Photo courtesy Sonia-Dorise Miller Sessum

Young blue-eyed deer spotted in Walton County

Sonia-Dorise Miller Sessum of Santa Rosa Beach snapped this photo recently of a blue-eyed deer.

“Last year there were three fawns born and about 4 weeks ago, I noticed that this boy had the most beautiful eyes….it really is striking,” said Sonia. Sonia continued to say that there are seven deer that live in her family’s neighborhood… “or rather we live in theirs,” Sonia quipped.

Posted under Nature

Seven Runs creek provides shaded canopy most of the paddle. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Small scenic creek near Bruce a quiet journey of natural beauty

Seven Runs creek, located off of State Road 81, just north of Bruce, in northeast Walton County is a scenic paddle through hardwood wetlands and cypress swamps.

A short, 2-3 mile paddle, this fairly swift moving creek provides a few twists and turns before it flows into the swampy cypress tree filled forest of extraordinary beauty. Twisted cypress roots bellow out of the bottom of the forest floor, and with a little imagination, the shady canopy and trees provide a backdrop to a fairy tale.

Eventually empting into the Choctawhatchee River, you can take out before you reach the river at a county boat launch off of Dead River Road. This location makes for an easy shuttle with two vehicles. The boat launch offers a picnic area and portable restroom facility. Read More…

Posted under Nature, paddle/surf/boat

Plant seedlings, tour exhibit hall, take a guided hike and view a film

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation will be hosting a “Creating a Garden with Children” open house event on Sat. Mar. 27, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  The exhibit hall will be open, guided hikes will be available, scheduled films will be featured and Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist children in planting seedlings in the center’s new vegetable garden.  Public is welcome.

Come see first hand the facility and staff in action and get a glimpse of what the center offers the students in your county.

For more information, please visit the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center website at www.eowilsoncenter.org or call (850)835-1824.

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Cooper's hawk. Photo courtesy Jamie Conley.

Beautiful adult Cooper’s hawk
spotted near Lake Powell

Among the bird world’s most skillful flyers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds). Information courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Posted under Nature

Photo courtesy of Steve Matherly.

Florida’s birding trail symbol is often spotted gliding around Walton County

FWC report

The swallow-tailed kite is a snack-food junkie if ever there was one. It spends most of the day aloft, eating on the run – catching bugs and eating them in one swoop, then circling and diving to devour another.

Elanoides forficatus is also an energy miser. The kite uses thermal uplifts and winds to spend the day gliding, merely flipping one side of its forked tail to change direction. From its nest in the top of tall pines and cypress trees, it spies arboreal vertebrates – reptiles, amphibians and sometimes a fledgling from another nest – and can seize that prey mid-flight. Read More…

Posted under Birding, Nature

New Topsail Hill Preserve State Park cabin. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Stay at a Topsail Hill State Preserve cabin or bungalow and get into Camp Helen and Eden Gardens State Parks free

TALLAHASSEE –The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida State Parks began a new promotion Mar. 2 to encourage weekday camping. The Two for Tuesday promotions allow visitors to purchase discounted camping packages at three state parks for Tuesday and Wednesday night stays that include admission to select nearby state parks. Packages range from $40 to $270, with savings of $30 to $36 off the value of the full package. Reservations may be made for stays from March 2 through May 26, 2010.

“Two for Tuesday is a great way to promote camping and encourage visitors to check out neighboring parks,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “By offering ready-made packages, visitors can take the guess work out of planning their trip, all for a discounted price.”

Locations of the Two for Tuesday parks range from springs near Central Florida to beaches in the Panhandle and museums in southwest Florida. Campers can bring a tent, camper or RV, or choose to stay in a cabin or bungalow. All overnight accommodations are subject to availability.
Read More…

Posted under Parks

Waterfall at the base of the steephead at Shoal Sanctuary. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Trails, sculptures and serenity await the nature lover in Mossy Head

Tucked away off the beaten path in north Walton County there is a unique outdoor experience for nature lovers called the Shoal Sanctuary.

Located on 50 acres of trails, sculptures and serene vistas, proprietors Robert and Chris Larson welcome visitors to their retreat dedicated to sharing the beauty of the outdoor experience and appreciation of Mother Nature’s gifts.

Recorded history dates back to the 1830s. The property is believed to of been along the path of the “Trail Of Tears.” After the U.S. government’s “Indian Removal Act,” Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Timuquan, Muskhogean, and Apalachee were forced migrate west,  and lore sites a leg of that journey along the old Indian footpath now called Crowder Chapel Road near the retreat. Local Native Americans have said that Shoal Sanctuary was once a ceremonial gathering place.

In 2000, the Larson’s acquired 35 acres of land adjacent to their existing 16-acre property, and began a reforestation project blazing trails and developed the retreat along their Shoal river property. Long-leaf pine, ash magnolia, Torreya pine and other native trees have been planted to restore the land as the Larson’s participate in Florida’s Forest Stewardship program.

Read More…

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Photo courtesy NOAA.

Learn about climatic conditions at free class in DeFuniak Springs

The National Weather Service depends on the public to report instances of damage stemming from Mother Nature’s fury.  The information supplied by residents will often help meteorologists’ determine whether the damage, or destruction was caused by a tornado, or downburst of wind.

On Mar. 11  at 7:00 p.m., a forecaster from the National Weather Service Office in Tallahassee, Florida will be in DeFuniak Springs to conduct a Storm Spotter class.  The class will take place in the EOC Building on Davis Lane off U.S. Highway 90.  Those who attend will receive a basic class in determining various climatic conditions.

The class will be  free to the public.  Contact either Cindy Wilson, or Jeff McVay at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management and Public Safety Communications Division at 850- 892-8065.
Read More…

Posted under Nature

Sand dunes along the outfall on Camp Creek Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Recreational activities abound on these rare coastal dune lakes

Walton County Florida is well known for its beautiful beaches and great fishing. Less known to those that have never visited the area, are the unique and scenic coastal dune lakes that dot the coastline along the area’s beach dune systems.

Nestled along Scenic Highway 30A, Walton county’s coastal dune lakes are rare geological features that only occur in the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the northern Pacific coast of the United States.

Streams, groundwater seepage and rain are the sources that feed the coastal dune lakes. Storm surge creates intermittent connections to the Gulf of Mexico, called outfalls. This periodic connection empties lake water into the Gulf, and, depending on tides and weather, salt water and organisms from the Gulf flow back into the lakes. Read More…

Posted under Fishing, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, paddle/surf/boat

Sunset awash with color. Photo courtesy Jamie Conley

Water color sunset on coastal dune lake

Local resident, Jamie Conley snapped this beautiful sunset Feb. 22. “With the storm last night clearing everything out and the combination of warmer air and cool water conditions were perfect for a sunset over the lakes that was just breath taking” Jamie said. Thanks for sharing Jamie!

Posted under Nature