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.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Holes 1-2 feet deep found up and down shoreline
It's a treasure hunter. Here, he's working on Bradenton Beach.Friday, November 26, 2010
Scrawled cowfish
This 8" scrawled cowfish was found way up on the beach at South Lido Beach. It appears to have been out of the water for quite some time and is unusually pale. When alive, it would be gold to yellow with broad blue lines. The hexagonal patterns on its body help distinguish this cowfish from others in the same family. 
Aquatic gem turns 50
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/25/1943625/aquatic-gem.html
- Miami Herald
Oyster Plant
Oyster plants add color to the woods on SE Lido Park.
Perhaps the lovely white flowers encased in purple look like oysters?
These plants spread rapidly, so many consider them invasive. Also, dogs may be allergic to them. You'll love them or hate them. They seem to be fine in their current location.Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Bird Key Park Construction
Hurrah! Work is progressing at Bird Key Park off Ringling Bridge in Sarasota. The west end was completed earlier this summer with walks, trees, kayak launch, and swinging seat under a blue canopy. We can't wait to see what this east end will look like.It is still difficult to approach the beach for wading. The bricks with holes make walking hazardous and there are only a couple of spots to walk down to the water easily.
Bradenton Beach Jetties
Several old jetties keep the sands from washing away. Gulls, terns and pelicans flock to them.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Right Whale Festival is Saturday in Jacksonville Beach
http://www.beachesleader.com/article_df3c4f40-f38e-11df-896e-001cc4c03286.html
- Jacksonville Beach News Leader
- Jacksonville Beach News Leader
City endorses beach footpath
http://www.fbnewsleader.com/articles/2010/11/23/news/00newsbeachfootpath.txt
- Fernandina Beach News Leader
- Fernandina Beach News Leader
Monday, November 22, 2010
Crab Eyes
Jeepers, creepers, look at these peepers...
Above is a giant red hermit crab in a crowned conch shell. The conch is about 5" long. They are in about 6 inches of water. Note the eyes on the left which look like life saver candy.
Compared to humans, crabs have much smaller eyes and brains but they are still extremely competent in using vision to make snap decisions and spot trouble. This is more than most robots can. Research into how fiddler crabs use vision may one day help robots to act autonomously.
Their eyes are tailored to the specific needs in their flat crab world. For instance, crab eyes see the whole 360 degree panorama around them. They are able to perceive polarized light. The eyes are on stalks like periscopes which fold into protective grooves when the crab enters the burrow. Eyes act as an early warning system, provide compass information for navigation, enable the crab to judge distance, and see birds flying above and predators approaching from behind. 
Shipwreck: Regina Underwater Archaeological Preserve
No longer a derelict boat, The Regina is a haven for sea life and a delight for human divers.
http://www.flheritage.com/archaeology/underwater/preserves/uwregina.cfm
http://www.flheritage.com/archaeology/underwater/preserves/uwregina.cfm
Sunday, November 21, 2010
HEY ! THIS IS OUR BUD !
Photo taken from Sarasota Herald-Tribune, but, HEY, this is our Littoral Society BUD.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101121/ARTICLE/11211062/2416/NEWS?Title=Nokomis-guide-shares-enthusiasm-for-nature - Sarasota Herald Tribune
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wet Great Blue Heron
It appears that this Great Blue is wet and drying its wings. I've seen these birds wading into water above their knees before, but not in high enough to get soaked. The Great Blue is a wading \bird, not a diving bird.The one above is in the mangrove tops at Quick Point.
I've seen a Great Blue with his wings in this position here once before.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Gulf snail on seagrass
This saltwater snail arrived on Lido Beach at Big Pass on a "blade" of manatee grass. The snail is almost 1 inch long.One suggestion is that this is TWO snails:
a gastropod sitting on top of an olive snail.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Quiet Water Kayak Trips, Sarasota, December 2010
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.
* December 2 Sister Keys/Longboat Key 10am-1pm
* December 4 Blackburn Point/Oscar Scherer State Park 11am-3pm $30men-$35non-mem
December 7 Myakka State Park 10am-1pm
* December 9 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park 12noon-3pm
* December 11 Bird Key/South Lido Park 1pm- 4pm
* December 16 Waterways of Nokomis 10am-1pm
December 18 Myakka State Park 10am-1pm
* December 21 Bird Key/South Lido Park 1pm- 4pm
* December 24 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park 10am-1pm
* December 25 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park 10am-1pm
* December 2 Sister Keys/Longboat Key 10am-1pm
* December 4 Blackburn Point/Oscar Scherer State Park 11am-3pm $30men-$35non-mem
December 7 Myakka State Park 10am-1pm
* December 9 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park 12noon-3pm
* December 11 Bird Key/South Lido Park 1pm- 4pm
* December 16 Waterways of Nokomis 10am-1pm
December 18 Myakka State Park 10am-1pm
* December 21 Bird Key/South Lido Park 1pm- 4pm
* December 24 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park 10am-1pm
* December 25 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park 10am-1pm
Plovers?
It's difficult to tell some of the small shore birds apart and their appearance changes with the seasons. The short black bill, small size (5in.) and overall coloring lead to a tentative identification as plovers. They are usually seen in flocks, here, on a South Lido Key sandbar.Monday, November 15, 2010
Quickpoint Nature Area
A ombination of sand path and wood planks make this a pleasant, shady place to walk.
Cactus enjoy the heat and sandy soil in some places.Sunday, November 14, 2010
Common Sulphur Butterfly
Can you see it?
Common sulphur butterflies were in abundance in the bay side woods at Quickpoint, south Longboat Key. They were less than one inch long. Some were yellow, top and bottom. Others, like this one, were yellow on top when flying. When landing on weeds, their wings were folded up so only the underside was visible. Barely visible is a better way to put it. They blended perfectly into the background.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Blue Crab
Photo and Notes by Dave BullochA member of the swimming crabs sought after in nearly every estuary bordering the East and Gulf coast. Grows to 8 inches across its carapace. If you keep a salt-water aquarium don’t introduce this critter into a tank with other species. It is a relentless hunter and you will lose everything else in the tank.
This is a "jimmy", a male crab. It has blue-tipped claws whereas a "sook", a female, has orange-red tipped claws.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Ceriths at City Island
There are always lots of these snails to be seen in Florida, especially on boulders in the surf. They come in browns and blacks and reds and whites and mixtures of these colors. These snails are about 1 inch long and are slender with beaded ridges.Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Appearance of sea pork on beaches not a threat
- Sanibel Captiva Islander
Here is my photo of the colonial tunicate. 
A photo of sea pork appears in an recent earlier article .
THERE ARE NO "SEA PORK" ON LIDO BEACH IN SARASOTA TODAY.
A photo of sea pork appears in an recent earlier article .THERE ARE NO "SEA PORK" ON LIDO BEACH IN SARASOTA TODAY.
Racoons are littoral creatures!
They catch crabs and small fish (when they can).
Here are thier tracks in the shallows of Sarasota Bay on Bradenton Beach...
Here are thier tracks in the shallows of Sarasota Bay on Bradenton Beach...
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Manatee County Marine Rescue Building
A Marine Rescue Building is being erected on the bay side of south Bradenton Beach.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sea Pork
Sea pork is a a colony of small animals called zooids. It is one of the tunicates, because an external covering or "tunic" encloses the zooids. This glob a 3 inches wide and was found on South Lido beach.
Green Heron
The Green Heron, about 18 inches tall, lives near mangroves, marshes and streams. This bird has a harsh voice. The breeding male has bright orange legs. Otherwise, the legs are yellow.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Low Tide at City Island (east of Mote Marine)
(Click on photos to zoom in.)
Seas Grass Beds surround Bay Overlook
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Mottled Sea Hare
This 5" long sea hare was on the beach at City Island. A gastropod/mollusk, it has a small interior shell and normally lives in sea grass in shallow waters. Look closely to see the button eyes on the right above and left below.
The sea hare's "horns" can barely be made out below on the left.
(Double click on photos to enlarge.)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Little blue heron
This little blue heron is in his "suspicious pose". He is about to fly because he knows that he is being watched.
About 2 feet high, the little blue is found near both fresh and salt water.
This particular bird lives near a small lake and feeds on pond snails.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Unknown Crab
This creature was photographed on the wooden decks of City Island'smangrove trails. It is about 1 inch long.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Double-crested Cormorant
This water bird has a hooked bill which is angled upward when swimming. Wings are often spread to dry when resting. The cormorant is sometimes confused with the anhinga or "snake bird" which often swims with just neck and head out of water. The anhinga does not have a hooked bill.