Last week Dad and I came down to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to do more work for the upcoming Coastal Dune Lakes documentary we are producing.
We accomplished a lot over the four days we were there:
SoWal local Brock Ellis had the experience of a lifetime recently when he got to swim with a group of seven manatees along the shore at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Brock was able to capture exciting photos and video (below) of the manatees.
It's not uncommon to see manatees swimming east in South Walton in the Spring as they migrate up from Southwest Florida, and again swimming west to get back down south in the Fall. Brock works on the beach so has a front row seat for all the great wildlife action in the Gulf.
I have had many great experiences in South Walton working on the Coastal Dune Lakes of Walton County (working title) documentary. I worked with my Dad, Elam Stoltzfus, and our editor, Joey Dickinson, filming the Paddle for the Planet event last October on Lake Powell.
Jeff Talbert loves the outdoors and he loves photography. Being a Resource Management Park Services Specialist for the state of Florida and stationed at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park gives him unique opportunities to combine his interests. Jeff often is in a great position to photograph South Walton wildlife in the park. We've enjoyed his photography for years and are happy to share a bit.
This year’s excessive rain opens our eyes to the impact Mother Nature has on living creatures, both human and non-human. Human behavior is directly affected by the amount of sunshine we receive daily, not to mention the fresh air and exercise, all critical to our health and happiness.
We wait for the sun to pop through the clouds so we can grab a boat or a board and head for the water. Our bodies in motion don’t know what to do with too much indoor time, especially here in paradise.
The Walton County Hurricane & Storm Damage Reduction Project, also known as the federal beach nourishment project, is in the third phase- the Preliminary, Engineering, and Design Phase (PED). The PED phase includes the all of the steps necessary to prepare the project for the next phase- Construction. Currently, surveyors hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are surveying all five of the project reaches. Almost half of the surveying is complete and we anticipate the final survey work to be completed in October.
September 18, 2013 by Edmond Alexander
While fishing off of the beach Grayton Beach, Florida I encountered thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) in what had to be a a jellyfish jubilee. This movie, as my other underwater movies, was recorded with a GoPro camera attached to a home made PVC drop stick weighted with BBs and attached to a heavy rod and reel. A small fin was also attached to the PVC tube to stabilize the sway motion as the camera was pulled through the water.
End of July Update: South Walton Turtle Watch (SWTW) is reporting the most current count of sea turtle nests is up to 55. Some of the first nests of the season are approaching 50-60 days and we should start to see hatchlings and/or their tracks to the water any day.
Our favorite SoWal State Park for taking a break from the beach is the spectacular Eden Gardens State Park on Tucker Bayou in Point Washington. Drive straight up Scenic Hwy 395 from Seagrove Beach, across Hwy 98 and you'll see the entrance up on the left.
Alys Beach is truly one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Florida but did you know about the nature preserve situated on the northern portion of the community? What a perfect time of year to get outdoors and explore one of South Walton's hidden gems.
Mark your calendar and plan to join eco-tour guide Snookie Parrish for a nature hike through a wetland preserve and trail at Alys Beach! Tour dates are set for March 12, March 19, March 26, and April 2 from 1-2pm. Wear comfortable shoes and meet at Fonville Press to begin your adventure.
