http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/11/01/nesting-season-a-very-very-good-year.html
- Daytona Beach News Journal
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sea grasses with a twist
There was lots of this "grass" in the wrack at N. Lido on Thursday!
One has to look closely to see why it is interesting.
The little "bushes" look like an epiphytic red alga.
The round "sticks" could be dead manatee grass
One has to look closely to see why it is interesting.
The little "bushes" look like an epiphytic red alga.The round "sticks" could be dead manatee grass
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sea Grasses
Tubular = Manatee GrassFlat blade = Shoal Grass or Turtle Grass
Shoal grass is the same width as manatee grass.
The grass patch above was growing in the shallows off Bird Key on Ringling Causeway.
Manatee grass root and rhyzome systemDead Man's Fingers
A sponge about 1 foot long, dead man's fingers has finger-thick branches attached at a thin wrist. It's an animal with no brain! This specimen was found in the shallows at North Lido Beach.Immature Stone Crab
This tiny stone crab (approx. 1 inch) was in a tidal pool at Bird Key.Adults become olive with black spots.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Carefree Learner: Last year's trip
The good ship, Carefree Learner, will begin its voyages of discovery across Sarasota Bay in January 2011. We can't wait! Here are some photos from last year.
The captain and tour leader throw out a seine net and bring up the catch:
The crew sorts through the catch.
A spider crab appears.
Here's a baby (blue?) crab.
... and this puffer fish is ticked off.
The puffer is believed to be the 2nd most poisonous vertebrate in the world. DON'T EAT A PUFFER FISH!
This puffer is a striped burrfish and has only tiny prickles for scales.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Bud's Story: Tree Love
Here's the top of Florida's cabbage palm. Standing next to it is the strangler fig.
The cabbage palm is leaning slightly over the edge of the Inland Waterway at Nokomis Beach. Water is eroding the sand away from its short outer roots. Despite the existence of a few, long (10-15 feet) central roots, the tree is in danger of falling into the water.
The cabbage palm is leaning slightly over the edge of the Inland Waterway at Nokomis Beach. Water is eroding the sand away from its short outer roots. Despite the existence of a few, long (10-15 feet) central roots, the tree is in danger of falling into the water.
Now, look at this... The strangler fig has wrapped its roots around the palm. No danger of falling into the water now!
Go on Bud's Nokomis Beach walk. The story is better when he tells it.P.S. Don't the cabbage palm's outer roots look like the tunicates(?) below.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tunicate Mystery
Best guess for the mystery photo from 2 days ago is: TUNICATES
See the following video to decide if you agree:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/71kQWVuuQCs-tunicates-on-boat.aspx
See the following video to decide if you agree:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/71kQWVuuQCs-tunicates-on-boat.aspx
Habit Restoration Workdays
Help us restore Florida's coastal habitat. Workdays will include planting, litter control, removal of invasive exotic plants and working in our nursery at the Osprey Preserve. Learn about native plant species and the impact of invasives. Great community service opportunity for individuals, families, and civic, school, religious, and scouting groups. Excellent way for students to accrue community service hours. Work at your own pace. If interested, call John (941-966- 7308) so he can plan nursery purchases and schedules.
Monday, October 25, 2010
MYSTERY SOLVED
What are the "icicles" hanging down off the bottom of this rock/concrete slab? The rock is on a beach and is out of the water at low tide. It has been a mystery for over a month, now. I came upon the answer when looking for something else. Double click on the photo for a closer view.
The answer will be published in a day or two.
Buttonwood
Buttonwood live farther from water than red, black, and white mangrove. They are usually found above the high tide line. The fruit and flowers do not remain long, but are distinctive when seen.Tri-colored Heron
L 26". Adult back, wings, neck, and head are slaty blue. The belly and underwings are white. There is a white line down the entire foreneck and the base of the neck is purplish. The neck and legs are long; the bill very long, thin, gray, and black-tipped. During courtship, the tri-colored has long, buffy plumes on back. It fishes by slow stalking and wild running pursuit in shallow water.
Sea Pork
Probably sea pork, a colony of tiny tunicate animals known as zooids.This one looks like a sweet potato and is about the same size.
It was found near the surf at Big Pass, South Lido Beach.
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