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Loggerhead turtle lays eggs in broad daylight

Typically, loggerhead turtles lay their eggs at night, but one special mother turtle decided that the morning hours of July 23 was her time. The loggerhead was discovered by a local beach goer, Ray Combs who called Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). FWC  then called South Walton Turtle Watch Group who were able to document the event, and mark her nest. The turtle was able to lay her eggs and return to the Gulf of Mexico without incident....

Railroad vines help protect South Walton beaches

Beautiful summer plant strengthens sand dunes Always a pleasant sight along our sand dunes, the beautiful blooming railroad vine is also an important protector of our sand dunes. As with the sea oats, the plant helps to stabilize the dunes by rooting at nodes all along its length, and is often planted for that purpose. Each flower opens only once, in the morning, but keep blooming almost all year long, peaking from May through November. The railroad vine is native...

Boater missing on the Choctawhatchee Bay

UPDATE: Body recovered At around 6:30 p.m. July 20, recovery teams discovered the body of the missing boater.  He was found about 30-yards from where the initial incident took place on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Authorities are in the process of notifying the man’s next of kin.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the lead investigating agency.  They will handle any future news releases in regard to this tragedy. First release —— Choctawhatchee Bay – A recovery effort will...

Exhibit hall at E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center nears completion

Designers work on finishing touches at E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center The 28,500 sq. ft. E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is near completion as the designers put the finishing touches to the exhibition hall. Other features of the Center include multi-purpose classrooms, science labs, dioramas, and a 160-seat theater. In addition, visitors to the Center will have an opportunity to learn about the natural environment both indoors and out, along an extensive trail system .9-mile long, with a 610 ft. boardwalk that...

Nice king mackerel catch off of Grayton Beach

Vacationing Fletcher Lindberg caught this king mackerel while kayak fishing approximately 150 yards off Grayton Beach on July 8. “I estimated the King Mackerel to be 20 – 25 pounds. I was actually looking for tarpon and therefore had a tarpon fly on. I had 40 pound class tippet with 80 pound bite tippet. Tons of fun but a challenge in a kayak,” Fletcher said. “I’m tarpon fishing today with Jeff Ragland of Old Florida Outfitters, who does a great...

For the love of dogs in Walton County

A dog’s life in paradise Dog n 1. A domestic carnivorous animal that typically has a long muzzle, pointed ears, a fur coat, and a long fur-covered tail, and whose characteristic call is a bark. Latin name: Canis familiaris Why is it that we love dogs? For many, having a dog in their life is a given, they are playful, energized with full of unconditional love. As a source of information, the following is a collection of resources for man’s...

South Walton’s eight safest beach accesses

Beach parks with easy access, parking, lifeguards and restroom facilities Walton County’s beaches in Miramar Beach and along Scenic Highway 30A offer many public beach accesses. However, lifeguards patrol only eight locations. These eight locations offer adequate parking, restroom facilities and three offer handicap access with wheelchairs available: Ed Walline at the corner of Scenic Hwy. 30A and CR 393, and Bramble Grove/Santa Clara Street in Seagrove and Miramar, near Pompano Joe’s on Scenic Gulf Drive. Lifeguards are on duty...