Nature

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Learn all about sharks at Topsail Nov. 18

Learn how to stay safe in the water at presentation hosted by Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Thurs. Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Florida leads the nation in shark bites.  Find out more about the sharks that are found in Florida and how to stay safe in the water at this slide show presentation at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A to take a short hike to the clubhouse.  $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the...

Choctawhatchee Bay sunset with a twist

Strange patterns in the sky defy explanation Could it by a contrail? A military special operation smoke screen test or a just a fluke of nature? These two sunset photos were taken from the Choctawhatchee Bay along the Clyde B Wells bridge on Nov. 13 looking southwest. A close up of shows some unusual patterns....

Fall sunsets in South Walton

Fall brings extraordinary sunsets along our waterways Above: The Clyde B. Wells bridge across the Choctawhatchee Bay appears to be aglow from the setting sun on Nov. 10. Kerri Price of Santa Rosa Beach shared this beautiful photo taken from the Southwest side of the bridge. Thank you sharing Kerri! Below: Jamie Conley of Inlet Beach captured the setting sun lighting up the sky along a South Walton Beach on Nov. 4. Thank you for sharing Jamie!...

The fine art of beekeeping alive and well in DeFuniak Springs

North Walton farmer produces wide variety of sweet honey As a beekeeper only in his fourth year of operation, Jim Dietrich sure knows his bees. Picking up from what was a once a hobby with his father years ago, the DeFuniak Springs beekeeper now operates several bee apiaries full-time in locations throughout Walton County. The majority of the apiaries are located north of DeFuniak Springs in Glendale, with a few in South Walton. Producing a variety of honey throughout most...

Banded Rufous hummingbird winters in same yard seven years in a row

Winter guest returns to delight of local bird lover Local hummingbird enthusiast and butterfly expert, Mary Ann Friedman of Niceville is excited about a winter guest she has coming to her yard year after year. A Rufous Hummingbird, nicknamed “Ruferocious” has been returning to Mary Ann’s yard each winter for seven years. “We call her Ruferocious because she is pretty possessive and usually kicks any other would be winter hummingbirds out in a very short time. Before she started “living”...

YOLOing with the manatees makes for a perfect day

Near shore paddle brings pleasant surprise to Santa Rosa Beach resident Santa Rosa Beach resident Rich Blasbichler captured these amazing photos on Oct. 7 while paddling with a group of manatees in the Gulf of Mexico. Paddling with his brother behind the Sea Oats Motel in Destin on their YOLO experience with the manatees brought an extra bonus to the beautiful day. About manatees: Manatees can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas —...