Toodle Loo our Turtles!

The summer has flown by and the first of our turtle nest to be laid, are close to hatching time.  The news came to me this morning, that to increase the survival rate, and decrease exposure, our turtle nests will indeed be moved.

The Kemps Ridley Turtles at Walk Over 4 and 12 will be the first to be dug up, carefully packed, and shipped to the East coast of Florida, where they will be hatched, and then released.

We don't know exactly HOW turtle hatchlings imprint on their home beach, so it is unknown if these hatching will call the Emerald Coast home or the Space Coast home.  10 or 15 years will tell the tale.

In the meantime, we will continue to support those that are doing what they think is best for the continuing survival of these fantastic reptiles.  We wish you well little guys and hope to see you again.

for more on sea turtles visit : http://www.nps.gov/pais/naturescience/stsr-index.htm

I know, I said I was going to cut back.

But it's just too much fun.

Golly Gee Willikers did it rain this morning?  Talk about tropical rainfall!  I wonder if when it's raining THAT hard, when a dolphin comes up for air, do they choke a little.  I'm sure not, but it's something to ponder.  I mean, when access to your lungs is on the top of your head and it's raining.....hmmmmmm.

Anyway, since our downpour, the skies are clearing up.  There remains the chance for showers and thunder all day, again.  Of course the heat and humidity will be ever present as well.  And again the atmosphere is ripe for waterspouts.  So if you go out, keep your eyes open.

The entire weekend is setting up to be a carbon copy of today.  I hope many of you choose to schedule yourself some time on the beach.  The breeze is actually making it tolerable down there. And don't forget to say HI to the AmeriCorps Volunteers.

The beach is lovely.  The June Grass continues and has moved into the swim zone.  There are some clear areas out there, but for the most part, where there is JGrass, it's heavy.

The concrete kill of the well head is so far so good.  Let's continue to keep our fingers crossed for the effort and for the continued fair weather in the GOM so they can keep working.  We have been SO lucky so far on that front, it makes me want to go out and buy a lottery ticket !  They expect the relief well to be finished sometime next week. 

Snatched from the Santa Rosa Site- Turtle nest information

Turtle nesting from 6/22 (day 45 of 60 day incubation) Three turtle nests including a rare Kemps Ridley nest

Turtle nesting from 7/03 (day 32 of 60 day incubation)

Turtle nesting at P2 7/16 (day20 of 60 day incubation)

I was able to take advantage of yesterday evening's cooler temps.  The heat index was only 103', so I took the boy out fishing on the Pier.  King Mackerels are still hot for the lines.  The pompano are starting to make a better show.  The bait fishing was slow the first hour, but really picked up the second and third.  We pulled in over 25 LARGE hardtail, over 10 inches nose to notch, and 5 12 inch plus ladyfish.   The guy next to us, only halfway down the pier, was shark fishing.  Again, that warm fuzzy feeling.  Yes, I know they're OUT there, but I don't want to KNOW they're out there! LOL!  I think I've watched too much SharkWeek this week.  Do you think bull sharks can come up the shower drain? hmmmmm.........

I'd like to wave to our imaginary friend that's logged in from furthest away so far, HELLO SOUTH AFRICA !

Ladyfish

On that note, I'm going to pop off line to vacuum, dust, and do the laundry.  See?  I'm NOT at the beach all the time! Have a wonderful weekend, stop by the firehouse and sign up for a couple of shifts, stay safe and have fun!

All the IDs are now completed.  They are at the firehouse.

A small leak in a hydraulic line during a test for static kill has delayed the attempt.  We've waited this long, I guess we can soldier on longer.

 

The beach looks fabulous again today.  The mini gnats are in full force.  The June Grass is in the swim zone down by WO1 and 2, but much clearer down by 3 and 3H.  There are storms just off the coast this morning, but I didn't hear any thunder.  The rain yesterday certainly didn't cool us down, but my house geckos and tree frogs are enjoying the explosion of flying insects.  SPEAKING of which, what's up with the migration and mating frenzy of the dragonflies the last couple of day?!  Cool, eh?  OH, and looks like we are up to turtle nest #6, with a nest to the EAST of WO 1.  It's clear up on the dune line.

 TS Colin is now swirling amok in the Atlantic.  As things stand now, a frontal system should, hopefully steer it off the east coast of the US, and back out to sea, and a dry slot may keep it a Tropical Storm.  BUT we all know that can change in the blink of an eye.  So we'll do what we always do, hurry up and wait. 

Today we have an Excessive Heat Watch.  Which means we've gone from Dangerously Oppressive, to Repulsively Sticky.  Heat indexes will continue to be in the 105-113 range.  You know the drill: Water, loose fitting clothing, sunscreen, and take it slowly.

Unless I think of something amazing this afternoon, that's all I've got for you.

Have a great day!

Today's one of those days I tip my hat to our ancestors.  It's 9am, and it already feels like 98 with the humidity.  No wonder the Spanish moss just hangs off the trees! It's too hot and sticky to hug them!  Imagine yourself in 1860, a time before AC, regular bathing, a good Maytag Machine, deodorants, and shampoos.  Now imagine getting up in the morning, putting on under garments, stockings, pettipants, a corset, a shift, several layers of skirts and then an over dress.  No wonder they were all tiny people, they lived in their own sweat boxes!  Just the thought of all that makes me cringe.  As for the men, if you were LUCKY you had a cotton suit of clothes for the summer, but odds are it was wool.  Oh, well you say you can go with out the jacket if it gets hot!  That would have been downright indecent !  LOL!

I mean can you just imagine?!  It makes me want to wilt just thinking about it!

If you're going out today, make sure you take it slowly and drink plenty of water.

Tomorrow is another round of training for newcomers, from 1-2:30 at the science station.  So if you know anyone interested, have them call the number listed in the green area above.  Some of the AmeriCorps volunteers will be there as well. 

With the well head capped, we have noticed a significant number of the questions shifting away from the oil and anything to do with it, and more towards local life, things to do/eat, and local animal life, especially turtles turtles turtles.  The training will reflect that.  Remember this is a year round volunteer opportunity.  We plan on providing a service to the beach long after the oil.

That said, the beaches look fabulous, the water continues to be clear, and this weekend is shaping up to be a great beach weekend.  We are currently at GREEN Flag for water conditions. Y'all be safe and have a super day!

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.