This blog is dedicated to the environmental well-being of our Florida coastal habitat.

This blog is
dedicated to the environmental well-being of coastal habitat.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Puerto Rico: A Southeast American Shoreline at Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserva

Lonely Planet review for Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural ‘El Faro’

"A 316-acre nodule of land on Puerto Rico’s extreme northeast tip, the Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural ‘El Faro’ protects an historic lighthouse, a bioluminescent bay, rare flora and fauna, lush rainforest, various trails and boardwalks, and an important scientific research center. Despite its diminutive size, the reserve shelters seven – yes seven – different ecological systems, including beaches, lagoons, dry forest, coral reefs and mangroves. Animal species that forage here include big ­iguanas, fiddler crabs, myriad insects and all kinds of birds. Such condensed biodiversity is typical of Puerto Rico’s compact island status and ‘Las Cabezas’ is highlighted as an integral part of the commonwealth’s vital – but dangerously threatened – northeast ­ecological corridor."

December 2011 Quiet Water Kayak Trips

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.



Dec 1     Myakka River State Park  8:30am - 11:30 am
Dec 4     Cockroach Bay State Park  10am-2pm $30mem-$35 non-mem
*Dec 7   Blackburn Pt. / Oscar Scherer State Park 10am-12:30pm
Dec 10  MYAKKA DAZE all day down the Myakka River $50 includes kayak -- $35 own kayak
    Call John for details.
Dec 17   Myakka River State Park  8:30am-11:30am
*Dec 18  South Lido Park/Bird Key 10am-1pm
Dec 23    Myakka River State Park  8:30am-11:30am
Dec 24    Myakka River State Park  8:30am-11:30am
*Dec 25 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt. Park  10am-1pm

Saturday, November 5, 2011

AH, a week's vacation....

to a more southeastern shoreline....
Puerto Rico with Road Scholar.
     - Marinell

Group funds ship's sinking

- Key West Online News

Friday, November 4, 2011

Saw palmettos at Oscar Scherer State Park

Shorebird walks with Audubon Society

 Lido Key

Saturday, Nov 5th: Kathryn Young (612-760-1771), leader. Meet at N. Lido parking area at 8am. Directions = Lido Key – follow John Ringling Dr. to the end small parking lot at very west end of J.Ringling Dr.  If you get to the public beach you have gone to far.  This small parking lot is right after N. Polk Dr.

 Anna Maria Island Shorebirds
Tuesday, Nov 15th: Dan Irrizary (305-585-5786) will help us find shorebirds. Meet at Holmes Beach parking area (where Rt 64 ends) at 8am.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Poison Ivy


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Blue Porterweed

All so familiar, blue porterweed 
is found in plantings at Siesta Beach park.
 They are drought tolerant evergreens, 
but may die back a little in winter.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Robinson Preserve



Welcome Center - Refurbished Robinson house 


Kayaks are available to rent.
Crotalaria , aka showy rattlebox ,
takes on the appearance of an inflated cylindrical pod.  
The fruit turn brown to black when mature and the seed within the fruit 
often become unattached resulting in a ‘rattlebox’ sound when shaken.

A surprising variety of plant and animal life survives on these Salt Flats.
Glasswort

View north with Tampa Bay in background
more Crotolaria

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Muhly grass at Caspersen Beach

 Clump forming and fast growing,  the grand show of  muhly grass lasts from late summer to fall    Thin, arching leaves are characteristic of this native grass.   Foliage is finely textured and a blue green color.  The flowers turn a buff shade in winter, providing continual visual interest.
Photo by John Sarkozy

Love vines cover live oak trees at Casperson Beach

Native love vines like sandhills, scrub, pinelands, and hammocks.  They are parasitic plants which attach themselves to host plants. Then, they detach from their roots and will eventually kill the host. The vines are leafless  with dense clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers on  orange-yellow stems

Photo by John Sarkozy

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Inland Waterway and Venice Boat Ramp

Below is a view of Florida's Inland Waterway  
looking south from the Venice Boat Ramp
 The historic Venice train station can be seen to the left.
Click link for info on the Historic Train Station.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Hidden Sarasota: Point of Rocks

- Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Wildflowers of Nokomis Waterway

The horsemint's white flowers above are of the elongated flower cluster type.

The gold flower below has disk florets and ray florets and brown center..
 It's difficult to tell whether it's a beach sunflower or a close relative 
without a better look at the leaves.


The gold flowers above have disk florets and ray florets AND yellow centers.
 
Poisonous painted leaf is related to the poinsettia. 
Tiny flower clusters gather  above the bright red upper leaves.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Ft. Clinch, at the NE tip of Florida, guards the Amelia River

"Fort Clinch is a 19th century brick fortress begun in 1847 after the end of the Second Seminole War. It was named in honor of General Duncan Lamont Clinch, important figure in the First and Second Seminole Wars. The only battle to occur at Clinch was when Union troops recaptured the fort in 1862 after Confederate forces seized control the previous year. Fort Clinch served as the base of Union operations in the area throughout the Civil War.
In 1935, the State of Florida bought 256 acres (1.0 km²) that included the then-abandoned fort and the surrounding area. Fort Clinch State Park including the fort, opened to the public in 1938."     -- Wikipedia 
 Photos by John Sarkozy