to pick up some garbage she spotted and insisted must be removed.  Love that spirit.  Of course, I had to jump in and stake a claim to this land I want to see become park of our Palmetto Bay protected preserve.

(Below) - the lagoon remains part of the PBVC corporate ownership [where there are presently two crocodiles residing - some of the numerous pines poke out from the general tree canopy along Old Cutler (seen from the internal drive of the PBVC)].

COMING SOON - the "How" on how we intend on taking ownership of this sensitive land.

Photos of the Day - some quiet spots in Palmetto Bay where you can appreciate nature.

So peaceful - an oasis just off Old Cutler Road- a huge traffic nightmare for so many. 

looking east from Deering Point - 6 PM - October 1, 2015

Not many other communities can boast such water access, as peaceful and as accessible as we enjoy here in Palmetto Bay.

Palmetto Bay Village Center

These crabs know where it is safe to gather. It is not presently legal to harvest these land crabs.

Photos of the day - taking the time to appreciate nature in Palmetto Bay

There are too many good pictures to choose from today for the 'photo of the day' so I posted several. 

It was another wonderful morning to be out bicycling in Palmetto Bay today (Saturday, May 17, 2014).  This all is too good to miss.  Take the time to get out and see how blessed we are to have so much, so close for us to enjoy:

The wading birds are fishing for their breakfast (taken 5-17 at Deering's People Dock)

Sleeping in - PBay's resident crocodile.

How many other communities boast so much nature in their community?

Good advice

Bridge within Deering. This is a prime spot to for walkers, joggers and bicyclists.

Another local natural attraction opens: Bird watching takes flight at Biscayne National Park - Outdoors - MiamiHerald.com

Bird watching takes flight at Biscayne National Park - Outdoors - MiamiHerald.com
A new local outdoor activity kicks off which should be added to your family "To Do" list.  Read up in the Sunday Miami Herald: Bird watching takes flight at Biscayne National Park, which introduces the Biscayne Birding Trail — a free program created by the park and Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) to encourage South Florida residents and tourists to get outdoors and watch wildlife. Visitors may pick up a bird checklist at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and mark down which species they see within the park boundaries on both land and water. A ranger will verify the bird count, and the birder will receive an achievement certificate on the spot. Full-color certificates will be awarded for lifetime achievement levels starting at 30 native park bird species and culminating with expert for identifying 120 species. There’s even a special category for junior birders who spot 10 or more different birds in the park. 

See a prior South Dade Update post relating to local birdwatching resources: Is Bird Watching the new hit? No need to travel far for Miami -Dade County Residents.

What are you waiting for?  Now is a great time to check out Biscayne National Park, especially as the weather begins to cool off.