Cross Bar Ranch and Wellfield is a 12,000 acre site and operated by Tampa Bay Water. It is a major provider of water for the entire Tampa Bay region, and fortunately, the relatively small and unobtrusive pumping stations allow for much of the land to be maintained as a wildlife refuge. In addition, a cattle ranch and slash pine forestry operates on a portion of the land. Though the facility is not open to the general public, Tampa Bay Water provides bus tours of the unique habitat at Cross Bar for local middle students and other groups that request access. Perhaps the most precious species that makes its home at Cross Bar is the Florida Scrub Jay. There are only about 10,000 of these beautiful birds remaining in Florida and several clans reside in the rare scrub habitat at Cross Bar. Needless to say, I was excited that the Ken Tracey and the folks at the West Pasco Audubon Society has arranged a trip to Cross Bar--so much so that I made the trip from South Carolina on my fall break in hopes of finally seeing a Scrub Jay. This gallery tells the story of our visit to Cross Bar.