A colorful shell – As you build sandcastles and keep active away from the water, have your eyes on the lookout and try to spot the most colorful shell nearby. Shells are simple and all around you, but they have beauty and importance too.

Sea Turtles – Each year, sea turtles arrive to the New Smyrna Beach area to nest. New Smyrna Beach hosts three different species of nesting sea turtle: loggerhead, green turtle, and leatherback.

Ghost Crabs – This one is tough! Ghost Crabs are generally pale in color, but they have the ability to change color to blend in with their surroundings. You can usually see them scooting across the sand at night.

Snowy Egret – While visiting, gaze into the sky to spot snowy egrets coasting above and then dipping down hunt for fish along the top of the water.

Buttonwood Trees – Try to spot these tough, green or brown berries hanging along the trailside at Robinson Preserve. These are the fruit of the buttonwood tree!

Beauty Berries – Beauty berry is a shrub found in shady patches around the preserve! Wildlife from birds to squirrels love the fruits however, humans find the fruits bland.

Ospreys – Take a walk along our trails and get a bird’s eye view of the ospreys soaring by the treetops and hunting for fish along the water.

Cypress Trees – Stroll down to the Piney Z and Lafayette lakesides to admire grand cypress trees stretching to the sky.

Alligators – As you are by the water, listen and look closely to see if you can spot any alligators crawling along the bank. Be sure to stay at a safe distance while admiring this powerful animal.

Bonus! Be on the lookout for painted rocks around the trails, or even bring your own for others to find. Make sure to spread the joy and beauty of any rocks you find or create by sharing them to social media and tagging @Tallahasseerocks!