Nature

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Seacrest Wolf Preserve provides safe haven for displaced gray wolves

Preserve dispels myths, educates the public on this fascinating carnivore Cynthia Watkins, owner of the Seacrest Wolf Preserve has been fond of animals as long as she can remember. A show breeder of Siberian Huskies early on in her career, she became interested in the conservation of wolves in the 1980s. In 1995, Cynthia became involved with the Yellowstone National Park Wolf Reintroduction Program where she experienced her first physical contact with a wolf. “The experience stoked the fire of...

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...

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...