Late in the evening just an hour or so before the sun set, the tide drew off the shallow grass flat lining the intracoastal waterway. The grass flat, only inches deep, became the feeding grounds for a variety of species of wading birds, patiently and deliberately stalking the shallow pools of water. As the Common Egret moved across the shallow pool of water, moving its feet through the grassy patches along the bottom, bait fish hiding in the patches of grass swam out from under the bird to avoid capture. As the bait fish swam in and out of the grassy patches the egret watched for a slow moving fish, one that could be easily captured for a tasty treat. It paused for just a second as it saw Continue reading The Common Egret and a Shallow Grass Flat
Category Archives: Species Library
Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise (gopherus, polyphemus) can be found all over the gulf’s barrier islands. They are terrestrial animals, and as such they cannot swim very well. This turtle likes dry sandy areas, areas like sand dunes, and arid coastal islands. Its legs are designed for digging in the sand, instead of swimming in the water. The turtle can grow up to a foot long, and weigh 30 pounds. The tortoise’s lifespan can range from 40 to 60 years. Continue reading Gopher Tortoise
Frigate Birds
The frigate bird is an offshore species of bird. This is a bird primarily found soaring through the air far offshore, scanning for a meal or just cruising. They can also be seen near to shore, as in the pictures below.
Snook Season 2016: Closed in the Summer
Snook season closes during the summer months while the snook spawn. Snook are closed from May 1st through August 31st. The harvest of snook opens back up just before Fall. Continue reading Snook Season 2016: Closed in the Summer
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
That exciting time of year when our endangered sea turtles reproduce is here. Sea turtles nest through the summer months along the white sand beaches of west Florida. The nesting season lasts from May 1st through October 31st. During these months female turtles swim up on the beach at night time, dig nests in the sand, deposit eggs, then swim away. Continue reading Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Red Tide of April 2016
Red Tide of April 2016
Yep, red tide is back at Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Island. It’s been hanging around since the beginning of April.
Red tide is an organism, a phytoplankton. The over abundance of phytoplankton is commonly known as red tide. Its scientific name is Karenia brevis (genus, species), or K. brevis shortened. Red tides is when there is an over-abundance of pytoplankton in the water(called an algae bloom). The algae blooms are often during the warmer months in the Gulf of Mexico, but its timing can be somewhat unpredictable.
