Nature

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Common red chokeberry brings winter color to Northwest Florida

Bright red berries and foliage brighten the season Red Chokeberry (Aronia) species is a common native shrub found across Northwest Florida and across the lower 48 states. In the spring the bush boasts white flower clusters, and in the fall and winter months, bright red fruits and red foliage. Chokeberry is one of the few deciduous shrubs that can equal burning bush when it comes to colorful fall color. Habitat: thickets, clearings, low woods, and swamps....

Walton County residents brave cold temps to view total lunar eclipse

Bright orange glow brings spectacular show in the sky Locals from across Walton County braved cold temperatures during the early morning hours of Dec. 21 to view the total lunar eclipse. On the first day of northern winter, the full moon passed almost dead-center through the earth’s shadow Dec. 21 creating the lunar eclipse. From beginning to end, it lasted about three hours and twenty-eight minutes. For observers in our area, the eclipse lasted from 11:30 p.m. – 5 a.m....

Full moon winter solstice arrives with total lunar eclipse Dec. 21

Best viewing for our area should occur at 2:17 a.m. CST A special treat for sky watchers occurs in the early morning hours of Dec. 21 as the winter solstice arrives with a full moon and lunar eclipse. The last lunar eclipse of 2010 is especially well placed for observers throughout North America. The eclipse occurs at the moon’s descending node in eastern Taurus, four days before perigee. The entire event is visible from North America and western South America....

Rattlesnakes: Finding their poise and dignity

Living alongside wildlife By David Steen Editors note: David Steen is an Auburn University Ph.D. candidate working in the longleaf pine forests of northwestern Florida. He conducts research primarily pertaining to the ecology and conservation biology of reptiles. Most of the time, you can find him checking his snake traps in the piney woods but once the sun sets he is often wading through wetlands spotlighting water snakes. All too often we are presented with portrayals of rattlesnakes that rob...

Sandhill cranes migrate to North Walton County

Winter visitors a welcome sight for local bird lovers Clara Pittman of North Walton County looks forward to the special wintering guests she enjoys watching arrive in late fall. For the last five years, sandhill cranes have been migrating to the wetlands near her home just south of Lake Jackson in North Walton. Typically arriving in mid-December and staying until mid-March, the cranes are a welcome sight, and have been flocking to the area in large numbers. “I have seen...

Learn about coyotes at Topsail Dec. 18

Family friendly slide show presentation teaches how to prevent negative encounters Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Once a symbol of the American Southwest, the amazingly adaptable coyote can now be found from Alaska to Panama.  Several live at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.  Learn all about coyote behavior and how you can prevent negative encounters with the urbanized coyote at this family-friendly slideshow presentation. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the...

Little wren speaks with a big voice

Commonly found in Walton County, the Carolina wren is a bird with many voices By Jessica Basham, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission If you’ve ever wondered which bird sings the familiar, loud “doodalee, doodalee, doodalee” song, it is one of the most common backyard birds in Florida, the Carolina wren. The Carolina wren is a lively little bird that often fluffs itself into a puffy, round shape to appear larger than its 6- or 7-inch body. For its size,...

Happy Thanksgiving from Walton Outdoors

I Thank Thee For diamond-studded velvet Behind a silver moon For music of the nightwinds, A nightingale’s sweet tune – For whispering trees And darkening peace – I Thank Thee For mountains carved of sea pearls For clouds that shroud their heights For pristine air like nectar And ghostly northern lights For misty vales And secret dales – I Thank Thee. For firey fuchsia ribbons That stream across the sky For opalescent sunsets And mornings dipped in dye For mornings...