Big Bend Scenic Byway
Leonard's Landing and the Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve, FL

Eagles and Osprey are frequently seen roosting in trees along the water’s edge. The tall stakes in the water mark clam aquaculture sites. Clam farming is increasing in importance in this area and seems to offer a promising alternative to other seafood harvesting practices that are in decline.

Containing over 14,000 acres of seagrass meadows, salt marshes, oyster bars, and beaches this is one of the world’s largest feeding grounds for the rare and endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. Its unspoiled waters and beaches are valuable breeding, nesting, and foraging grounds for trans-gulf migrants in the fall and spring, including Piping Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, Least Terns, Peregrine Falcons and other hawks.