Last updated: May 17, 2022
Place
Wildlife of Rodeo Lagoon Interpretive wayside
Linda Coldiron
Quick Facts
Location:
Rodeo Beach
Coastal lagoons support a variety of wildlife and vegetation. This enriched environment sustains many small plant and animals providing a feeding ground for egrets, herons, ducks, and migrating birds.
Wildlife of Rodeo Lagoon AD
WAYSIDE TITLE: Wildlife of Rodeo Lagoon
VIEW FROM WAYSIDE: You are directly facing a coastal lagoon located a short distance away. Known as Rodeo Lagoon, a loop trail borders this body of water giving visitors an opportunity to explore this fragile ecosystem. A low fenced area surrounds the lagoon, providing habitat protection for migrating birds, plants, and animals. Hill formations and precipitous cliffs can be seen in the distance.
Directly behind you is Fort Cronkite, a series of two-story buildings that were formerly used by the United States Army but are now maintained by the National Park Service.
To your immediate left is a set of two wooden park benches. Just beyond that is a row of handicapped parking spaces located next to Mitchell Road.
Further away—and slightly to your right—is an open wooden deck. A series of trash receptacles and recycling bins line the left side of the deck. A wooden boardwalk constructed with wooden railings begins at the end of the open deck. The boardwalk spans the mouth of incoming Rodeo Lagoon. At the end of the approximately 30-yard foot bridge is Rodeo Beach. The Rodeo Lagoon, wetland and dune system is home to numerous sensitive, threatened, and endangered species.
TEXT: Much of the year this coastal lagoon is a stagnant body of water, but it still supports a variety of wildlife and vegetation. This enriched environment sustains many small plant and animals providing a feeding ground for egrets, herons, ducks, and migrating birds. Take the loop trail around the lagoon to discover this wildlife.
Some of nature’s less common animals also rely on the lagoon environment. The brown pelican, an endangered species, dives, and rests in the lagoon from spring to fall. Rodeo Lagoon may be one of the last habitats for the tidewater goby, a small fish. Please respect the life of this lagoon and avoid disturbing the wildlife as you visit the area. Fishing and boating are not permitted.
IMAGE LAYOUT: This wayside displays an aerial view of a coastal lagoon waterway system. Within the panel, is a series of three images. Three large aquatic birds are portrayed as insets.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: At the upper right, a snowy egret wades in the shallows.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: At the lower left, a close-up of a Great Blue Heron is shown with a captured vole in its beak.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: At the lower right, a Great Blue Heron searches for game in the shallow wetlands.
Wildlife of Rodeo Lagoon AD
WAYSIDE TITLE: Wildlife of Rodeo Lagoon
VIEW FROM WAYSIDE: You are directly facing a coastal lagoon located a short distance away. Known as Rodeo Lagoon, a loop trail borders this body of water giving visitors an opportunity to explore this fragile ecosystem. A low fenced area surrounds the lagoon, providing habitat protection for migrating birds, plants, and animals. Hill formations and precipitous cliffs can be seen in the distance.
Directly behind you is Fort Cronkite, a series of two-story buildings that were formerly used by the United States Army but are now maintained by the National Park Service.
To your immediate left is a set of two wooden park benches. Just beyond that is a row of handicapped parking spaces located next to Mitchell Road.
Further away—and slightly to your right—is an open wooden deck. A series of trash receptacles and recycling bins line the left side of the deck. A wooden boardwalk constructed with wooden railings begins at the end of the open deck. The boardwalk spans the mouth of incoming Rodeo Lagoon. At the end of the approximately 30-yard foot bridge is Rodeo Beach. The Rodeo Lagoon, wetland and dune system is home to numerous sensitive, threatened, and endangered species.
TEXT: Much of the year this coastal lagoon is a stagnant body of water, but it still supports a variety of wildlife and vegetation. This enriched environment sustains many small plant and animals providing a feeding ground for egrets, herons, ducks, and migrating birds. Take the loop trail around the lagoon to discover this wildlife.
Some of nature’s less common animals also rely on the lagoon environment. The brown pelican, an endangered species, dives, and rests in the lagoon from spring to fall. Rodeo Lagoon may be one of the last habitats for the tidewater goby, a small fish. Please respect the life of this lagoon and avoid disturbing the wildlife as you visit the area. Fishing and boating are not permitted.
IMAGE LAYOUT: This wayside displays an aerial view of a coastal lagoon waterway system. Within the panel, is a series of three images. Three large aquatic birds are portrayed as insets.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: At the upper right, a snowy egret wades in the shallows.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: At the lower left, a close-up of a Great Blue Heron is shown with a captured vole in its beak.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: At the lower right, a Great Blue Heron searches for game in the shallow wetlands.