FP 5251

Patrollers seem to luck into discovering a nest on a day they are substituting for someone else.   We tease each other about it all the time.  That was the case at Ft. Pickens this morning when I discovered the tracks of a small loggerhead.  It is the first sea turtle of the season for the Ft. Pickens area.  Her crawl width was only 31 inches, so she is probably young. In contrast, a loggerhead crawl in another area earlier this month was 41inches wide, making her a BIG girl!

Unfortunately the nest was located too close to the water and in an area which frequently washes over during storms, so it had to be relocated by the biologist.  The egg chamber was also very shallow, just a few inches from the surface.

Although it's difficult to tell much about the photo below due to the angle, I've drawn a couple of circles that indicate the location of  1) the body pit, and 2) location of the egg chamber.

You can also see that high surf a month or so ago washed in a lot of sargassum (seaweed). It will eventually decompose and be washed over by sand, looking as beautiful as ever. Although most of us don't like it very well, the shorebirds love it because it is loaded with all kinds of tiny crustaceans for them to feed on.

I'll be back patrolling on Sunday, so wish me another nest!!!  We're two nests behind at Ft. Pickens for this time last year!

Eggs from Taos

My brother-in-law and his wife are visiting from Taos, New Mexico and brought us some of their "farm fresh eggs"!   Who knew Dr. Seuss was telling the truth; there really are green eggs.  Now about Whoville...

"From there to here, and from here to there, funny things are everywhere!"

~ Dr. Seuss

The Great Blue Heron

A Great Blue Heron at Ft. Pickens.

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man." 

~ Author Unknown

The Great Egret

Although I've seen many Snowy Egrets (smaller, with bright yellow feet) during my turtle patrols, this is the very first time I've ever see a Great Egret at either Ft. Pickens or Santa Rosa.  What a beauty.  I wish I could have gotten closer for a better shot.



The Pelican

He's not watching me so much as looking for a handout!  I rarely get a close shot of pelicans.  

Spring on the island

One of the special advantages we have on the island and coastal mainland each spring is watching osprey build their nests and go through their mating ritual.   An osprey's wingspan can reach up to six feet, so you can imagine how incredible it is to watch them soaring high in the sky or diving into the Gulf for fish.

Yesterday afternoon I rode with my friend and fellow photographer, Harry Purcell, to Ft. Pickens to observe returning osprey and try for some photos. Harry very graciously allowed me to try out his Canon 70-200mm prime lens, and I was able to capture some nice shots. 

I've found myself becoming more curious about indigenous wildlife as a result of my patrols in the last few years. What started as a passion for sea turtles has expanded to several sea and shore birds as well.

Osprey typically mate for life.  The female (left) is generally larger, has a slightly large wing span, and usually has more brown speckling across their chest. 

Osprey typically return to the same nest year after year. 

Looks like we'll see the female nesting soon.

Whether you live here or are visiting Pensacola Beach, this is a wonderful time to visit Ft. Pickens (especially with a pair of binoculars) to watch the osprey soar and work on their nests. Either early morning or late afternoon is a great time to watch them fish also.

Kids and Kritters!

Despite the cold weather and gusty winds, there was quite a turnout for the Kids and Kritters parade at Casino Beach this weekend! 

Simple, but elegant!



As you can see in this young lady's float, she came prepared with plenty of throws for the crowd!



The kritters were checking out their competition. too!

What a beautiful Afghan Hound!

Deb and Daisy!

Sneaking a ride!

The wind was so gusty, it was almost like riding with your head out the window!

Ahhhhhh....some things are sweeter than Moon Pies! 

Masks were helping to keep little faces warm!

At last, a camera hound!  

Little Lauren had an awesome costume!  Wonder if that wig comes in my size!

Mom, you can pick me up any time now.

This little pup loved riding in the basket!  It also allowed her to fuss at the big dogs from a safe perch!

So cute!

Where's Waldo?

Doggles!!!  And they came in very handy on such a windy day!  Isn't he the coolest canine?!

A frou frou tutu!

Showing the love!

Yep, the pup is still trying to tell the big dogs who's boss!

Lauren got to take home a prize!

Another prize winner in the Kid's category.

This could put a dent in the guard dog reputation.

Love the Lucky Dogs!

Lots of treats!

Hmmm, ya think he's a Parrothead?

No, no...the treats are THIS way!

A very smart dog!

"The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor" ~~ Margo Kaufman

Dad, look!  They're handing out Milk Bones!

Look at that profile!  

In style!

Miss Daisy!

Seeing

Dune sunflowers are blooming all over the island, teasing us with thoughts of warm summer days and bright turquoise water. 

"Merely looking at the world around us is immensely different from seeing it."

~~ Frederick Frank (1909 - 2006)

Nightlights

I didn't have a tripod as I exited The Grand Marlin tonight, so I used the handiest thing I could find to brace my camera - a wall.  The lights are lovely, but it's also startling to see the difference which has occurred in less than a decade. 

“There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul”

~~ Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

Barefoot

"If I had my life to live over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall..."

~~ Nadine Stair

The walkover

"Tell me what you yearn for and I shall tell you who you are. We are what we reach for, the idealized image that drives our wandering."

James Hillman (1926 - 2011)

Kitesurfing in the New Year

Can you imagine a group of surfers sitting on the beach one gusty day, perhaps bemoaning choppy water which was not prime for longboards.  As they sat there mulling over the situation, some of them obviously figured out a way to combine surfing and paragliding, then threw in a little bit of gymnastics just to mess with us common folk.  In the end, they named it kitesurfing and set out to boggle the minds of those who watched from shore.

The strength, agility and grace of kitesurfers is amazing.  Just watching a newbie learning to control their kite on the beach will give you a glimpse of the upper and lower body strength it takes.  My shoulders would probably be dislocated in the first five minutes, or maybe someone would eventually locate me over in Apalachicola after I caught a few high gusts.

If you see their giant kites on the horizon one windy day on Pensacola Beach, take the opportunity to head their way and watch this intriguing water/wind performance.  You won't be disappointed.

To watch a few seconds of the man above in action, you may click HERE.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Pensacola Beach!  I hope 2012 will be an awesome year for each and every one of my friends and blog followers.  To view some of the festivities on the island today, you may click here to watch the Polar Bear Plunge!