Butterfly watchers can discover an incredible diversity of species in the Florida Keys at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Butterfly State Park. Species to be glimpsed include the Schaus swallowtail, silver-banded hairstreak, and both hammock and mangrove skippers. Rare tree snails, which feed on the lichens and bark of the tropical trees, also can be observed by park visitors.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, located at mile marker (MM) 106, is open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year. The state park contains nearly 2,500 acres stretched along nearly 11 miles of north Key Largo. This acreage includes mangrove swamp, coastal rock barren and strand communities, but approximately two-thirds of the park is rockland hammock.

Several hundred acres of the park that were disturbed or excavated in the past are undergoing restoration to nearly as natural a condition as possible, using state-of-the-art habitat restoration techniques. No entry fee has been established for the park, though donations are welcome. Call 305-451-1202 or visit www.floridastateparks.org.

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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is to host a lecture series from Jan. 4 to March 29, 2005, titled "The Delicate Balance of Nature." Topics to be addressed include techniques on underwater photography, biological control of exotic species, pelagic birds, hurricanes, agricultural history and endangered species. The hour-long lectures are to take place at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night for 12 weeks in the theater of the park's visitor center. Admission is free. Space is limited to the first 88 people.

Established in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea preserve in the United States. Combined with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the park encompasses 178 square nautical miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. The park and sanctuary were established to protect and preserve the only living coral reef in the continental United States.

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset, with park buildings including the visitor center closing at 5 p.m. Admission cost for a vehicle and one person is $3.50, $6 for a vehicle and two people, and 50 cents for each additional person. Admission for pedestrians and bicyclists is $1.50 per person.

For information about the lecture series, contact Charlene Wylie at 305-451-1202. For information about the park, call 305-451-1621 or visit www.pennekamppark.com.

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Dolphin Cove, established in February 1998 at MM 101.9 bayside in Key Largo, is beginning construction of a new building that will serve as the facility's gift shop.

Set on a natural five-acre waterfront site, Dolphin Cove offers a wide range of learning programs designed for the education and enjoyment of those interested in marine environmental systems. Programs include structured and natural dolphin encounters, guided kayak and bayside snorkel explorations, and backcountry Everglades ecology tours.

For information, visit www.dolphinscove.com or call 305-451-4060.

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On Jan. 24, 2005, artists David Dunleavy and Guy Harvey are to begin painting a 300-foot mural on the exterior of the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum at MM 83. Dunleavy has painted endangered species on 30 major walls, while Harvey is a respected professor of marine biology and a dedicated conservationist as well as a world-renowned marine wildlife artist. The completion of their joint effort is to be celebrated with a dedication planned for Feb. 11-13, 2005.

Scheduled to open in mid-2005, the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum is designed to provide an educational and cultural experience focusing on the history of undersea exploration in the Keys. Its principals, Dr. Joe Bauer and Dr. Sally Bauer., have spent more than 30 years collecting and preserving artifacts, antiques, books, documents, photographs and oral histories related to diving and the unique role the Keys have played in its development.

The Bauers, who say their collection is the world's largest of its kind, have written and lectured on the topic of historic diving equipment and underwater exploration for many years. They have been working to establish the museum for five years, and recently received a $25,000 contribution from the Albert E. and Birdie W. Einstein Fund to help develop initial exhibits.

For more information, contact the Bauers at 305-664-2784 or 305-664-9737.

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Theatre of the Sea, located at 84721 Overseas Highway (MM 84.5) in Islamorada, now offers a sit-down parrot show for visitors' enjoyment. During the show, visitors can watch parrots playing with shapes, ringing bells, playing poker and taking part in guessing games.

Theatre of the Sea also has recently finished creating a nature trail that leads into a mangrove area within the facility. A flamingo pool and a Lower Keys aviary section are to be added to the nature trail.

Theater of the Sea is an educational and entertaining marine-animal park where shows are up-close and personal, and the animals live in natural saltwater lagoons.

The lagoons and lush, tropical gardens at the facility are home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays, crocodiles, alligators, marine invertebrates and birds of prey.

While some of the animals were collected and others were born at Theatre of the Sea, many cannot be released because of prolonged contact with humans and/or injuries sustained in the wild. The care and maintenance of the animals is supported by Theatre of the Sea's patrons.

Theater of the Sea is open 365 days a year, with tickets available from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $23.95 for visitors ages 13 and over, $15.95 for ages 3 through 12 and free for ages 2 and younger. For information, call 305-664-2431 or visit www.theaterofthesea.com.

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Islamorada's renowned Chesapeake Resort, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean at 83409 Overseas Highway (MM 83.5), now incorporates Rainbow Reef Dive Center, offering dive and snorkel trips, full gear rental and sales, all levels of dive training and air fills.

Guests at the property also can enjoy the thrill of an ultralight flight over the beaches and around Islamorada.

In addition, the Chesapeake shortly will debut wireless Internet service so guests can check their e-mail on beach hammocks or anywhere on the property using wireless cards - available from the resort - for their laptops.

The 65-room Chesapeake is located amid a sprawling landscape of gardens and Atlantic Ocean frontage. Offering hospitality to Islamorada vacationers for 50 years, the property now is a member of the Coral Collection of Fine Hotels & Resorts.

For information about the Rainbow Reef Dive Center, visit www.rainbowreef.us. For more information about the Chesapeake Resort, visit the property's Web site at www.chesapeake-resort.com or call 305-664-4662, or toll-free 1-800-338-3395.

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The Hammocks at Marathon, MM 47.5 bayside at 1688 Overseas Highway, recently celebrated its grand opening. Formerly the Best Western Marathon Resort and Suites, the Hammocks at Marathon offers a choice of studio, one- or two-bedroom villa accommodations.

The property's amenities include a spacious swimming pool and tiki hut overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, a fitness center and an on-site marina offering a variety of watersports equipment and activities.

For information, call 305-289-1525 or visit www.bluegreenrentals.com.

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Marathon-area visitors seeking cruising excitement with a dollop of history can now get swept away on the vintage schooner yacht Malabar X.

Seneca Daysails' Malabar X Schooner departs from the fishing pier in Glen Harbor Park, Watkins Glen or slip 61 at Marathon Marina, 1021 11th St. oceanside.

A racing/cruising schooner designed by John Alden, the Malabar X was built in 1930 and was twice victorious in the renowned Bermuda Race. Passengers are invited to try the helm, trim the sails, or simply sit back and relax under the warm Florida Keys sun.

Seneca Daysails offers morning, afternoon and sunset cruises on the Malabar X with prices ranging from $30 to $40 per person. For more information, visit www.senecadaysails.com or call 607-535-LAKE.

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Key West's Ocean Key Resort, a Noble House property located at Zero Duval St., plans to debut its new SpaTerre on Jan. 1, 2005, and celebrate the addition of the Noble House signature spa with a name change to Ocean Key Resort & Spa.

The 2,550-square-foot boutique spa is to feature a couples massage room, three individual massage rooms, a facial room and a wet room with a Vichy shower. The spa's salon will offer two pedicure stations, two manicure stations and a makeup station, while its fitness center is to incorporate flat-screen televisions fixed on each piece of state-of-the-art cardio equipment.

Signature treatments are to include global, cross-cultural experiences such as the Balinese Massage, the Javanese Lulur Royal Treatment, a Thai Facial and the Aussie Airbrush Tan. In addition, visitors can enjoy indigenous creations including the Tropical Essence Massage, Key Lime Margarita Pedicure and the Cucumber-Aloe Wrap.

Each treatment room, named after an element of the ocean, is to be fitted with soothing décor and fabrics that reflect the natural beauty of the water that is just steps away.

Located in Key West's historic Old Town, Ocean Key Resort & Spa features deluxe one- and two-bedroom suites that reflect the island city's fun and funky atmosphere. Amenities include bright Caribbean décor, Jacuzzi tubs, large private balconies and views of the Gulf of Mexico or Old Town. The property also features the acclaimed Hot Tin Roof restaurant and the Sunset Pier, which provides a superlative view of Key West's famous sunset.

For information and reservations, call toll-free 1-800-328-9815 or visit www.oceankey.com.

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Visitors seeking a "sea-scaring" adventure can find it during Pirates of the Scaribbean, a 90-minute high-seas sailing excursion presented by the Schooner Liberty and Key West's Original Ghost Tours. As the Liberty cuts through the waters surrounding Key West with sails billowing, a pirate captain garbed in buccaneer regalia tells tales of the pirates, shipwreck salvagers and other scurvy sailors who plied the nearby waters.

Complimentary beer, wine, champagne and soda are provided to quench listeners' thirst, while an open bar serves other types of grog.

The 80-foot Schooner Liberty was launched in 1993 and is licensed to carry 49 passengers. The steel-hulled vessel is a replica of schooners dating from the 1800s that were employed as cargo-carrying ships and used by New England fishermen.

Pirates of the Scaribbean sets sail at 8 p.m. each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night from the Hilton Marina, 245 Front St. The cost is $45 per person, plus tax.

The Schooner Liberty also offers day sails and nightly sunset cruises, and is available for charter. Its sister ship, the 125-foot Liberty Clipper, is renowned for its sunset dinner cruises featuring traditional Cuban and Caribbean dishes.

For reservations, call 305-292-0332. For information about the Liberty vessels, visit www.libertyfleet.com.

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After its annual summer hiatus, Cape Air has resumed flight service between Naples, Fla., and Key West, flying the round-trip route four times per day in its nine-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft. The airline also flies into Key West from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Operating as Continental Connection, Cape Air flies between Key West and the Florida cities of Tampa, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Daytona Beach.

Baggage-handling agreements with most major airlines allow passengers connecting on Cape Air to check their bags through to Key West; passengers departing Key West can check their bags through to their final destination anywhere in the world.

For reservations, call 1-800-352-0714 or visit www.flycapeair.com.

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Above the tanks that contain baby conch and other marine life at Mote Marine Laboratory's Key West facility, an 80-foot sealife mural now reflects the historic Key West waterfront and the island city's heritage of sponge, conch and shrimp fishing - as well as the work Mote Marine does in the Florida Keys.

The mural was painted by young Florida Keys art students on the interior of Mote's 631 Greene St. facility, which began as a nursery for juvenile specimens of queen conch and fighting conch.

A consortium of researchers from the Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution are nurturing and studying the baby marine mollusks. Called the Conch Heritage Network, the consortium hopes eventually to release the queen conch into area waters to replenish and preserve the population.

As well as juvenile queen conch and fighting conch, exhibits at the Conch Baby Farm include coral, reef fish, conchfish and snook. Visitors also can view young nurse sharks, whose presence highlights Mote Marine's work in the nearby Dry Tortugas on the species' mating habits and other behaviors.

The facility is open free to the public from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For information, call Scott Feen at 305-296-3551 or visit www.mote.org.

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Fort Zachary Taylor, a Civil War-era fort on Key West's Atlantic Ocean shore, is to become a unique sculpture gallery during Sculpture Key West, set for Jan. 16 through March 25 in the island city. The exhibit of large-scale contemporary sculpture is to be displayed against the background of the fort and the 87-acre Atlantic-front state park that surrounds it.

More than 80 sculptures in steel, stone, wood, marble and other materials are slated for display, created by 68 artists from the United States and other countries including Argentina, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany, . Among the participating artists are leaders in the national and international sculpture world such as Robert Chambers and Luisa Caldwell.

Sculptures can be viewed both inside and outside the historic fort, in its surrounding moat, in the park's waterfront field, along the shoreline and even in the water. Pieces have been designed specifically to be visible from air and sea as well as land, providing viewing opportunities for arriving and departing airline and cruise ship passengers, and boaters in Key West waters as well as visitors to the park and its popular beach.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily, accessible from an entrance on Southard Street past Thomas Street. Daily park entrance fees, which include a pass allowing visitors to leave and return, are $1.50 per person on foot or bike, $3.50 for a motorized vehicle and one person, $6 for a vehicle and two people and 50 cents for each additional passenger.

For information about the Sculpture Key West exhibition, call 305-295-3800, e-mail info@sculpturekeywest.com or visit www.sculpturekeywest.com.

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Visitors can now combine sailing and snorkeling adventures with fine dining, thanks to a new offering by Key West's Sebago Watersports. After providing Florida Keys on-the-water excursions for 17 years, including champagne sunset cruises aboard its excursion catamaran fleet, Sebago recently debuted the Sebago Cook Shack as an additional service for its group and excursion passengers.

Chef Ned Louden heads the Cook Shack operation, which is headquartered on Lazy Way Lane just steps from Sebago's dock space at 201 William St. in Key West's Historic Seaport.

Louden is available to create and prepare menus - ranging from casual to gourmet - for weddings, special events, corporate gatherings and other group activities aboard Sebago's 54-foot, 60-foot and 69-foot catamarans. He also prepares the meals served during Sebago's regularly scheduled Island T'ing and Power Adventure day excursions.

For information on prices and menu options, call Sebago at 305-292-4768. For information about Sebago's range of watersports options, or to book an excursion, visit www.keywestsebago.com.

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The museum attraction that encompasses the winter cottage of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost has been renamed the Key West Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage, in recognition of the property's ongoing enhancements and place in Key West history.

Formerly called Heritage House, the property at 410 Caroline St. was once the home of noted Key West hostess and preservationist Jessie Porter. The shuttered cottage on the grounds, where Frost stayed as Porter's guest during his 1945-1960 winter sojourns in Key West, is a National Literary Landmark.

The museum's collection celebrates Key West conch and literary history, pirate folklore and island life. Visitors can view original 19th-century furnishings belonging to the Porter family, as well as rare antiques and seafaring artifacts collected by seven generations of the family. A knowledgeable guide shares information about the house's role as a gathering place for writers including Thornton Wilder, Tennessee Williams, John Dos Passos and Ernest Hemingway, in addition to Frost.

Recent additions to the property include an extensive orchid garden outside Frost's cottage, where recordings of Frost reading his poetry are played. The outdoor fireplace, part of the property's original cookhouse, has been meticulously restored.

Frost wrote one of his best-known poems, "The Gift Outright," in Key West - and the original handwritten manuscript is part of the Porter family collection. The museum is to host the 11th annual Robert Frost Poetry Festival April 15-17, 2005.

Visitors are welcome from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information about the property and its availability for special events, visit www.heritagehousemuseum.org or call 305-296-3573.