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.
* Jan 5 Caspersen Beach Park/Lemon Bay 11am - 2pm
Jan 8 Myakka State Park 9am - 12 noon
* Jan 11 Curry Creek / North Jetties Park 10am - 2pm $25 mem-30nonmem
* Jan 14 Sister Keys / Longboat Key 11 am - 2 pm
* Jan 20 Bird Key/South LIdo Park 1pm-4pm
* Jan 22 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt. Park 10am-1pm
**Jan 23 MYAKKA DAZE - all day trip down the Myakka River $50 or $35 with own boat.
Call John for more info.
*Jan 27 Apollo Beach/Kitchen Preserve 10am-2pm $30mem-$35non mem + $5 PRIVATE
BOAT LAUNCH per boat
Thursday, December 30, 2010
South Lido Beach Construction
Half of the parking lot near the rest rooms is fenced off. Underground pipes may being laid. There was a line of flags though the woods and along the beach.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
State closer to granting dredging permit to open clogged Wiggins Pass
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/dec/24/wiggins-pass-dredging-permit-state-sand-collier/
- Naples News
PHOTOS: Permits sought to remove 'real trouble' sand shoal at Wiggins Pass http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/09/permits-sought-remove-real-trouble-sand-shoal-wigg/
- Naples News
- Naples News
PHOTOS: Permits sought to remove 'real trouble' sand shoal at Wiggins Pass http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/09/permits-sought-remove-real-trouble-sand-shoal-wigg/
- Naples News
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sea Grape Infestation
Interesting bumps on the sea grape leaves. .. We'll have to watch and see what hatches.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Short Spined Urchin
Sea Urchins, like sea stars, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers are in the Echinoderm class. Sea Urchins graze in sea grass beds. They are not dangerous to humans.
On the under side, beak-like teeth are visible.
Sea Urchin "Test"SEA URCHIN SOUP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI6bquY21I0&NR=1
Note: Interesting to watch. Try this at your own risk. We have not tried it.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
White Pelicans Winter at Cortez, FL
White pelicans visit a sandbar near the Cortez fish houses every winter. They are seen elsewhere in Sarasota Bay, but one can almost always find them in Cortez. It may have something to do with an easy meal.
Magnificent bird . . . much larger than the brown pelican.Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Bud Doyle - Nokomis guide shares enthusiasm for nature
This story appeared on ecovoice.org
by Voice Moderator - 21 Nov 2010 - 10:36pm
Published: Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.
When Bud Doyle leads beach tours, he goes easy on Latin names and technical terms.
He sounds like a regular guy from the Jersey shore. He acts like a seventh-grade teacher who still has a passion for his subject.
"Now that's a treat," Doyle said, shouting above the surf on a recent walk down Caspersen Beach. "What magnificent birds, magnificent frigate birds. You know it's windy when they get blown this far north."
Doyle, an ageless 67, volunteers to lead nature walks for the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department. He draws dozens of locals and tourists to his free Tuesday and Thursday morning beach tours.
Loretta Johnson, a snowbird from Minnesota, enjoys walking the beach with Doyle each winter.
"Oh, he's a character," she says. "He's knowledgeable and he's interesting."
Johnson says she can tell he used to be a teacher.
"Junior high, I think," she says, laughing. .......READ MORE AT:
Friday, December 17, 2010
Mole Crab
The Mole Crab or Sand Flea, on the beach at Big Pass, was a little over 1 inch long. It can swim-dig backwards through flooded sands but is helpless if placed above the receding swash. The creature feeds on detritus and plankton.
A much smaller specimen can be found in an article below.Black-hooded Parakeets
These parakeets were seen in a fruiting tree at the edge of the parking lot at South Lido Beach. They were over a foot long.
Bright reds, blues, greens, blacks, whites...all on one bird.....blue tails and red thighs!Also called "nanday parakeet", the birds originated in South America. They feed on seeds
fruit, palm nuts, flowers, berries and buds.
fruit, palm nuts, flowers, berries and buds.
There were at least 50 in this flock, but were camouflaged unless you looked closely.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Holes in a Shell
Scattered perforations in a shell are likely made by boring sponges. These sponges partially acid-digest living and dead shells and invade them as a living space.Many mollusks prey on other species of shells by means of drilling. This means that they use specialized mouth parts and enzymes to excavate a circular hole through the shell and then insert their proboscis to eat the soft body parts of the clam or other shell.
Sometimes octopi also drill holes in shells to get to the tasty animal inside. This may not be the case here. The shell was only about one and a half wide.
The plant was attached to the shell when found. Plants can sink their roots into shells and create holes.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
It's COLD outside
... and how can I tell?
Many of the shore birds have moved to inland lakes.
Many of the shore birds have moved to inland lakes.
I have never seen a wood stork sitting down. This one must be trying to keep warm.
Gulf shore to Lagoon Nature Walk off Lemon Bay
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. Registration is required and is limited to 15 participants. Call 941-493 5087 to register.
Mon., Jan.17, Feb.21
Monday, December 13, 2010
Brown Pelicans
It must be winter.
The back of the pelican's neck turns chestnut brown during summer breeding. One of Florida's largest birds, pelicans have a wingspan of up to 7 feet.
The photo above was taken on a Carefree Learner boat cruise in Sarasota Bay. Pelicans and other sea birds congregate on several small, protected islands especially during winter, (The islands are labeled as "Bird Islands" on the map below.)
Have a hands on learning experience about the critters of the Bay and views of nesting bird life on board the Carefree Learner leave from Bayfront Park . The Carefree Learner is docked next to Le Barge, near the Ringling circle. All trips are on Tuesdays, from 1 to 3 pm.
Members $12, non-members $18.
Make reservations early. For reservations on charters from Jan.25 to Mar.1, call Joan at (941) 378-4670. For charters from Mar.15 to May 3, call Bobby at (941) 927-3409.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Mole crab
This creature was so small (less than one inch long) that it was difficult to photograph or identify.It was crawling along on a piece of turtle grass on S. Lido Beach. The mole crab lives on plankton and detritus in the sand usually along the surfline. Surf fishermen use them for bait.
We'll be on the lookout for a better photo.Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
HABITAT RESTORATION WORKDAY
HABITAT RESTORATION WORKDAYS
FIRST PLANTING DAY OF THE SEASON
Monday December 13 from 8:30 am - noon
Site: North Jetty Park, Nokomis FL
Directions: Go to Nokomis Beach Park and follow Casey Key Road south to NJ Park. You can reach Casey Key Road by going south on Tamiami Trail to Albee Road west, then west to Casey Key Road. Meet at entrance.
Gear: Wear hard shoes, work gloves, and bring a shovel if you have it
To sign up: call John at (941) 966-7308.
Directions: Go to Nokomis Beach Park and follow Casey Key Road south to NJ Park. You can reach Casey Key Road by going south on Tamiami Trail to Albee Road west, then west to Casey Key Road. Meet at entrance.
Gear: Wear hard shoes, work gloves, and bring a shovel if you have it
To sign up: call John at (941) 966-7308.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Surf Catch - Catfish
The hardhead catfish is unscaled and colored dirty gray with a white underside. Four barbels are found under the chin and two more at the corners of the mouth. This one foot long surf fish was caught on South Lido Key beach.Tuesday, December 7, 2010
HABITAT RESTORATION WORKDAYS
FIRST PLANTING DAY OF THE SEASON
Monday December 13 from 8:30 am - noon
Site: North Jetty Park, Nokomis FL
Directions: Go to Nokomis Beach Park and follow Casey Key Road south to NJ Park. You can reach Casey Key Road by going south on Tamiami Trail to Albee Road west, then west to Casey Key Road. Meet at entrance.
Gear: Wear hard shoes, work gloves, and bring a shovel if you have it
To sign up: call John at (941) 966-7308.
Directions: Go to Nokomis Beach Park and follow Casey Key Road south to NJ Park. You can reach Casey Key Road by going south on Tamiami Trail to Albee Road west, then west to Casey Key Road. Meet at entrance.
Gear: Wear hard shoes, work gloves, and bring a shovel if you have it
To sign up: call John at (941) 966-7308.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Florida Speckled Crab
Living specimens of the speckled crab are usually found almost totally buried in the sand or in shallow water. The black/grey and white pattern serves as excellent camouflage. They are swimming crabs w/ flattened bodies and the 5th and last pair of legs flattened and oar-like. The eggs of females look like attached sponges.A very good crab article, "The Blue Crab in Florida" is here:
http://research.myfwc.com/engine/download_redirection_process.asp?file=ls1_3245.pdf&objid=37176&dltype=publication
Friday, December 3, 2010
Bird Key Park Progress
New shelter, kayak racks, and tree are up on the west half of Bird Key Park. There is a drive and turn-around circle for cars but no new parking.
This park is mostly for walkers and joggers. Parking is scarce.
OOPS
This is a place to wash your feet and give your dog a drink. ??Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
New Tulip Mystery Solved
When I found these in my yard, I thought I knew exactly what they were. Terrestrial snail egg cases!
They looked much like the tulip snail egg cases below which I had found earlier along the shoreline.
However, upon further investigation, I found that the photos at the top of this article are of birds nest fungus (Cyathus stercoreus). Birds nest fungi have their spores in little packets called peridioles.. The soft flexible "bodies" extending from the peridioles are an attachment to the side of the cup that deteriorates as the fungus develops.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Mangrove Mystery
This gelatinous blob was in the shallow water of the mangrove area on the east tip of City Island, Lido Key. It was about 5 inches in diameter and, at first, resembled a baby stingray in shape. Perhaps it is the egg mass of some animal. Monday, November 29, 2010
Tourist Tree: Gumbo Limbo
The Gumbo-limbo is often referred to as the Tourist Tree because its bark is red and peeling, like the skin of sunburnt tourists. The tree is a native to tropical regions of the Americas. In the United States, it is found mostly near the shores of SE Florida.
This specimen is at the edge of the parking lot at Quickpoint Park on the south end of Longboat Key. It is a young tree and its trunk is barely peeling. In fact, only the southern side is starting to peel.Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Lady and the Sharks
YOU must read this book. (It's available on amazon.com
and, probably, a bookstore near you.)
Sand Perch
This young man is very proud of the sand perch and other fish his dad caught at Big Pass, South Siesta. The perch is about 8" long. (We're not 100% certain of the ID. )These fish are found from inside waters, bays and channels all the way out to open water, usually along open or patchy bottoms. The sand perch has both male and female organs all at the same time, i.e. it is a hermaphrodite.
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