In era before condo canyons became the dominant habitat on South Florida's barrier islands, marine hardwood hammocks like this were common, filled with tropical and subtropical trees like lancewood, pigeon plum, sea grape, false mastic, wild lime, paradise tree, and more. It's rare habitat, and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is one of the few remaining places in the region where it can be found. A one-third-mile boardwalk takes visitors through the hammock and through an adjacent mangrove forest. There are interpretive signs along the way, and cards for a self-guided tour are available at the beginning of boardwalk. The hammock shelters squirrels, a variety of birds, especially during migration, spiders, mangrove tree crabs and more. NEXT PHOTO.
