Big Talbot Island State Park is a natural preserve providing a premier location for nature study, bird-watching and photography. The Island is located on A1A North (12157 Heckscher Drive), 20 miles northeast of Jacksonville, just north of Little Talbot Island State Park.
Habitat and Wildlife
Big Talbot Island is a great place for viewing shore birds and marsh birds. Along the beach you can see black skimmers, piping plovers, terns (including the threatened least tern), and brown pelicans. In the mashes you might find the endangered wood stork, egrets, herons, ibis and osprey. Inland you might find barred owls, painted buntings, doves and woodpeckers. Big Talbot Island State Park is another premier site of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
BeachesAccess to Big Talbot's shore is easiest from the Shoreline Trail at the Bluffs access. The trail is located at the north end of the parking area and is a quick 10 minute walk to the beach. The beach is non-bathing, but you are welcome to wade out and cool off.
Boat Ramp, Canoeing and Kayaking and FishingFor fishing and boating enthusiasts, Big Talbot's boat ramp is the gateway to bountiful fishing grounds. The deep-water ramp has a floating dock that provides easy access to the Intra-coastal Waterway, Nassau Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
Located between Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island, Kayak Amelia is Talbot Islands State Park's canoe and kayak visitor service provider. Kayak Amelia offers everything from canoe and kayak rentals to special focus guided trips. The facility offers local information including maps, safety guidance and possible routes. Inside the concession you will find snacks and drinks, restrooms and souvenirs. If you have your own kayak you can use the hand-launch ramp located here for $1 per person.
With large tracts of saltwater marsh that surrounds Big Talbot Island, this is unquestionably a prime area for fishing. You can find whiting, redfish and speckled sea trout all year long. During the spring and fall, baitfish and shrimp can be caught in many of the creeks and along the shoreline.
Hiking/Biking/Nature Trails
Big Talbot Island State Park has several trails for you nature lovers. A trails map may be picked up at the Little Talbot Island State Park Ranger Station. The Shoreline Trail at the Bluffs picnic area provides access to Nassau Sound beach. Black Rock Trail (off A1A) meanders through the maritime hammock delivering you to a one of a kind beach that has black, rocklike outcroppings of fallen trees that have become bleached and weathered with time. Big Pine Trail (off A1A) is a short walk to the shoreline and salt marshes along Simpson Creek. Old Kings Highway Trail and Jones Cut Trail (both on the west side of A1A) are unrefined trails that traverse through the heart of Big Talbot Island's lush maritime hammock and scrubby flatwoods.
Picnic Area
A scenic shoreline picnic area is provided at The Bluffs under a beautiful stately maritime oak hammock.Shelling
Shelling is a favorite pastime of many visitors and the beaches of Big Talbot Island are a great place to find many. Collectors can find multitude of species, including clam, Scallop, oyster and periwinkle. Plan your shelling around low tide and search the "shell line" where the highest waves stop as they come upon the beach and deposit groups of shells.
Nature Man Photography is pleased to bring you the following:
 |
| Biking/Walking Trail |
 |
| The Bluffs Picnic Area |
 |
| Nassau Sound Bridge |
 |
| Root System Of Fallen Tree |
 |
| Coastal Erosion Created Famous "Boneyard Beach" |
 |
| Ring Neck Ducks Feeding In The Coastal Inlet |
 |
| Florida State Parks - The Real Florida |
No comments:
Post a Comment