April 23, 2011

Archive

Local naturalist nurtures bluebird breeding program at Hammock Bay

  Spring brings nesting bluebirds Spring brings a full house to 55 bluebird boxes at Hammock Bay in Freeport. This is the fifth season Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay, has been running a bluebird breeding program for these beautiful indigenous birds. The success has been quite good with close to 300 fledglings each year. Cool Facts: • The male Eastern Bluebird displays at his nest cavity to attract a female. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in...

Celebrate Earth Day and get outdoors!

Exploring nature at Helen McCall park What better way to spend the day than exploring nature. Emily Clawiter, Abiahna Greenfield, Jayden and Jackie Roe of Santa Rosa Beach where playing at Helen McCall park Apr. 21 when they discovered an unusual moth. The Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) sat patiently as Emily’s mom Kerry took this photo. Get outdoors, you will discover the wonders of nature everywhere!...

Blue lupine blooming in South Walton

Beautiful blooms color the sand In spring, the sand dunes along the beaches in South Walton are dolloped with blue lupine. The gulf coast lupine (Lupinus westianus) is threatened and endemic to Florida. Their habitats are sand hills, scrubs and coastal dunes. Some say that this rare perennial shrub is only found in a few counties with Walton fortunate enough to be one of them. Early settlers to the panhandle saw and abundance of blue mountain in the Blue Mountain...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Eventure May 6

Take a journey into the night Discover the sights and sounds of nature at night with Audubon EVENTURES. Nonie of Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters will be guiding a night walk for Choctawhatchee Audubon Society. Programs will last approximately 1 1/2 hours and begin just before sunset. All are invited but the focus will be on ages 4 to 10. We will explore for elusive creatures such as fox, owls, frogs and even bats! COST $1 per person; members and immediate...

Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour along Florida’s Emerald Coast May 13-15

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast will be the backdrop for The Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour May 13 -15 as hundreds of cyclists venture through Northwest Florida. The weekend bicycle event is designed for all road cyclists. Participants will get an opportunity to soak in a scenic bike ride alongside pristine beaches including a rest stop in charming Seaside and also enjoy post-ride activities and mechanical support. On Saturday, 30 and 60 mile rides will begin at...

Red Bay Grocery set to reopen Apr. 30

Renovation of popular community restaurant now complete There is a special place nestled on along State Road 81 in Walton County called Red Bay Grocery. Built on a tried and true basic principle – small town community atmosphere, Red Bay Grocery has been a popular grocery and eatery since it opened in early 2009. On Jan. 18, 2011, the restaurant took a major hit when a fire broke out in the kitchen exhaust and spread quickly throughout the ceiling and...

Dedicated group watches over sea turtles

South Walton Turtle Watch Group keeps track of South Walton nesting sea turtles South Walton turtle nest season runs May 1 – October 31 According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sea turtles, are among the oldest creatures on earth, and have remained essentially unchanged for 110 million years. However, they face an uncertain future. Illegal harvesting, habitat encroachment, and pollution (physical and light) are only some of the things sea turtles must face as each species struggles to...

Upcoming Paddles in the Panhandle

The West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club offers a variety of paddles in the Northwest Florida Panhandle. If you are interesting in becoming a member, you can go to their website at www.clubkayak.com/wfckc or contact Wes Mosteller at wesjane@earthlink.net The Florida Panhandle Canoe and Kayak Connection (FPCKC) is dedicated to recreational paddling in the Florida Panhandle (including Pensacola, Panama City, Marianna, and Tallahassee) and the surrounding areas. Go to http://www.fpckc.com/ for a list of upcoming paddles in our area. Guests...