Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Zebra Longwing
Florida's State Butterfly....
The Zebra Longwing has disappeared from the southernmost tip of Florida due to loss of habitat, but can be seen here mostly from December to February.
It has a wide range of habitats, including hardwood hammocks, thickets, and gardens.
This specimen was photographed amid beach debris.
This specimen was photographed amid beach debris.
The zebra longwing butterfly lays its eggs on passion vine leaves. Passion vines contain toxins that are consumed by the caterpillars, which make the adult butterflies poisonous to predators.
Photo by John Sarzoky
Photo by John Sarzoky
Casey Key shoreline -1951
Nokomis Beach is on south Casey Key. Palmetto forests lined the shoreline of Casey as late as 1951.
Photos are from the "Florida Memory Collection" online.
Yellow Bluffs - Sarasota Shoreline , 1851
"In 1851, Bill Whitaker is granted the deed for his homestead on Yellow Bluff – a total of 144.81 acres. To this land, Whitaker added another 48.63 acres which he purchased from a fisherman who was moving back to Cuba. The total tract ranged from the city’s property north of 10th Street all the way to 33rd Street along the bay front. The cost? $1.25 per acre for the 48.63 acres. The rest was free."
- Reprint from "Sarasota History Alive" (email news)
- photo credit: Sarasota County History Center
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Frigate bird
The magnificent frigate bird is often seen flying high above Cortez, FL, in summer time. Some roost on the islands in Tampa Bay. The frigate bird photo here was taken by John Sarkozy near the beach in Naples, FL.
"Frigatebirds are large, with iridescent black feathers (the females have a white underbelly), with long wings (male wingspan can reach 2.3 metres) and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable red-coloured throat pouches called "gular pouches", which they inflate to attract females during the mating season.
Frigatebirds are found over tropical oceans and ride warm updrafts. Therefore, they can often be spotted riding weather fronts and can signal changing weather patterns.
These birds do not swim and cannot walk well, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week, landing only to roost or breed on trees or cliffs.
As members of Pelecaniformes, frigatebirds have the key characteristics of all four toes being connected by the web, a gular sac (also called gular skin), and a furcula that is fused to the breastbone. Although there is definitely a web on the frigatebird foot, the webbing is reduced and part of each toe is free. Frigatebirds produce very little oil and therefore do not land in the ocean. The gu"lar sac is used as part of a courtship display and is, perhaps, the most striking frigatebird feature." -- Wikipedia.com
Monday, August 29, 2011
White Beach Morning Glory
Ipomoea imperati is similar to the lavender morning glory, but has shorter runners.
These beauties were photographed by John Sarkozy at middle beach Nokomis.
Slash pines
A group of 3 gallon slash pines were planted by John Sarkozy
at the middle beach in Nokomis.
at the middle beach in Nokomis.
They're.part of the Hammocks of Nokomis Waterways project.
Aug 2011.
Historically, slash pines were a major resource for the naval stores industry. Pines produced turpentine and crude rosins that were used for a variety of purposes.
Aug 2011.
Historically, slash pines were a major resource for the naval stores industry. Pines produced turpentine and crude rosins that were used for a variety of purposes.
A 2 year old slash pine was added to existing pines.
It may live as long as 200 years.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
EVENTS: SE Littoral Society
If you are having trouble getting to
www.sealitsoc.org
Try the link below:
http://se-littoral.blogspot.com/
Hopefully, the problem will be solved this coming Monday or Tuesday.
www.sealitsoc.org
Try the link below:
http://se-littoral.blogspot.com/
Hopefully, the problem will be solved this coming Monday or Tuesday.
Black Mangrove "Fruit" in season at Ken Thompson Park
White flowers preceded the seeds. Black mangroves are the ones with leaves that are coated with excreted salt. Fresh water is not needed to grow. The trees have vertical "snorkel roots" to "breathe" through.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Photos Needed
Send in your shoreline scene and flora and fauna photos and photo reports.
This blogger can't do it all by herself.Send to marinell3@comcast.net
September Kayak Trips
Sept 3 - Little Sarasota Bay / Palmer Point Park 8:30 am - 11:30 am
...... and lots more.
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.
Friday, August 26, 2011
New Pass Grill
First stop on left on Frank Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota...
Driving North from downtown Lido Key, turn just before the bridge over New Pass, The fish is great, but I always have onion rings.
Many folks come in by boat.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hurricane effects on coastlines
The storm could be disastrous for turtle nests in the sand, Storm surge coinciding with high tide is a scenario that could wash eggs out to sea where they will never hatch.
Here's a Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association report on the effects of Hurricane Charlie on the SW Florida Coastline focusing on Lee County:
http://www.fsbpa.com/05Proceedings/01-Robert%20Neal.pdf
Kayak - Bye, bye Beauty
This sexy Viking model kayak is over at Silent Sports Outfitters in Osprey.
It is FOR SALE...proceeds to Southeast American Littoral Society.
(We'll try to find a better photo.)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
SHARE THE SHORE
SHARE THE SHORE From Montauk to Delaware BaySaturday, August 20, 2011
Help mark our 50 years of caring for the coast and kick off our next half century by joining shore lovers from Montauk to Delaware Bay to show the world your favorite coastal place, what you love to do there, and what needs to be done to protect or restore it. NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS FREE EVENT! To learn more
-American Littoral Society , littoralsociety.org
Help mark our 50 years of caring for the coast and kick off our next half century by joining shore lovers from Montauk to Delaware Bay to show the world your favorite coastal place, what you love to do there, and what needs to be done to protect or restore it. NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS FREE EVENT! To learn more
-American Littoral Society , littoralsociety.org
Siesta Key Beach Access #12 at Old Stickney Pt. Rd. is closed
Siesta Key Beach Access #12 at Old Stickney Pt. Rd. is closed for renovations. Work on the parking lot is scheduled through Sept. 3, 2011.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Oleanders
The white, pink or red flowers grow in clusters at the end of each branch; Oleander grows well in warm subtropical regions. The above plant at Siesta Beach was over 8 ft tall.
Oleander is one of the most poisonous of commonly grown garden plants.
Siesta Beach Pavillion: You are now entering a Blue Wave Beach
The Blue Wave Campaign is America's first environmental certification for beaches. Qualifying beaches fly the Blue Wave flag- the symbol of clean and well-managed beaches.
Blue Wave beaches pledge to uphold the following responsible beach management practices.
- water quality
- beach and intertidal conditions
- safety
- services
- habitat conservation
- public information / education
- erosion management
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Squid on North Lido Beach
This dead squid washed up on North Lido Beach. It was about 1 foot long. The eyes can be seen between the tentacles and the main body. Blood rushed to the surface of the body making the grayish animal appear reddish.
"The Caribbean Reef Squid is found throughout the Caribbean Sea as well as off the coast of Florida, commonly in small schools of 4-30 in the shallows associated with reefs. The habitat of the Reef Squid changes according to the squid's stage of life and size. New hatchlings tend to reside close to the shore in areas from 0.2-1 meters below the surface on or under vegetation. Young small squid typically congregate in shallow turtle grass near islands and remain several centimeters to two meters from the surface to avoid bird predators. Adults venture out into open water and can be found in depths up to 100 m. When mating, adults are found near coral reefs in depths of 1.5-8 m. The Caribbean Reef Squid is the only squid species commonly sighted by divers over inshore reefs in the Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean region." -- Wikepedia.com
From "Gulf to Lagoon" at Blind Pass Beach
Guided Walks from "Gulf to Lagoon" at Blind Pass Beach on the following dates:
Nov.11 (Veteran's Day)
Jan. 16 (MLK's Birthday)
Feb. 20 (President's Day)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Laughing Gull in Breeding Plummage
This gull is not laughing as the beach is torn up during a renourishment project.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Sarasota Bay Watch Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Monofilament Cleanup
October 01, 2011
Monofilament Cleanup - Seabird Rescue
Sister Keys Cleanup 2012
April 21, 2012
Sister Keys Cleanup 2012
Live Bay Scallop (August 2008)
The bay scallop grows to 3". One valve is white, the other dark. Once common in Tampa Bay, they then vanished. This is the first one Dave Bulloch saw in Sarasota Bay in eleven years of seining.
We hope that Sarasota Bay Watch's 4th Annual Great Scallop Search found a few scallops today.
We hope that Sarasota Bay Watch's 4th Annual Great Scallop Search found a few scallops today.
Note the blue scallop eyes in the close-up above. (Above photos by Dave Bulloch)
The closer-up photo below is from a Duke University Physics website.
"Scallops have eyes (the blueberry-like object on right) that instead use reflection of light by a curved spherical mirror to form an image." --http://www.phy.duke.edu/~hsg/54/
Friday, August 12, 2011
Gulf crab
Callinectes similis (male)
Three other species look like the gulf crab and are difficult to tell apart. All have four “teeth” between their eyes whereas the blue crab has two. The Gulf crab is noticeably smaller than the Blue crab at maturity. --Photos by Dave Bulloch
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
A Starfish on Sarasota Bay
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located in Sarasota, Florida. It opened in 1969
and is shaped like a starfish. The purple and lavender color scheme was suggested by Frank Lloyd Wright's widow.
This photo was take from the fishing pier under the Ringling Causeway.
Scallop Search Reminder
PURPOSE OF EVENT: Help to monitor annually the number of scallops in bay waters and support scientists at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI).
This is a NO HARVEST event.WHEN: Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 8:00am - 12:30pm
8am - Caption's meeting; 9am-12:30pm - Scallop Search
12:30pm - complimentary lunch at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant
WHERE: Mar Vista Restaurant, 760 Broadway Street, North Longboat Key
WHAT TO BRING: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, mask, snorkel and water shoes (fins optional). Boats limited to 50, kayaks welcome! No boat? Sign on as a crew member!
Participants will be equipped and trained on how to search for scallops in seagrass. Experts from the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) will be on hand to answer questions and there will be a touch tank on display. Come by boat to the Mar VIsta dock. By car, park on the streets in Longboat Key Village where parking is allowed. Please try not to park in the restaurant parking lot and park considerately in the Village.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Sarasota Bridge Park, Fishing Pier and John Ringling Bridge
Photo: Hart's Landing & Capt. Terry Reelin and Chillin Charters
August 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(*) 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.
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.
Aug 7 Bird Key / South Lido Park
Aug 10 Nokomis Waterways
Aug 17 Sunset/Moonlight Paddle
Aug 20 Palmer point/ Little Sarasota Bay
Aug 21 Palmer Point/ Little Sarasota Bay
Aug 24 Stump Pass State Park
Aug 28 Bird Key / South Lido Park
Aug 31 Sister Keys / Longboat Key
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
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