Nokomis: North Jetty

The shell pile at North Jetty is fun to look through for unusual specimens.

"The accumulations of shells at Nokomis Beach are provided and shaped by the waves, tides, currents, and winds of the Gulf. Beach raking machines are rarely, if ever, used.

Here's why... there is an accumulation of sand, shells, and other "stuff" on that stretch of beach. Tidal currents along Sarasota's coastline move primarily in a north to south direction. The jetties at Venice Inlet slow the near shore currents and lots of materials suspended in the water settle out and wash up onto the beach.

The amazing thing about this process is that it is so unpredictable. The shoreline changes continually, seasonally, monthly, even daily. One day shelling is great, onanother day the beach debris can be few and far between."
-- Bud Doyle

The ruddy turnstone, wintering here in Florida, is sorting through the shell pile for leftover morsels. It nests on islands in the Canadian Arctic. Other "snow birds" (seen below) gather on the pier to fish and walk and socialize.

Refuge goes Calusa next week with opening of Calusa Shell Mound

http://www.captivasanibel.com/page/content.detail/id/510363/Refuge-goes-Calusa-next-week-with-opening-of-Calusa-Shell-Mound-Trail.html?nav=5051
- Sanibel Captival Islander

Shark attacks up worldwide, but down in Florida

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/feb/08/shark-attacks-worldwide-down-florida-up/
- Naples News

Sand Perch

This sand perch was caught on the bay side of Nokomis' North Jetties Park. It was about 1 foot long. The fish prefer bays, sea-grass beds, reefs, shallow banks, and coarse sand bottoms.
Of particular interest in this fish are its TEETH.

Red Brittlestar

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 : Carefree Learner...
"Finding the Red Brittlestar hidden in a sponge was a real thrill." -- Joan Hamill

Dave's Book

Here's one of Dave's books. There are still a few left on Amazon.
(I wonder if the diver on the cover is Dave.)
There are several other books on Amazon authored or co-authored by David K. Bulloch.
Does anyone know if they were all written by our Dave?

David Bulloch

Our Southeast American Littoral Society Director, David Bulloch, passed away this weekend at Doctor's Hospital in Sarasota. The cause of death was renal failure and complications.

We love him and we will miss him.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.
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"A founding member of the Society, Dave Bulloch has directed the Southeast Chapter from Sarasota Florida since 1998. He is a retired chemist and vice president of R&D for a firm long since swallowed up by mergers. Dave’s life-long interest in the sea and its marine life led to his long-standing involvement with the American Littoral Society. A former president of the Society, Dave founded the Southeast Chapter when he moved to Sarasota and has grown it to 500 members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana. He has written extensively on the marine environment and authored five books. His current focus is on plankton. His interest in the sea reaches beyond the scientific--he has been a six-pack boat operator, a dive instructor and an underwater photographer." -- American Littoral Society

Rattlesnake Island

Rattlesnake Island is east across the Inland Waterway from Nokomis' North Jetties Park. It looks like an inviting place to visit with picnic tables and sandy landing area for kayaks and small boats.

Last January, John Sarkozy and Littoral Society volunteers showed up on Rattlesnake Island with ~250 plants . Lynda Eppinger, Parks Naturalist, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, and a number of volunteers also came out to work. They made great improvements on the island which we can now enjoy.
See: http://sealitsoc.blogspot.com/2010/01/rattlesnake-island-workday.html

Water quality at region's estuaries receive poor grades

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/feb/03/water-quality-regions-estuaries-receive-poor-grade/
- Naples News

Gulf of Mexico cold snap kills dozens of starfish in Florida

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/feb/04/gulf-mexico-cold-snap-kills-dozens-starfish-florid/
- Naples News

Estero Bay Park Aquatic Preserve on list of possible closings

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/feb/04/estero-bay-park-aquatic-preserve-closings-state/
- Naples News

Anhinga Drying Wings

The photo in the earlier post is a close-up of the anhinga's tail feathers. The photo above was taken at the Venice-Nokomis Jetty after the bird emerged from underwater fishing. Wings spread out, feathers erect, the bird must dry out before more swimming.

What's THIS ?

Native Planting Day at North Jetties Park with John Sarkozy

Sea Grape

Cedar, Wild Lime, Myrsine, Pine, White Stopper, Coral Bean, Marlberry, Saw Palmetto, Live Oaks, Beauty Berry, Muhly Grass, Sea Oxeye, White Indigo, Green Buttonwood, Sea Grape, and Gumbo Limbo,

and Southeast American Littoral Society members:
Peg Conklin, John Sarkozy, Nash and Sheila McHugh.

If you’d like to help with our nursery or planting projects or need directions to the Preserve call John Sarkozy at (941) 966-7308

Bud Doyle's Free Nature Walks

Bud Doyle's Guided Beach Walks just have a few months to last, so get out and join him.

October 2010 thru April 2011, Bud Doyle will conduct walks at Casperson Beach Park on the second and third Tuesdays of each month. On the second and third Thursdays, Bud will conduct guided nature walks at North Jetty Beach Park. All beach nature walks begin at 9 am and conclude at 11 am. They are open to the general public and free of charge.

We'll talk about the Gulf of Mexico, its tides, currents, and storms. Along the way, we'll identify shells, sharks teeth,birds, fish, and plant life. Casperson Beach is Venice's rural beach while North Jetty Beach is one of Florida's great shelling beaches.

For further information, call Bud Doyle at 941 488-4158.

Mooring field clears critical hurdle

Here's the latest in the continuing saga of Sarasota's mooring field:

http://www.pelicanpressonline.com/localnews/112955354.html
- Pelican Press

Sarasota Bay Mooring Field

NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

The boat mooring field south of Marina Jacks near downtown Sarasota didn't work. A mixture of elegant and shabby sailboats anchor in the sheltered area. Sarasota County is laying low and has probably gone back to the drawing board.

Missouri couple encounters rare find on Sanibel beach

http://www.captivasanibel.com/page/content.detail/id/510325/Missouri-couple-encounters-rare-find-on-Sanibel-beach.html?nav=5051
- Sanibel Captiva Islander

Toxic blob drifting in Gulf mystifies scientists

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110203/ARTICLE/102031055/2416/NEWS?Title=Toxic-blob-drifting-in-Gulf-mystifies-scientists
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Atsena Otie - 1884

Atsena Otie is an island west of Cedar Key, Florida.
The Eberhard Faber Mill was built there in 1864.
It is probably one of the buildings with a smokestack.
Today, all the buildings have disappeared.
A few vestiges of foundations and an old cemetery remain.
The rest is jungle.

Take a tour boat out there on a cool day and just relax.