And a little moonlight shall lead the way......

TURTLES TURTLES AND MORE TURTLES !

 For those of you that missed the great hatching of our show off, fancy pants loggerhead turtle nest ( this was the turtle that came ashore in the day to lay eggs, with a great audience, at the bottom of the BUSIEST WalkOver Ramp on the beach - she's a show stealer), which I'm guess was MOST of you.  I bring to you the following photos and video.  This is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest that was at Navarre Beach, WalkOver 3, the handicap ramp in the main parking lot.  This nest was laid, oddly enough, in the day time instead of night, on July 3rd.

Setting up for the LONG wait.

Hard to see but the depression is forming in the center of the staked area.

The nest was showing signs of activity and scratching at around 6:55 pm, movement was noted at 7:10, and again at 7:14, and 7:19. At 7:23 the first major movement was made, and at 7:35, just after sun down, WHOOSH!, 24 little hatchling burst forth and strode off to the sea.

The marine science students had dug and smoothed us a lovely pathway for the critters trip.  Which made the journey much quicker, as those little legs didn't have to dodge footprints.  We only had three turtles get confused as to their direction, due to the brighter lights from the local condos, but human bodies did a great job blocking that light for our little travelers.  24 made the journey this go around. ( loggerheads lay anywhere from 80-120 eggs, only 1 in 1000 eggs will make it back to lay eggs on the home beach, and it takes 25 to 30 years for a turtle to reach maturity)

The nest had sounds of further movement, but then went quiet again. We think it is done for the night, but will be "caged" for the night and checked repeatedly for more hatchlings all night long.  If not tonight, maybe more tomorrow.  IF you come to a turtle hatching, PLEASE PLEASE NO BRIGHT LIGHTS. This confuses the hatchlings and they waste energy walking the wrong direction.  It also messes up our night vision.  This includes all flash photography, glo sticks, and CELL PHONES.  (Photos on this site were taken in daylight, or with flash with NO TURTLES present.  Video was taken with red light, which goes unseen/noticed by turtles.)  Thank you.  We also need you to be very quiet, and limit your movement.  The hatchlings can feel the vibrations in the sand from over 50 feet away, and think it's a predator and will not come out.  It also makes it very difficult for us to hear the hatchlings beneath the sand.  We may set a perimeter of 50 feet from the nest for further viewing for the safety of the turtles, so be prepared for that.  We thank you for all of your consideration. 

And at the end of the run, we were left with this. So cute.

Now with that said, I'm going to hit the shower and wash off all this sand.

Now for your viewing pleasure, taken by me, a late night sea side video.While my camera takes great video, the sound stinks, so turn off your sound, and hum the music from 2001 a Space Odessy......Prepare to say Awwwwwwwwww

The video runs for about 5 minutes, but there's nothing to see past about 3.45

CLICK FOR VIDEO >>>   Sea Turtles Hatching

Can I even begin to tell you how much I am NOT a morning person?!  It's not that I cannot appreciate a stunning sunrise, but a sunset is so much easier for me to enjoy, seeing as I've probably been conscious for over 10 hours at that point.  Until now that is.  With the crisp Fall air, the rustle of leaves in the morning breeze, the sweet smell of dry corn on the morning mist, fresh picked apples on the kitchen table, kids in their cute little plaid skirts and long white socks and mary janes.........OH wait...wrong state.  I'm in flip flop country!

I begrudgingly fell out of bed this morning at 5:45, which is after the bedside alarm went off, but seconds before the loud and annoying alarm I use on my cellphone as back up went off.  I swear I heard my sleep number bed say, "what? Where are you GOING?  Is the house on fire?  Take me with you!"

No, the house wasn't on fire.  It's the first day of school.  I joyous time in thousands of households across the state.  (Unless you are a resident of the county next door, then you've been at this for two weeks already !)  Yes, that day were the smell of peanut butter sandwiches on fresh white bread pervades the house, new crayons, new pencils, where new clothes, fresh haircuts, and eager and sleepy faces greet the flash bulbs before the great yellow beast pulls up the haul them away for 8 hours. 

I'm lucky enough to have an older child.  Not old enough to let him drive to campus, but old enough that he can get himself up, dressed, and fed.  My job?  To make sure he's wearing pants, is somewhat colour coordinated, and has his book bag.  I also walk him to the bus stop.  It's a long walk, and even this time of year it was dark, the sun barely above the horizon.  The birds weren't even awake.  Heaven knows I'm not.  I do know he got onto a large yellow vehicle, I'm pretty sure it was the school bus, as our trash truck is blue.  It did have blinky lights, so it COULD have been a yellow UFO. Anyway, I think about my friends this morning.  Two have sent their kiddos off to college for their freshman year, one is either weepy at sending off that kindergarten bus, or is breaking out the champagne - I'll find out later.

What on Earth does this have to do with the beach?  Not much.  It's just one of those monumental days of the year.  There is a little known tradition on Navarre Beach.  The first day of school brings out the mommy brigade!  We come down in the morning with a fresh cup of heaven and just sit and watch the waves and enjoy the quiet.  The kids aren't there screaming.  The tourists have left, until the snowbird migration,  and we look forward to cooler weather and our beach. (Don't get us wrong, we LOVE our tourists! It's just a transitional break back to normality and a much slower pace for us.) Much slower and we'll be going backwards!  Sigh. 

Unless you are me, and then you are looking ahead to the peak of hurricane season.  Danielle is ramping up in the Atlantic as we speak. As of this point she is still PROJECTED to say out to sea.  A quick vacay in Bermuda may be a poor choice this weekend, but as of RIGHT now she has not set her sights on either US or the Eastern US coast.  We all know that can change.  And we all know how fast things can pop up in our own backyard this time of year.  The PEAK of the season is still three weeks away.

I see on the web camera that the BP crews are out today WEST of the pier.  Good to see them out there in the daylight again.  Today has another heat advisory stuck to it.  OC in this heat and humidity, everything sticks to everything.  We're looking at another day with a heat index of over 105!  So take care of yourself.

The surf looks pleasant for the day, the chance of rain the whole week is low.  (YAY, for our landscaper.)  Our turtles are still brewing under the warm sand.  I've had no reports of tar balls, except the occasional ones that pops up from surf.  Crossing fingers.  OH, remember the log book stop at the firehouse is no longer needed.  Just email your hours to me at the surfnavarrebeach@gmail.com link and let me know when, where, and how long you were out.  I'll email everyone the day before I send in the report to the county as a reminder in case you forgot to report some hours.

Here's a little shot of an amazing sunset from the other night.  I hope you got to see it in person, the very AIR was yellow, then orange, then FIREY PINK.  It was great.

So with that, I'm heading out with my cold bottle of water and join the other mommies on the sand.  Or maybe I'll drag out the fishing rod.....or maybe...YAWWWWN......would a nap be out of the question?

WOW! This old TD5 is a royal pain in the patootie!  Not only has it angered my arthritis and an inner ear condition, which makes me fairly grumpy and therefor not much fun to be around, but it doing a number on our beaches!

High and rough surf has been battering our beach for days! We've had winds from all directions this week but due West.  That will come later today/tonight.   I noticed what had been a quiet slope to the water's edge down by the pier is now a drop of 3 feet, and that was Saturday.  Today the ocean is really rocking again.  Winds are HOWLING out of the South as the old TD travels into MS and LA.  Our sands are a shiftin' for sure! But that's what sand does! Semper gumby folks!

If you get out today, please continue to inform guests on the flag system.  RED flags continue to fly.  It continues to astound me that people either don't even SEE the flags, or don't know what they mean.  When visitors come to the beach, they get what I call "Ocean Blindness".  They are so excited to see the ocean, that they bound from the car, and focus on the water, blinders on, missing everything around them.  That includes the GIANT signs all over about the flags, the blinking super sign on the bridge, and the flapping flags on the beach.  There was a drowning this past week down near PCB, vacationer, family had no idea about the flag system.  His son and friend went in the water on DOUBLE RED FLAG.  He went in to save them and he drown.  It sounds like the lifeguard had no picnic trying to save him. 

Anyway, keep an eye out for old tar washing in.  With the surf as heavy as it is, it would be hard to spot before it was whisked out again, but the chance of old stuff washing in and up is higher with the wave action as it is.

On the fishing front, the Spanish mackerel are making their presence know around the pier, that is, when the water is in decent calm conditons to fish.  I had a lovely one on the line on Saturday, when one of those sharks with a cup holder, ummm I mean Dolphin, decided "Mackerel, it's what's for dinner!" took it, line, $8 lure, fish and all! ARGH!

Back to the blowhole gang that infests the Pier!  :) ( Doesn't that conjure funny images?  Upright dolphins, wearing short jackets, headbands, blowhole rings, and cans of spray paint in their flippers, tagging the pier ! HA!) Yes, I LOVE Dolphins, I really do.  When I"m NOT fishing!  BOY OH BOY did they have a show this week for the tourists on the pier!  Saturday night there must have been half a dozen.  While diving and rolling, chasing fish, stealing fish, and blowing porpoise hork in the air, a few decided to entertain the crowd with amazing leaps, twirls, and belly flops.  I was starting to wonder if the tank at the Gulfarium had a leak and an escapee or two.  The crowd of course enjoyed this free entertainment to no end.  I was, however, starting to wonder if the Dolphins have figured out that if they jump and twirl, the people cheer, take pictures and clap.  Hmmmm......who's entertaining WHO?

Sadly, I have no photos of that.  I was busy tying a new lure to the line.

Also on the beach critter front, we have two nests in the 40 day incubation area.  I will report back later on their move, IF they move.

On to the area of PEOPLE food.  I need a headcount for FRIDAY night's dinner.  It sounds like we're going to do pizza or sandwiches with salad.  But that head count is important.  I am going with whatever is in my email box by NOON on THURSDAY the 19th.  If you want to bring a dish to share, that's super too.  If the weather holds, we're going to get the kayaks to the sound and such, and you can bring your snorkels!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

The BIG Move

Well here they go.  Tonight we, Florida Fish and Wildlife- The Turtle Patrol- a DEP member- and I, moved two of our turtle nests.  The Kemps Ridley at 12, and the Leatherback at 4.  They were carefully recorded, dug up, and extremely carefully packed.  The coolers hold a thick layer of sand, no more than 60 eggs, and then more sand and a temperature probe.  The coolers are then closed and placed in a specially designed holder that keeps them elastically suspended.  These nests and others from GulfBreeze, with be put on a specially designed FedEx truck, climate controlled, special suspension, the works, and driven to the hatching facility in Cape Canaveral and then will be released.

I was at the nest on WO 12.  Sadly the FFW people do not give this nest a high probability of hatching.  While it was HIGH at the top of a dune, which protected it from the surf, it was in the vegetation.  Sadly, it's our precious sea oats that are a problem.  The root system that protects the dune, sucks so much moisture from the sand that it also effects the eggs.  Instead of being white and full round with turtles near to hatching, they were sand toned, and soft like a newly hatched eggs.  FFW will continue to incubate the eggs to the 70 incubation date.  Those that don't hatch will be examined for a reason. It is possible that the eggs were laid, but not fertilized.  Circle of life.

As soon as I get some kind of word from those down at WO 4 on that nest's condition, I'll pass that on.  I heard they did have quite the crowd of on-lookers as that is a very busy part of the beach! Well enjoy the photos and the video !

Notice the egg in the cooler.

The hole was only about a foot deep.

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!

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!

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.

Sunny Saturday Morning to you!

As I sit and write this the sun is blazing on my workstation. As I switch over to the web cam and radar, I see it's POURING at the beach, just two miles away. Amazing isn't it?? Expect it to be that way all day. Some of you will be sunny, some up to your armpits in liquid sunshine. Hang in there. Please head towards safety if you hear thunder or see lightning.

A special Hail and Farewell to the Kohlers, who are now head back home to the great state of Georgia. Thank you for sharing your vacation with us and taking the time to come down and support our beaches. We hope you take home great memories and experiences. Stay in touch and feel free to join up with us again. The turtle safe life is always on.

Since no one has emailed or phoned in any more questions/concerns/ or great stories in the past couple of days, I'll share mine.

After checking the 12 +1 WO yesterday, and sneaking a peek at some of you in action :) (great job everybody!), I wandered out to the pier. I had a lovely conversation with a family from Belgium. It was during this conversation that we saw a rather large, large, shark only 200 yards off the beach, swimming FROM the beach. (That always gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling.) We saw large rays, a couple of Tarpon, a pod of frolicking dolphins, and they were amazed at the strings of bait fish coming in and the size of the mackerel. I spoke with over 30 people on my short walk out and back, fixed one fishing reel, and removed the hook from the back of a pair of shorts from a wayward cast. It seemed that all conversations were pleasantly devoid of the whole oil topic. I must say, I found it a refreshing change. A smaller 4 foot shark just off the piling, almost dead center of the photo.

June Grass continues to plague the surf zone to about 100-200 yards out. Yesterday it was clumping, so some beach areas were actually clear of the Neptunian snot.

Keep up the great work everyone. Please remember to stop by the firehouse and sign up for future shifts. The book is starting to look a little blank. Also, tell your friends and neighbors about the program. Chris plans to have another training session when she gets back into town. So tune in here for that date.
Dolphins enjoying an Atlantic Croaker afternoon snack. (do not enlarge to fill screen, not a high enough resolution to see it well)