Bud Doyle's Beach Beat:: Scallops and River Otters

On that recent blow two weeks ago,  I found hundreds of bay scallop shells on North Jetty Beach.  Normally, I am able to find a number of calico scallop shells and a few bay scallops.  However, on this occasion, there were only a few calicos and, as I mentioned, humdreds of bay scallop shells. I have been unable to find any answers to the above.

One more interesting note, as we were hiking the coastal forest behind Caspersen Beach we came upon a river otter swimming along in the Intracoastal Waterway.  It turns out that they have been coming on to the beach from Red Lake to feed on ghost crabs.  So the otters are enjoying crabs for breakfast at Caspersen Beach while I am eating cheerios on Albee Rd. in Nokomis - what's wrong with this picture??

High tide and kayaks at Lido Park

Rental kayaks and surfboards were lined up and ready to go at the bayside park on southwest Lido Beach, Sarasota. The water was as high as I've seen it on this early morning after a full moon.

Carefree Learner - Catch of the Day

All enjoyed the latest SE American Littoral Society trip on the Carefree Learner floating classroom. Here's the captain hauling up the trawl net.

It looks, at first, that all we caught were lots of sponge.

On and inside of the sponge are all kinds of creatures.
Shells and brittle stars can be seen here.
Later, we'll pull apart the sponge to find a number of small sea creatures.

This small sponge is an ANIMAL.
One of the earliest, most primitive animals, it has no organs and no brain. It does have a few "chimneys".

Quiz of the Day

We had a lovely tour of Sarasota Bay on the Carefree Learner. The first question of the day was, "What's this?" Look closely at the different pieces and see if you can figure it out.
. (Double-click on the image if you want a closer view.)

Our best answer is that it is the TEST of a sand dollar or sea urchin, possibly an inflated sea biscuit. Both are in the class Echinoidea. `
Sand dollars would have a felt-like coating of fine brown moveable spines.
Sea urchins are covered with tubular spines.
SEA BISQUIT (top above, bottom view below)

April Kayak Trips canceled

John Sarkozy will not be able to kayak for 4-6 weeks
due to medical problems.
There will not be any kayak trips in April . April trips are all canceled.

John is scheduled for a hospital procedure but will be good as new soon and will be kayaking again. That is something he loves and looks forward to.

See you on the water as soon as possible!
Get well quick, John.

Venice Beach Concession Stand

The concession stand, with soaring roof,
is a pleasant place to end up a walk on Venice Beach.

Sarasota’s unique floating classroom

The Carefree Learner crosses Sarasota Bay near Ringling Causeway with a boatload of school kids aboard She has been in continuous operation for 32 years and started out as an old wooden barge.

Off Marina Jack's and Island Park at Ringling Blvd. and the bayshore.

Island Park Fountain

Website:

http://carefreelearner-shs.com

Sarasota Hot Spot

Just a few paddle strokes
up Phillipi Creek from Sarasota Bay

10 days alone in the Everglades

http://www.miamidade.gov/ecoadventures/article.asp
- Miami Herald

Quickpoint Shell Collecting

Go snorkeling with Peg Williams, an expert on local shells.
Snorkelers must have their own equipment; mask, fins and snorkel.
All trips are on Thursdays at 10 AM.
A donation of five dollars would be appreciated.
Call Peg at (941) 355-2291.

June 3 - New Pass (Quickpoint Parking Area)
June 17 - Point of Rocks
July 1 - New Pass

Seining and Netting at Blackburn Point

Spider Crab

Thank You, Chuck and Bruce ...

Double click on images for better view.

Quick Point Catch

Bay Life Search

Bruce Dayton leads Blind Pass beach and trail walk

Beach Talk

Ghost crab hole (above) and tracks (below).
(Tire tracks and shoe tracks included to confuse you!)

Muhly Grass has lavender flower spikes in the Fall.
It grows in very dry locations and is salt tolerant.

Sea Purselane
The leaves of this plant are edible!
Prickly Pear Cactus: In the Spring, it will have beautiful yellow flowers.Gopher Tortoise Hole

The spiny back orb weaver stretches his web across paths in hammocks near the shore.

Native coontie : In winter, it will produce bright red cone-like blooms.

Shell Key Kayak Trip .... plan ahead

Shell Key Preserve, in Pinellas County, is a lovely place to kayak. Join John and the gang on July 11, 9am-1pm. The cost is $30 for members or $35 for non-members.

Call John at 941-966- 7308 to reserve a spot.

See
http://shellkey.org for maps and information.

Don Pedro State Park Kayak Trip

A quiet water kayak trip on beautiful Lemon Bay to Don Pedro State Park, guided by naturalist, John Sarkozy, is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Call John at (941)966-7308 for reservations.

Don Pedro State Park description:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/donpedroisland/

Robinson Preserve - Flora and Fauna

Atlantic Marsh Fiddler Crab with image of crab on back...this female has small claws

Capeweed/Frogfoot

Limpkin and Fiddler Crab

Mature Ball Moss with seed

Shallow, brackish water, 1" - 2" long. What kind of fish is this?