Ponce de Leon Park: A Gem in Punta Gorda, Florida

A small park in Punta Gorda, Florida.  Situated on Charlotte Harbor's shorefront.  There is a beach, a boat ramp, picnic area, rest rooms, playground and a boardwalk through the mangroves.  It is also the home of the Peace River Wildlife Center (bird and animal rescue and rehabilitation).

Perfect for some relaxed birding.  Here's a Night Heron in the mangroves.

An oasis of nature amid suburbia.

The group picnic area can be reserved for special events.

There always seems to be a Great Blue Heron around the boat launch and fishing pier....waiting for a handout.

A nice little beach looking out over the harbor toward Cayo Costa and Boca Grande.

A Great White Heron

An "arty" B&W shot of the fishing pier.

If you look closely, you can find some Mangrove Tree Crabs.

A path follows the shoreline through the mangroves.

Overhead is an Osprey with this catch.

 

A Little Blue Heron.

Eastern Pondhawk.

Mangrove Buckeye.

 

The Peace River Wildlife Center.  You can visit and see the good work that they do.

Red Shouldered Hawk.

Lubber Grasshopper.

Hooded Merganser.

 

A plaque honoring Florida's first game warden, Columbus G McCleod.....killed by plume hunters.

White Ibis.

Spanish Bayonet.

 

Playground for the kids.

Little Green Heron.

Anole.

Kayak fishing in the shallows.

The snook are hiding way back in the mangroves.

 

Fishermen wade, powerboat....or just sail by and watch.

Brown Pelican.

Always watching too are the everpresent vultures.

And Doves.

Weather watchers will love the storm clouds over Charlotte Harbor.

And in the evening you can see the most beautiful sunsets.

You won't see all of this in one visit to Ponce de Leon Park.  Come back often....there is always more to see.