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.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Sarasota Field Trips Summer/Fall 2013

Sarasota County on the west coast of Florida boasts some of the most amazing coastal flora, fauna, and habitat in the U.S.  Our Southeast Chapter offers a variety of ways to observe and learn about them. We offer kayaking, guided beach walks, seining, and eco-tours at various times throughout the year. 
  
Quiet Water Kayaking
  
Leisurely paddling and observation at a variety of sites difficult to visit by any other means.  Kayak, paddle, life vest etc  supplied.  If you've never 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 vest are welcome to go on trips marked with no asterisk (*) for a $5 donation to ALS. Cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members unless otherwise noted.  Trips into State parks also require an additional fee.
  
August      
8   Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park.................................8:30 - 11:30 am
10   Caspersen Beach/Lemon Bay................................................8:30 - 11:30 am
11   Bird Key/South Lido Park.......................................................8:30 - 11:30 am
15   Don Pedro State Park/Lemon Bay............................8:30 - 11:30 am  $25 member, $30 non
17   Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park.................................8:30 - 11:30 am
*20 Sunset/Moonlight Paddle.....................................................6:30 - 9:00 pm
22   Sister Keys/Longboat Key......................................................8:30 - 11:30 am
24   Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park.................................8:30 - 11:30 am
25   Bird Key/South Lido Park.......................................................8:30 - 11:30 am

September     
7    Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park.................................8:30 - 11:30 am
8    Bird Key/South Lido Park.......................................................8:30 - 11:30 am
*12 Sunset/Moonlight Paddle.....................................................6:00 - 8:30 pm
*17 Sunset/Moonlight Paddle.....................................................6:00 - 8:30 pm
19   Stump Pass State Park.............................................8:30 - 11:30 am  $25 member, $30 non
21   Bird Key/South Lido Park......................................................8:30 - 11:30 am
22   Shell Key Preserve/Pinellas County...........................10 am - 2 pm  $30 member, $35 non
24   Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park................................8:30 - 11:30 am

October  
12   Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park................................9 am - noon
13   Little Manatee River State Park...................................10 am - 2 pm  $30 member, $35 non
15   Waterways of Nokomis..........................................................9 am - noon
*16  Sunset/Moonlight Paddle....................................................5:30 - 8:00 pm
*17  Sunset/Moonlight Paddle....................................................5:30 - 8:00 pm
19  Myakka State Park.....................................................................8:30 - 11:30 am
20  Bird Key/South Lido Park..........................................................8:30 - 11:30 am
23  Palma Sola Bay/Robinson Preserve.............................10 am - 2 pm  $30 member, $35 non
27  Myakka State Park.....................................................................8:30 - 11:30 am  

NOTE:   November Preview - Myakka Daze!!! All-day trip down the Myakka River. $50 or $30 with your own boat.  Call John for details @ 941-966-7308

Friday, July 19, 2013

Blue World TV

http://www.blueworldtv.com/

2 WEEKS AWAY

Scallopolooze

Two Weeks Away!
Buy Your Tickets Today!




Friday, July 12, 2013

Scallopalooza 3 weeks away

Sarasota Bay Watch
Annual Fundraiser for Scallop Restoration

 
    When:      Saturday, August 3, 2013: 6pm cocktails (cash bar), 7pm dinner
       Where:   
Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL
       Tickets:   $85 per person includes dinner, entertainment, and auction
                        A limited number of tables: 10 persons for $750, 8 persons for $600
       Dress:     Coastal Casual


The Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program recently awarded Sarasota Bay Watch the Gulf Guardian Award for our scallop restoration project, a ten year intiative to boost the scallop population to a self-perpetuating level. For the past two years with the support of the community, SBW has raised funds at Scallopalooza to enable us to distributed 24 million scallop larvae into Sarasota Bay's seagrass beds. Now in our 3rd year, SBW carries out what Fish and Wildlife Research Scientists consider to be
"the most aggressive scallop restoration in the state of Florida".

Bring your friends and meet new ones at Scallopalooza to celebrate our Gulf Guardian award and raise funds for continued scallop restoration efforts. Join Sarasota Bay Watch and share in this committment to our community.

 
Buy Your Tickets Today!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Trouble Finds Skimmer Chicks by LOU NEWMAN

Please check out Lou Newman's website at http://www.lounewmanphotography.com/other_gal/index.htm    There are many, many more spectacular photos of seashore flora and fauna.
LNX1_6984_2013-06-30_LBK_4X6SS.jpg

Friday, June 28, 2013

Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar

 I'm going to try this and report back:
http://tarponpointegrill.com/

Boating on the Braden River with Dave


Sarasota: John Sarkozy kayak events

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

52nd Annual Meeting of the American Littoral Society

52nd Annual Meeting of the American Littoral Society
Cape May, NJ
October 25-27, 2013

   Set in one of the most beautiful coastal communities on the Atlantic, we will enjoy the ocean front views from the La Mer Beachfront Inn (www.capemaylamer.com), and venture out into the natural areas of what has been called "one of the last best places" for bird watching, whale watching and surf fishing clinics. Cape May is internationally recognized as one of the most important migratory bird stop overs in the world, and Delaware Bay is designated a RAMSAR Wetland of International Significance, home to horseshoe crabs, sturgeon and other fascinating marine life.

Our staff naturalists will lead day field trips and night time star and owl walks, discussions and demonstrations to introduce you to the wonderful coastal life of Cape May and the Delaware Bay, and presentations on the work the American Littoral Society is doing to care for the coast here.
 
We will be participating in a bird banding demonstration by researchers studying migratory hawks, go looking for migrating whales traveling past Cape May on their way back to warmer waters, and have an opportunity to learn the secrets of surf casting right from the beach in front of the hotel!



   And remember - dolphins are often seen right from the rooms of the La Mer

The weekend is informal, a time to catch up with old friends and meet new ones, as you explore and learn about the coast in this special place. Don't miss out - we always discover something special! We look forward to seeing you.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Chick Crossing

This sign is on the edge of a seabird nesting area on south Lido Key off Sarasota.  A single rope around the area protects nests on the ground from those who can read.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Beach Bug - not identified, yet
Some kind of beach beetle????
 

Friday, June 7, 2013

June/July 2013 Kayak Trips

 Call John at 941-966-7308 for info and reservations.

JUNE
     1  Myakka River/Snook Haven  8:30am – 11:30am
     2  Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am – 11:30am
     5  Sister Key/Longboat Key  9am – noon
     8  Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am – 11:30am
   22  Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am – 11:30am
   23  Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am  - 11:30am
   27  Waterways of Nokomis  8:30am – 11:30am
   29  Little Manatee River State Park   9am – 1pm  $30 mem - $35 non-mem
JULY
     4    Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am – 11:30am
     6    Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am – 11:30am
     7   Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am – 11:30am
   10  Stump Pass St Pk  8:30am – 11:30am   $25 mem - $30 non-mem
  *17  Sunset/Moonlight Paddle  7pm – 9:30pm
  *18  Sunset/Moonlight Paddle  7pm – 9:30pm
   20  Shell Key Preserve/Pinellas Co  9am -1pm  $30 mem - $35 non-mem
   21  Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am – 11:30am
   24  Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Pk  8:30am – 11:30am
   31  Casperson Beach/Lemon Bay  8:30am – 11:30am

Mote's Oceans Day in Sarasota

http://www.ticketsarasota.com/2013/06/03/motes-world-oceans-day-in-sarasota/
- Herald Tribune online