Black Point Beauty

A Photographic Journey Along One of Florida’s Wildlife Drives

Black Point Drive — Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

On any given weekend in Florida, just a short drive from the obvious tourist attractions, you can find humans seeking a quieter connection with the natural world. “Wildlife drives” offer an abundance of opportunity to view a myriad number of species, quieten the ever present urban roar that most of us are used to, and allow a person to tap into that primal craving at the core of us — the desire to be a part of the natural world humans were born into.

Yesterday I had the joy of visiting Black Point Wildlife Drive, a part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge System. Of course I had my camera, because that’s what I do — try to promote awareness, education, and conservation of the plants and species we love and need.

An American alligator and a Tricolored Heron near the entrance of Black Point Wildlife Drive

Black Point Drive is a 7 mile drive through a wildlife refuge. When you enter one of these magnificent places, the idea is to take a slow — 5 mph — journey along the road, keeping your eyes peeled for wading birds, gators, bobcats, otters, and many other types of wildlife that may be present.

As an amateur wildlife and conservation photographer, I visit many areas like this across the state of Florida, and each time I find curious humans of all ages, and it warms my heart. So many people are interested in spotting wild animals or watching birds.

Roseate spoonbill — Black Point Wildlife Drive

I had the great fortune of being the oldest child of four. Likewise, I had the great fortune of a father who said he wanted me to see my “own country” before I went jetting off around the world. So he made it his mission to take us to all fifty states. Since I was the oldest child, I actually did achieve visitation to each one. I can say with certainty that my formal institutional education does not outweigh what I learned simply from traveling and seeing “how people live” in other areas.

I remember a few games we used to play while traveling long days in the family van. One was called “I Spy” and the other was called “Slug Bug”. In the games, the children would watch as many places as their eyes could reach, hoping to be the first to see something interesting, unique, or in the case of a VW Bug, something specific!

Wildlife drives are akin to those family road trips. I see children and families in vans looking out windows hoping to spot animals, and these special refuges are quite generous in opportunity.

A little green heron scans the water for lunch — Black Point — Cruikshank Trail

What a wonderful thought to be able to expose children to nature and to nurture the excitement of spotting other animals! No cages, no bars, no pavement — just a slow drive where refuge lay on all sides of the vehicle.

Certainly a wildlife drive is not like a theme park. Caution and respect is in order from the moment of entry. I grew up in the deep south and I can tell you that I was taught from an early age to watch where I stepped. Many a tale did I hear about the various types of snakes and what could happen if you didn’t pay attention to your surroundings.

But isn’t that what makes life worth living? Having to pay attention? Consider all of the money we pour into corporate programs trying to teach us how to maintain presence and awareness. Presence and awareness IS life. And we are racking up scientific data to prove it.

When I am in a natural setting, whether in a kayak, or hiking a trail, I am practicing walking meditation.

For me, it’s almost impossible not to immediately pay more attention to my senses and to maintain mindfulness when I step into the natural world. Perhaps we should take a lesson from that. While I’m not bashing urbanization, what I will say is that I think we’ve largely disconnected from nature, and it has deleterious impacts on our health and well-being, both mentally, physically, and culturally.

An American alligator having a good ole’ chill on a fall afternoon in Florida — Black Point Wildlife Drive

Our National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of managed habitats aiming to protect and conserve plants and wildlife, and to foster recreational activities that support this effort. It’s managed by our U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

As an example, one way Black Point is “managed” is through water impoundments that keep the water levels just right to maintain diversity of wildlife species and to help control the salt marsh mosquito populations.

Consider a migratory bird traveling from Alaska to Florida, or some other route that is often thousands of miles in distance. Places like Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge are a part of a series of stopping points along these migratory routes. Like we humans need our stopping points along the turnpike, birds need their natural rest areas preserved too. By supporting conservation efforts, we help ensure a healthy environment for us all.

Tricolored Heron — Black Point Wildlife Drive

Double Crested Cormorant — Black Point Wildlife Drive

In classical fashion, Anhinga spreads his wings (left) and Great Blue Heron watches over the mangrove marsh (right)

“I spy” an American alligator basking — Black Point Wildlife Drive

Because my grandfather lived on the Space Coast of Florida for a certain length of time every year, it is difficult for me to imagine a vision of Florida that doesn’t include wildlife and our natural lands.

The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is actually owned by NASA, so when he took me every year as a teenager to learn about the space program, I invariably came face-to-face with nature, as it was not uncommon for the tour bus to stop and allow an alligator to cross the road. And on those tours, they not only taught us about the space shuttle program and the International Space Station project, but they included Florida natural history and information regarding the wildlife present on the refuge.

In an interagency partnership, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages this refuge that is home to thousands of species of plants and wildlife. The following video clip offers a history and description of the area and the partnership.

While I obviously believe the recreational activities and educational opportunities that our refuges provide are crucial for conservation, it is my great hope that as humans we do not put too much pressure on the systems, and in any way ask them to cater to us for convenience. Like I said, when you take your family down one of these roads, it isn’t paved. And I hope it never is.

I hope it is forever just a ribbon of gravel that offers us a glimpse into a world we very much need to preserve.

Elie Wolf — Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

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