Nature

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Choctawhatchee River Paddle Trail in the works

57 miles of planned boat ramp improvements span from Morrison Springs to Black Creek near the Bay Walton County, Northwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Greenways and Trails are working together to provide a paddling trail on the Choctawhatchee River. The 57-mile trail plan spans from Morrison Springs to the opening of Black Creek near the Choctawhatchee Bay. ::MAP:: The project includes rehabilitation and/or construction of five trail head locations starting at Morrison...

Be watchful of baby birds in springtime

Area refuge full of orphaned baby birds As the springtime is a busy nesting season for birds, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge encourages folks to be watchful when cutting trees, and keep an eye out for fledglings. Currently the refuge has a full house of orphaned baby birds. Patrick Gault, the assistant director of the ECWR warns that many homeowners are not aware that some fledglings spend time a period of time on the ground. “They are easy prey for cats,”...

Local naturalist nurtures bluebird breeding program at Hammock Bay

  Spring brings nesting bluebirds Spring brings a full house to 55 bluebird boxes at Hammock Bay in Freeport. This is the fifth season Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay, has been running a bluebird breeding program for these beautiful indigenous birds. The success has been quite good with close to 300 fledglings each year. Cool Facts: • The male Eastern Bluebird displays at his nest cavity to attract a female. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in...

Celebrate Earth Day and get outdoors!

Exploring nature at Helen McCall park What better way to spend the day than exploring nature. Emily Clawiter, Abiahna Greenfield, Jayden and Jackie Roe of Santa Rosa Beach where playing at Helen McCall park Apr. 21 when they discovered an unusual moth. The Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) sat patiently as Emily’s mom Kerry took this photo. Get outdoors, you will discover the wonders of nature everywhere!...

Blue lupine blooming in South Walton

Beautiful blooms color the sand In spring, the sand dunes along the beaches in South Walton are dolloped with blue lupine. The gulf coast lupine (Lupinus westianus) is threatened and endemic to Florida. Their habitats are sand hills, scrubs and coastal dunes. Some say that this rare perennial shrub is only found in a few counties with Walton fortunate enough to be one of them. Early settlers to the panhandle saw and abundance of blue mountain in the Blue Mountain...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Eventure May 6

Take a journey into the night Discover the sights and sounds of nature at night with Audubon EVENTURES. Nonie of Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters will be guiding a night walk for Choctawhatchee Audubon Society. Programs will last approximately 1 1/2 hours and begin just before sunset. All are invited but the focus will be on ages 4 to 10. We will explore for elusive creatures such as fox, owls, frogs and even bats! COST $1 per person; members and immediate...