snookemon's saltwater blog

September's Harvest Moon

2010-09-26T17:12:00.000-07:00

Architecture with light, inside theLower Mangrove Exhibit now 'behind the scenes' at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Hospital.

Punched openings of the 'boys' pool illuminate the Rays exhibit below at Stingray Beach.

Rush hour

A certain Paul Klee-ish ness

quality illuminates the lower

mangrove exhibit as the late

summer sun does its

Autumnal Equinox

Rescue Rehabilitation Release

.-. .-. .-.

.-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-.

Mr. Black Drum goes

Urban Camo at LMX Mangrove snapper feel the Autumnal Equinox when

days equal nights, when red is grey and .....

'Moody Blues.'

CMA divers thrill the young audience
just prior to film closing in the Lower Mangrove Exhibit. Divers hope to captivate their audience upon reopening with underwater sign language comedy invoking an interactive experience with impressionable guests. Today's youth, tomorrow's .-. .-. .-.

Turtle Quest

2010-06-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

The turtle's quest begins this day with a swim across

the Hurricane pass's swift outgoing.

But ahead lies the coast guard, while

behind looms an oncoming waterspout.

The coast line is guarded by 'Ol Yellerfoot'

The sea turtle's destination.

Whale Sharks

2010-06-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

This 'Papa Schillingis' was encountered by Team SeaRaider at 10:45.

That is, 10 mi. offshore in 45 ft. of water.

'Papa Schilingis' comes from an old Kenya myth claiming that God threw schillings upon the beast, thus giving it its spots, and that encounters with the creature bring wealth and prosperity.

Is the presense of these 'filter feeders'
near shore confirming what divers and

fishermen observe and scientists fear?

That is, animal behavoral changes are a precurser to planet change?

Small bait fish are but one part
of the whale sharks diet.

The largest
of the fish species mainly feeds on the
smallest elements in the food chain.

Macro-alge, plankton, krill and crab larvae feed whale sharks to recorded lengths of over 40 ft weighing over 40, 000 lbs.

Could a species of adaptation and survival for 60 million years

be trying to tell us something?

Does the whale shark's unique sieve-like filtration system

which allows only water to pass thru the gills hold the key to

filtering the 'oil spill' from our living waters?

And that my friend, is the 'Word on the Water'

May's Milk Moon

2010-05-28T19:13:00.001-07:00

May's 'Full Flower Moon' power was evident although the moon itself was not.

Also known as the 'Corn Planting Moon' or the 'Milk Moon'

The beaches are still clear of recursant hydrocarbons
But who's looking at the sand?

Dock Meeting

2010-05-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

There was something about
"refreshments served at
dock meeting"
that just didn't add up...

"Eye Eye captain"

"So how's that vegatarian diet thing

workin' out for ya there Hog dawg?

Takin' the Red-eye

back to the dock.

3:30

2010-05-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

Three miles out and 30 feet down.
The surface is calm,
but below lies another town.

Bottom dwellers head home while contemplating the inevitable extinction from the incoming plume.

No oil spill residue is evidenced,

however a database record has been set.

Research scientists record reflectivity

data from bottom species.

A Hogfigh's worst nightmare...

Honda St. Pete Grand Prix 2010

2010-04-01T18:42:00.001-07:00

Saturday's qualifying action prior

to Sunday's rain-out.

Sal's new crib.
The $35 million Dali
Museum overlooking the waterfront.

Danica Patrick discusses

"the whole red-stripe thing"

with crew chief after a

qualifying run

Izod Indi Series qualifing action from Acura turn 10 at the St. Pete Honda Grand Prix 2010.

Bad To The Bone

2010-03-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Pushing the sound barrier in a suprise fly by, the Blue Angles demonstrate their concept of air superiority.

F/A-18 Hornet warming up at
McDill Airfest 2010

The ground troops

had no problem keeping the

crowds under controll.

The only Bull these guys take is Red.

US Special Operations Command Parachute Team stunns the crowd below after freefalling for 2 miles at terminal velocity. (120 mph. )

With a top speed around Mach 1.7, the Blue Angles can cruise at 1,200 mph, depending on where they are in the Tropopause. (Air column)

"No matter how you look at it, its just another day in the office" Rodger

"Four pack of 'Nasty's"

Six pack to go please.

First Signs of Spring

2010-03-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

The arches of the Oldsmar Library vignette the atheletes pre-race routine in the 28th annual Armadillo Run

No butterflies in this saga, that would mean the Kingfish were running and water temps were up about a dime. But the waves cleanse the shore of what the wind leaves behind.

Northshore Honeymoon 3.13. Stan rips the top off cause he loves those easy open cans.

Note no waxey build up using todays pledge.

Todays pledge: "I pledge to shred."

On the only nice day in the week prior to the Ides of March, the armadillos came snooting out followed by old gehsers in their antique horseless carriages. None were adorned with rich Corinthian leather, and none featured low jack or GPS nav systems, however some came equiped with air-bags, even in the early 20's.

The only thing cooler than the cars were the dudes driving them with their waxed handlebar moustaches, daunting wrapped mufflers in the brisk morning air of the open road.
I'll lay ya odds some old gehser knows exactly when the critters come out in the spring and they named the race after that day. Coincidence, I submit not.

Wind and Weed

2010-03-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

Word on the water is Wind and Weed. Wind on the water
and weed on the shore.

Low Ri Derr

2010-02-02T13:23:00.000-08:00

The negative low tides of the winter moons are a great time for recon. Knowing the bottom structure when there is 2 feet of water above it (later) is good stuff to know. Exploring the back country for new water I stopped at the Howard Park. Fred's spread has just about anything you could want related to the water.

Eagle eye

2009-12-27T15:33:00.000-08:00

Cold air met these hard core trainers this morning. First guy thinking 'I got chunks of these guys on my toilet seat'. Last guy thinking 'hey guys, photo op ahead!'. Over yander sets old eagle eyes, just slightly amused at the antics below. He dissapears for a while, then returns to his nest and dissapears again...

Thunder Road

2009-12-20T17:22:00.000-08:00

The air bellowed in thunder with a seemingly endless roar as a gazillion bikers completed their toy run today.

When the kickstand hit the sand, the bandstand fired one up. You can tell these guys know how to rock, and these guys are not forgot.

Go ahead Jump

2009-12-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

Strong winds had the 'loco' residents jumping for joy today as spectators were jumping to conclusions as to who would survive .

These dudes discuss the next safety meeting while enjoying 2 ft chocolate shakes.

Major Air

2009-12-18T14:55:00.000-08:00

The word on the water today was air. Major. Air. Northshore style.

25 knot winds brought the kiteboarders out like fatsos at the BonBon outlet.

Ankle Deep at Anclote

2009-12-17T12:38:00.001-08:00

Low and slow described the action at the Anclote River outflow this morning beneath overcast skies.

Even the local residents took advantage of an open spot to stalk the water.

The incoming low pressure and stormy weather approaching from the NW Gulf will assuredly drive scores of anglers to this spot.

Those anglers will await their chance at the assortment of species which push up into the warmer waters of the river when the Gulf temps take a big dip.

Permit, Pompano and large gator Trout will surely be on everyone's mind within a day or so when the smokestack starts smokin'.

Fog goneit!

2009-12-16T12:20:00.000-08:00

After several days of gloomy fogged in shorelines, Northwesterly winds overruled and cleared the way for a fresh look at a new shoreline. Although the shoreline is not 'actually' new, it has a 'new' look. The bathouse is gone. You may remember it as John Travolta's house in the movie, or you may remember it as the last stop before the hike out to the old jetty. Nevertheless, nothing remains but a few of the old pilings.

Today an interesting display of animal behavior was presented as the 'newly abandoned' pilings became the 'king of the roost' place to be. Several different gulls tried to occupy the post, but then along came another to scare him off or fight. At the same time, just beyond the drama, the wind had pushed schools of baitfish close to shore. As many as seven pelicans could be counted diving into the schooling bait at any one time. A refreshing sight to the shore angler after the last few days of gloomy conditions. As plentyfull as the feeding seemed to be, it was still more important to some of the island's residents to take the 'top seat' on the beach, albeit for just a minute.