Nature

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Hootie hoo are you?

Screech owl peers out wearingly from its tree home This Eastern Screech Owl was photographed in the Mack Bayou area of Santa Rosa Beach. He (she) sat patiently as the photographer climbed into the bed of a pick-up, then up on the toolbox to grab the shot. Although the photo is not recent, it was the third consecutive spring the owl had made this tree its home. A slightly cropped version of this photo appeared in an ad in the...

Florida State Parks announces ‘Go Play Weekday’ deal

Several Panhandle area park fees reduced to 75 cents Mon. – Thurs. Jan. 18 – Feb. 25 TALLAHASSEE— The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service will begin a new promotion, Go Play Weekday, starting Monday, January 18, 2010 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Throughout the year, Go Play Weekday specials will highlight parks in each region of the state. During the promotional months, visitors pay 75¢ admission Monday through Thursday at featured state parks....

Endangered whooping cranes winter at St. Marks NWR in Wakulla County

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge winter home to endangered birds On Jan. 13, Operation Migration successfully escorted 10 young endangered whooping cranes more than 1,100 miles to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County, Fla. Initially, 20 young cranes left Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin on Oct. 23, 2009. The group was split in two in Jefferson County, Fla., with the second half now on their way to winter at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, just south...

Have breakfast with a Park Ranger at Topsail Feb. 6

Learn about park wildlife at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A Saturday, Feb. 6 – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Come and join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife.  To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast. Park at...

Ice builds up along the shores of coastal dune lakes in Walton County

Icy coastal dune lake Freezing temperatures over the last several days have provided frosty conditions in Walton County, as some of the local coastal dune lakes have had a build up of ice along the shorelines. Fortunately, the local weather temperatures are expected to improve. This photo was taken along Western Lake on Jan. 11 by local photographer Brandan Babineaux. Thanks for sharing Brandan! To learn more about Brandan’s photography, go to www.brandanbabineaux.com...

Local turtle volunteers assist in cold-stunned turtle rescue at St. Joe Bay

South Walton Turtle Watch group helps out at Gulf World South Walton Turtle Watch was called to action this weekend to assist Gulf World staff and other area volunteers with a turtle rescue at St. Joe Bay. More than 650 cold-stunned turtles were rescued and brought to Gulf World in Panama City. Sharon Maxwell led the team of 10 South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers assisting with documenting individual statistics, and caring for the sicker of the group. Sad news, as...

Clouds roll across Tucker Bayou

A winter mood at Tucker Bayou in Point Washington Santa Rosa Beach resident, Rick Thomason shot this interesting photo recently at Tucker Bayou. The clouds seem to portray a winter-like feel.  Rick Thomason is an avid local photographer who enjoys shooting both nature subjects and architecture. He may be contacted at rickthom@yahoo.com. To learn more about purchasing his photos, Click here...

Hundreds of cold-stunned turtles being rescued from St. Joe Bay

Turtles being transferred to Gulf World for rehabilitation PORT ST. JOE – Rescuers are working hard saving hundreds of  cold-stunned turtles in St. Joe Bay. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, University of Florida, Gulf World staff and volunteers have rescued more than 200 turtles from the frigid temperatures of St. Joe Bay Jan. 7 and 8. Mostly green turtles, there has also been a few endangered Kemp’s Ridley rescued as...