Good Sultry Morning to you !

Yes, it's going to be another sizzling hot and humid day.  We have a better chance for pop up showers today than in the past couple of days, so be prepared for that.  Colin struggles to be anything more than a tropical wave at this point.  But he'll retain him name until the absolute end.  Again, we watch and wait.

Static Kill was started late yesterday afternoon.  So far so good, knock wood.  In a few days they will start the hard kill from the side relief wells.

Fishing off the Alabama coast is now back open. Recreation Fishing and shrimping have been given the go ahead in Mobile Bay as water tests continue to come in clear.  So we can all hope.

The first batch of relocated sea turtle eggs (not ours) have hatched and been released on the East coast of Florida.  Fair well our little green flipper friends.  We hope to see you back in 10-12 years!  Fair winds and following seas.

The beach looks great, ignoring the June Grass....grumble grumble.  The BP crews are working down WEST of 12 today, and then clear down at the other end.  They have less than 30 people on our beach today, which is great news.  They're down there cleaning up stuff that is old and being uncovered by wave action.  They were debating on what to do with a dead suckerfish.  I asked if it was oiled or just dead.  It was just dead.  Circle of life, something will come along and eat it.  I wonder if they stick going down?  Seriously, the nicest group of people considering they are dressed like arctic explorers, but are working in the sub tropics.

One of the crews spotted a swimming larger turtle, heading towards P'cola, OC.  I didn't see it, so I've got no ID for you.

D'OH ! I was so busy chatting and meeting with BP that I forgot to get an ocean shot today! Sorry about that.

I hope you are all having a wonderful time when you do get out.  Let me know if there are any questions, concerns, or areas you'd like to see addressed.

Stay safe and have fun!

Monday Monday

It's going to be another hot and humid day down on the beach with Heat Indexes of well over 100.  There is also a good chance for thunderstorms today.  If you hear thunder, or see lightning, please come in off the beach.

We now have plenty of informational binders available for reading.  (We only had one ready at training to show.)  Please feel free to pick one up for reading or carrying with you on your beach walks.  They are on the SURF table at the firehouse.

The AmeriCorp group( http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/state_national.asp ) will be joining us down at the beach this week.  They are here from all over the country to work along side us, not for us.  They are here as their own group with their own informational programs and services about the beach and the BP spill.  As it stands now, it sounds like they will have a home base station near the Pier.  Stop by and meet them and see what they have brought to support our beach and it's guests.

The turtles have been busy and I hope to get a turtle nest report soon.  I have heard many people comment on the moving of the eggs, and they wonder WHY we (those in charge of the turtle eggs)  are waiting SO long to do it.  "Move them, move them now, before the oil kills them." You just can't move a reptile egg.  They are extremely fragile.  They must remain in the same orientation as they are laid in the nest.  If an egg is tipped or turned from "UP", the embryo can actually drown in the egg.  SO, with the incubation period of a sea turtle being 50-60 days, and our beach spotters knowing which nest was laid when, they are waiting until the LAST possible day to move the eggs to ensure the highest number of viable hatchlings.  Also, since the way the hatchings imprints on the beach it was laid at is not really understood, they are hoping to leave them in their native sand as long as possible.  IF they have to move them at all.  Time will tell. 

Just added to the useful links to the left, DEP Daily Report, the Quick link to Santa Rosa County reports, and the Daily Air Report.

And with that, I'll let you go out and enjoy your Monday.  Have fun, and be safe.