http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/49564262.html
- Louisiana Advocate
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Pink Ibis ?
This bird was spotted in the Sarasota area by a group of Littoral Society kayakers.
Contact with the Sarasota Audubon Society revealed that there have been sightings of these ibises, but not in this area —further south, towards Naples. They are believed to be hybrids of escaped Scarlet and White Ibises.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Midnight Pass - Past
In days of yore, Midnight Pass, at the south end of Siesta Key, was an open pass. There are several stories about its closing in 1983. Today, the closed pass has become a destination for kayakers and small boaters. Check out the Littoral Society kayak trip on July 31.
1943
1976
1943
1976
July 31 sunset/moonlight paddle
On July 31 , a Kayak Sunset/moonlight paddle is scheduled for 7-9:30pm.
Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
Call John at (941)966-7308 for reservations. .
Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
Call John at (941)966-7308 for reservations. .
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Acorn Barnacles
These pale gray acorn barnacles live all over the rocks along the shore at Casperson Beach.
They attach themselves permanently to a hard surface growing their shells directly onto the rocks here.
The shells are usually constructed of six plates — and reach into the water column with modified legs. These feathery appendages beat rhythmically to draw plankton and detritus into the shell for food.
This Wikepedia video of barnacles feeding is too good to miss:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Semibalanus_balanoides_upernavik_2007-07-05.oggWould the snails here eat the barnacles if they could? You bet!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Shark's teeth
The beaches south of Venice, Florida, are known for shark teeth. The teeth range from those of serrated (white sharks) to lanceolate (sand sharks). Most of the teeth are less that half an inch long.
Photo by Melissa Hlinka
In places nearby, megalodon teeth can be found. The megalodon was a giant shark that lived in prehistoric times and could grow to more than 60 feet long. Fossil evidence has revealed that megalodon fed upon large marine animals. The teeth found are up to 4 inches long. See:
http://www.wannadive.net/spot/North_America/USA/Florida/St_Petersburg/Venice_BIeach/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&page=4
Photo by Melissa HlinkaIn places nearby, megalodon teeth can be found. The megalodon was a giant shark that lived in prehistoric times and could grow to more than 60 feet long. Fossil evidence has revealed that megalodon fed upon large marine animals. The teeth found are up to 4 inches long. See:
http://www.wannadive.net/spot/North_America/USA/Florida/St_Petersburg/Venice_BIeach/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&page=4
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
ALS Kayak Trip - July 29
We'll explore the Inland WaterWay near Caspersen Beach and Lemon Bay on July 29 from 8:30am-11:30am.
Call John at (941)966-7308 for reservations.
Cost is $20 members, $25 for non-members.
Members who own a kayak and life vests are welcome to go on this trip for a $5 donation to ALS.
Call John at (941)966-7308 for reservations.
Cost is $20 members, $25 for non-members.
Members who own a kayak and life vests are welcome to go on this trip for a $5 donation to ALS.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Casperson Beach - July 2009
On Casperson Beach, south of Venice and south of where the paved road ends, bathers wade on and swim off the unrestored beach.
A rocky beach lies north where restoration was attempted.
This ramp once provided access to a sandy beach.
Sharks teeth still abound among the rocks and offshore shallows...
... and kids hunt for small crabs and other sea life.
Occasionally, a gopher tortoise gets confused and wanders down from the high, sandy woods
to the seaweed on the shoreline and
Gopher photos by Melissa Hlinska
looking very confused, decides to head back to the high and dry bushes.
Thanks to Melissa Hlinka, from Germany, for the Casperson gopher photos.
A rocky beach lies north where restoration was attempted.
This ramp once provided access to a sandy beach.
Sharks teeth still abound among the rocks and offshore shallows...
... and kids hunt for small crabs and other sea life.
Occasionally, a gopher tortoise gets confused and wanders down from the high, sandy woods
Gopher photos by Melissa Hlinska
looking very confused, decides to head back to the high and dry bushes.
Thanks to Melissa Hlinka, from Germany, for the Casperson gopher photos.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Florida Stingray
Stingrays sometimes hide under the sand in shallow water.
This stingray was caught on a line on a St. Petersburg, FL beach.
Photo by Melissa Hlinka
Bottom view
Photo by Melissa Hlinka
Tail barbPhoto by Melissa Hlinka
The Stingray Shuffle will go a long ways to preventing an injury. "Scoot" your feet along the bottom the minute your toes hit the ocean water. Try to it do hard enough to "make noise". The vibrations frighten rays and they will move off away from what they perceive as threatening activity.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Kayak Trip - Little Manatee River
Kayak with the SE Littoral Socety July 25 on the Little Manatee River 9am-1pm. The charge is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Call John at at (941)966-7308 for reservations. (Members who own a kayak and life vests are welcome to go on this trip for a $5 donation to ALS.)
The Little Manatee River begins in a swampy area near Fort Lonesome and flows almost 40 miles before emptying into Tampa Bay. The river has been designated an Outstanding Florida Water and is part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve.
What is an Outstanding Florida Water?
"An Outstanding Florida Water, (OFW), is a water designated worthy of special protection because of its natural attributes. This special designation is applied to certain waters, and is intended to protect existing good water quality.
Most OFWs are areas managed by the state or federal government as parks, including wildlife refuges, preserves, marine sanctuaries, estuarine research reserves, certain waters within state or national forests, scenic and wild rivers, or aquatic preserves. Generally, the waters within these managed areas are OFWs because the managing agency has requested this special protection." -- Florida Environmental Protection Agency
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