When exploring local coastal environments, the salt marsh is one not frequently visited by residents. When first seen, the large field of grass appears inviting. But when you reach it appears impenetrable, full of bugs and snakes, and there ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
I am going to be honest and say that I know very little about this fish. I did not know they even existed until I attended college. Shortly afterwards, my father-in-law asked “hey, have you ever heard of a tilefish?” – to which I responded ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesWhen you look over the species of sea basses and groupers from the Gulf of Mexico it is a very confusing group. Hoese and Moore1 mention the connections to other families and how several species have gone through multiple taxonomic name changes ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
The month of March is the last of winter. For todays hike we returned to Gulf Islands National Seashore/Ft. Pickens where it was 63°F, overcast with a strong breeze from the northwest. A cold front is coming through to remind us that winter ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesSnook… Wait did you say Snook in the Florida panhandle? Yep… they are not common, but they have seen here. For those who do not know the fish and do not understand why seeing them is strange, this is a more tropical species ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesI 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 ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesThis is another one of those fish in this series that is not often seen but when you do see one you will ask “what is that?” – So, we will answer the question by including it here. Like the frogfish we have already written about, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Hoese and Moore1 describes members of the frogfish family as “grotesque”. Well… maybe. I am not sure I would call them grotesque, but they are sort of gelatinous blobs with reduced or missing scales. They feel sort of “mushy”. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesThis series on vertebrates of the Florida panhandle is to enhance your education of the different animals that call this place home. This is the only reason to include clingfish to this list… to enhance your education. There are ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Six Rivers “Dirty Dozen” Invasive Species Red Fire Ant (Solenopis invicta) 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 ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources