Nature

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Nature specialist to join Morrison Springs outing Sept. 13

Walton Outdoors and 30A Radio welcomes naturalist Joe Wyatt Joe Wyatt, local ecologist, wildlife biologist and naturalist will be available to share his expertise and answer questions about local wildlife and ecosystems on Sept. 13. As a the naturalist at Hammock Bay, Joe has been running a successful bluebird breeding program to increase the numbers of these beautiful indigenous birds in the area. He is also an expert on local ecosystems and forestry management. Come and meet Joe as we...

Paddle a tributary of the Choctawhatchee River in Ebro

Enjoy an early morning excursion along the Chain of Lakes If you are looking for an extraordinary paddle to explore the Choctawhatchee River’s tributaries without the powerful current of the river, there is a little known place of incredible beauty near Ebro called the “Chain of Lakes.” This pristine paddle offers a dreamy experience through a canopied corridor of wetland forest. Pileated woodpeckers hammer on the old growth cypress trees which tower above the waterways in grandiose beauty. To explore...

Wildlife abounds along the Chipola River

A peek at Section 1 of the Chipola River Paddling Trail Part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails, the 51-mile Chipola Paddling Trail is the largest tributary of the Apalachicola, and boasts 63 fresh water springs, the largest number of any river shed in Northwest Florida. The trail runs from just south of the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna in Jackson County, south to just east and south of Clarksville in Calhoun County, Florida. Diverse in flora and fauna, the...

Searching for Diamondback Terrapin turtles in the Florida Panhandle

Local educator studies terrapin population in Northwest Florida As the sun rises on a gulf coast salt marsh there is barely a breeze.  The placid water is slick as glass and resembles a sheet of gray ice.  The only movement is the occasional swirls of mullet and redfish that are awaken as our canoe slides over their evening resting spots.  Osprey whistle and dive searching for a morning breakfast to take back to their nest of chicks that sits on...

Whale sharks captured on video near Grayton Beach

Being there Local charter boat captain Mike Valentino, along with dive buddies James Griffith and Darcy Pentel were out on Mike’s boat August 6, and encountered a once in a lifetime experience. While out in the Gulf fishing and diving off of Grayton Beach, Mike received a message from fellow captain Phil Hammond, who had spotted several whale sharks in the area. Mike and his friends headed over and were able to capture the graceful sharks on video. “It was...