Nature

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Living alongside wildlife: Searching for the indigo snake in Walton County

Longleaf pine forests and gopher tortoise burrows perfect habitat for threatened species It was Monday morning and Tropical Storm Ida was welcoming us to the new week. As the early chills of fall enveloped us, dark clouds gathered in the distance, ominously blocking out the sun. Perhaps seeing the look of concern on my face, Dirk Stevenson consoled me, “No worries, the indigos won’t mind.” Dirk is the Director for Inventory and Monitoring for Project Orianne, a large non-profit organization...

Learn about the Choctawhatchee dune mouse at Topsail Jan. 21

Learn all about the endangered mouse at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Thursday, Jan. 21 — 2 p.m. Join the park folks for this beach mouse interpretive program and learn about their habitat and behavior. Park at the Day-Use area off of Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. A $3.00 park entrance fee is required. Call (850) 267-8330 for more details. Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 mi. south of U.S. Hwy...

Hard freeze warnings for the next few days

From the National Weather Service: Hard Freeze Warning URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL 513 PM EST SAT JAN 2 2010 …HARD FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING… AN ARCTIC AIRMASS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN U.S. FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE LIKELY EVERY MORNING THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEK…AND A HARD FREEZE IS EXPECTED TONIGHT ALL THE WAY SOUTH TO THE BEACHES. MORE HARD FREEZES ARE POSSIBLE DURING...

Food plots planted in Point Washington State Forest encourages wildlife habitats

U.S. Forestry and FWC plant grasses to stimulate turkey brooding habitat The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in Point Washington and the Florida Fish and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working together to promote wildlife brooding habitats in the Point Washington State Forest. 18 food plots have been planted on closed road areas throughout the Forest. Working with cost share funding from the National Wild Turkey Federation, Forestry and FWC started with warm season grasses in...

Walton County Emergency Operations prepare for area flooding

Choctawhatchee River expected to crest at more than 18 feet in Bruce UPDATED Dec. 19: Road Closures: River Road, Dead River Road, Berrian Lake Road at Landing Road, Choctawhatchee River Road, Cowford Road, Cedar Log Lake Road, Senterfitt Rd., Senterfitt Rd. Park closures: Tilley Landing, Morrison Springs. Walton County Emergency Operation’s Director, Captain Mike Barker, and his staff are in close contact with the National Weather Service concerning the latest projections for the Choctawhatchee river over coming several days.  The...

Ethereal sunset a visual banquet for the eyes

Beautiful sunsets abound in South Walton Local photographer Brandan Babineaux captured this beautiful sunset Nov. 10 on the beach in South Walton.  Colors come to life during the winter’s southern sunsets in the Florida Panhandle. Living in one of the most beautiful places in the world has its rewards. To learn more about Brandan’s incredible photography, go to: www.brandanbabineaux.com....