August 30, 2009

Archive

Paddle a tributary of the Choctawhatchee River in Ebro

Enjoy an early morning excursion along the Chain of Lakes If you are looking for an extraordinary paddle to explore the Choctawhatchee River’s tributaries without the powerful current of the river, there is a little known place of incredible beauty near Ebro called the “Chain of Lakes.” This pristine paddle offers a dreamy experience through a canopied corridor of wetland forest. Pileated woodpeckers hammer on the old growth cypress trees which tower above the waterways in grandiose beauty. To explore...

Wildlife abounds along the Chipola River

A peek at Section 1 of the Chipola River Paddling Trail Part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails, the 51-mile Chipola Paddling Trail is the largest tributary of the Apalachicola, and boasts 63 fresh water springs, the largest number of any river shed in Northwest Florida. The trail runs from just south of the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna in Jackson County, south to just east and south of Clarksville in Calhoun County, Florida. Diverse in flora and fauna, the...

Searching for Diamondback Terrapin turtles in the Florida Panhandle

Local educator studies terrapin population in Northwest Florida As the sun rises on a gulf coast salt marsh there is barely a breeze.  The placid water is slick as glass and resembles a sheet of gray ice.  The only movement is the occasional swirls of mullet and redfish that are awaken as our canoe slides over their evening resting spots.  Osprey whistle and dive searching for a morning breakfast to take back to their nest of chicks that sits on...

Ugh… the dog flies have arrived in the Florida Panhandle

Dog flies a nuisance to both humans and pets from August to November When fall comes to our area, those refreshing weather fronts will move through from the north bringing lower humidity, lower temperatures and the infamous dog fly. The stable fly, known as the dog fly in Northwest Florida, is a blood feeding fly that is a nuisance to man, pets, and livestock. From August through November the dog fly congregates on the Florida Panhandle beaches. This fly originates...

Whale sharks captured on video near Grayton Beach

Being there Local charter boat captain Mike Valentino, along with dive buddies James Griffith and Darcy Pentel were out on Mike’s boat August 6, and encountered a once in a lifetime experience. While out in the Gulf fishing and diving off of Grayton Beach, Mike received a message from fellow captain Phil Hammond, who had spotted several whale sharks in the area. Mike and his friends headed over and were able to capture the graceful sharks on video. “It was...