Nature

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First bluebird chick of the season hatches at Hammock Bay

Great news for spring! Naturalist Joe Wyatt was checking the bluebird boxes March 10, and found the first hatched chick. Attached is a photo of the first of many this season. Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay in Freeport, has been running a bluebird breeding program to increase the numbers of these beautiful indigenous birds. The success has been quite good. In 2008, the program recorded 317 bluebird fledglings, which resulted in a success rate of 77.78%....

Spring boasts flowers and improvements at Eden Gardens State Park

Activity fills the park on the first day of spring One of the most beautiful parks in Walton County sits along Tucker Bayou in Point Washington in South Walton County. Large moss covered live oaks, gardens, walking trails and panoramic views of the bayou provide a visual delight for the visitor to this historic Florida State Park. On the first day of spring, the park is full of colorful azaleas in bloom. Bees are buzzing, the water fountains trickling and...

Beach wrack full of curiosities

That bunch of seaweed on the beach teems with life When walking the beach this spring break, pause and ponder the virtues of stranded seaweed. Those scattered clumps along the high-tide line actually have a name – beach wrack – and are a pivotal part of the beach ecosystem. “Many might think sand makes a beach, but it’s the wrack that truly brings a beach to life,” said Blair Witherington, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist who...

Paddler Completes Saltwater Florida Trail

Entire Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail paddled Matt Keene’s and Jodi Eller’s Sunshine Expedition reached a significant  milestone on Jan. 5 as Matt arrived at Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola. In a 3-½ month sea kayaking trip, Matt Keene became the first ever thru-paddler of the 1600-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. He was welcomed by family, friends and supporters in an event coordinated by Escambia County’s Marine Resources Division.  Having also paddled for much of the trip, Jodi took...

A Bad Day Fishing Beats a Great Day at Work

Florida Fish Busters: Top freshwater fishing destinations in Florida for 2009 If you are like me, you’ve probably heard “you should have been here yesterday—the fishing was great,” more times than you can count.  Well, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists continue to give anglers advice upfront that will help them find some of the best honey holes into which to cast a line in the hope that you’ll be the next one bragging about a whopper of a...

Finding Beauty Along the Garden of Eden Trail

Local couple explore trail in Bristol, Florida ***Due to recent tornado activity, the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines hiking trails are CLOSED until further notice. Trails are blocked by debris and unsafe to hike at this time.*** The state of Florida has some of the most unique geological features in the entire south. From the most familiar beaches to the many crystal clear rivers, a little homework, and a willingness to wander off the beaten path can result in a pleasant...

Reconstructed fishing pier reopens on Lake Powell

A panoramic view of the western portion of Lake Powell now available to the public The Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) hosted a ribbon cutting on Jan. 6 for the newly reconstructed fishing pier on Lake Powell. The fishing pier is located at the eastern end of Walton County on Lake Shore Drive off of Orange Street, north of Inlet Beach. It is is approximately 50 feet in length with a 10×15 ft. deck at the end...

Camellias blooming at Eden

Flowers displaying brilliant color The camellias a popping out in bloom at Eden Gardens State Park in Point Washington. Plants are available for purchase at the State park from The Friends of Eden. On Feb. 11, the Seagrove Garden Club will meet at Eden Gardens State Park to enjoy the blooming camellias. The meeting will feature an expert on the flower, then lunch will follow in the Pavilion. Call Sharon Jenkins 850-231-3584 for more info. Eden Gardens State Park is...