Category Archives: Birds

Tarpon Municipal Has a Family of Resident Bald Eagles

I’ve played just about every golf course in the North Pinellas area multiple times. The Tarpon Municipal will always be one of my favorites. It’s wide open, so hooks and slices stay in play, and don’t end up as lost balls. It sits right up against a brackish marsh, a waterway that supplies water to its large central pond. Its coolest feature is being a habitat for a family of bald eagles. They have resident bald eagles on the course. They’re doing a great job keeping the course green and lush. It’s definitely worth playing if you haven’t before.

There’s nothing like driving down a cart path only to pull up the a massive bald eagle sitting 10 or so feet away next to a pond.

IMG_5948

IMG_5946

71823748050__2D4F05C2-AE40-4DB4-A174-63A7BA32BD46

IMG_5945

IMG_5942

Tourism Is Hurting Our Endangered Species

There’s an unfortunate reality that you’re being led away from. The idea that the community is trying to do things to ensure the success of our wildlife is an errant belief. The idea that the government is trying to ensure a similar outcome is also false. The hotels and tourism industry are cooperatively creating propaganda to promote the idea, the belief that these entities actually are working towards the success of our wildlife.

The unfortunate reality is they aren’t doing a lot to actually protect our wildlife.

One example of this is the hotels on the beach lack of concern for nesting turtles in the summer. The city and county are taking part in the devastating effects of overpopulating the beaches during a phase of the day when nesting is likely. Early in the morning chairs are going out on the beaches. Deep into sunset we have people crowding the beaches. Sea turtles and nesting birds aren’t stupid. They are aware of the lack of concern people have for their well-being. They steer clear of people of the beaches. They have a stupid tourist meter that guides them. They know the principles of psychology that people in groups are not likely to help those in need. Our wildlife is being adversely affected by the decisions people are making.

It’s unfortunate there isn’t more concern for our community. We need leaders who can take care of our natural resources. We need people who can focus on what matters here, and get done what needs to get done.