Quiet Water Kayak Trips, Sarasota

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(*) for a $5 donation to ALS. Cost is $20 members, $25 non-members unless otherwise noted. Trips into State parks require an additional entrance fee.

*Apr 14 Myakka River/Snook Haven 9am – 12noon

*Apr 15 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park 9am – 12noon

*Apr 17 Historic Cortes/Kitchen Preserve 10am – 1pm $25 members, $30 non-members

*Apr 19 Waterways of Nokomis 9am – 12noon

*Apr 21 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park 9am – 12noon

*Apr 22 Bird Key/South Lido Park 9am – 12noon

*Apr 25 Alifia Banks Bird Rookery 10am – 1:30pm $30 members, $35 non-members

*Apr 28 Boca Grand/Cayo Pelau adventure 9am – 2pm $30 members, $35 non-members, + $4.50 bridge toll

*May 2 Waterways of Nokomis 9am – 12noon

May 4 and 5 Sunset/Moonlight paddle 6:30 – 9pm

*May 9 Stump Pass State Park 9am – 12noon $25 members, $30 non-members

*May 12 Shell Key Preserve/Pinellas Co 9am – 1pm $30 members, $35 non-members

*May 13 Bird Key/South Lido Park 9am – 12noon

*May 15 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park 9am – 12noon

*May 25 Waterways of Nokomis 9am – 12noon

*May 27 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park 9am – 12noon

*May 30 Sister Keys/Longboat Key 9am – 12noon

Ocean Giants

White Pelican Family on Bird Island

Carefree Learner on Sarasota Bay

Sarasota Bay Watershed Symposium at New College

Almost everybody connected with Sarasota Bay friendly organizations 

was at Eckert College in North Sarasota with 2 days of lectures and panel discussions.

Beach Renourishment may have dark side for ecosystem

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120219/ARTICLE/120219439/2416/NEWS?Title=Beach-renourishment-may-have-dark-side-for-ecosystem

-Sarasota Herald Tribune

Hidden Satasota: Salt Creek's Manatees

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120219/ARTICLE/120219437/2416/NEWS?Title=Hidden-Sarasota-Salt-Creek-s-manatees
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

A vision for Terra Ceia: Companies hope to develop resort, park near preserve

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/19/3885529/a-vision-for-terra-ceia-companies.html
- Bradenton Herald

Florida Scrub Jay

Bud Doyle, illustrious Littoral Society outing leader, is the animal on the bottom.

Bud seems to have friended a Florida scrub jay 
near the Inland Waterway south of Venice, FL..
The scrub jay may be the only bird which lives only in Florida.
Both birds are  inquisitive, intelligent and surprisingly tame.

(The photo was stolen from Bud's Facebook.)

Just Ducky

Tour the waters near Venice-Nokomis with Just Ducky aboard the "J.D.Dolphin" (of course).
Can you see the wheels on this "all-terrain" vehicle?

Photos by Craig Tucker from his kayak

Kayaking with the manatees at Apollo Beach

Manatees flock to the warm waters at the Apollo Beach power plant.  

People flock to the inside viewing areas and kayakers sometimes

get the chance to see these magnificent mammals up close.

Photos from W. Craig Tucker

Bruce Dayton announces an additional Blind Pass walk

From Beach to Lagoon

Monday, March 19, 2012

Free nature walk from the Gulf shore to a lagoon off Lemon Bay led by ecologist Bruce Dayton at Blind Pass Beach. We discuss how water, wind, sand and living things interact to create our beautiful barrier islands (keys as we call them). The biological emphasis will be on habitats. Included are beach, dune, coastal hammock and mangrove. It is a fairly easy two hour stroll on beach, boardwalk, and a short trail. We will meet at 9am by the Blind Pass sign across from the parking area. Approximate time is two hours. Walk is given under the auspices of Sarasota Parks and Recreation. Regstration is required and is limited to 15 participants. Call 941-650-2487 or 493 5087 to register.

Dave Bulloch's Collections

... all went to Mote Marine Labs.

Long-horned Cowfish

About 2 in long, this cowfish lives on the bottom in shallows of Sarasota Bay.
It  feeds on algae, sponges, polychaete worms from sand flats, mollusks,
 and small crustaceans,  It returned to the water after this photo was taken.

Sarasota Bay Watershed Symposium starts tomorrow

http://www.sarasotawatershed.com/

Green Striped Hermit Crab

This hermit crab's body is about 1-3 inches long. Both pincers are more or less equal in size and held so that the 'fingers' open horizontally in front of the animal.  Often green,  the walking legs are striped along their length

Save our Matheson Hammock

For those of us who love Miami's Matheson Hammock:

http://vimeo.com/36506532

Save Our Seabird Demo

On Saturday, February 11 Save Our Seabirds will be hosting a demonstration using the Provizion Optics Camera on some of their resident birds in order to provide an educational opportunity on the uses and advantages of this revolutionary product. To learn more or to register for this event, contact Laura Price by email at l.price@provizionoptics.com or by phone at 941-981-0157.

Scientists find new feeding hotspots for turtles

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/feb/07/scientists-find-new-feeding-hotspots-turtles/

- Naples News

Ibis flock inland on a cold day.