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
I can only recall being caught in a rip current once, but the memory is so vivid I can picture that beachfront clearly even 32 years later. I was boogie-boarding in an area with huge wave action, and had been riding the waves with delight ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
The UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County congratulates the newest graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Program in St Lucie County. On Monday, March 7, 2022, eighteen students successfully completed the Florida Master Natural Program (FMNP) ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Let’s begin by stating what a diamondback terrapin is. I have found many Floridians are not familiar with the animal. It is a turtle. A turtle in the family Emydidae which includes the pond turtles, such as cooters and sliders. The ... 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 Resources
Snook… 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 Resources
My mom is an expert (and thanks to her, my daughter also) at making meringue. If you’ve ever attempted this pie topping, you know there’s a bit of an art to it. At its core, meringue is simply the raw protein of an egg white and some ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Big Bend Shellfish Trail Florida's Big Bend is one of the last places in Florida with wide swaths of undeveloped coastline. Here, natural shorelines mix with abundant wildlife and clean water to produce amazing visitor experiences. But, many ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation