A Cold Winter’s Snake – the Garter
When hiking around the Florida panhandle in midwinter, most snakes are undercover trying to avoid the chilly cold fronts that pass through and can drop temperatures close to freezing. So, the probability of seeing one is low. But one species, the eastern garter...
Fall and Winter—Florida’s Tree Planting Seasons
While many people think of planting trees in the spring, autumn and winter are ideal for these activities in Florida. The cooler weather means most trees are no longer actively growing and producing new leaves and fruit, so there are fewer demands on a newly planted...
Six Rivers CISMA EDRR Invasive Species of the Month – Coral Ardisia
EDRR Invasive Species Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata) Define Invasive Species: must have ALL of the following – Is non-native to the area, in our case northwest Florida Introduced by humans, whether intentional or accidental Causing either an environmental or economic...
Chronic Wasting Disease Gets Closer to Florida
Below is a bulletin sent out by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission on 01/10/2022 02:53 Chronic wasting disease or CWD was recently detected in a hunter-harvested deer in northwestern Alabama, making it the 28th state where CWD has been...
Killifish of the Florida Panhandle
Like many of you reading this article, I grew up here in the northern Gulf coast. I spent a lot of time at the beach and in the water enjoying this fantastic place people use to call the “miracle strip” and now call the “emerald coast”. I would spend hours swimming,...
Dirty Dozen Invasive Species of the Month – Kudzu
Six Rivers “Dirty Dozen” Invasive Species Kudzu (Pueraria montana) Define Invasive Species: must have all of the following – Is non-native to the area, in our case northwest Florida Introduced by humans, whether intentional or accidental Causing either an...
Wildlife on the Beach in January
During 2022 I plan to make weekly hikes on Pensacola Beach to see what sort of wildlife, or other natural phenomena, I encounter each month. For the first January trip I did a short hike at Ft. Pickens on the west end of Santa Rosa Island. Ft. Pickens is more...
It’s Coyote Season Again
Over the years I have received many calls from beach residents with concerns about coyotes. Encounters with this animal can be unnerving for many and the most common time of year for them is winter. A friend of mine who lives in the central part of Escambia County,...
Celebrate Florida Arbor Day
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is Arbor Day. Florida recognizes the event on the third Friday in January, but planting any time before spring will establish a tree quickly. Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the...
Needlefish of the Florida Panhandle
I remember first seeing a needlefish as a young boy on Pensacola Beach. We were either playing or snorkeling in Santa Rosa Sound and one of these long, sleek, “barracuda” looking fish swam by cruising the surface of the water. Your first reaction is danger. They...