Our “Seahawk”; the Osprey
As a kid growing up here along the Gulf Coast, I had never heard of an osprey. Now, there is at least one mating pair on almost every body of water in the Pensacola Bay area. Where did… Read More
Tag: coastal wildlife
Our Magnificent Miner; The Gopher Tortoise
Just a decade ago, few people would have known what a gopher tortoise was and would have hard time finding one. But today, because of the protection they have been afforded by the state, they are becoming more… Read More
The Marshes, they are a-changin’
Discovering something new is possibly the most exciting thing a field biologist can do. As students, budding biologists imagine coming across something no one else has ever noticed before, maybe even getting the opportunity to name a new… Read More
In Search of Horseshoe Crabs
Back in the spring, I wrote an article about the natural history of this ancient animal. However, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is interested in the status of horseshoe crabs and they need to know locations… Read More
In Search of Horseshoe Crabs
Back in the spring, I wrote an article about the natural history of this ancient animal. However, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is interested in the status of horseshoe crabs and they need to know locations… Read More
The American Alligator: a new nuisance for the panhandle?
I recently saw a photograph of an American Alligator (Alligator mississppiensis) crossing Perdido Key Drive on a heavy rain day. This encounter would surprise some, and unnerve many. The majority of the nuisance wildlife calls I receive are… Read More
Night Lighting: Become Wildlife Friendly
Many of you have heard this before – artificial lighting on the beach is bad for sea turtles – so this article is nothing new. However, this article will expand to discuss the problem with night lighting in… Read More
Biodiversity in Our Bay
The term biodiversity has multiple meanings. Some look at it terms of genetics, others ecosystems, but most look at it in terms of species. Simply put, it is the variety of life within a system. The system could… Read More
Panhandle Outdoors Water School – St. Joseph Bay
Our first POL program will happen this week – August 17 – at the Navarre Beach snorkel reef, and is sold out! We are glad you all are interested in these programs. Well! We have another one for… Read More
The Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Also known as the Water Moccasin, this is a snake that is all too familiar with most Floridians… Or is it? Several non-venomous water snakes are often confused with the cottonmouth and are thus killed. That said, cottonmouths… Read More