Southwest Florida Shoreline Studies

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Holes 1-2 feet deep found up and down shoreline

It's a treasure hunter. Here, he's working on Bradenton Beach.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Plan to fight global warming could create blooms of toxic algae, researchers say

http://www.bradenton.com/2010/11/25/2765926/plan-to-fight-global-warming-could.html
- Bradenton Herald

Green sea turtles cleaned from spill in north Fla.

http://www.bradenton.com/2010/11/26/2767243/green-sea-turtles-cleaned-from.html
- Bradenton Herald

Scrawled cowfish

This 8" scrawled cowfish was found way up on the beach at South Lido Beach. It appears to have been out of the water for quite some time and is unusually pale. When alive, it would be gold to yellow with broad blue lines. The hexagonal patterns on its body help distinguish this cowfish from others in the same family.

New Game's Afoot

Big Pass, Siesta Beach

Aquatic gem turns 50

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/25/1943625/aquatic-gem.html

- Miami Herald

Oyster Plant

Oyster plants add color to the woods on SE Lido Park.

Perhaps the lovely white flowers encased in purple look like oysters?

These plants spread rapidly, so many consider them invasive. Also, dogs may be allergic to them. You'll love them or hate them. They seem to be fine in their current location.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Bird Key Park reopening delayed

http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/News/112420109028/Bird-Key-Park-reopening-delayed
- Longboat Key Observer

NOAA closes federal waters to royal red shrimp fishing

http://www.orangebeach.ws/component/content/article/171-2010/929-noaa-closes-federal-waters-to-royal-red-shrimp-fishing.html
- Orange Beach Alabama News

Palm trees starting to fruit at Bird Key Park

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thornton Key trails tell a story

http://www.yoursun.com/sunnews/englewood/1779535-281/sunnewspapersthorntonkeytrailstellastory.html.csp
- Englewood Sun Herald

Bird Key Park Construction

Hurrah! Work is progressing at Bird Key Park off Ringling Bridge in Sarasota. The west end was completed earlier this summer with walks, trees, kayak launch, and swinging seat under a blue canopy. We can't wait to see what this east end will look like.

It is still difficult to approach the beach for wading. The bricks with holes make walking hazardous and there are only a couple of spots to walk down to the water easily.

Bradenton Beach Jetties

Several old jetties keep the sands from washing away.
Gulls, terns and pelicans flock to them.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Snowy Egret fishng at Big Pass, South Lido

Monday, November 22, 2010

Crab Eyes

Jeepers, creepers, look at these peepers...

Above is a giant red hermit crab in a crowned conch shell. The conch is about 5" long. They are in about 6 inches of water. Note the eyes on the left which look like life saver candy.

Compared to humans, crabs have much smaller eyes and brains but they are still extremely competent in using vision to make snap decisions and spot trouble. This is more than most robots can. Research into how fiddler crabs use vision may one day help robots to act autonomously.

Their eyes are tailored to the specific needs in their flat crab world. For instance, crab eyes see the whole 360 degree panorama around them. They are able to perceive polarized light. The eyes are on stalks like periscopes which fold into protective grooves when the crab enters the burrow. Eyes act as an early warning system, provide compass information for navigation, enable the crab to judge distance, and see birds flying above and predators approaching from behind.