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Black Mangrove

18 Jun Black Mangrove

Posted at 03:06h in Uncategorized by
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One of the many things I enjoy about  Cayo Costa is the botany. Today I photographed the flowering black mangrove tree. This tree uses the salt water and releases the salt through it’s leaves. If you look close you can see the salt on the leaf. The underside of the leaf is a pale color. This is from the salt. In the months of June and July the tree can be very productive for honey. The honey is clear white. In the early 1900’s there was a gentleman who lived on Cayo Costa with a large family who collected the honey from the black mangrove. I have always liked the location of his long gone house, an ancient shell mound. The vistas are breath taking but sleeping is hard. This is one of the many things I enjoy about Cayo Costa.

Brian Holaway
relaxandexplore@gmail.com

I have been a Shelling Guide to Cayo Costa State Park since 1995. Many people know me as the Shelling Guide and Captain with Captiva Cruises over the past 20 years. In 2016 I began solely offering private small boat charters to the islands of Pine Island Sound including Cayo Costa State Park, Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Pine Island and North Captiva. I am a certified Florida Master Naturalist, licensed USCG Captain, avocational photographer, seashell enthusiast and passionate about the history, people and culture of Southwest Florida, especially Cayo Costa. I volunteer as a member of Friends of Cayo Costa State Park and have great respect for the heritage of Cayo Costa. My goal is to provide guests with an overall experience and appreciation for the waters, islands, shells, plants, marine life, wildlife, history and people of this unique area of Southwest Florida.

6 Comments
  • Kim@Snug Harbor
    Posted at 13:47h, 18 June

    Beautiful photos and I enjoyed the lesson. Very interesting. Thanks Brian!

  • Kaybe
    Posted at 03:13h, 19 June

    Did he have hives on the island or do you think he just collected it in the wild? I get raw honey from a local beekeeper & it is the best. Not to mention the pollens in the raw honey are good fer what ails ya.

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 03:28h, 19 June

    I will have to check my Cayo Costa archives. I would guess hives. the old time fisherman and women said" he just lived off those bee's.

  • The Florida Blogger
    Posted at 22:08h, 19 June

    I do a lot of mullet fishing around these babies around Pine Island in the fall. Can't wait to see them again.

  • Capt. Brian Holaway
    Posted at 22:14h, 19 June

    I can't wait to see them again either. I left them 2 hours ago and won't be back for another 18 hours.

  • Jen S.
    Posted at 12:38h, 22 June

    Very interesting about the Black Mangrove trees. I learned a lot 🙂 I really enjoyed the pictures too…very nice!