Black Point Drive

     One of Florida’s east coast long shorelines that’s not lined with condominiums and beachfront homes is scattered with other structures. The 60 mile stretch of coastline, Central Florida's Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, is dotted with huge steel and concrete rocket launch pads. Although much of the this area lies in the restricted zone of Kennedy Space Center and Canaveral Air Force Station, north Merritt Island’s Black Point Wildlife Drive offers visitors a unique perspective of Florida’s salt marshes, mud flats, and island hammocks.
     In this view recent rains have covered over the coal-black mudflats, creating a peaceful reflective view. It’s a rare day when the air is still and the tiny islets and mangrove tree roots are covered in water. This broad expanse of salt marsh is divided up by dikes constructed for mosquito control. These dikes make a perfect roadbed to drive in and around the shallow water impoundments. The Black Point Drive creates a seven mile route through one of the nation's premier birding sites. Here, eagles nest among the tall slash pine hammocks, and herons are commonly seen wading in the shallow pools. During the winter months thousands of migratory waterfowl and songbirds sweep into the refuge, some traveling nearly 6000 miles from their summer haunts. The refuge supports thousands and thousands of ducks, coots, terns and raptors. The mud flats and shallow marshes team with life, ranging from microorganisms, to shrimp, small fish and crabs. Located on a migratory route, the wildlife refuge provides an important rest stop for large increases of bird populations.