This afternoon I went out in the Gulf in my kayak out past the second sand bar. I tried to find a clear path with no jelly fish and exited my kayak. Ouch! There were countless jelly fish and no space between them and I got stung pretty good so back in the kayak I went.
Earlier in the day while in the water I had what I can best describe as a Pilot fish that kept hugging me and running into me and it kinda spooked me, making me leave the water. Well, on this afternoon occasion, I noticed several of those Pilot fish begin to surround my kayak and then a whole swarm of them. I noticed an entire school circling under me until I noticed something else.
It first appeared to be some of the dead, brown June grass that is more in the shallows, but something about it appeared to define itself differently. I looked closer and noticed fins, but the shape was not recognized as anything I understood. Upon closer inpsection it turned out to be three Nurse sharks with their noses meeting and their bodies going out away from the center.
I stayed above them, leaning my head over the side of my kayak and watching them. They appeared to be asleep, resting, whatever. I wanted so badly to get out and get a good look from the water, but the jelly fish were everywhere out there, leaving no clear path to exit my kayak. I was definately more afraid of them than the Nurse sharks.
But then, there was a shark about 10 feet away from me that slammed through the surface attacking something. I did not see it clear enough to guess the type or even get a good enough look for size. But it was pretty neat.
Does anyone have an idea when these jelly fish will get the heck out of here? They have been horrible all summer out there in the deep.
Btw, the reason I decided to go out a second time today was as I was leaving Robert Ellis street, from the stop sign down passed One Seagrove Place into the Gulf I noticed what appeared to be a wave out beyond the 2nd sand bar. I drove down and watched it for a while and never determined what it was. It wasn't like the normal bait fish thing. I read that the Tarpon were running through, which is why I went out the second time to see if it was Tarpon out there creating that commotion. I just don't know. But the shark thing was pretty neat. I love this place.
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Beach Fanatic
Pygmym I know. I know. I've seen probably more than 15 since moving here in February and the first one I saw was about 24 inches long and big. At the time I thought it was somewhat small, but come to find out, it was at the big end of the spectrum. But this one today was just tiny. I saw another about the same size. The size of a pencil in length and girth.
I'll tell you, this one today kept snapping at me. I know wasp stings hurt like heck. I wonder how its bite is relative to a wasp as far as the initial pain. I know the lingering affects can be downright horrible. I just wonder about the initial rush of chemicals running through you.
Btw, I was meaning to ask you about your name. Kinda catchy, but I think I'll stick with mine
Since I have first hand experience with a pygmy bite, it hurts, but I thought I had gotten into some thorny briars. I was bit on the ankle and a short time later that entire side of my body felt like I had been hit by a car. Afterwards, I was sick with what felt like the flu for about 4 months due to depletion of red blood cells. That was about 6 years ago and if I get tired, I know it's time to rest and recover. If I don't the other creepy side effect
is the muscle spasms that feel like you have something slithery in your leg...this was the worst part phycologocally.(sic) .I felt like I had a snake in my leg. And, no, I did not get antivenom since I didn't realize I was snake bit....at first.
SWGB
I'm starting to believe he doesn't miss anything. He follows game trails through outback trails in the pouring rain. He takes intimate portraits of venomous serpents on said trails where I ride my mountain bike without considering their presence. If anyone can document the rumored black bears or FL panthers of remote parts of Walton County (or perhaps some new coastal Bigfoot/Yhetti/Abominable Beach Bum creature which we need to substantiate), it will be miskecatadjuster. He will be in the vicinity on a kayak or mountain bike with a digital camera in his possession and post it for all of us to see.
While I was jealous I had a moment the other day. On Monday I was headed over to Seacrest when I saw something coming out of the woods on the south side of 98 near WaterSound Blvd. Turns out it was a pig, so after all this time of thinking I was just being had about the wild pigs I finally saw one. Granted it wasn't mother nature at her most beautiful, but it was one of those odd occurences.
Beach Fanatic
While I was jealous I had a moment the other day. On Monday I was headed over to Seacrest when I saw something coming out of the woods on the south side of 98 near WaterSound Blvd. Turns out it was a pig, so after all this time of thinking I was just being had about the wild pigs I finally saw one. Granted it wasn't mother nature at her most beautiful, but it was one of those odd occurences.
I do remember some threads about Seagrove wild hogs a few months ago, likely descendants of an old Grayton hog farm if I recall correctly. I had bacon and my wife had a sausage & cheese biscuit from Flip-Flops this morning, but I'm pretty sure they don't serve game hog, so the local you saw is probably still safe after this morning's breakfast.
Banned
While I was jealous I had a moment the other day. On Monday I was headed over to Seacrest when I saw something coming out of the woods on the south side of 98 near WaterSound Blvd. Turns out it was a pig, so after all this time of thinking I was just being had about the wild pigs I finally saw one. Granted it wasn't mother nature at her most beautiful, but it was one of those odd occurences.
I can tell you for sure that if you get in a canoe or perow in the river swamps in freeport just North of Jolly Bay (Smokehouse or Simplers) after dark you can hear the hogs coming through the woods from 2 blocks away. Let 'em know you're there because if you startle them at the last second you'll have your hands full. The river swamps are full of them and other interesting Florida wild animals and they're easier to find at night.
Banned
ASH.....I thought I knew a lot about snakes
I've been interested in snakes since I was a kid. I had quite a few Retic's and Burmese too.
This is one I never heard of and I can't find any info to back it up.: An older local I know told me that venomous snakes will sometimes bite themselves if they are mortally injured. The thought was that it would poison anything that ate them.
Has anyone ever heard this? Is it true? Thanks
I've been interested in snakes since I was a kid. I had quite a few Retic's and Burmese too.
This is one I never heard of and I can't find any info to back it up.: An older local I know told me that venomous snakes will sometimes bite themselves if they are mortally injured. The thought was that it would poison anything that ate them.
Has anyone ever heard this? Is it true? Thanks
SWGB
Sounds like an old wives tale to me. I could see them accidentally biting themselves in a fit after being injured badly, but I can't imagine they'd do it on purpose.
Meow
I've been interested in snakes since I was a kid. I had quite a few Retic's and Burmese too.
This is one I never heard of and I can't find any info to back it up.: An older local I know told me that venomous snakes will sometimes bite themselves if they are mortally injured. The thought was that it would poison anything that ate them.
Has anyone ever heard this? Is it true? Thanks
Only if their name is Bond, James Bond.
SWGB
Only if their name is Bond, James Bond.
Oh Kitty, Miss Kitty. :funn:
Beach FanaticAuthor
I'm starting to believe he doesn't miss anything. He follows game trails through outback trails in the pouring rain. He takes intimate portraits of venomous serpents on said trails where I ride my mountain bike without considering their presence. If anyone can document the rumored black bears or FL panthers of remote parts of Walton County (or perhaps some new coastal Bigfoot/Yhetti/Abominable Beach Bum creature which we need to substantiate), it will be miskecatadjuster. He will be in the vicinity on a kayak or mountain bike with a digital camera in his possession and post it for all of us to see.
I wish I were still trekking through the woods and paddling in the waters, but I am actually out 'working' the storm. It's nice to see money actually going into my account, but I miss my new found Heaven. I hope I am missed just a little. I've enjoyed your feedback on these photos and the topic.
Who knows, I may see some interesting things. I've been to Dallas and now am in Mobile and who knows where tomorrow or for how long. All I know is I am missing some sleep.
Take care.
SWGB
Take pics of some of the damage, it would be interesting to see.
Beach Fanatic
Who knows, I may see some interesting things. I've been to Dallas and now am in Mobile and who knows where tomorrow or for how long. All I know is I am missing some sleep.
Guaranteed wildlife sighting while you are in Mobile: Go to the East Bay Hampton Inn in Daphne (directly south of the causeways) and drive up to the north end of the parking lot. There is a small bayou that has some elevated boardwalk paths on the East side of the parking lot. If you are there in the morning or early evening, you will most definitely see an alligator or two. If not there, look west towards the Bay in the marsy area between the parking lot and the Bay.
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