Red tide bloom threatens Sarasota beaches with fish kill

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20111012/ARTICLE/111019864/2416/NEWS?p=2&tc=pg

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

November Quiet Water Kayak Trips - Sarasota Area

Leisurely paddling and observation at a variety of sites difficult to visit by any other means. Kayak, paddle, life vest, etc supplied.  If you haven’t used a kayak before, a short training session before the trip will get you going.
Call John at (941)966-7308 for reservations. Members who own a kayak and life vests are welcome to go on trips marked with an asterisk(*) or a $5 donation to ALS. Cost is $20 members, $25 non-members unless otherwise noted. Trips into State parks require an additional entrance fee.

Nov 4     Sunset / moonlight paddle 5pm-7:30pm
Nov 5     Sunset / moonlight paddle 5pm-7:30pm
Nov 6     Myakka River State Park  10:30 am-1:30 pm
*Nov 10   Nokomis waterways  10am-1pm
*Nov 11   Little Sarasota Bay / Palmer Pt park  10am-1pm
*Nov 13   Myakka River State Park  8:30am-11:30pm
*Nov 16   Sister Keys / Longboat Key 9am-12 noon
*Nov 20   Little Manatee River  10am-2pm  $30 mem-$35non-mem
*Nov 22  South Lido park / Bird Key 10am-1pm
*Nov 24   Little Sarasota Bay / Palmer Pt  Park  9:30am -12:30pm

Mixed news for Florida sea turtles

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20111010/ARTICLE/111019967/2416/NEWS?Title=Mixed-news-for-Florida-s-sea-turtles

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Florida Stone Crab Regulations

 Commercial stone crab regulations:

" Only legal sized claws may be possessed, transported, or sold. Crabs must be kept alive and damp in containers that do not compress them until the claws can be removed. Transport of intact stone crabs or bodies is prohibited. Spears, grains, grabs, or hooks that can puncture or crush crabs are prohibited. Removal of claws from egg-bearing females is prohibited."

Additional regulations are at:

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/commercial/stonecrab/

Recreational Stone Crabbing is addressed at:  

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/regulations/stone-crabs/

Stone crab boats head out

 These boats travel south down the Inland Waterway 

and then out through the Venice Jetties to the Gulf.
They do not start baiting until Oct 15,  when season starts.

Photos by John Sarkozy

Stone crab boat prepares for a busy season

 Inland waterway near Nokomis, Fl
Photos by John Sarkozy

Giant prawns may threaten Gulf shrimp

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20111007/ARTICLE/111009691/2416/NEWS?Title=Giant-prawns-may-threaten-Gulf-shrimp

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Ghost Crab

Photo by John Sarkozy

Magnificient Frigate Birds

Wonderful photos taken by Mark Vance at Cortez, FL.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridabirds/6098508184/in/photostream/

Long-billed Curlew

A large sandpiper  whose  buff-brown underparts has dark streaks and spots.  The bird feeds by probing mud with its long curved bill or dunking head under water.  It winters in the SE United States.  During migration, the curlew frequents lake and river shores, mudflats, salt marshes, and sandy beaches.

Photo by John Sarkovy

Small red tide outbreak causes concern

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110928/ARTICLE/110929532/2416/NEWS?Title=Small-red-tide-outbreak-causes-concern

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Tulip Snail

In the shallow water at Island Park.

These beautiful, banded snails are usually covered with sludge, 

possibly as a camouflage tactic.

Perennial Grasswort

 These red flowers thrive on the salt flats of Robinson Preserve

(NW tip of Bradenton on Tampa Bay).

The grasswort is a creeping plant with the flowers on erect stems.

Red Tide reported near Manasota Beach

 http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110927/ARTICLE/110929578/2416/NEWS?Title=Red-tide-detected-near-Manasota-Beach

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Eagle and osprey nests

Eagle nests are usually larger than osprey nests and are built down lower on steadier branches.

The following link tells it all:

Check out:   http://www.dvrconline.org/builder.html

 Eagle nest

 Osprey nest
Photos by John Sarkozy

Shark attack off Anna Maria Island

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110924/ARTICLE/110929725/2416/NEWS?Title=Shark-attack-off-Anna-Maria-Island

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

National Estuaries Day at Ken Thompson Park

Starring Karen Fraley

 

and cute kids and "hands-on" tulip snails

  

and more cute kids playing disc golf

 and preparing mangrove seedlings

 

and lots of exhibits

 and small reef balls

and lots more.  We'll try to post a few more photos later.

 Science Projects

Manta Ray Toss ??

 

 

Tampa Bay from Robinson Preserve

Somewhere in this photo, way, way out in the Bay or Gulf, there may be a crocodile !  One has been spotted in Tampa Bay area.  (None are in Robinson Preserve)

Crocodiles are salt water creatures, whereas, alligators live in fresh water. Occasionally, an alligator may get "flushed" down a river to the ocean.

The Sunshine State Parkway is on the upper right.

Rare American crocodile found in St. Petersburg

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110922/WIRE/110929842/2416/NEWS?Title=Rare-American-crocodile-found-in-St-Petersburg

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

" Following is a croc seen on the north end of  Longboat last week and now reported in St Pete area."  - John Sarkozy

Octopus snatches coconut and runs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8408233.stm
-BBC News