Tour of mangrove swamps

Following is a really nice mangrove swamp web page.
I especially like their "Halloween Crab".
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/mangroves.htm

One of the crabs on the above website also lives in the South Lido mangroves.
It is the mangrove tree crab or Aratus pisonii. .

This is one of only two species of crabs that can climb trees. It digs into the tree with sharp claws and can cling to tree bark as well as to wooden docks and pilings. The mangrove crab eats leaves and insect larvae in the mangrove trees

A year after oil spill, gulf coast is healing, hurting

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/04/20/3127945/a-year-after-spill-gulf-coast.html
- Bradenton.com

Longboat Key Turtle Watch

http://lbkturtlewatch.com/

Longboat turtle watchers get into nesting mode

http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/News/0427201111586/Longboat-turtle-watchers-get-into-nesting-mode
- Longboat Key Observer

Learn about Florida's Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway

http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/flsgp/flsgpm99004/flsgpm99004_part3.pdf

Along the shores of the Intercoastal, today

North Longboat Key Sand Renourishment

Working around the clock to get this done

Laughing Gulls

Laughing gulls hang in mid-air waiting for a handout from fishermen on north Anna Maria Island. The red bills and black heads suggest breeding plumage. May and June is nesting seasons on small, bare islands nearby.

Bradenton Beach Dog Grave

This is a sweet thought from a loving owner.
However, it might not be a good idea if many do it.

NE Anna Maria Island

There is still some erosion that needs to be addressed on NE Anna Maria near the restaurant on the pier.

But now, it is time to relax and take care of the essentials.

North Anna Maria Sand Renourishment

Sand renourishment was finished on the north end of Anna Maria Island. A little smoothing out work was still being done in this photos.

Bradenton Beach Sand Renourishment is Finished

The waves and the waders will smooth out the beach.

There are just a few pipes to move over to the next job.

Dave's Slides

I hope the air-conditioner is still turned on.

Beyond the oil spill: the tradegy of an ailing Guilf

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/us/21spill.html?_r=1&hp
- New York Times

Pelican biting off more than he can chew...

Fishermen were tossing some whole fish off the dock. A flock of pelicans were ready and waiting for the meal.
The tooth-like structure at the tip of the bill is used as an “egg tooth” to open the egg and, after hatching, serves as a tool for preening feathers.

The Pouch Can Hold More Than the Belly Can.

Windy day at South Lido Beach

Just a little bit of wind brings all the young beach creatures out.

Mollusks watch with eyes of rock

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/15/mollusks-watch-with-eyes-of-rock/?iref=obinsite
- CNN.com

Emerald Parrotfish

This small emerald parrotfish is a denizen of sea grass beds and open shallows. Unlike other parrot fishes, its teeth are not fused. -- caught in Carefree Learner net

Gulf Flounder

This 4 inch long gulf flounder came up in the net during our
Carefree Learner boat trip.
Note that both eyes are on one side. One migrated over during early growth. The flounder is a bottom fish and needs to see what is above.

Answer to Quiz of the Day

"These were all over the South Lido Park Beach. It was on the day after a storm that hit the area.
A friend found a whole one and I am attaching that image. It appears to be a Sea Biscuit, commonly found in the Florida Keys.all over the South Lido Park Beach. It was on the day after a storm that hit the area." -Rae Sweet

See QUIZ photos below.

Blue crab and Arrow crab

Above: Juvenile blue crab. Two of its legs are "swimmers". This crab can swim!

Arrow crab with eggs. Look closely at the arrow shaped head .