The Lighthouse Summer Camp kids and their teachers, Jeff Wessel and Andy Magee, found two Florida tree snails crawling on the Lighthouse patio on August 7, 2007. Why is this worth noting? Florida tree snails normally populate coastal hammocks in South Florida and the Keys. The northernmost area reporting tree snails is Indian River County. There, tree snails have been found on orange and grapefuit trees and since they do no harm to the trees [...]
I know that one is already taken, but that's what it feels like. Right now I'm in... Palm Beach? Vero Beach? No that was last night. Ft. Lauderdale's tomorrow, Boca Raton! I'm in Boca Raton -- Absolutely -- and we're just making sure that people down in the southern hemisphere of Florida remember where the oldest port in the nation is. Its a good thing I did too, most of the people that we've spoken [...]
Florida Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina bauri) FLORIDA BOX TURTLE [Here’s a sample of pages on St. Augustine Lighthouse widlife being created–Chuck Meide, Administrative Director of LAMP, found a box turtle crossing the road in front of his house and brought the turtle for release at the Lighthouse, perfect habitat for box turtles. The photos are Chuck’s.] Description; Small land turtle, maximum length, 7.5 inches.High domed upper shell (carapace). Lower shell (plastron) is hinged about half [...]
Friday, June 1, Sharon Ferguson, Office Manager, took these pictures of a mother raccoon and her four youngsters curled up in grape vines at the top of trees just behind (west of) the Lighthouse tower. Sharon took these pictures from the top of the tower. The grapevines make a soft hammock strong enough to hold the ready-to-wean pups and their mom. […]
A number of good things are occuring that make me feel lucky to be here in this place at this time. Things are gellin’ so to speak. First we are working hard, all of us on some creative projects. I’m excited for the future. Second, we are doing some fun things together. Here is an example. The Lighthouse Guild took an amazing trip to Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, with a special slide show by Director of [...]
MAY 12, 2007, INSECT & SPIDER WORKSHOP. Entered by Gail Compton, Lighthouse Naturalist At 9:00 a.m. six people showed up for the Lighthouse insect/spider workshop. We shared numbers of insect and spider guide books available and had a discussion about insects in Florida and the differences between beetles, bugs, flies and spiders. It was a bit foggy outside at first, but when the sun came out we immediately saw insect activity on the red bay [...]
To my Mom on Mothers’ Day A fixed point, a Lighthouse. Strong, Wise, Remarkable A guiding light in the darkest storm Always knowing the way To my Mom on Mothers’ Day A fixed point, a Lighthouse Proud, Bold, Beautiful The evidence and identity Always marking home I love you mom, Beau
Nature has always been a part of Lighthouse histories: the sea, beaches, dunes, inlets, salt marshes and the plants and animals inhabiting them. Humans and lighthouses don’t exist in vacuums. Natural forces influence our lives and shape our actions, our architecture and culture. Engaging school tours and regular visitors in the natural history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse is exciting education. The Lighthouse has a natural classroom that’s never closed. Six acres of oak hammock [...]
We have recently been giving literally hundreds of school tours at the museum. We have had just tons of wonderful comments back about them, espcially since our resident naturalist, Gail Compton, began to share her Owl Calls and information about the natural environment on and around our 6 acre light station. We even had an unexpected guest. Hearing Gail's Owl calls on tape, one of our Great Horned Owls showed up and sat in the [...]
Here at the St. Augustine Lighthouse it is a little chilly this Easter Sunday morning; (and by the way Happy Easter!) however, none of that matters because its Sunday at the Masters. For golf enthusiasts - check that - for those who are sports fans you already know how great a day this is. Happy Easter indeed! For those who are not I won’t try to explain it in the condescending way guys often do, [...]