Category: Outdoors

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Coexisting with the ‘Super Genius’ coyote

For those familiar with the Looney Tunes cartoons, the term “Super Genius” conjures up images of a Wile E. Coyote, and his ingenious but often ill-fated attempts to capture his nemesis, the Road Runner. The coyote was an icon of the American West, with its wide-open, dusty landscape. But unlike Wile E., real-time coyotes have been employing their adaptivity and smarts to spread eastward, and they’ve steadily expanded their natural ranges into southern Florida.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), coyotes are found throughout Florida’s 67 counties. Coyotes were living in Florida until around 12,000 years ago, when they disappeared from the fossil records. In modern times, coyotes became confined to the plains and deserts of the western U.S.

So it came as a surprise to many South Florida neighborhoods that coyotes started to show up in their local neighborhoods. They arrived first in the Florida Panhandle area in the 1970s and naturally expanded their territory until today they’re throughout all of Florida. Unlike many new animal arrivals to Florida, like the pythons and lionfish, coyotes arrived naturally on their four legs, and they’re considered “naturalized” residents of Florida per the FWC.

Coyotes’ success is often attributed to their adaptability. Coyotes are a close relative to gray wolves and domestic dogs, and they’ve taken advantage of the disappearing wolf population to expand their territory. DNA testing has shown that Florida coyote populations contain significant genetic contributions from wolves and dogs, which has made them sturdier and less afraid of humans.

Unlike Wile E., real-life coyotes are pragmatists. With no Acme product on their body, real coyotes typically weigh 20–40 pounds, and they resemble a medium-size dog with pointed ears and a bushy tail. They are generalist predators; they prey on small to medium-size animals and will consume fruits and humans’ leftovers.

This pragmatic nature allowed the coyotes to take over the ecological vacuum that was created when the larger predators like the red wolf and Florida panther populations were reduced. Like the Hollywood reboot, the coyotes came back to dominate their new domain in Florida.

With no roadrunners to chase, the Florida coyotes found new targets. A recent study shows local coyotes have been preying on many South Florida icons. Iguanas, especially in the winter season when they are slower and often enter a torpor state due to the cold, are being regularly hunted by the coyote, along with Indian peafowls. Coyotes are also found to be dining on local crabs when they are in season, and local fruits, like palm seeds and mangos. Juvenile pythons are also on a coyote’s menu, which in turn has helped to control the invasive python population.

The returning coyotes act as a top-tier predator, which keeps the smaller wild animal population in check, and it helps reduce predatory stress on local bird and turtle populations. According to Florida FWC, coyotes “help maintain healthy ecosystems by managing populations of rodents, insects, and other small animals. By preventing conflicts, we can better exist with coyotes and other wildlife.”

Another reason for their success is because coyotes are great parents, which helps to increase the survival chances for their pups. Coyote families are small and tight-knit, as parents form pair bonds that stay together for many seasons. This helps the parents learn and adapt to their surroundings together, and the pups have more success surviving the vulnerable early months of their lives. Older siblings and related coyotes often stay with the parents to form a small clan, which helps with pup-raising and, in return, allows youngsters to learn from the experiences of the older bonded parents.

Unlike their Hollywood caricature, Wile E., who is a loner and doesn’t talk, the real coyotes are very vocal. Their Latin name, Canis latrans, means “barking dog.” Their yips, howls, and woofs are key to their socialization, and it’s often heard at night when they are in the area.

Florida’s suburbs are also particularly attractive to coyotes. It provides many of the food sources that coyotes prefer, and they are quick to adapt to our suburban schedule. They will learn the daily routines of the human residents of the neighborhoods, and to move without human detection. They are often only detected by motion-activated cameras, or by their yip-howls at night.

Coyotes don’t fit well into a typical Floridian’s vision of curated gardens and golf courses. The coyote is a natural predator that will happily snack on a pet animal when opportunities arise. Trapping and relocation is often considered, but it’s a temporary solution, and as effective as an Acme product. When a coyote is removed, the remaining coyotes often respond with a larger litter of pups, which fills the void left by the removed animal.

Once we accept that coyotes are here to stay, our mindset changes to how best to live with them. Their arrival in our neighborhoods is a reminder that we live amidst nature in South Florida. Knowing their habits allows us to coexist with them. Coyotes still retain a fear of humans, which helps minimize their human contact. Experts recommend a strategy of “hazing,” where coyotes are made to feel unwelcome in populated areas through making noise, waving arms, or spraying them with water. This reinforces the natural boundary of fear that coyotes have for humans.

To prevent coyotes from losing their fear of humans, Florida FWC recommends securing garbage cans, pet foods, and fall fruits around your house. Keeping your pets in enclosed areas and walking dogs with a short leash will help keep them safe from coyotes looking for a quick snack.

So next time you see your local coyote, remember, they are resilient canines that have found their way home to Florida and help us to keep our natural surroundings in balance. Though it resembles a domestic dog, it is a wild animal that has earned its place in Florida and should be kept wild, for its own success.

Meanwhile, the Looney Tunes super genius Wile E. Coyote is seeking justice for all those faulty Acme products he has used over the years in the new movie “Coyote vs Acme,” in theaters now.

Image here:  https://myfwc.com/media/15892/coyotes-in-florida-infographic.jpg

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Preserving the magic of Malachi Acres

When Sonseeahray Cheek first found Malachi Acres, a Parkland riding stable, back in 2006, it drew her in. A horse person since childhood, Cheek was brought back to her horse-loving roots, and Malachi Acres provided a safe place where her daughter was able to build confidence and both were able to find community.

For Cheek, it also provided an enduring friendship with former owners Donice and Steve Muccio.

“Donice and I became best friends,” recalls Cheek, current owner of Malachi Acres. “She was like a mother and sister to me. It’s harder when you’re an adult to meet somebody who has such an impact on your life.”

When Donice Muccio had a stroke in 2019, her health began deteriorating and her husband planned on selling the facility. Cheek knew she had to step in.

“My heart just couldn’t see this place be knocked down and another multimillion-dollar house put here,” says Cheek. “Just knowing what we do for the community, for the kids, primarily girls, I couldn’t see that die. I do believe in a Malachi magic and what Malachi does. It’s something that this area needed.”

In 2021, Cheek became the owner of Malachi Acres. While deciding to leave the corporate world with its steady paycheck was difficult, she credits a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma (stage 4 lung cancer) in 2018 with giving her the courage to pursue what really fulfilled her.

“I was diagnosed in 2018. When surgery failed, I was told the best-case scenario would be 5 years life expectancy,” says Cheek. “I was 49. Donice, my husband, my mother, and mother-in-law were all there. Everything in the room was moving in slow motion and became a blur. I remember just hearing muffled voices of panic with everyone asking the doctor questions on my behalf. This was a life-changing experience I had never imagined would happen to me. When someone tells you you have 5 years left, you really think about what you want the quality of those 5 years to be.”

Choosing Malachi Acres was the right decision for Cheek. “I do feel I’m getting paid more in what I get back out of being here.”

While Malachi Acres teaches dressage with the standards of a competitive show barn, its true focus extends far beyond ribbons and rankings. Some students compete, while others ride simply for the joy of being with horses. What unites them is a culture where kindness matters

more than status. “Being kind is the basic foundation of anything you do in life,” says Cheek. Nobody cares what kind of car you drive or what kind of helmet you wear.”

Connection and presence are equally central to the Malachi Acres experience. One of the barn’s most noticeable rules is that cell phones stay tucked away.

“You’re handling a thousand-pound animal,” says Cheek. “You can’t be on your phone and be aware of what’s going on around you.”

Beyond safety, the policy is meant to encourage riders to connect with one another and with the horses. “Malachi is a place to learn about friendship, trust, growth, community, and confidence,” says Cheek, who emphasizes that kids won’t learn all those things if they’re busy checking social media.

Students are also taught the fundamentals of horsemanship, including how to groom their horses, tack up, and administer basic first aid. Once they’ve been at Malachi for a couple of years, students have the opportunity to lead by teaching new students these skills.

“The really cool thing about the environment we’ve created here is that these kids support each other and cheer each other on,” says Cheek.

That positive reinforcement extends to the instructors. Rather than coaching through fear or criticism, instructors focus on meeting students where they’re at emotionally.

“Sometimes you get the best out of somebody by relating to what they’re going through and validating their feelings,” says Cheek. “It’s OK to cry. It’s OK to be nervous. Take that into the performance.”

For Cheek, the greatest reward has never been building a successful riding program. It’s seeing the impact that Malachi Acres has on the people who walk through its gates.

Now, five years into her tenure as owner, Cheek is still battling lung cancer, but her love and dedication to Malachi Acres remains.

“Malachi is magic. And if you have any interest in horses or horsemanship, it’s a really good place to come and be able to be yourself, not have to walk on eggshells, not have to worry about being judged, and just really open up and experience what the horses have to offer.”

For more information, visit malachiacres.com.

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Should the mockingbird keep its perch?

For a century, the Northern Mockingbird has been the official state bird of Florida. The avian symbol of Florida was designated in 1927. The decision was based on the songster’s prolific voice and its tenacious nature in defense of its home, traits that state leaders at the time felt represented the spirit of Floridians.

Florida is not the only state that championed the mockingbird as its symbolic bird. Four other states share the same connection to the iconic bird—Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

Adopting the mockingbird as the state bird in 1927, the Florida legislature praised its ability to mimic songs of nature: The typical male mockingbird has 200 songs in his repertoire, including songs of other species, and even human-made sounds like car alarms. The mockingbird’s prowess as a songbird almost led to its extinction, as the birds were heavily captured and sold as pets from the 1700s to the early 1900s, until laws were passed to protect songbirds.

Bravery is another trait associated with the mockingbird. It is well documented that mockingbirds are fearless in defending their territory against much larger perceived foes. When feeling that its territory is being encroached, the mockingbird will attack hawks, dogs, and even humans to protect its home—Florida’s original “Stand Your Ground” homeowner.

Mockingbirds are also keen observers and have a good memory. They will recognize individual human neighbors, and they’ll respond differently to different people. Those who were seen as threatening to their nests in the past will often face a diving attack.

In recent years, there has been a persistent effort, especially from the South Florida tourism industry, to dethrone the state bird and crown another symbol of Florida—the flamingo.

The American flamingo was hunted to near extinction by the early 1900s. There were no reported sightings for a decade by the mid-1900s. The Flamingo Hotel, a popular destination in the 1920s, was famous for its captive flamingos used in marketing, along with many flamingo souvenirs. This made the flamingo a popular symbol for South Florida.

In recent decades, escapees from Hialeah Park, and ones blown in from Caribbean islands, started to increase the local flamingo population. Until 2018, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission listed the population as a nonnative species. In 1980, a study declared these flamingos native and asked for their protection as a threatened species. Caribbean flamingos are seeing a resurgence, and more are likely to migrate to Florida in the future to beef up the local numbers.

The naturalization of this new generation of flamingos, coupled with the marketing that puts the flamingo on our lottery tickets as well as on hotel signs, has led to a strong effort to replace the current state bird of Florida with the flamingo.

Flamingos’ striking appearance, and social nature, seems to be a fit for tourist-friendly Florida. They are known to form lasting friendships within their large flocks. The proponents of the change compare that to the aggressive mockingbird, and its tendency to dive-bomb you when you are walking your pet. Perhaps it is a change of the character of Florida, from the hardy, adaptable, boisterous, and stand-my-ground style of the mockingbird, to the beautiful recent arrival, with Hollywood-level marketability, of the flamingo. There hasn’t been a big-budget movie with a mockingbird since “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 1962, long before “Miami Vice” or the new “Toy Story 5,” with its Garden Gnome and Inflatable Flamingo.

The Florida legislature has been looking at replacing the mockingbird for the last few years, but so far the bird has kept its precarious perch at the top of the pecking order in Florida. Each attempt has gathered media attention in support of the more glamorous flamingo. The momentum may continue, as more retirees flock to Florida, often first discovering the great state through a tourist visit.

For almost 100 years, the mockingbird has symbolized the spirit of Florida. People from across the states and the world have come to Florida and called it home, and created a melting pot of cultures and languages, just like the mockingbird forms its songs from bits and pieces of other sounds. Now state politicians will be continually pressed to move from that history and embrace the always bankable flamingo, which is more likely to draw bigger crowds and will likely garner more souvenir sales.

Many of us are watching this mostly as a sideshow for more pertinent issues facing the state government, but these symbolic battles do have an impact on the future identity of the state. For bird lovers, both are symbols of resilience, and they have a long history in the state and each will have its fans.

Some decisions of the past can be lost in the fog of history, and the symbolism of the mockingbird is often forgotten when you hear their 24-hour chirp outside your window or you’re getting dive-bombed by an overprotective parent. It’s a metaphor for a typical Floridian—fighting for a spot on the highway, yet happy to sing a song in your preferred language. It is that innocent courage that is embodied by the songbird. As Harper Lee wrote, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy…. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

The flamingo is a grand bird, as eye-catching and majestic as the new skyscraper along the coast, and a resilient return resident of Florida, but the mockingbird represents an aspect of Florida that has always been here, tenacious and loud. It has been a deserving holder of the symbolic avian crown of Florida; it will be left to the next legislature to decide its fate.

Mockingbird Facts

Scientific Name:  Mimus polyglottos

Diet:  Insects, berries

Behavior:  Fearless, territorial, mimics sounds, sings at night

Status:  Official state bird of Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee

Lifespan:  Typically 8 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity

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Rescued baby boar finds new, not-so-wild life in Coconut Creek

To say Tina had a rough start to life is an understatement. Before she even entered the world, she lost her entire family.

When a group of men went out hunting, they killed several wild boars, including a pregnant female. Miraculously, Tina was the only piglet to survive, but her troubles were far from over. The men sold Tina for drugs to an individual who practiced Santería—a religion that sometimes includes ritual animal sacrifice.

But when Tina wandered into the neighbor’s yard, her life took a turn for the better. The neighbor, who saw that Tina’s umbilical cord was still attached, called the Broward Sheriff’s Office. At just 2 days old and weighing less than 1 pound, Tina was picked up and taken to the Lucky Horse Sanctuary in Coconut Creek, a therapeutic farm where rescued animals rescue people.

“Her story is nothing short of miraculous,” says Dr. Blair Barone, founder of the Lucky Horse Sanctuary and a licensed clinical psychologist. “We’re so grateful her story didn’t end the way it could have.”

Tina’s arrival at the sanctuary marked the beginning of an entirely new life.

Before permanently relocating to the sanctuary, Tina spent a month living with a friend of Barone’s—a time during which she came to identify more with being a human than a boar. “I have videos of them lying in the sun together, on the recliner. It’s hilarious,” recalls Barone. “She really thinks she’s human.”

Far from the wild, Tina is now house-trained and accustomed to riding in cars. She even has her own wardrobe, complete with dresses and swimsuits. But more importantly, Tina found a new career.

“Tina is the therapist no one saw coming,” says Barone. “The clients are crazy about her. We take her everywhere. And it’s turned out to be amazing.”

At the Lucky Horse Sanctuary, rescued animals help guide individuals suffering from traumatic mental health symptoms and disorders through the journey of recovery, healing, and acceptance.

“Tina is amazing with the clients. Just incredible. We take her to hospitals,” enthuses Barone, who has found deeper meaning in Tina’s connection with those in animal therapy. “People can identify with her. Like the wild boar in the Chinese zodiac, many of our clients embody wisdom gained through experience, resilience through hardship, and the ability to keep moving forward despite life’s challenges. The boar symbolizes strength, perseverance, and ultimately enjoying the rewards of hard work—a beautiful reflection of the healing journeys we witness every day here at the Lucky Horse Sanctuary.”

Next up for Tina is a talk button—a form of animal training that teaches animals to communicate by pressing recordable buttons programmed with words. When the animal presses a button with their paw or nose, it plays a human word, allowing them to express requests, needs, or feelings.

“Pigs are really good with it,” says Barone.

For more information, visit theluckyhorsesanctuary.org.

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Staying safe around the family pool this summer

As summer sets in, and temperatures rise, many families start to spend more time around the pool. The warm, inviting waters of your backyard pool provide a great place for weekend parties, and a quiet retreat. However, the calm, welcoming waters harbor a silent, preventable threat.

In the U.S., accidental drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, with Florida the leading state for this grim statistic. It’s not just kids—your pets are also at risk, especially dogs, with an estimated 5,000 pet dogs drowning in backyard pools each year.

A properly maintained fence is a must. In Broward County, a five-foot fence is required around all residential pools. The fence must be self-closing and self-latched. With many children or pets wandering to a neighbor’s property, these fence features help to ensure that both pets and children don’t accidentally get close to a pool unsupervised.

To further reduce risks, it is advisable to properly train both your child and your dog to swim. Proper training cuts drowning risk for young children by 88%. Dogs can also benefit from formal training. By familiarizing your dog with the pool, and learning how to find pool steps, it will reduce panic when your pet accidentally falls into a pool.

Some dog owners may think that their dog can swim fine. But when a dog accidentally falls into a pool, they are surprised, and can experience rapid fatigue and panic. The panic will accelerate their energy loss, and they lose their orientation, preventing many dogs from locating steps or ramps. There are many pools designed with smooth pool surfaces, like tiles and liners that some dogs lose traction on, adding to the risk of drowning. These risks are especially high for smaller dogs, brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, and terriers), along with senior dogs.

Beyond training and fences, it is also advisable to keep adult supervision when your family and dog are around the pool. A designated “water watcher”—someone who monitors the water—is recommended during social events, and ideally someone trained in CPR.

The reason for a designated watcher is that drowning accidents, contrary to popular belief, are often silent. With the onset of exhaustion, pets and children often experience panic, and movement will be minimal. This develops quickly, often within a few minutes; thus, the watcher should ideally not be on a phone or some other distraction.

Since it’s hard not to get distracted in the modern era, it’s also recommended you make sure that young children wear proper flotation devices near water. The same is true for your pets. This will help ensure they get extra support if they do accidentally fall into a pool.

By making sure that your pool fence meets the local ordinance, proper training of all your family members, and extra awareness, it will ensure that everyone has a safe and fun time around your refreshing backyard pool.

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Boca Raton breaks record for leatherback sea turtle nests

Boca Raton is experiencing a record-breaking sea turtle season, with leatherback sea turtle nests already surpassing previous highs along the city’s 5-mile stretch of beaches. According to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, the milestone is a promising sign for one of Florida’s rarest and most-fragile nesting sea turtle species.

“As of May 6, we already have 40 leatherback nests,” Gumbo Limbo Nature Center said in an interview about this year’s nesting season. The previous Boca Raton record stood at 33 nests, making this season a significant leap forward.

The increase mirrors a larger statewide trend. Florida recorded 2,022 sea turtle nests in 2025, another all-time high. Scientists believe the growing numbers likely point to a gradual increase in the endangered species’ population after decades of conservation work.

Leatherback nesting season typically peaks in April and May, though nests can continue appearing into June. The latest leatherback nest documented in Boca Raton was recorded on July 7, 2012, meaning that this year’s record is likely to continue climbing in the coming weeks.

The achievement carries added importance because leatherbacks remain far less common than loggerhead and green sea turtles. “Record-breaking nest numbers is an indicator that conservation efforts across South Florida may be helping leatherback populations grow,” Gumbo Limbo explained.

Researchers say that several factors likely are contributing to the encouraging trend, including stronger protections for nesting beaches, reduced poaching and harvesting, safer fishing practices, and growing public awareness about sea turtle conservation.

One of the most encouraging developments, according to Gumbo Limbo staff, has been increased community involvement. “The people we encounter on the beach and at the nature center are genuinely interested in what we do and ask how they can help,” the organization said. “The children who grow up learning about sea turtles today are becoming the future scientists, advocates, and environmentally conscious community members who will help protect these populations for years to come.”

Protecting nests on Boca Raton’s busy beaches requires daily attention. Every nest is marked with orange stakes, tape, and signage to prevent accidental damage from beachgoers, umbrellas, or authorized beach vehicles. Staff members monitor each nest throughout incubation and take additional measures when necessary, including predator deterrents and protective mesh screens.

“We monitor each nest during the entire incubation period and protect them from predators or other disturbances,” Gumbo Limbo said. “Each and every nest is given so much attention to ensure success.”

Technology has also improved conservation efforts in recent years. Satellite tracking, GPS mapping, flipper tags, and advances in rehabilitation medicine now allow scientists to better understand migration routes, identify danger zones, and improve survival rates for injured turtles.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Coastal development, boat strikes, plastic pollution, and climate change continue to threaten sea turtle populations. Still, conservationists say the growing level of public support gives them hope.

“Every action, no matter how small, can make a meaningful impact when it comes to sea turtle conservation,” Gumbo Limbo said. “Something as simple as turning off beachfront lights, picking up trash, filling in holes on the beach, or reducing single-use plastics can directly help protect sea turtles and their habitat. Conservation is most successful when communities come together, and every person can play a role in helping ensure sea turtles continue to thrive for future generations.”

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Staying hydrated in the South Florida heat

You always know when summer has arrived in South Florida. One day it is warm, and the next day your steering wheel is too hot to touch and a five-minute errand feels like cardio. In this type of heat, hydration is not something to think about later. It has to be part of the daily plan.

Water bottles have become their own little summer accessory, and there are plenty of options that can keep it stylish and fun. It can be as simple as finding a bottle you enjoy using and keeping it with you as you sip throughout the day. Owala bottles are popular for their built-in straw and sip-or-chug design. Stanley cups are still a favorite for the car and errands, while Hydro Flask and YETI bottles keep drinks cold for hours.

When it comes to hydrating, plain water is still the best place to start, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Add lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, berries, or orange slices for a hint of flavor. Keep a cold pitcher in the fridge so it is easy to pour a glass on the way in or out. Somehow, water with a few slices of fruit or herbs feels more refreshing, almost like something you would sip at a spa, even if it took almost no effort.

Electrolytes can help on the super-hot days, especially after a workout, a beach day, a long walk, or even a busy afternoon of errands in 95-degree weather. There are plenty of no-sugar powders, tablets, and drinks available now. You can also make a simple version at home by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime and a tiny pinch of salt to your water bottle. Add a little honey if you want it a bit sweeter.

Pure coconut water is another easy summer staple. It tastes tropical, feels beachy, and gives you something different when you are tired of plain old water. And for those getting their palm trees trimmed during hurricane season, think twice before letting all those coconuts get hauled away. If they are safe to use, a few backyard coconuts can become a refreshing, hydrating thirst quencher grown right in your own backyard. It does not get much more South Florida than that!

Certain foods help with hydration too. Watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini, and bell peppers all add extra fluids without much effort. The Mayo Clinic notes that about 20% of the fluids we take in each day usually come from food, which makes summer fruits and vegetables an easy win. Keep sliced watermelon in the fridge, throw cucumber into a salad, or grab a handful of cold grapes when even turning on the oven feels unreasonable.

This summer, staying hydrated is all about being prepared. Fill the bottle, chill the watermelon, keep something cold within reach, and try to stay one step ahead of the kind of heat that makes you question every outdoor plan you ever made!

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A little safari right in our backyards

It all started with a family in Boynton Beach rescuing a horse who had been abused and neglected and needed a home. That horse, Kona, came to live with the family on their large, rural property off US-441, and she changed their lives. A few months later, they rescued four more horses, a donkey, some sheep, and a cow. They started a business called Pet-N-Parties. Then they decided to open a petting zoo where people could come see the animals. And Animal EDventure Park & Safari was born.

They now have two locations in western Boynton Beach, both open to the public, but each one different. The Walkthrough Safari is located at their private property on 441. It is reservation only (you can’t just show up), costing $25 for a guided safari tour of their 8.5-acre property. This 1.5-hour tour includes kangaroo encounters, sloth encounters, and all feed for the farm animals, camels, and more. All encounters include animal petting, pictures, and learning about the animals. Visitors can also get up close with zebras, porcupines, lemurs, otters, horses, deer, and more. If you want to play with otters, hold sloths, interact with monkeys, meet Kona the horse, and see where the animals live, this is the place.

Their second location is the Animal Park at Bedner’s Farm, at 10066 Lee Road. It is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no reservations needed. Visitors can enjoy all-day access to the park, with its petting area, animal feeding area, and exotic animal encounters. Admission is $15 per person, which includes one exotic animal encounter (or sign up for more for an extra fee). This animal park is not structured or guided like the safari location—roam around as you see fit. There is the opportunity to meet kangaroos, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, cows, lemurs, porcupines, llamas, macaws, parakeets, and spider monkeys. These animals don’t live at the park, they get brought over to Bedner’s on the weekends from the property just up the road. Bedner’s Farm also offers food trucks, “U-Pick” opportunities, tractor rides, and more.

My son Jacob and I opted to do the walkthrough safari recently, and we’re so glad we did. The tour guides (we had JJ and Rick) and staff were wonderful—very informative and entertaining, giving background and interesting details on each type of animal as we walked through the property and took in all they have there. We could tell the guides really care about their animal residents, as they told us their rescue stories.

Some people in our tour group had signed up in advance for extra add-ons as part of the safari—Otter Encounter, Sloth Holding, Monkey EDventure, and Otter Swim—all of which are popular activities at this venue. We hadn’t bought tickets for those, but we still enjoyed and got a lot out of our tour.

The first stop we were taken to that morning was their large kangaroo yard, where we got to meet, pet, and photograph all the mama kangaroos with their babies in their pouches. The male kangaroos were kept in a separate enclosure on the other side of a fence. On our side, I’d never seen so many kangaroos in one place, and we learned that a group of kangaroos is called a “mob.” We were quite amazed both by the kangaroos’ method of running/hopping around their habitat as well as by the cute youngsters peering out of the pouches, some dangling their long legs out on a different side from their head. We learned from the guide that they stay in their mothers’ pouches for 6 to 8 months—so these were not newborns!

After the kangaroos, we continued our tour of the property, meeting Franklin, an adorable 3½-year-old spider monkey; donkeys and zebras and a rare hybrid offspring called a “zonkey”; and a collection of camels, lemurs, and caracals. We learned from our guide that four caraculs and four other cats came from a Florida man who had ordered them online and kept them as pets until he had to surrender them to the farm.

And finally, we met “Slow Mo,” an adorable two-toed sloth who was brought around on a special pillow to meet everybody in our group as we stood in a large circle with him and his handler in the center. Slow Mo, along with all the animals we met at Animal EDventure, seemed happy and well cared for.

Most of the wildlife you’ll see at either location have been rescued, adopted, or surrendered there. It’s great to see the animals have a nice place to call home.

For more information, go to animaledventures.com.

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DELICIOUS DINING

Our local guide to some of the best specialty foods in our area

Dining al fresco in the spring

This season naturally invites a slower rhythm. Longer dinners, quieter conversations, and evenings that linger under the open sky. With cooler spring breezes in the air, many locals are choosing outdoor dining, seeking settings that feel relaxed and connected to their surroundings. From cozy patios to lively outdoor spaces, these local restaurants offer the perfect backdrop for a memorable night out (and outside).

Tap 42 – Coral Springs
A favorite for its energetic yet comfortable atmosphere, Tap 42 offers one of the best outdoor setups in Coral Springs. The spacious patio, string lights, and open-air feel make it ideal for everything from casual date nights to celebratory dinners. With craft cocktails, elevated comfort food, and a lively crowd, it’s a great place to linger and enjoy the evening.

Sicilian Oven – Coral Springs
Sicilian Oven’s outdoor seating brings a warm, neighborhood feel to its classic Italian menu. With wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas, and fresh salads, it’s a comfortable spot for those who want great food in a relaxed patio setting. The open-air tables make it easy to enjoy a slow meal while soaking in the evening.

The Cheesecake Factory – Coconut Creek
The Cheesecake Factory’s outdoor seating provides scenic views of the Promenade and a pleasant atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying a full dinner or sharing one of their famous cheesecakes, the patio setting adds a special touch to any evening out.

Ethos Greek Bistro – Coconut Creek
Ethos brings Mediterranean charm to outdoor dining with its inviting patio and vibrant energy. The fresh Greek dishes, lively ambiance, and warm lighting make it a great pick for those who want something flavorful and slightly different while still feeling romantic and relaxed.

Big Bear Brewing Co. – Coral Springs
For a more casual but still scenic outdoor experience, Big Bear’s patio is a go-to. With craft beers and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s perfect for couples who want to enjoy good food and drinks in a fun, social environment.

No matter the occasion, these outdoor dining spots remind us that some of the best meals are better under the sky, with good company, and great food. Whether you’re celebrating love, enjoying quality family time, or simply savoring the moment, these patios offer a beautiful place to dine beneath the open sky.

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Where the animals reign in lush nature

If you would like to experience a beautifully shaded property that looks like a botanic garden with waterfalls but also is a zoo and a conservation center, then the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is for you. This is a place where they rescue, rehabilitate, and care for injured and endangered animals, and visitors have a chance to interact with some of the zoo’s residents.

Among the many animals at this zoo are bears, tigers, cougars, alligators (including a rare white one), otters, flamingos, a pair of capybaras, a bald eagle, a barred owl, lorikeets, scarlet macas, a Southern ground hornbill, a Baird’s tapir, koalas, sloths, lemurs, tortoises, servals, and a variety of monkeys. I went to visit with my friend Susan recently, and we saw lots of these animals.

We had heard that the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society does a lot of good in helping endangered wildlife. The organization sponsors conservation projects in many parts of the world; much of it deals with species that are represented in the zoo’s collection. Admission to the park is relatively expensive, but we understood that it is to help the conservation society do all its great work for the animals.

Two zoo residents here are a little famous! A female (Iyari) and a male (Zeus) Capybara in the Tropics of the Americas section have been featured on episodes of the TV show “Finding Florida” because zookeepers have been closely observing them as they realized the two had formed a bond. The Capybaras spend a lot of time together and share their food. Zoo workers are hoping that this new couple will breed. Susan and I got to see them from a distance while we were there. Another highlight for us at this venue were the many colorful flamingos in a gorgeous water setting, with some of them “mirroring” each other, a fascinating process we learned they do.

Some nice features at the zoo are its “Animal Experiences,” which cost extra, and its zookeeper chats, which are free. There is a daily schedule board near the entrance that indicates the sessions that visitors can attend for that day. Registration in advance is required for the animal experiences. The animals that participants can sign up to enjoy close encounters with include otters, giant aldabra tortoises, sloths, koalas, panthers, and bears.

Susan and I opted to attend two of the zookeeper chats—the howler monkeys and the Malayan tigers. What we came away with was how dedicated and passionate these staff members are about the animals in their care. The zookeeper for the monkeys stood in front of their outdoor habitats and told us all about these energetic animals, pointed out many of their habits and activities as the monkeys moved around, and answered any questions we had. He had a large group of people gathered around and kept us all entertained and informed.

Afterward, we walked over to the tiger section and listened in as we heard about Kadar, an older tiger who needs regular cold laser therapy to manage age-related stiffness, reduce inflammation, and increase his mobility. The zookeeper there told us we’d get to watch Kadar have this non-invasive treatment during his feeding time. It helps to treat chronic pain and arthritis while allowing the veterinarians to reduce reliance on medications. Observers got a unique experience as another zoo staffer proceeded to feed and apply the laser device to Kadar, who we were told would feel no discomfort from the treatment. We all were thrilled to watch this process so close up. And Kadar is a beautiful animal.

I learned that the Malayan tigers who live at the zoo play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their native habitats. And by visiting these tigers, you are saving tigers in the wild, according to conservationists. Once widespread, Malayan tigers are now only in isolated pockets, and zoo visitors are supporting initiatives to protect their dwindling homes.

In addition to helping with animal conservation, the Palm Beach Zoo is assisting with conserving tropical forests, which it says provide homes to over 63% of all land mammals, including tamarins and sloths, and is essential for human survival. The zoo is restoring its own forest by planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses that support native species.

While there, Susan and I encountered a very striking-looking tree that resembled peacock feathers flaring out. It is called a traveler’s palm, a member of the “bird of paradise” family. Known for its massive, fan-shaped leaves structured in a single plane, its thick trunk can reach up to 30–50 feet in height and the dramatic tree provides great impact in its environment. We had never seen anything like it before. The lushly landscaped Palm Beach Zoo is definitely a recommended outing.

For more information, go to palmbeachzoo.org.

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A beach day in the shadow of the pier

The longest pier in Broward County, at 976 feet, is the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier, considered the crowning jewel of the beach, a landmark that attracts thousands of sightseers and anglers annually. I went there recently with my son Jacob—not to fish, but to walk the pier and take photos, to view wildlife, and to stroll along the beach.

We started with lunch at JB’s on the Beach, a nice seafood-focused restaurant overlooking the ocean. They have valet parking there, but we were planning to spend several hours at the beach that day, so we ended up parking in a parking garage just off A1A, not far away, and leaving the car there all day. Street and lot parking is at a premium in this area.

After lunch, Jacob and I walked the short distance over to the fishing pier, stopping to look at the screen for Spinner the Sea Cam, the city’s live underwater camera, at the entrance to the long pier. The sign next to the sea-cam screen says that Spinner is located at the end of the pier, 30 feet below the surface of the water. You can watch fish swim right up to it. It’s known as a fun, quirky local highlight showcasing the personalities and activities of the pier’s fish residents.

“Welcome to the amazing views of Deerfield Beach,” according to the city website. “Whether you are watching the early morning sunrise, a fisher on the pier fighting a feisty barracuda, or King Benny the Blenny yeeting sharks—we hope these awesome wonders will help serve as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to take care of the ocean and everything in it and around it.” (For more information and to watch a live feed of the sea-cam, visit DFB.city/beachcams.)

The iconic Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier has been loved for generations. It stretches well into the ocean with great views, has a well-stocked concession stand for fishing amenities (fresh and frozen bait, rod and tackle rentals), and carries a storied history, including a dedication by President Gerald Ford in 1976. The pier serves as a symbol of the town, and the area around it provides a community gathering hub and entertainment spot, including hosting special events like “Pier Under the Stars.” Visitors can take scenic walks along the Atlantic in the clean sand, walk on the (not-so-sandy) green turf that runs just behind it, or go up on the “boardwalk” that runs along the back of the restaurants. For some, it’s the quintessential Florida beach experience. 

The first wooden Deerfield fishing pier was reportedly built in 1951–52. Because it was low and close to the water, it was a place for community members to gather and fish. In 1956 it changed hands, and new management built a restaurant, tackle shop, and chum machine. This all  brought fishermen flocking to the pier. Then in September 1960, Hurricane Donna wiped out the pier, destroying the wooden structure and sending planks floating away; the pier was rebuilt by 1963 through a city bond issue. Through the years different people leased the pier, though it was hard to turn a profit. The last lessee turned the pier back over to the city and became the pier manager, organizing events like fishing contests.

Today, it is a bustling pier, filled with several people fishing and cutting up their catch on tables while we were there, and others just watching the pelicans and other wildlife and taking in the ocean breezes. Jacob and I walked to the end of the pier and enjoyed the scenery. The cost to enter the pier is typically $2 for sightseers and $4 for those there to fish.

After we left the pier, we strolled along the boardwalk and listened to a pair of musicians playing at one of the restaurant patios; took a walk on the turf on the other side of the pier, taking in the sights there; and finally walked barefoot along the surf until we found a good place to set up our towels and enjoy the beach. From there, we could see the pier jutting out in the distance—it was a lovely day at the Atlantic.

For more information, go to www.deerfield-beach.com/1420/International-Fishing-Pier.

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A rest stop unlike any other, at the Everglades

“It’s both a rest stop and a destination.” That’s what my friend Susan said when we went to check out the newly opened Everglades Elevated Boardwalk rest stop along Alligator Alley.

Travelers now have a new way to get a glimpse of the Everglades while driving on I-75 between the east and west coasts of Florida. This lush new complex and nature park is located at Mile Marker 35 of Alligator Alley, 10 miles west of the toll booth in Weston.

Like any regular interstate rest stop, it has picnic tables, restrooms, and parking with easy on-off access from the highway. But the similarities end there. The newly designed and beautifully landscaped rest stop also includes an expansive maze of boardwalks, a viewing tower, gardens of native foliage and vegetation, and informative exhibits about the Everglades. Kids (and grownups too) can be educated while taking a pit stop in their travels!

Just opened in October, what once was a basic truck parking lot has been transformed by the Florida Department of Transportation over the past two years into a peaceful green oasis for the whole family. There is a big playground for the kids as well as a plaza with a 15-foot bronze alligator. There is plenty of parking here, and all the features are free.

After we parked, Susan and I started at the “This is Alligator Alley” sign, which led into a lovely landscaped, pavered clearing with illustrated plaques telling us all about the area. “The Everglades is an ecosystem like no other on Earth,” one states. “This sawgrass marsh is like a vast, shallow river flowing south from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. Once stretching across 4,000 square miles, the Everglades is only half that size today due to development and farming.”

We read the other informative signs in this area and then walked over a small road to begin exploring the maze of pathways. When we got to the lilypad-covered pond in the center of the boardwalks, we stopped to take in the lovely scenery there and the striking wooden tower above us. The tower is about three stories high, and you can reach the top either by wooden stairs or by the long gradual ramp going all the way up, making it fully accessible. Once up there, the observation deck offered us expansive views of the Everglades and the dramatic Florida skies.

This rest stop is also a good spot to see wildlife and do some bird watching. While we didn’t see any alligators that day, visitors have been able to spot them (of course, from a safe distance on the raised boardwalk!). Watching the sunrise or the sunset from this venue is also supposed to be a very serene experience.

Throughout our walk around the gardens, Susan and I stopped to look at more plaques that describe and illustrate the types of birds, trees, weather, and other features found in the Everglades. You can definitely leave this place with some new info and fun facts about this part of South Florida.

We also went inside the small museum-like building there, a type of visitors center providing even more information—lifelike exhibits, large photographs, informative plaques on the walls, and, in the center of the room, a large replica of the local area with labels indicating what everything is, which was really helpful. We learned a lot about the Everglades.

Who would have ever thought, back when the original Alligator Alley was notorious as a dangerous, dark two-lane highway, that there would one day be a lushly landscaped destination rest stop just off this road? With the old Alligator Alley, the Everglades came up much closer to the road, with alligators and local birds right on its shoulders. In 1992, this road was replaced with a safer, wider, four-lane version that became part of the I-75 highway. Today, solid fencing keeps alligators from wandering onto the interstate.

And now, from the safety of the new Everglades Elevated Boardwalk, visitors can still enjoy looking out for local wildlife, with the immense, wide-open Everglades in all its beauty just a short distance away. Not a bad thing for a rest stop!

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