Cedar Key in My Eyes

FOR: Cedar Keys & Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuges

2011-01-24T09:32:00.002-05:00

FOROne way to get involved with Cedar Kay is to become a Friend of the Refuges ... Cedar Keys and Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuges, that is!

The Friends of the Refuges has many resources available to you, including a BlogSpot/Website and a Facebook page where you can get more involved and get to know the other "Friends" or "FORs."

The FOR has found there are plenty of ways to help the National Wildlife Refuges in the area, from helping to keep the area clean, to planting trees, to handing out literature. See how you can get involved, and "Like" their Facebook page!

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CKGC January 2011 Garden of the Month

2011-01-13T13:38:00.002-05:00

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CKGC December 2010 Garden of the Month

2011-01-13T13:29:00.004-05:00

It's been nearly 25 years since Nolen and Daisy Freeman were awarded for Garden of the Month, but the garden is completely different since their last win. Their first Garden of the Month award came after they had landscaped with 91 beautifully arranged planted pots. Yet, that garden only lasted a few short years because the landscaping was not with native or Cedar Key weather tolerant plants. In fact, during cold spells, all 91 plants had to be brought inside their home to wait out the unforgiving weather ... even when it spoiled their get-away plans. What a way to find out that Native and drought tolerant plants were the way to garden?! Since then, the Freemans have "done their homework" to make an easy to care for, more sustainable garden.

This time the Garden of the Month award comes in a large part due to the Freeman's choice of easy to care for, native and drought tolerant plants, including their lawn of Centipede Grass, which according to www.CentepedeGrass.com, "is probably the lowest maintenance of the warm season grasses." The same site says, "This creeping perennial is well adapted to the sandy, acidic soils of low fertility and requires low maintenance." The installation of sidewalks inspired Nolen to take great care in his lawn ... making sure the grass is trimmed to the sidewalk in order to accentuate it.

A blanket of Lush Spreading Dwarf Jasmine accentuates their attractive home. This Asiatic Jasmine is often used in the south. Though maintenance is needed to keep the fast growing plant in bounds and edged, and an annual mowing, is beneficial, it takes only a "fraction of the upkeep required by lawns," according to Southern Gardening: An Environmentally Sensitive Approach by Marie Harrison.

There are three "xeriscaped" or "xeroscaped" areas in the front yard, with Cypress Mulch surrounding plants like Short-needed pines, Texas Sage, a Date Palm Tree, Sable Palm Trees, a Dogwood Tree, a Gardenia Bush, Rosemary (two varieties), and Crown of Thorns, Century Plants, and a native Coffee Plant. "Xeriscaping" is a method of gardening that reduces water usage, hence the drought tolerant plant choices. The Cypress Mulch was chosen due to its resistance to bugs, ability to hold up longer, and nice color. Large white clam shells outline the xeriscaped vicinities ... all from clams the Freemans gathered and ate themselves.

Of course, the Freemans have had much help with their landscaping and gardening over the years. For instance, Police Chief Virgil Sandlin put in the sprinkling system for their lawn that runs 30 minutes in the very early mornings three days a week. The late Mike McCain brought over the Palm which now stands in the middle of the Freeman yard from across the road before it was destroyed. It was also Mr. McCain that helped bring some of the Railroad ties (though most replaced now) which outline the Freeman's crushed rock driveway.

Of course, like other fellow Cedar Key residents, the Freeman property has had it's share of hurricanes. One of their Short-needle Pines is a testament to Tropical Storm Juan. It was blown over by the winds, it's roots came up, but never broke. So now it lays on it's side with its limbs growing up vertically. Sadly, Hurricane Elena of 1985 broke a beautiful native Cedar.

An interesting note, Nolen once belonged to the "original" Cedar Key Garden Club. They met nearly every day at 6:30 AM at the old John's Restaurant. The small group, which also included Herman Allen, a deputy sheriff and husband of Jan Allen, called themselves the "Cedar Key Garden Club." During their meetings Nolen and Herman would drink three cups of coffee each.

Congratulations, Nolen and Daisy!

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A Cedar Key Christmas 2010

2010-12-15T01:08:00.002-05:00

This is Christmas ... Cedar Key style:

The Lighting of the Christmas Tree:

Cedar Key Children's Christmas Party:

Christmas Boat Parade And Community Dinner:

Close up of Winning Casting Net Christmas Tree

Santa Clam and Clammette

3rd Place Casting Net Christmas Tree

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Rehabilitated Bald Eagle Release in Cedar Key

2010-11-06T17:59:00.003-04:00

A rehabilitated Bald Eagle was returned to the wild today by the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey after 2 weeks of recovery.

AUDUBON of FLORIDA's press release said:

AUDUBON TO RELEASE 407TH BALD EAGLE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 (Maitland) Audubon Center for Birds of Prey will release a rehabilitated adult female Bald Eagle on Cedar Key, Saturday, November 6th at 1:00 PM. (Release site to be determined. Call Lynda White's cell for directions). This is the 407th rehabilitated Bald Eagle released back to the Florida skies by the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey since 1979. This eagle is a symbol not only of our nation but of the success of the Bald Eagle recovery efforts by Audubon through education, conservation and rehabilitation.

The eagle was found on the ground unable to fly, rescued by Cedar Key resident Dr. David Johnston, and transported to the University of Florida's Veterinary School in Gainesville. The bird was then transferred to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, a nationally renowned center for eagle care. She was diagnosed with very minor abrasions, most likely in a territory dispute with another eagle. Conditioning in the 100 foot flight cage followed, and she is now ready for release two weeks after her rescue. She has been fitted with a numbered aluminum U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band for future identification.

Even though the eagle is now delisted, Bald Eagles and their nest sites will continue to be protected by state and federal laws. For more information about Bald Eagles or the Eagle Watch volunteer program, please contact Lynda White, lwhite@audubon.org

Except for having to move the release from the west end of Cedar Key's Airport because other Bald eagles were found to be nesting nearby, and three Bald Eagles were flying above the site at the time the release was to take place, the beautiful event happened without a hitch on the access road near Bridge 4 just out out of the City of Cedar Key.

During the car ride over to the release, the bird was sleeping and peaceful in Lynda White's arms - even when arriving to several curious people, including one child, and their cameras. The bird seemed to have no fear that her rescuers would bring her harm. Of course, she was blinded during the ride and walk over to the release spot in order to help her remain calm.

When the time came, Lynda handed the lovely bird over to Beth Loft, a Veterinary Technician, to perform the actual release. And, once the blinders came off, the bird appeared ready to take off. She looked bright eyed at the world and people before her, then turned her head around to see Beth's face, and as if to say, "Will you please release me now?"

Beth gave the nearly 10 pound bird a heave, and off she went over a salt marsh of the Gulf of Mexico and over to a snag across the way. She rested only a short while, and flew off to hopefully find her mate.

Esta and Dr. David Johnston; Captain Doug Maple of Tidewater Tours, an avid bird watcher; Tom Liebert of Kayak Cedar Keys, a lover of nature; Tom and Josh Pearson of Pearson Lawncare; myself; and a few others were there for the release.

Bald Eagles are in the middle of their mating season around the Cedar Keys area. Eagles have a lifespan of up to 40 years in the wild.

http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/

http://www.dvercity.com/breeding_cycles_of_bald_eagles.html

http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/bald-eagle.html

http://www.birdhouses101.com/bald-eagle-mating.asp

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#4 Bridge Gator

2010-09-18T09:15:00.001-04:00

While we were traveling SR 24 into Cedar Key to drop off my son at an appointment, we spotted this alligator in the distance off the #4 Bridge, which overlooks the salty to brackish water of the Gulf of Mexico. We couldn't stop at the moment in order to get my son to his appointment on time, and so my husband dropped him off, and we drove back to find the gator. I didn't want it to sink before I started "shooting," so my husband did a turnabout past the bridge, and stopped the truck before the bridge in order for me to get out and begin shooting as I walked the bridge to get closer to my subject.

The Gator at a Distance

At first, I wasn't sure I was shooting the gator or some debris. But, as I got closer, the gator's snout and eyes were evident.

It stayed quite still at first, and watched me as I shot and walked closer and closer. But, as I got in front of it, it turned itself to face me, and then raised it's body as if to warn me.

The Gator Turns to Face Me

The Gator Rises to Warn Me

It slowly relaxed, and watched me for awhile, until it felt safe enough to get a closer look at me. It swam closer to me ... at first straight at me, and then off to my right, in order to stay a safe distance, but also to keep an eye on me the whole time.

The Gator Swims For a Closer Look

The Gator In For a Closer Look

I waited where I was, but then slowly came closer when it relaxed further.

The Gator Watches

The Gator Allows a Closer, Final Look

The gator allowed me to shoot away and stayed surfaced until I turned to leave ... when I turned around for a last look from the truck, it was gone

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Some of Cedar Key's Flowers and Plant Life

2010-08-15T23:45:00.001-04:00

A Flower Garden on Airport Road

Flower Pot Outside Cedar Keys Emporium

Wisteria on a Rugged Fence

Black-eyed Susan Vine On a Mailbox Post

Along the Cedar Key Garden and Pond Walk

A Water Feature Along the Cedar Key Garden and Pond Walk

Yellow Flower Power

Skipper on a Yellow Flower

A Flower and a Bee Along the Boardwalk

Bee on A Yellow Flower

Color Along One of My Walks

Spurred Butterfly Pea Flower Along the Tressle Path

Blue Flower Along Another Walk

Pink Bouquet

Sunny Flowers On a Walk

Field of Flowers

Marci's Cassia

Gulf Fritillary in a Wildflower Garden

Monarch on Its Host Milkweed

Gulf Fritillaries on Lantana camara

Polka Dot Wasp Moth on Lantana

Elephant Ear

Ponderosa Lemons

Tangerines

Pomegranate

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Cedar Key Area From the Air

2010-08-14T00:58:00.001-04:00

Cedar Key (Dock Street up front)

Cedar Key (Gulf Blvd up front)

George T. Lewis Airport (KCDK)

Cedar Key, Way Key, and George T. Lewis Airport

Seahorse Key

Seahorse Key with George T. Lewis Airport, Cedar Key, and Atsena Otie

Seahorse Key

Atsena Otie

Aerial View of Atsena Otie's Fishing Dock

Atsena Otie of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge

Shell Mound

Deer Island

Deer Island

Deer Island

Deer Island

Preacher's Hole

Aerial View of the Back of Cedar Key School When Landing...

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Misc Shots in Cedar Key

2010-08-12T11:27:00.004-04:00

Just a Flower

Field of Flowers

Horse

A Carriage for the Horse (well, for people, DRAWN by horse!)

Miss Clarabelle

Food for Thought

Edmund's Edsel

A Closer Look

An Old Chevy Truck

Crab Traps

And More Crab Traps

One Bad Attitude

Some Sunshine (well, lots of it....)

A Not-So-Wildlife Thing

A Tiled Cormorant

Indian Burial Mound

...And Lots of Other Fun Stuff.... (Come and See!)

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Another Morning Walk Around Cedar Key

2010-08-11T15:08:00.006-04:00

A Flickr.com contact wanted to walk around Cedar Key last weekend, and I had no qualms about jumping into this adventure. We rode some, we walked some, but had a great morning, even though the heat was incredible.

Low-Key Hideaway Beach Bar off SR 24

A Brown Anole on the Cedar Key Cemetery Boardwalk

One of the Boats Now Part of the Boat "Graveyard" Along Cedar Key Cemetery's Boardwalk

Another of the Boats Now Part of the Boat "Graveyard" Along Cedar Key Cemetery's Boardwalk

There Were Plenty of Flowers and Insects Along the Walk

This Great Egret was so funny, as we drove by, it suddenly stroke this pose and stayed there, as if it we wouldn't see it if it stayed still enough. I got out of the car, and kept clicking as I walked closer, until it couldn't take it anymore, and started away from me. But, it stuck around, curious since I hadn't hurt it, or moved too quickly. This Egret was found near the Airport Strip.

We "Stalked" This Great Horned Owl in the Cedar Key Cemetery To Get a Few Shots

This Was My First Siting of a Clapper Rail - Found Along Gulf Blvd at the Cedar Key Cemetery Boardwalk

Sparred Butterfly Pea Flowers Along the Tressel Path

Another Brown Anole Along Tressel Path

A Puerto Rican Crested Anole Along Tressel Path

More pics from this walk to come later....

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Some of the Critters of Cedar Key

2010-08-10T17:59:00.004-04:00

Osprey

Bald Eagle

"Rodney"

"Rodney"

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

American White Pelicans

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Great Egret

Great Egret

Roseate Spoonbill (even in the rain!)

Killdeer

Willet

American Avocet

Double-Crested Cormorant

Ring-billed Gull

Laughing Gull

Herring Gull and Crab

Royal Tern

Boat-tailed Grackle (Female)

Monarch Butterfly

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab

Young Diamondback Terrapin

According to TomSpinker, It's "a Salt Marsh Snake, Nerodia clarkii. Probably with some crossbreeding of the Florida Banded Water Snake, Nerodia fasciata."

Brown Anole

Hound Dog

Tabby Cat

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Cedar Key Skies and Water

2010-08-06T11:15:00.001-04:00

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Cedar Key's Clamerica 2010

2010-08-06T00:53:00.002-04:00

Clamerica
7/4/2010

For more see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickip/sets/72157624426650912/

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The Changing of the Birds

2010-05-30T21:47:00.002-04:00

Beautiful Male Double-crested Cormorant

Many have experienced the breathtaking beauty of the Cedar Keys' sunsets, but far less have enjoyed the captivating "changing of the birds" as the sun sets. This comparatively seldom-seen encounter, though, creates a memory for a lifetime. And, great news: one can catch this awe-inspiring occurrence during this time of the year!

So, what is this "changing of the birds"? Well, in the evening, as some folks relax along the shores, decks, and bridges of Cedar Key in order to enjoy the beautiful sunset, they do not know that hundreds of ibises, egrets, and herons are taking flight from Cedar Key's Piney Point to Seahorse Key's Gardner Point to turn in for the night. At the same time, a night heron here and there will return to Cedar Key from Seahorse Key so to start its nocturnal feeding. And, as lines of birds come in to Gardner Point, and speckles of night herons leave the island, Magnificent Frigratebirds either sit together in its trees or circle high above appearing to watch the evening event.

The skyway between Seahorse Key's Gardner Point, the closest point to Cedar Key, and Cedar Key, especially Piney Point, becomes a incredibly busy highway during the golden hour, while Seahorse Key echoes with a symphony of thousands of birds. And, the experience of this conjuncture sends chills up one's spine.

Of course, one could view an episode of this from certain points in Cedar Key, but the entire event is best captured from the water between the two Keys, closer to Seahorse Key's Gardner Point where the birds' chorus can be heard. One wonderfully relaxing, yet educational way to enjoy this experience is to travel via Captain Doug Maple's Tidewater Tours Sunset Tour, especially during high tide. During his tour, one can sit back on a pontoon boat while being guided by a very knowledgeable birder.

The Sunset Calls the Ibises Home
While on Captain Doug Maple's Tidewater Tours' Sunset Tour, we watched as hundreds of Ibises flew home to Seahorse Key for the night.
White Ibises
Eudocimus albus
Captain Doug Maple
Tidewater Tours
Sunset Tour
5/21/10
8:03:59 PM

The Call of the Wild
The Ibises are called in by the setting sun.
Captain Doug Maple
Tidewater Tours
Sunset Tours
5/21/10
8:06:51 PM

Captain Doug Maple
Tidewater Tours
Sunset Tours
5/21/10
8:06:58 PM

Comin' At Ya!
We were blessed this night while on the Tidewater Water Tours' Sunset Tour with Captain Doug Maples. There were many playing dolphins, flocking birds, and colors in the sky.
Bottle-nosed Dolphin
Captain Doug Maple
Tidewater Tours
Sunset Tour
5/21/10
7:30:33 PM

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All In An Hour Walk In Cedar Key

2010-05-14T15:03:00.006-04:00

The Ring-billed Gull and the Horseshoe Crabs
Larus delawarensis
Limulus polyphemus
Cedar Key City Park Beach
Cedar Key, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
4:33:52 PM

We went out to the Cedar Key City Park Beach today so that I could snap a few pictures of Horseshoe Crabs that are now gracing the beaches of Cedar Key. Since the first Full Moon with High Tide, the "crabs" (actually more closely related to spiders) have been gathering at High Tides at the beaches to "mate" and lay eggs. The males, much smaller than the females, attach on to the back of females, and then fertilize the eggs as she lays them in the beach sands. As many as 12 males will group around a female as she lays the eggs. Hundreds of them crowd the beaches (about March 1st to July 1st) for this activity.

A resident and frequent observer of the Horseshoe Crabs, Tom Liebert of Kayak Cedar Keys, said that as the tide is coming in, the "crabs" face the beach. As the tide begins to level, they face parallel with the beach. And, as the tide just begins to recede, they face out toward the water, ready to go back to the Gulf.

After I felt I had enough shots of the Horseshoe Crabs, our friend Tom also reminded us to try to find the owls' nest at the cemetery. He had mentioned them before, and was also the one to tell us about the Horseshoe Crabs. So, we ventured over to the Cedar Key Cemetery, and, this time, found the owls' nest quickly. I began "shooting" pics of the nest made of sticks, when I finally saw a young Great Horned Owl on a nearby branch with its head turned to watch me. It still had white downy patches.

Then, after leaving the cemetery, I decided that it would be nice to go try to find the Swallow-tailed Kites another friend had told us were nesting next to Cabin Road off the South Gate of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge off of 347 in Chiefland. We had driven only a short distance into the South Gate Entrance of the LSNWR when my husband spotted what we know now to be a Florida Cottonmouth Snake that was sunning itself on the dirt road. We stopped, and I snapped several shots from across him and out his window. Then, as terrified as I am of snakes, I got out, and snapped some more from about 4 or 5 feet away ... obviously, I didn't know what it was at the time!

Then, we drove to and down Cabin Road. As we were driving, we noticed things moving all around us ... Fiddler Crabs. I got out, and was able to get close enough to snap some pics. There are many in Cedar Key, but I never get close enough for a fair picture.

Anyway, we drove as far as we could, but no Kite. So, we began driving back when I spotted my first Swallow-tailed Kite! Yay! I didn't get a picture of it, but was excited nonetheless. So, onward toward the exit we went. We left and began south on CR 347 when we saw another Kite flying above us. We stopped, and this time I was able to snap some pics. After we traveled further, we spotted a third Kite, as well.

So, homeward we went....

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab
Limulus polyphemus
Cedar Key City Park Beach
Cedar Key, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
4:44:15 PM

Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs at High Tide
Limulus polyphemus
Cedar Key City Park Beach
Cedar Key, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
4:53:37 PM

Juvenile Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Cedar Key Cemetery
Cedar Key, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
5:30:44 PM

The Owl, the Nest, and the Incidental Ibises
Bubo virginianus
Eudocimus albus
Cedar Key Cemetery
Cedar Key, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
5:32:33 PM

Florida Cottonmouth....
Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti
South Gate, off CR 347
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
Chiefland, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
5:58:22 PM

Face to Face With a Venomous Snake
Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti
South Gate, off CR 347
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
Chiefland, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
5:58:43 PM

Eye to Eye With a Venomous Snake
Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti
South Gate, off CR 347
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
Chiefland, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
6:00:47 PM

Fiddler Crab
Uca
Cabin Road
South Gate, off CR 347
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
Chiefland, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
6:08:44 PM

American Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
CR 347
Fowler's Bluff, Chiefland, Levy, Florida
4/4/10
6:31:20 PM

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Signs of Cedar Key

2010-01-11T14:48:00.005-05:00

Cedar Key City Park Sign

One of the things that intrigues me about Cedar Key is the art of the area, even the signage screams of the artistic talent abundant in Cedar Key. So, today, I'll share just a bit of the artistic signage:

Old Fenimore Mill Condominiums Sign

Cedar Cove Sign

Kayak Cedar Keys Sign

Captain Deep Sea's Charters' Sign

Tidewater Tours / Island Tours Sign

Island Hopper Sign

Seabreeze Sign

Big Deck Raw Bar Sign

Ann's Other Place Sign

Harbor Master and Dilly Dally Gally's Sign

Frog's Landing Sign

Water's Edge Gift Shop Sign

Niko's Bait Bucket Sign

Kona Joe's Island Cafe Sign

Dock Street Depot Sign of Yesteryear

Dock Side Motel Sign

The Rusty Rim Pub & Restuarant Sign

Coconuts of Cedar Key Sign

Cedar Key Historical Museum Sign

Cedar Key Historic District Sign

Island Pizzeria Sign

Mermaids Landing Water Front Cottages Sign

Pirates Cove Cottages Sign

Annie's Cafe Sign

Blue Bayou of Cedar Key of yesteryear's Sign (now a restuarant ... sign to come)

Gulf Side Motel Sign

The Island Place Sign

Island View Cottages Sign

Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast Sign

Island Hotel c 1859

Island Hotel and Restaurant c 1859

L and M Bar and Lounge of yesteryear

Cedar Inn Motel

Cook's Cafe

Island Arts, Artist Co-op

Drummond Community Bank

Cedar Keyhole, Artist Co-op

City Hall

Dedication to the Memory of Cedar Key's Commercial Fishermen

Curmudgeonalia Bookstore

Cedar Key Water & Sewer District Building and Sign

The Market at Cedar Key Building, Mural, and Sign

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Cedar Key Buildings

2010-01-06T18:12:00.007-05:00

"Honeymoon Cottage"

I began visiting Cedar Key about 25 years ago when we visited my in-laws' property where they would one day retire. Its beauty, buildings, history, and people captivated me. We visited several times throughout the years, and eventually we couldn't leave.

I will begin this blog with some of the Cedar Key buildings that are memorable and interesting.

Seabreeze Restaurant and Lounge

Rusty Rim and Coconuts of Cedar Key

Harbour Master and Dilly Dally Gally

Once the Dock Street Depot, but still Kona Joe's below

Hale Building, once The Heron Restaurant, now Tony's Seafood and Accord Insurance

Cedar Key Historical Society and Museum

Once the Masonic Lodge location, now the Curmudgeonalia Bookstore

Island Arts, an Artist Co-Op

Lutterloh Store c 1872

Schlemmer Grocery and Bakery

The old L & M Bar and Lounge

Island Hotel & Restaurant c 1859

W Randolph Hodges Home

Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast (hosts Bill & Alice Phillips)

Wells Wood Outdoor Furniture (once an old church)

Cedar Key School (Florida's smallest public high school)

Whitman House on Cedar Key Museum and State Park Grounds

United Methodist Church

Christ Church Episcopal

Cedar Key Lighthouse on Seahorse Key

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