Dolphins Hide & Islands Divide in Hurricane

Yami with Yukon by Ann Weaver

Ever wondered what happens to dolphins and sand in a hurricane?  Well Irma gave us some good clues! If you think the answer is dolphins dive deep, well that is part of the answer - see the detail in this article by Ann Weaver, our local dolphin researcher.

Ann says in an earlier article that this is mom Yami with baby son Yukon born 2016. She believes they were playing a tickling game last August when she took this picture.

Source: Science News for Kids

Here's a video that shows how Shell Key had a 'breach' across the island; it started out as two islands, grew into one, and has 'breached' several times since.

Hubby and I did a whole presentation of 'Shifting Sand' for our FMNP course last July. It's hard to show as a single snap shot in time how barrier islands change, but the picture above is a good example of Assateague,Maryland which once was just 1 island! Now the southern end - a nature preserve - is moving inland while the developed northern end cannot shift due to man-made barriers.

September was the most hurricane active month on record. After Irma, we had Jose, which tracked off the East Coast, Kati, which hit Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, while Lee stayed out in the Atlantic ocean, and Maria devastated Puerto Rico, but missed Florida. Now Ned is likely to make landfall this weekend in Louisiana.  Jose, Maria and Ned all were forecast at some point to come our way - but didn't.

In the meantime, work continues here to clean-up from Irma. There is still lots of yard debris to be picked up and signs and building siding to be replaced. Hubby is fixing our little leak.

one tired beach biker

Sis arrived for a visit and for fun we tried out beach bike riding, but these balloon tires, instead of making it easier, actually were exhausting!

We went to the annual autumn start of the local Corey Market and found some Chinese Noodle Beans to try - yummy, just saute.

hatchling by CMA

pretty close in to shore!

My turtling for the season is about over as the last nests that survived Irma are hatching.



But the dolphins came out to play around our boat trip in the Boga Ciega Bay as well as outside our window. The dolphins are attracted inshore by a schools of bait fish which also bring out the pelicans for a dining feast.

heron on right below man

We've had some pretty hard rains which has left water on the beach . . . including enough that the tide has stranded some fish and made a tasty treat for this heron. A cold front passed through a couple of days ago and hallelujah, after a really hot, humid and sticky summer, it seems "autumn" has arrived with temperatures in 80s, a BIG breeze, and slightly lower humidity!! I can go outside without turning into a sweat ball.

At long last, I finished my Roseate Spoonbill fabric and stuffed a few more charity pillows with the help of friends.