Wild About Florida: Central Florida

Central Florida has the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf beaches much like other parts of Florida, but in many other ways it is distinct and unique. The Florida scrub jay, a bird many Floridians believe should be our state bird, is found nowhere in the world except central Florida. Central Florida is bisected by one of the most unique rivers in the state and perhaps even the world. First off, the St. Johns is the longest river in Florida and one of the few in the country to flow north. The total distance the river drops from its source in marshes southwest of Melbourne to its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville is less than 30 feet, or about one inch per mile, making it one of the "laziest," slowest-moving rivers in the world. Also due to the fact that it is born in the salty estuary marshes of Indian River County, passes through salt springs and then receives an infusion of salt at the mouth, creates a more brackish river. It's the only river in the country that is home to saltwater stingrays. Then there are the whooping cranes. There are only three whooping crane colonies in the United States. Central Florida's Polk, Osceola and Lake counties are the home of the only non-migratory flock of whooping cranes. Citrus County is host to the ultralight-led migratory flock that winters in Chassohowitzka National Wildlife Refuge near Crystal River. And then there is... but why not just read the rest of the book to discover all the things that are uniquely central Florida.