WaterNotes

Remember the other day when I waxed philosophic about the chances of late-season turtle nests producing any viable hatchlings? Well, if the nests were laid in Palm Beach County, we could’ve added poaching to the list of potential harms. A man in Juno Beach lifted 120 eggs from a single nest for the purpose of [...]

My morning plan for a hike in the coastal hammock was foiled elegantly by the rain. Florida doesn’t usually have rainy days of fog and mist and hours of falling water.  We’re much more inclined to sudden cloud bursts and passionate thunderstorms with lightning strike theatrics and the thunder ad-libbing its lines.  They’re too full [...]

It has not been an easy last few weeks in my world.  Following the recent tragedy in Florida I find that the public backlash concerning conservation, environmental education, zoos and aquariums, has rocked me to the core.  While I know a large section of the American public does support zoos and aquariums, I was totally [...]

TreeHugger carried some interesting posts this week, and I nearly missed out on this one, detailing the recent sightings of African rock pythons in the Everglades.  Florida already has an established population of invasive Burmese pythons.   Apparently some state officials are concerned that it would be possible for the rock pythons and the Burmese [...]

The recent record-breaking catch of a giant freshwater stingray in the Maeklong River of Thailand has the internets abuzzing. Unfortunately the big deal of the catch is being passed over in favor of dramatization and references to Steve Irwin. And what is the big deal aside from the female ray’s huge size (770lbs, 7 foot [...]

Its fire season in Florida. I should qualify that perhaps. Its wintertime in Florida which translates into dry season which lends itself to the ideal conditions for wildfires. There have been quiet a few popup blazes in the last few days towards the eastern coast, notably in and around Titusville. I was on the coast [...]

Tiny manatee footprints caused me some alarm a few days ago, but something else that happened that day has been plaguing me all weekend.  Once I had explained to my students that it was unusual for a small manatee to be alone they immediately became concerned for his welfare.  While this is close to the sort of stewardship we want to [...]