January 31, 2012

Archive

Learn about sharks at Topsail Feb. 3

Learn about these fascinating creatures of the Gulf Thurs. Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be having a presentation on sharks. Sharks are fascinating creatures that can range in size from 6 in. small to an enormous 39 ft. long. Come out and join Topsail for a presentation to learn more about the sharks that roam the coastal waters of Florida. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A...

Florida Sportsman Expo comes to Northwest Florida Fairgrounds Feb. 25-26

Everything fishing, hunting and boating Florida Sportsman magazine will be hosting the popular Florida Sportsman Expo at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach the weekend of Feb. 25-26, 2012. The expo is like a three-ring circus for anglers, boaters and hunters, featuring continuous seminar stages, casting ponds, kids’ events, a hands-on rigging table, free fly and net-casting lessons, the newest line-up of boats in all sizes, and exhibits by Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Rows and rows...

Camp Helen State Park history tour Feb. 4

Learn about the history of a beautiful local State Park Time: 10 – 10:45 a.m. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Camp Helen State Park invites you to their history walk at Camp Helen State Park. Come learn about the early history of the park and local area while wandering on a guided tour around Camp Helen’s restored historical buildings. The history walk takes place the first Saturday of each month. Participation Requirements: • Must have the ability to follow visual...

An osprey feeds on its favorite meal

Nice catch! Cynthia Howard of Fort Walton Beach captured this great photograph of an osprey and its lunch on Okaloosa Island on Feb. 25. One of the largest birds of prey in North America, the Osprey eats almost exclusively fish. It is one of the most widespread birds in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica. Ospreys are year-round residents in Northwest Florida. Cool Facts •    The Osprey readily builds its nest on manmade structures, such as telephone poles,...

Construction underway at Padgett Park in Santa Rosa Beach

New park to boast playground, splash pad and recreation building Construction has been approved and the road has been cleared for Padgett Park in Santa Rosa Beach. The 16.7-acre park is finally coming to fruition after several years of grant requests and planning. Located between J.D. Miller Road and South Walton High School, the park will boast a 1,400 sq. ft. recreation and educational center, two pavilions, an asphalt multi-use trail, playground, splash pad and multi-use recreation area. Other amenities...

Walton County fishing and hunting report for Jan. 25

Fishing is good, deer are starting to rut! Choctawhatchee Bay: Speckled trout, flounder and redfish at the mouth of the river. Fishing seems to be better later in the day. Creeks/river: River starting to rise. Fishing good over at Alaqua. Deer are on the move with the bucks starting to chase the does. Danny Copeland wants to remind folks that the contrary to what FWC has stated about not printing the regulation books, plenty of the new 2012 books have...

Civil War camp, battle and music in DeFuniak Springs Jan. 27 – 29

One of many Chautauqua Assembly events this weekend The Walton Guard Civil War Camp will be set up in the historic Lake Yard of DeFuniak Springs beginning Friday morning, Jan. 27 and lasting through Sunday afternoon. Ten tents and displays will make up the exhibit, including members of the Walton Guard who will be at each site explaining the history of the Guard during the Civil War. Live Civil War-era music will be performed by the 97th Regimental String Band...