The Celery Fields

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During an overnight visit to Sarasota, I was looking for a nearby, natural setting to walk my dog, since most beaches in Florida are not dog friendly.  Google Maps showed a place called Celery Fields Park a short drive away.

It seemed like an odd name for a park, so I decided to check it out.  I’m not sure why it piqued my interest so much, as I can’t stand the taste of celery. Just hearing the word gives me shivers!

History of the Celery Fields

As the name suggests, the area was once celery fields. In fact, the 400+ acre site, now used as Sarasota County stormwater collection zone, has an interesting history.  An experimental farm of 2,000 acres was set up to grow vegetables between 1923 and 1926.

By 1927, it was determined that celery grew best in the conditions, and celery farms operated in the area until 1995.  At this time, Sarasota County purchased the land to alleviate flooding from storms.

Dinosaur Bones

As if the celery farm history was not enough, upon digging the drainage ponds, fossilized dinosaur bones were discovered!  They are on display in the Nature Center operated by the Sarasota Audubon Society.

Sarasota Audubon Society

You might wonder why the Audubon Society has a nature center in the County’s stormwater collection zone?  Well, believe it or not, in 2011, the County together with the Audubon Society embarked on a project to turn 100 acres of the property into wetlands.

Now 200,000 aquatic plants and two bird viewing boardwalks have turned the southern section of the park into a birder’s paradise.  The marshlands have attracted some 246 different species of birds since the collaboration.

Dog Walking at the Celery Fields

I visited on a miserably cold and wet day…like 40 and rainy.  With the humidity and wind the temperature felt below freezing, quite unusual for Florida.  I didn’t expect to see any birds at the Celery Fields as I walked Annie about two-miles around the southern section.

By the end of our walk which was partly between a busy road and the ponds and partly along a berm and near a quiet two-lane road through a neighborhood, I returned to VANgo, my trusty sprinter, to drop off Annie and to grab my camera. There were lots of birds to photograph!

Birding at the Celery Fields

I was completely entranced by the giant sandhill cranes!  Now I know why people flock Alamosa, Colorado, a favorite destination for thousands of cranes as they migrate.  I tried once to see the phenomena, but was a bit late in my October visit.   

These cranes were simply enormous and practically tame. I could not believe how close I could get to them.  I didn’t even need the amazing new lens I had recently purchased for the Amazon. 

I felt really lucky to be able to admire the birds with many friendly, birding enthusiasts and walk my dog.  One birder told me all about the two cranes that visited each year.  And while I knew a few of the basic feathered creatures like ducks, herons, ibis, and storks, he promptly named all the other species, including a colorful Western Swamphen that is considered an invasive species.

It is not often that dogs are allowed at an Audubon Society’s wetlands, but with the Celery Fields having both a private and a public function, many recreationalists, including those with dogs, get to enjoy this little slice of the everglades in the middle of the city.

One Mile Loop on the Hill

I was so pleasantly surprised by my visit to the Celery Fields, that I brought my dog Annie back the following day to check out a different section.  I was hopeful for better weather.  But we spent an even colder, rainy morning winding up a path to the top of a large hill.

The hill was home to lots of rabbits, so I had my work cut out for me with my prey driven dog that desperately wanted to catch one.  We didn’t linger long at the top. Though on a nice day it would be a lovely place to take in the view and watch the birds while relaxing on one of the benches.

Instead, after our mile jaunt, we returned to the busy parking area.  I was shocked by the number of people at the nature center given the crummy day.  I learned the Sarasota Audubon Society was holding a ground-breaking ceremony for the next section of the Celery Fields that they are going to convert to wetlands.

They got rained out, but that didn’t stop the active chapter from congregating inside while sipping coffee.  The society offers a variety of events at the Celery Fields, so take a look at their website before visiting.  You might get lucky enough to take a guided birding walk.  ETB

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