While a pedestrian bridge has been proposed to connect the park to the "greenway" to its south, it is my belief that the idea should fail. Without this connection to Freedom Park, bicycle traffic will be minimized which is necessary for the visitor's ideal connection to a wildlife experience.
Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park officially opened on 6 October 2009. The average cost for each of its near 50 acres was an amazing $384,000 in taxpayer dollars. The park is bordered by a highway to its south and west, a golf course to the north and undeveloped land to the east.
Stormwater treatment is a primary purpose of the park. Water that is directed into a near five acre pond from the highways and surrounding neighborhoods is then redirected into a few other "water filters." These comparatively insignificant waters then enter Naples Bay and the Gulf of Mexico cleaner via the Gordon River.
This venue appears to be a boon for the seeker of wildlife. As the dust has cleared from construction activity at Freedom Park it's clear that a good diversity of creatures will at least make a pit stop for their sustenance.
With great fortune I had the opportunity to observe and photograph a Broad-billed Hummingbird (BBIH), a rare visitor to Florida and Freedom Park. Wildlife aficionado Hemant Kishan described the BBIH here as a southeast Arizona specialty.
Follow the list of species that are seen at this park, and reported to eBird, certain to exceed 200 in time. Additionally, Freedom Park will at some point offer a memorial to those lost on 9/11.
Please be sure to be reminded about this weekly Southwest Florida Wildlife Blog with the email gadget located at the top of the page.
Beautiful pictures of the Broad-billed Humming bird!
ReplyDeleteAdele
Thank you, Adele. The BBIH took flight very shortly after image 14 was captured. I regret missing that action.
DeleteGreat photos Bob, as always. I especially liked to see the twinkle in the BBIH's eye and its flicking tongue in action.
ReplyDeleteThank you, France. As the clouds began to role in towards the latter part of my observations I questioned whether the spectacle of the BBIH's beauty would be lost. The tongue action of the bird was a very exhilarating bonus.
DeleteWow, Bob! Stunning, stunning shots of the Broad-billed!! Nature's beauty at its best. Wonderful captures of this rarity in Florida! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJanet and Aaron Kirk
Thank you, Janet and Aaron. While the Broad-billed Hummingbird may be unknowingly favoring a Naples backyard as it hasn't been reported at Freedom Park for some time, it is hopefully long on its way to it breeding grounds. Imagine the bird flying across the Gulf of Mexico to get there.
DeleteAwesome rarity for SW Florida Bob! I felt momentarily transported to SEAZ looking at this beauty!
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad you were not here in Naples looking at the bird, Hemant. It was a delight.
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