It wasn’t until she moved to Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club that Lois Fraser bought her first “real” camera. Mrs. Fraser became a photographer as a way to look deeper into the world around her and share that sense of discovery with others. Most of what she has learned is through her involvement with the Harbour Ridge Birding Society, which she is now the president of, doing a lot of reading about nature, and she also started a nature blog (Nature Notes) to share her discoveries. She is even on her way to becoming a Florida Master Naturalist too.
Her photography really gives you a sense of the diversity of wildlife and how they have made their home at Harbour Ridge and their daily lives as “Members.” You can see the cranes pecking for worms on the fairways, otters have a casual conversation in the pickerelweed, and black skimmers doing aerial gymnastic-like moves as they skim for fish.

“Looking through the lens of my camera helped me discover the diversity of wildlife here at Harbour Ridge. That made me curious about each of the species I was photographing, as well as the habitats that support them,” says Mrs. Fraser on photographing around the community.
Although the birds in her backyard were one of her initial inspirations to pick up a camera, Mrs. Fraser’s photography also ranges from all types of wildlife from a peninsula cooter turtle making its way to another pond to a dragonfly resting on a branch to anoles “doing the dewlap.”

Size does not matter either as she has also focused on the local osprey at the top of the food chain all the way down to a sweat bee pollinating the flowers in her yard…There is nothing that she doesn’t capture!

“I feel fortunate every day to live in a place where I can drive around in my golf cart and find so many interesting things to photograph. Nature at Harbour Ridge is beautiful at first glance, but when you start looking more closely, it’s truly amazing!” says Mrs. Fraser.
It’s no secret that Harbour Ridge is home to nature enthusiasts. With two miles of waterfront and 885 acres of unspoiled beauty, this Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary-certified community offers a level of privacy and a connection with nature that is unmatched. There are many different ways the residents interact with the natural surroundings, but Lois Fraser enjoys using the lens of her camera to view, capture and learn more about her community’s natural beauty.
The Treasure Coast is surrounded by natural lands and refuges that offer plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities; but Harbour Ridge stands out from the rest and is every nature lover’s dream. Just recently, this private community was recognized for 20 years of certification as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary and even received the Outstanding Florida Community Award. Members of this community continue to cherish this nature sanctuary, whether it be on a walking trail or on the river. They even assist local wildlife services with conservation efforts, such as protecting and caring for on-site wildlife. At Harbour Ridge, Florida’s wildlife lives alongside humanity at its own pace.
If you’re still not convinced, here are 8 reasons why nature lovers should call Harbour Ridge home—
1. The Unmatched Rookery
This large collection of mangroves is home to an abundance of egrets and other birds, making it a superior area for bird watching…it’s where the birds fly out in the morning and return at night at the same times, just like clockwork. This spot is an absolute favorite of the Harbour Ridge Birders Club!
2. Picturesque Waterfront Trails
Residents have access to miles and miles of nature trails coursing through the community and a majority of them have a waterfront view. The most prominent is the two-mile River Side Trail along the St. Lucie River. These paths are surrounded by wetlands and lakes, including scenic Mile Lake, that are bursting with active native wildlife.
3. A Preserve Within a Sanctuary
Very, very few communities can say they have an Eagle Preserve on their property and Harbour Ridge is one of them. This Audubon-certified preserve is of comprised of 35 acres within the Golden Marsh course, where two Southern Bald Eagles nested for many years and their nest is still intact.
4. Waterfront Clubhouse that Captures the Magic
The Clubhouse offers panoramic views of the St. Lucie River and is tucked under the large Spanish Oaks that gives residents the feeling of being outside while inside. While enjoying a sunset dinner, the nightly entertainment is often provided by the Harbour Ridge wildlife.
5. An Aquatic Kingdom Awaits
The community is nestled on the North Fork of the mile-wide St. Lucie River. This part of the Indian River Lagoon system is the most diverse estuarine environments in North America. There’s almost a guarantee you’ll spot some type of wildlife activity while on the river, whether that be a manatee visiting the surface or an osprey fishing for a snack.
6. The Nautical Haven
Three marinas, easy access to the Florida Waterways, and just 55 miles from the Bahamas— it’s no wonder that Harbour Ridge is the ultimate address for boaters. This community not only gives members the opportunity to indulge in nature on land, but also on the water with endless access.
7. Get Up Close and Personal with Nature
Boating isn’t the only way to experience the peaceful intercoastal waterways, at Harbour Ridge, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are two very popular activities. Both activities make is easy to explore the wildlife on the river being as they can effortlessly venture through the mangrove-shoreline. Plus, there is a member-run Kayak Club!
8. Golf That Celebrates Its Surroundings
Members can play a round of golf alongside a sandhill crane as it strides across the green. Many of the fairways are surrounded by long freshwater lakes, which can be unfortunate for golfers, but an absolute joy for nature enthusiasts looking for wildlife. Both championship golf courses are even certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.
This private community truly is the place to live for nature lovers. Not only is it filled with wildlife, but it is also home with many other outdoor enthusiasts and even several nature-related member-run clubs within the community to be a part of. With so many different ways to explore the outdoors, there is always an opportunity to enjoy Florida’s natural wildlife.
Discover the Treasure Coast’s Best Kept Secret
Harbour Ridge is the best of the best.
There is a place for everyone with 28 different “villages” within the community. Each “village” is different and unique as residences range from single family homes, to condominiums and estate homes. The heart and social epicenter of the community is the 45,000 square foot Clubhouse that is perfectly designed to take full advantage of the panoramic vistas of the picturesque St. Lucie River. Residents also can entertain themselves at the recently opened Lakeside Amenities Center. The state-of-the-art complex features signature spa services, a full-service salon and barbershop, physical therapy, aquatic center with lap swimming, and a spacious fitness and the tennis facility with nine Har-Tru tennis courts. The two championship golf courses, designed by Pete and P.B. Dye and Joe Lee, wind along the river with breathtaking views throughout the entire courses and are even Audubon certified. An active calendar of events informs residents of the activities that will take place in the neighborhood and consists of everything from sporting events to dinners and social gatherings.
Harbour Ridge is one of Florida’s premier private waterfront golf communities. Its waterfront location on the St. Lucie River makes it the perfect place to live; members and residents alike enjoy the well-rounded Florida lifestyle that it offers.
To learn more about the unique Florida lifestyle offered at Harbour Ridge and the wide variety of residential real estate offerings available, CLICK HERE. We will email you a digital brochure that highlights the amenities and lifestyle of our waterfront community. You may also contact Harbour Ridge Realty at 772.336.1800.