![]() ![]() The Wrays lived in Hollywood but they built a weekend house on the grounds. At one time the Wrays received foreign plants and seeds from the government for test plantings and many of those are still growing strong. There are bananas, mangoes, tamarind, coffee, bamboo, tall trees from around the world and of course citrus. The driver points out remnants of the old groves and talks about the hundreds of types of plants alongside the narrow roadway. No rides at all except for an open sided tram that takes visitors on a leisurely drive around the other 46 acres of the park. It’s right by the flamingo area and you can take a break, have a snack and watch the brightly colored birds have their lunch. A snack bar offers sandwiches, hot dogs, chili and soft drinks. A friendly young woman is set up inside a giant orange to make fruit smoothies and sell ice cream. Peacocks wander the grounds as do a variety of other birds. There is a wildlife encounter show three times a day when a naturalist brings out a variety of birds and reptiles for an up-close view. Over 45 species are represented and up to 250 birds present at any given time.Īs you approach the aviary there are cages with owls, hawks, falcons and vultures. One particularly good piece of advice is, “Don’t look up with your mouth open.” This is great opportunity to photograph storks, roseate spoonbills, pelicans, egrets, ibis, herons, ducks, cormorants and more. There are a list of dos and don’ts posted outside. Go through a double set of doors and you are walking inside the cage with the birds that fly from one wetland setting or pond to another or nest in the native trees. It is 25,000 square feet comprised of diverse constructed habitats for wading birds. One of my favorite parts is the aviary for injured birds. There is even a black bear, Josh, who is quite large but often snoozing. In the sanctuary there is a large flock of flamingos, alligators, otters, bobcats, hawks, peacocks and even three Florida panthers, two males and a female.Įach of the animal and bird types have their own habitat tailored to their needs. Along with the plants ranging from ancient cyclads that dinosaurs might have munched to a towering live oaks crusted with resurrection ferns and bromeliads, Flamingo Gardens is home to a wildlife sanctuary for injured birds and animals that cannot be released back into the wild. There are many Champion Trees, ones that are designated as the largest of their species in the state. What had been Flamingo Groves that began back in 1927 is now Flamingo Gardens and contains a large botanical garden with over 3000 species in a 15 acre setting of wandering paths. There is definitely an Old Florida feel to this laid back attraction, especially in the Wray's weekend house that has been brought back to the way it looked all those years ago. It is 60+ acres preserved out of over 2000 acres of former citrus and fruit groves owned by Floyd and Jane Wray. Just south and west of Fort Lauderdale on Flamingo Road in Davie Flamingo Gardens waits to welcome you. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |