 Share the Beach Newsletterwww.sjcfl.us |
 Friends of the Reservewww.gtmnerr.org |
 Manatee Swimming in the OceanImagine my surprise when a neighbor called me on the afternoon of February 8, 2007 to tell me a manatee was swimming in the ocean. He was only about 10' out. I think he was trying to keep warm. He was heading south, I hope to the St. Augustine inlet and then the Intracoastal. I have seen manatees in the Intracoastal before, but never in the ocean. Oh, and I don't know if it was a he or a she---I'm just saying "he" for fun, as he was obviously lost---'nuff said. |
 2007 Right WhalesDecember 2007 First Right Whale I've spotted this year---December 15th 2007. She was right in front of my house, just relaxing and didn't seem to be in a rush to go anywhere. Then she travel north just a bit. I called her into the Right Whale Hotline (1-888-97-WHALE). Julie at the hotline contacted Fish & Wildlife (FWC). FWC sent out two planes to investigate. They determined she was a Right Whale with her calf. This particular Right Whale was first spotted two weeks ago and has been hanging out in our area from Flagler Beach to S. Ponte Vedra. I guess she found a great spot and decide to vacation here. Her name is Arpeggio (no, I didn't name her). She is very distinctive in that she has a scar on her right shoulder. So, if you see her and her baby swimming around, welcome them to our wonderful area. Jan. 2007 I spotted a Right Whale and her calf in North Beach in front of my home on the morning of January 31, 2007 and promptly called it in to the Right Whale Hotline (1-888-97-WHALE). They sent a plane out and verified my sighting and called me back. There have only been 14 Right Whale pairs sighted this year, so I feel fortunate to have spotted, not one pair, but two. You see, on January 12, 2007 during my installation as the new President of the St. Augustine Regional Chapter of the Women's Council of REALTORs, we were fortunate to have a whale jump right outside the window at Serenata Beach Club. |
 PelicansI really enjoy watching pelicans---flying, diving, floating, walking, sitting, you name it. They are really enjoying surf fishing this time of year. To learn more about pelicans click here. |
 Guana Tolomato Matanzas ReserveThis 55,000-acre reserve is divided by the city of St. Augustine. It stretches approximately 30 miles north and 30 miles south of city, in St. Johns and Flagler counties. The coastal waters of the GTM Reserve are important calving grounds for the endangered Right Whale. Manatees, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons find refuge in the reserve. |
 Gopher TortoisesWe had a gopher tortoise on our property, but she left us in October of 2004. We enjoyed watching her dig her burrow and sunbathe. Here's info on gopher tortoises: Gopher Tortoise Council Enjoy!   |
 The Animal Rescue SiteGo to the Animal Rescue Site to help feed needy animals. |
 2003 Season's Right WhalesHere is a picture of the Right Whales that were spotted here in St. Augustine in February. These are the ones I saw on February 23, 2003. Late-season Sightings Even though most whales and some scientists have headed north to Cape Cod, the Gulf of Maine, and Canadian waters, there is always the chance that a sighting will occur. Please keep the phone numbers handy, and call Joy at Marineland (904) 471-1111 or (904) 669-8615 (cell). In addition, the whale hotline at Marine Resources Council will be active through the end of April (number below). |
 Right WhalesWhy are they called "Right" whales? They are called right whales because whalers found the whales to be the "right" whales to hunt. Whalers liked catching right whales because they are big, slow, and float when they are killed. Right whales were heavily whaled for many years. Commercial hunting stopped almost 100 years ago. They are an endangered species. Late December through early March is Right Whale watching season in Northeast Florida. I'm on the lookout for the whales. Look for:
If you see any, please call me at 904-823-0027. Also, please call our local group out of Marineland that is tracking the Right Whale at 888-979-4253. If you want me to notify you, e-mail me at Barbara@BarbaraJenness.com with your phone number! Read about Right Whales. |
 Sea Turtle SwimmingOn June 12, 2002, a sea turtle's nest was laid outside our oceanfront home. It was nest 22. Here's a hatchling swimming out to sea on August 4, 2002. To read more about sea turtles, check out Florida Power & Light's information on them: www.fpl.com |
 Sea Turtle's NestWe were told to watch the nest carefully 45 days after the nest was laid (July 27th) until day 60. If the eggs didn't hatch by day 60, the Sea Turtle Patrol would dig up the nest. |
 IndentationWe were told to look for an indentation as a sign that the eggs had hatched and the hatchlings were crawling to the surface. On August 4, 2002 we noticed the indentation. It looks like a footprint in this photo. |
 Inducing LaborThe Sea Turtle Patrol was called and our "midwife", Barbara Starck assisted with the delivery. She dug out the sea turtles and we watched them crawl to the sea. |
 Empty NestIt was a very exciting evening. Now we are suffering from empty nest syndrome and can't wait for our next set of hatchlings. |
 AlligatorsI hope you find this website on the American Alligator useful and educational. |
