This story appeared on ecovoice.org
by Voice Moderator - 21 Nov 2010 - 10:36pm
Published: Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.
When Bud Doyle leads beach tours, he goes easy on Latin names and technical terms.
He sounds like a regular guy from the Jersey shore. He acts like a seventh-grade teacher who still has a passion for his subject.
"Now that's a treat," Doyle said, shouting above the surf on a recent walk down Caspersen Beach. "What magnificent birds, magnificent frigate birds. You know it's windy when they get blown this far north."
Doyle, an ageless 67, volunteers to lead nature walks for the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department. He draws dozens of locals and tourists to his free Tuesday and Thursday morning beach tours.
Loretta Johnson, a snowbird from Minnesota, enjoys walking the beach with Doyle each winter.
"Oh, he's a character," she says. "He's knowledgeable and he's interesting."
Johnson says she can tell he used to be a teacher.
"Junior high, I think," she says, laughing. .......READ MORE AT: