5 Facts About Sponges

The azure vase sponge (Callyspongia plicifera).

Various species of sponges often wash ashore on Sanibel’s beaches. These sessile (meaning immobile) creatures are animals, although biologists once thought they were plants! Sponges can be found worldwide, from polar to tropical regions. They live in shallow and deep waters and some even live in fresh water. Here are five facts about one of our wrackline favorites!

1.    Early fossil records show that sponges inhabited Earth around 600 million years ago. That is a mighty long time for an animal without a complex nervous, digestive, or circulatory system!

2.    Some deep-water sponges can live to be over 200 years old.

3.    Sponges are master filters. They can filter an amount of water 100,000 times their size each day! That means a basketball-sized sponge could filter an entire residential pool in one day. 

4.    Sponges often use chemicals to deter predators from eating them. Scientists have discovered that some of these chemicals may have potential to treat cancer and HIV.

5.    The most abundant sponges in SWFL are loggerhead sponges, vase sponges, sheepswool sponges, glove sponges and tube sponges!

A diver examines a yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis). 

We're Expecting!

It was an ordinary Wednesday afternoon at Sanibel Sea School – a sunny, late winter day in the midst of high season. The teachers were bustling around the campus preparing for class and cleaning up the backyard when one of them heard something a bit strange behind the building. Curious about the rustling coming from the leaf litter, they went to investigate the noise. They discovered that the odd noise was our resident female gopher tortoise plodding around her burrow, and she was not alone!  Our teachers were surprised when they saw two tortoises near the burrow, because this species can be quite territorial -  they immediately postulated that it must be a mating pair! 

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Our resident female gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) peeking at us from her burrow. 

Peering through the surfboard racks with binoculars in hand, the teachers watched as the male tortoise tried to pursue the female. Many tortoises use a series of head-bobs and swings to try to get the female’s attention, but in this case the female was unimpressed. Even with no reaction from the female, the male continued to swing his head and approach her a little quicker with every step. After a few courtship shell-nips, the male decided to try his luck at passing on his genes. Alas, the male was a little over-ambitious on his first attempt because the female suddenly charged and flipped the male over onto his carapace – what a show this was turning out to be!

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The bottom half of a turtle or tortoise shell is called the plastron. Notice the indented plastron on the male above. This is how we differentiate between a male and female tortoise - the male plastron is indented and the female plastron is flat. 

Usually, we try not to interfere with nature, but when gopher tortoises are flipped upside down, they are unable to right themselves and can become stranded. It's a good thing we have a herpetologist on staff, because he was able to gently right the male gopher tortoise.

This was good news for the persistent male. He immediately continued to pursue the female with some more head-bobs and the two successfully mated – right before our eyes! 

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Tortoises are oviparous, meaning the female will soon deposit 5-15 eggs into the soft sand near her burrow. The eggs will incubate in the sand for about 80-100 days and the tiny tortoises will use their "egg tooth" to break through their shell, beginning their new life on Sanibel Island.

In 2007, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission listed gopher tortoises as a threatened species because of their drastic population decline - these tortoises are protected on Sanibel and even have their own management plan to ensure stable populations in the future. 

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You may have snapped a photo of these road signs during your visit to Sanibel - an important warning to drivers indicating gopher tortoises may be nearby! 

At Sanibel Sea School, we have a protected gopher tortoise area to allow a safe place for these tortoises to burrow and plenty of native vegetation to eat. You can help out too by landscaping your backyard with gopher tortoise-friendly vegetation – check out the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (http://www.sccf.org/) for some great native plant suggestions!

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Our summer campers helped create a gopher tortoise garden during Sea Turtle Week last year - we love to protect creatures from the land and sea! 

Antarctica - Life in the Frozen Seas

By: Caitlin Smith

We're so excited about winter camp that we couldn't wait to share a few fun facts about Antarctica with you! Antarctica has some of the harshest weather on the planet; it is the coldest, driest and windiest continent and it only rains about 8 inches a year. Even though this place is considered a desert and it is seemingly barren, it is home to a diverse array of creatures.

The Sea Creatures

You may wonder why animals inhabit such a place, but a few well-adapted animals such as penguins, seals, squid, birds and whales all thrive on or under the Antarctic ice. Probably the most abundant (and important) creature swimming in the icy seas is no bigger than a paperclip. Antarctic krill are tiny crustaceans that gather in large schools off the coastal regions during the summer months and it is estimated that all of the krill make up about 500 million tons of biomass in the Southern Ocean – now that’s a lot of krill! Along with phytoplankton, krill are the base of the food chain in the Southern Ocean and animals from whales to penguins feast on the large swarms that travel through its waters.

The People

 Antarctica has never hosted an indigenous human population, but people from all over the world travel there to study its fascinating ecosystems. There are 42 permanent research stations, with many more that pop up during the warmer summer months. The largest station is the United States McMurdo Station, which was established in 1955 and can accommodate over 1,000 scientists and visitors. Learn more about life at McMurdo: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/life-mcmurdo/140131 

The Science

There is lots of interesting science going on at these stations ranging from astrophysics to marine biology. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, declared that Antarctica can only be used for peaceful purposes prohibiting mining, weapons testing, waste dumping, and military action. The entire continent is protected from development and has been set aside as a place for international collaboration and research. This treaty has played integral part in keeping Antarctica a pristine environment for research and exploration - which makes Antarctica every scientist’s dream to visit! 

Blue Ocean Film Festival: Our Favorite Films

At Sanibel Sea School, our favorite thing to do is explore the ocean – we like to jump right in and come face to face with the amazing creatures that inhabit our planet’s diverse marine ecosystems. But when a dive trip to see for ourselves isn’t possible, films can provide a surprisingly lifelike peek into some of the more remote areas of the sea.

In November, Sanibel Sea School participated in the 2014 Blue Ocean Film Festival, and our staff members were lucky enough to spend a week in St. Petersburg, FL watching this year’s best ocean films. It was a fabulous opportunity to learn about the latest conservation issues and greatest ocean research. We’ve each reviewed our top pick below, and included links to the films' websites so you can find out how to watch them at home (some are not yet available - but coming soon)! 

We'll bring some of these titles to Sanibel in early 2015 for our Sanibel Ocean Film Festival, in partnership with the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Stay tuned ....

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Nicole Finnicum, Assistant Director – Sanibel Campus

A Window in the Waves

There is an oasis of life just 110 miles from the Louisiana/Texas shore where the warm waters of Mexico bring life to a small ridge called The Flower Garden Banks. Fish, invertebrates, coral, and even the occasional whale shark call Flower Garden Banks coral reef home. This geologically unique area was formed millions of years ago when salt deposits under pressure in the Earth’s crust were thrust vertically, creating the mounds that the coral reef colonizes today. The best part about this underwater hotspot is that people have been advocating for this area to be protected since the 1970s, and it was officially established as a National Marine Sanctuary in 1992. With the remoteness of the reef and no fishing pressure, the Flower Garden Banks are a balanced and thriving marine ecosystem. The film’s jaw-dropping footage of kaleidoscopic corals and giant schools of fish showed how National Marine Sanctuaries truly help maintain healthy oceans. Being able to have an up close look at the amount of life just a small area can support gives us hope that we can still protect and maintain pristine ecosystems in our oceans. This film is a must-see for any marine biologist, SCUBA diver, or anyone who loves the ocean as much as we do!  

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Leah Biery, Director of Operations

The Last Ocean

Antarctica's land is protected by an international agreement called the Antarctic Treaty, which designates the white continent as a safe haven for wildlife and a place for countries to set aside their differences in the spirit of research and exploration. The ocean is a different story - without regulation or enforcement, it's being quickly exploited by fishing vessels in pursuit of deep-water fish species that scientists have hardly had a chance to study. With a focus on Antarctic toothfish (you may know them as Chilean seabass!) in the Ross Sea, The Last Ocean provides a broad overview of the threats facing creatures that inhabit this beautiful part of the world and the logistical challenges of protecting a remote place like the Southern Ocean. The film's narrative is set to a backdrop of breathtaking images and music composed specifically for this story. I think a film like this can really inspire people think about how the seemingly simple decisions we make in our own lives (about food, transportation, etc.) can impact living organisms thousands of miles away. It has me daydreaming about an expedition to Antarctica! 

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Kristen Potter, Office Assistant

Our Deepest Waters

In 2009, three Marine National Monuments were created in the South Pacific. The Marianas Trench, the Pacific Remote Islands, and the Rose Atoll were all seen as unique and important ecosystems in need of protection against our quickly developing world. Part of the reason for creating these Marine National Monuments is to research, explore, and to educate the public on the importance of these pristine locations and their inhabitants. In “Our Deepest Waters” they hit on every part of this mission by showing research methods, such as coral coring to study the health of the corals, using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) to monitor the tiny inhabitants of the reefs, and taking counts of every species they see from month to month. The film also educates us on why these places are so important to save. For instance, The Marianas Trench is home to some very rare CO2 and sulfur vents that no one even knew about until the 70s, and before the Rose Atoll MNM was created, excess human contact with the area brought over invasive insects and ants that are now killing the native pisonia trees. The film provided great insight about what good we can do if we strive to preserve, and understand, more marine areas of this planet.

Teaser- Our Deepest Waters: exploring marine national monuments in the remote reaches of the Pacific from Stephani Gordon on Vimeo.

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Emily Sampson, Marine Science Educator

Shark Girl

Sharks continue to be seen as fearful and threatening creatures, as shown in the media, in movies, and even during our beloved Shark Week.  However, while we should definitely respect these amazing animals, we should not fear them.  We should, instead, embrace their beauty and importance within marine ecosystems.  Madison Stewart, a 19-year-old shark advocate, has grown up loving and swimming with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef, and has seen firsthand the rapid disappearance of these creatures.  Seeking change, Madison has made it her life’s mission to show the world how we are affecting these apex predators, what we can do to help, and why it’s important that we do so. A truly influential documentary, “Shark Girl” sheds light on Madison’s mission to protect sharks, and is a great example of how one person, regardless of age, can make a difference. 

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Caitlin Smith, Marine Science Educator

Rigs to Reefs

The Gulf of Mexico has the most offshore oil platforms in the world - approximately 4,000 rigs. After platforms are built, they become habitats for sponges and other invertebrates within a short period of time. These artificial reefs attract a great deal of other wildlife, large and small, and even whale sharks are frequently seen swimming around them. They are becoming dive and sport fishing hot spots in the Gulf, and bring many tourists to the area. Fish populations are increasing around the rigs, and some of the largest red snapper individuals on recent record have been observed there. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is working on legislation that would keep these artificial reefs intact for wildlife instead of destroying the decommissioned platforms, and has started a program that funds science educators to spend time diving along the platforms. This film provides a beautiful overview of how artificial reefs can benefit all of us – humans and wildlife alike – and makes a case for creating additional artificial reefs in the Gulf region and around the world.

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Madison Durley, START Intern

Expedition for the Future: Bouvet Island

Jason Rodi charters an exploration ship to visit the most remote landmass on Earth, which is known as Bouvet Island. The film is more about the journey to and from Bouvet than it is about Bouvet itself. It is the most remote place on Earth; the furthest place you can be from any other human being, other than leaving the planet. Fewer people have been to Bouvet (before his team went) than have been on the moon. Jason addresses many environmental concerns in this film, and shares his own spiritual journey. He emphasizes the idea that each of us is connected to the planet, and we discover ourselves and the planet in our own individual ways. Through suspenseful and beautiful moments captured on film and Jason’s thoughtful narration, the film delivers a powerful message to viewers about the importance of acting as good stewards of the planet we all share.

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Other films we loved:

Mission Blue – The life story of Sylvia Earle, our most favorite ocean explorer!

The Florida Corridor Expedition – Why wildlife corridors are important – photographer Carlton Ward’s beautiful images alone are enough reason to watch this film.

Antarctica: On the Edge 3D – Jon Bowermaster’s journey to Antarctica, captured in 3D so you feel like you’re right there with him (minus the freezing temperatures).

Plastic Paradise – Reporter Angela Sun travels to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and talks to experts to find out why plastic is really so bad for our oceans.

Gyre: Creating Art from a Plastic Ocean – Artists gather plastic trash from the coast of Alaska and create an exhibition to represent their emotional experience. 

The Arctic - A Really Cool Place!

By: Emily Sampson

As winter slowly creeps upon us, and the wonderful days of holiday camp are approaching, we thought it was most fitting to shed some light on one of the coldest places on earth – the Arctic.  Our first week of holiday camp will be all about the Arctic, but why is the Arctic such a fascinating and cool (literally and figuratively) place to learn about? Here are just a few of the many reasons we at the Sanibel Sea School love the Arctic.

The Sea Creatures

The Arctic is teeming with unique sea life, as these creatures must adapt to living in such cold and changing environments.  Polar bears rely on the sea ice for hunting, as their food sources of whales and seals are found in breathing holes scattered among the icy landscape. Seals, such as the ringed seal, create these breathing holes by scraping the ice with their clawed flippers, and will continue to do so all winter long in order to have access to air and the icy land for breeding.  Walruses will also create these breathing holes using their large tusks, in addition to using these enlarged canines to haul their heavy bodies out of the water and onto ice, or onto land during the summertime when little ice is available. It is fascinating to see how these marine creatures, among many others, learn to survive within such a harsh habitat!

The People

Could you imagine living in the Arctic?! While some people here in Florida grab their sweaters at the slightest chill, there are people in the world that live in temperatures reaching 32 degrees centigrade below zero!  Among these people are the Inuit, a group of indigenous people living in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada and Greenland.  The Inuit have learned to adapt to the harsh living conditions of the Arctic, where they live half the year in darkness during winter and the other half in daylight.  During the dark winter months, singing and storytelling become an important part of the Inuit culture and lifestyle.  They reside mostly along the coasts, where they rely on marine mammals for food and clothing.  

The Science

There is still SO much we don’t know about the Arctic.  This makes the region a popular destination for scientists who are yearning to unveil new discoveries.  As the climate is changing, the Arctic is an important place to study how climate and weather interact with the environment and how warmer temperatures will ultimately influence the wildlife and landscape of the Arctic, as well as the rest of the world.  The excitement of the unknown and our eagerness for answers continues to draw us deeper into the Arctic, and we hope this desire for exploration never dies.

Tunicates Take Over Sanibel Beaches

Imagine yourself enjoying a stroll down one of Sanibel’s beautiful beaches, taking in the fresh air and soaking up the sun, when all of a sudden you feel something squishy between your toes. When you look down and realize that a lumpy, brown blob is squeezing through your toes, your first reaction may be utter disgust. After taking a closer look at the wrack line, you realize that there is not just one of these strange blobs – the whole beach is littered with them!
 

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The wrack line inundated in sea squirts - a common sight on Sanibel lately. 

The brown, wrinkly blobs in question are actually sea squirts, referred to as tunicates in the marine biology world. Tunicates are animals that house their tiny body in a thick covering that resembles a tunic – that’s how they get their name. Individuals have the ability to form dense colonies, which often end up looking like the irregular blobs we are now familiar with. These animals attach to docks, mangrove roots, and live shells, and spend their days filter-feeding plankton. The species you may have encountered recently (if you're on Sanibel) is the sandy-skinned tunicate (Molgula occidentalis), which is often covered in sand and bits of shell.

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Up close and personal with Molgula occidentalis - the sandy-skinned tunicate.

It’s hard to believe that tunicates are animals, but they are fully equipped with siphons for feeding, a stomach, and even a small brain. What is really interesting to us is that tunicates are closely related to vertebrates because they begin their life with a notochord, a row of specialized cells found in all animals with a backbone. But unlike vertebrates, the tunicate’s notochord disintegrates as it matures into an adult. 

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When the tunicates wash ashore, they often die off shortly after being stranded on the beach. 

 
Last month, Sanibel Island was getting high winds from the North and West, which resulted in the tunicates becoming dislodged from the substrate and pushed up on our beaches en masse. Even though these creatures are quite unsightly, they aren’t harmful – they might just squirt out a little water if you handle them, which we encourage!

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More windy weather this week deposited a fresh batch of tunicates near the lighthouse. 

5 Citizen Science Projects you can Join

In a rapidly changing world, there is much to be learned from our natural environment. Scientists and conservationists work around the clock collecting data on every imaginable species that may be impacted by habitat loss, pollution, over harvesting, and even climate change. With a plethora of data to be collected and a lot of ground to cover, scientists are actively recruiting citizens to pick up their binoculars, venture into the field, and contribute to science. Here are five studies you might want to become a part of: 

Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study

The Silver King is a prized catch here in Southwest Florida and anglers from all over come to try their luck at catching this fierce fish. In order to understand tarpon migration patterns, reproductive habits, and growth rates, we need to first gain knowledge about individual fish. With the help of Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has created a program to encourage local fisher folk to collect tarpon DNA. By obtaining a sampling kit you can easily collect DNA by taking a swab of the tarpon’s jaw. With this information, scientists are able to assess Florida tarpon populations to ensure healthy stocks are here for anglers to enjoy for generations. Find out more information at:http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/tarpon/genetics/faq/.

Audubon Christmas Bird Count

The annual Christmas Bird Count presented by The National Audubon Society is part of a huge conservation effort to protect and monitor bird species across North America – it’s the longest running citizen science project in the world!  Every December 14th through January 5th,avid birdwatchers spend chilly mornings counting every bird they see in forests, parks, and along roads.  Scientists use this data to understand long-term populations of birds and how their habitat can be protected. Christmas Bird Count locations for this year will be posted this month – stay tuned at http://birds.audubon.org/get-involved-christmas-bird-count-find-count-near-you.

Horseshoe Crab Nesting Monitoring

After roaming the seas for over 400 million years, horseshoe crab populations have recently declined from habitat destruction and over harvesting - it is crucial to curtail these threats before local populations are lost. The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is encouraging people to report horseshoe crab mating to biologists, so that critical breeding grounds can be protected. Scientists aren’t able to cover all of Florida on their own, so they need help reporting these sightings. Horseshoe crabs mate during full moons in shallow water, and you will see the smaller male clinging to the larger female’s back. If you observe this behavior, please report it here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=f8QN2JV2JBVp4TIiJ61IE2SMDiXDaIm0rDWbe7aJ7xY=&.

Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network

Who doesn’t like watching butterflies dance through the air? It’s even better if you get to watch them for a good cause! The Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network (FBMN) has partnered with citizens of Florida to protect butterflies from habitat loss in our rapidly urbanizing state. All you have to do is commit to monitoring a designated site 6 times a year and FBMN will train new volunteers on species identification and the field/data collection methods needed for the project. This study enables biologists to track population trends to determine if certain species are declining in Florida. Find a county near you that participates in butterfly monitoring: http://flbutterflies.net/locations.jsp.

FishBase/SeaLifeBase

Ever wish there was a source that contained all of your fish identification needs? We are happy to share that FishBase is exactly what you need! With 32,900 species recorded and 54,800 photos, this website is sure to give you a positive fish ID. The goal of this database is to collect taxonomic, behavioral, and distribution of fish across the globe by publishing submissions from the public. If sea creatures are more your style, check out SeaLifeBase, which houses information on all marine creatures aside from finfish. Sanibel Sea School is a close collaborator with FishBase, so if you have a photo you would like to submit, send it our way! All we need to know is where the fish was spotted and what species you think it is. Try this great tool here: http://www.fishbase.org/search.php.

Ocean Jack-o'-Lanterns

There's no better way to get into the Halloween spirit than to carve a pumpkin on a cool fall evening. In true Sea School style, we love everything about the ocean, so we wanted to share some of our favorite ocean themed jack-o'-lanterns with you. If you happen to carve ocean creatures into your pumpkins this Halloween, please share them with us - we would love to see them! 

Fear Factor: the ocean edition

The ocean is full of creepy creatures (although we think most of them are also pretty cute), but should you really be scared to go for a swim? We've chosen a few of our favorites and scored them based on their spooky appearance (Fear Factor), and how dangerous they would be in the unlikely event of an encounter (Danger Factor). Hint: it turns out the scariest fish doesn't even live in the sea! 

Marine hatchetfish

Fear factor: 6/10

Danger factor: 0/10

The marine hatchetfish may look scary, but he needs those bulging balloon eyes to let in as much light as possible in his dark habitat 100-600 meters below the sea. Hatchetfish are so thin that they are difficult to see from head-on, and they use bioluminescence (the emission of light from a living organism) to disorient predators. 

Anglerfish

Fear factor: 7/10

Danger factor: 1/10

Adult female anglerfish use their luminescent illicium, or "fishing rod" to lure prey into their large mouths filled with fang-like teeth. Specialized bioluminescent bacteria live at the tip of the illicium (called the esca) and create the light that is given off!

Goblin shark

Fear factor: 9/10

Danger factor: 2/10

Perhaps the king of the scary sea creatures, the goblin shark is not well understood by scientists. We do know that its long snout allows it to sense electric fields produced by its prey, which it then snaps up by quickly extending its jaws. The goblin shark's body has been described as "flabby", with weak muscles and small fins, and it is said to be sluggish and inactive - so don't worry about one of these guys chasing you if you find yourself swimming in their habitat 100 meters below the surface of the sea!

Jawfish

Fear factor: 1/10

Danger factor: 0/10

This photo of a female jawfish might remind you of a scene from the Exorcist, but she's actually just protecting her young. Jawfish are mouthbrooders, meaning their eggs hatch in their mouth, where the babies, called "fry", are protected from predators. 

Tigerfish

Fear factor: 9/10

Danger factor: 10/10 

This freshwater wildcard hails from Africa, where its largest family members can be found in the Congo River and Lake Tanganyika. Considered a prize catch by African fisherfolk, these muscular fish have sharp teeth and are very aggressive. In fact, they are the first species ever recorded to attack and catch low-flying birds! 

Sarcastic fringehead

Fear factor: 5/10

Danger factor: 1/10

These territorial fish are small but fierce. When defending their home from an enemy, they battle by pressing their extended jaws together. The larger fish usually prevails. 

Viperfish

Fear factor: 9/10

Danger factor: 2/10

The viperfish's teeth are too long to fit in his (or her!) mouth, so instead they curve around the outside of his head, which makes for a pretty terrifying appearance. His oversized mouth and stomach allow him to consume extra large meals, which are enough to satiate him for months at a time, since feeding opportunities are rare in the deep sea. Like hatchetfish and anglerfish, viperfish use bioluminescence to attract prey and potential mates in the dark.  

A taste of Old Florida

We're gearing up for Cracker Fest 2014, an event that raises funds for Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START) - an organization that Sanibel Sea School partners with on lots of great marine conservation and research projects, including Seafood Savvy, which aims to promote sustainable seafood in SW Florida. 

It's going to be an Old Florida-style celebration complete with line dancing and Ralph Woodring's fried mullet. To help you get in the spirit, check out these vintage Florida postcards we found! We hope to see you there. 

Cracker Fest 2014

Friday, November 14th, 2014

6 PM

1041 Periwinkle Way (behind the Bait Box)

Dinner, drinks, and dancing!

For more info or to purchase tickets, call Madison Durley at (239) 472-8585 or email madison@sanibelseaschool.org.

5 birds to keep your eye out for this fall

Sanibel Island’s warm subtropical climate is perfect for birds to thrive in all year long. Here are five fascinating birds that you may see roosting in the mangroves or relaxing on the sand flats this fall. We would also like to give a special thanks to Lillian Stokes for allowing us to share her beautiful photography! All images are copyright Lillian Stokes. 

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2006/05/10-most-beautiful-birds.html

Roseate Spoonbill

The first time you see a spoonbill flying overhead with its pastel plumage and trailing legs, it is almost instinctual to think it's a flamingo, but it's easy to tell the difference upon closer inspection.  Roseate Spoonbills inhabit Sanibel year-round, but the cooler fall months are a great time to spot them foraging in mucky water around low tide. The spoonbill is a very tactile feeder, and it wiggles its spoon-shaped bill through the water until it senses an unlucky crustacean to snack on. If you would like to see a spoonbill, a visit to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is your best bet.

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html

American White Pelican

The arrival of the American White Pelican in the fall months is a highly anticipated event for birders on Sanibel. These birds are much larger than the familiar Brown Pelicans that we see year-round, and have a striking black and white plumage. Journeying thousands of miles from the Rocky Mountains and Northern Canada, these birds almost always arrive on Sanibel in October, right on schedule. You don't have to look too hard for these giant birds – you can usually find them feeding along Wildlife Drive in Ding Darling or soaring over the island showing off their 9-foot wingspan!

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/black-skimmers.html

Black Skimmer

Even though the Black Skimmer can be spotted on Sanibel's Gulf Drive beaches throughout the year, the fall is a great time to see both adult and juvenile skimmers. It is hard to describe a skimmer without comparing them to a Muppet character - you can often see these birds waddling along the beach on legs that are just long enough to support their top-heavy frames. If you look at their bright orange bill closely, you will notice that the top half is slightly shorter than the bottom. Strangely enough, the skimmer uses this uneven bill as it flies just inches above the ocean, dipping its lower jaw into the water in hopes of catching a fish. When the bird feels a fishy texture on its lower bill, it quickly snaps its mouth shut and flies off with the unsuspecting fish. You can find this aptly named bird on almost any Gulf beach from Sanibel to Captiva, as well as at Bunche Beach Preserve in Ft. Myers.

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/white-crowned-pigeon-ding-darling-nwr.html

White-crowned Pigeon

This lesser-known pigeon is always a treat for bird watchers on Sanibel because it doesn’t visit our neck of the woods very often and is actually a threatened species in the state of Florida. Standing just taller than a Mourning Dove, this pigeon is mostly black and as its name suggests, has a white crown. It is often heard before it's seen, calling out a soft hoo-hoo-HOOOO. The White-crowned Pigeon is a rare occurrence on Sanibel but may be seen October through April, if you're lucky – so keep your eyes and ears open this season! White-crowned Pigeons have been previously spotted in Ding Darling on Wildlife Drive and along the Shell Mound Trail nestled in between mangrove branches.

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/

American Oystercatcher

About the size of a backyard chicken and with striking plumes, this shorebird is sure to stand out from the crowd. You may find oystercatchers standing extremely still waiting for the tide to recede or you may see them actively foraging in shallow water in search of oysters, clams, and mussels. These birds put their spear-like bill to good use by quickly stabbing open bivalves to sever the adductor muscle that is used to keep their shell closed. With no way for the clam to snap its shell shut and no other escape route, the soft-bodied animal is quickly devoured by the oystercatcher.  If you happen to be on a boat, you can see oystercatchers feeding on Little Sanibel (the sandbar East of the causeway), or they can be seen from land at Bunche Beach Preserve in Ft. Myers.

October is National Seafood Month

Farmed oysters are a tasty and sustainable choice.

When you drive over the causeway and arrive on Sanibel, there is a sign that reads “Welcome to our Sanctuary Island – Please Enjoy, Don’t Destroy.” With its thousands of acres of wildlife refuge, pristine beaches, and blue-green waters, Sanibel is home to a community of people who care deeply about preserving and caring for the natural environment. We stop our cars to let gopher tortoises cross the road, we protect nesting birds on our beaches, and we buy local, organic produce and other culinary delights at the farmer’s market (which opened last weekend, much to our excitement).

With Sanibel’s natural beauty and fresh, local food in mind, we thought this would be a great opportunity to discuss another tasty treat that many Sanibel locals and visitors enjoy – seafood. Specifically, sustainable seafood, and how we can all help to protect our beloved Gulf of Mexico by giving a little more thought to the fish we eat. October also happens to be National Seafood Month, so the timing couldn’t be better.

It’s old news that many species of fish in our oceans are declining due to overfishing (which occurs when fish and other marine species are caught by humans faster than they can reproduce), but what you may not know is how easy it is for you to help solve the problem. As a consumer, you are presented with choices about which seafood to buy each time you go to the store. With a simple conversation or the swipe of a credit card, you can send a strong message to retailers that you won’t eat species that are in danger of becoming extinct.

So equip yourself with knowledge, available in the form of a Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch card (pick one up at Sanibel Sea School, or you can download their smartphone app), then ask your seafood purveyor (whether it’s a waiter or the guy behind the seafood counter) for Greenlisted species like oysters, pole-caught mahi-mahi, or farmed scallops (cobia is also an increasingly common sustainable option in Florida). As a general rule, smaller, locally harvested species are best from both a health and environmental perspective. Request more sustainable options, and if they’re selling at-risk species, vote with your dollar and shop or eat elsewhere.

In partnership with Seafood Watch and Sanibel Sea School, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START) is leading an effort called Seafood Savvy to make sustainable seafood options more widely available at local Sanibel restaurants and businesses, but in order to be successful, our community must work together. We ask that you take a few minutes to think about your seafood consumption, and engage in dialogue with friends, family, and retailers on the topic. With your help, we can make sure future generations can enjoy our ocean and the delicious seafood it produces for years to come. For more information, please comment below or contact info@sanibelseaschool.org. 

20 signs you're from Sanibel ...

This week, our staff came up with a list of 20 signs you're from Sanibel ...

1. You’ve stopped on SanCap at least once to move a gopher tortoise out of the road.

2. You know to cover your bait bucket when you’re fishing on the beach so those sneaky egrets don’t steal a bite to eat.

3. The word junonia is meaningful to you.

4. You take the “Gulf Drive shortcut” to avoid high season traffic.

5. You can tell the difference between a roseate spoonbill and a flamingo.

6. Anywhere over the causeway is considered “overseas”, and once you’re there you often forget that the speed limit is above 35 mph.

7. You don’t think twice about holding up traffic to wait for an ibis to cross the street.

8. You have practiced and perfected “The Sanibel Stoop”.

9. Seeing dolphins is a regular occurrence (but you never get tired of it).

10. You know which Captiva Island marina is the surest place to spot a manatee.

11.  You refer to 50 year olds as “young people”.

12. Tarpon, snook, and redfish are household names, and you know all of the related fishing regulations and seasons.

13. You are never really sure where your shoes are.

14. If you stayed out past 10 PM, it must have been a wild night.

15. A long drive is all the way to Tarpon Bay Rd. (from wherever your house is).

16. You refuse to remove the row of old beach parking passes from your car’s windshield – they’re a local status symbol.

17. Chirping ospreys are your alarm clock.

18. You 'd rather ride your bike than drive your car. 

19. You wish no-see-ums didn’t exist.

20. Despite the heat, humidity, and bugs, you’ll always consider our island paradise. 

If you'd like to add to the list, please comment below!

A day at the beach with Pine Manor

Students from the Pine Manor Improvement Association enjoy a Saturday at the beach with Sanibel Sea School. 

If you were at the beach on Sanibel last Saturday, you may have seen 20 teenagers splashing around in the ocean and having lots of fun in the sun. The joyful bunch was Sanibel Sea School and the teens from Pine Manor Improvement Association (PMIA) sharing a day of ocean celebration. Our teachers love to explore Sanibel's amazing ecosystems with kids from all walks of life, but there is something extra special about our time with the crew from PMIA, an organization that works to improve the lives of families living in the Pine Manor area of Fort Myers, a low-income neighborhood with high drop-out rates and a cohort of school-aged kids in need of some extra leadership and support. Despite living just miles from the coast, many of Pine Manor's teens have never dipped their feet in the Gulf. There's nothing better than hearing their shouts of excitement when they discover the magic of riding a surfboard or holding a slimy sea hare.

Thanks to scholarship funding from our many generous supporters, our teachers are able to spend one Saturday each month sharing the wonders of the ocean with these often landlocked kids. We snorkel through the seagrass beds, surf Sanibel's tiny waves (perfect for beginners!), and discover new favorite ocean creatures – all things a true Florida kid should get to do. 

We can't be sure what these days mean to the Pine Manor kids, but we sure do get a lot of laughs, smiles, and interesting questions from them. For our teachers, it's a reminder of the value of childhood discovery. Elizabeth, one of our marine science educators, remembers how backyard adventures as a kid led her to discover, love, and want to protect nature - she says, "that's what I hope we can do for the Pine Manor kids." After all, nobody has ever decided to protect the ocean without falling in love with it first. 

After quite a bit of encouragement from teachers and peers, Richie holds a slimy sea hare for the first time. 

Phytoplankton Friday

By: Elizabeth Farnham

Plankton are the most abundant organisms in the ocean and every time we enter the water we are covered head to toe in these fascinating creatures. It's easy to take these tiny creatures for granted, but it is important to understand their vital role in the marine ecosystem. 

The word plankton was derived from the Greek adjective “planktos”, which means wandering or drifting.  This is fitting for plants and animals that spend part of, or even all of their life drifting with the motion of the ocean. 

Plankton are broken down into various sub-groups based on their lifestyle or ecological niche. Examples of these groups include phytoplankton, which are plant-like plankton, and zooplankton, which are animal-like plankton. Today we will focus on the importance of phytoplankton on our blue planet. 

Let's begin by looking at the types of phytoplankton - diatoms and dinoflagellates.  

This diatom is encased in a cell wall called a frustule.

Diatoms are the most common type of phytoplankton but their elegant glass-like, silica rich cell wall makes them unique. Diatoms are classified by structure into two types: pennate diatoms, which have bilateral symmetry and centric diatoms that have radial symmetry. 

Here is a photo of a diatom taken with our microscope camera. 

Ceratium longipes can be seen twirling around under the microscope - one of our favorites to observe!

The word dinoflagellate comes from the Greek word “dinos”, which translates to whirling and the Latin word “flagellum”, which translates to whip.  These phytoplankton are slightly more active than diatoms because their flagella assist with locomotion. Many dinoflagellates are mixotrophic, meaning that they obtain energy in different ways - either through photosynthesis or by engulfing their prey!

Some species of algae may result in harmful algal blooms or HABs. This species of dinoflagellate is a target species for HABs because it can negatively impact fish respiration. 

Now that we have discussed some of the basics, why should we care about these invisible creatures? Here are three important reasons:

1.     Phytoplankton are the base of biological productivity in the ocean and support the marine food chain.

2.      Phytoplankton provide at least 50% of the words atmospheric oxygen and some scientists estimate that it may contribute to up to 85% of the world’s oxygen.

3.     Phytoplankton absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into usable sugars for energy. This process plays a role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing an enormous amount of CO2 from the atmosphere and transferring it to the ocean.

So next time you find yourself in the water, take a moment to think about the massive impact these microscopic organisms have!

5 Types of Jellies in the Gulf of Mexico

By: Emily Sampson

When it comes to jellies, sometimes we feel their presence before we actually see them.  While this may be a bit unnerving to humans, these fascinating creatures have been drifting in the seas for over 500 million years and are an important link in the marine food chain. Many sea jellies pack a powerful sting, so it is important to know the difference between the harmful and the not so harmful.

 Here is a list of 5 sea jellies (or jelly-like creatures) that you may encounter around Sanibel and in the Gulf of Mexico:

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Moon jellies are easily recognizable by the 4 petal-like reproductive organs that can be seen through their bell. 

Moon Jelly - Aurelia aurita

 Moon jellies are the most common species found around Sanibel. Like all jellies, this species isn’t an excellent swimmer but is able to pulse its sac-like body called the bell, through the water. Moon jellies have short tentacles along the outer margins of the bell that are packed with nematocycts, or stinging cells. Jellies use these cells to aid in capturing prey and for the moon jelly, is zooplankton. Not to worry though, their stinging cells aren’t strong enough to penetrate human skin and will only cause a very mild irritation. 

These graceful jellies mostly consume zooplankton but their powerful nematocysts allow them to consume larger prey, such as minnows and small crustaceans.Their sting can also produce a moderate irritation in humans. 

Atlantic Sea Nettle - Chrysaora quinquecirrha

Sea nettles possess several long tentacles and long, trailing oral arms. What's interesting about these jellies is that their colors vary depending on salinity levels and therefore may appear transparant or white when found in brackish waters on the bayside of Sanibel. When found in the saltier waters of the Gulf, red and brown streaks radiate from the center of the bell.   

The cannonball jelly has tiny "warts" located on its bell that are packed with stinging cells. 

Cannonball Jellyfish -  Stomolophus meleagris

Also known as the cabbage head jellyfish, it’s easy to guess where these jellies get their name.  When floating, cannonball jellies take on a spherical shape with multiple, stubby oral arms peaking from underneath the red-fringed bell.  Cannonball jellies play an important role in the marine ecosystem because they are the preferred prey for the endangered leatherback sea turtle. In addition to being a food source, they also form symbiotic relationships with fish and juvenile longnose spider crabs.

Drymonematidae is the name of the recently added family of jellies and thanks to the pink meanie, it is the first new family of jellies since 1921.

Pink Meanie - Drymonema larsoni

A newly described jelly, the pink meanie, was initially observed about 15 years ago in the Gulf of Mexico during a massive moon jelly bloom. When scientists took a closer look, they noticed that this jelly was feeding on the moon jellies and that it was drastically different than anything that had seen previously. It was so distinct, that they created a new family just to classify it! These pink meanies were collected for study near Dauphin Island, Alabama but are extremely rare elsewhere. While they may not be seen commonly in the waters near Sanibel, you never know what could drift along the currents and surprise us all! 

Comb jellies have a simple, gelatinous body much like true jellies but they aren't in the phylum Cnidaria. Instead, they are classified as Ctenophores because they lack specialized stinging cells. 

Comb Jellies - Ctenophoroa

These jellyfish look-alikes are not taxonomically related to jellies but we think these creatures are too interesting not to share! Their beautiful ovoid bodies are lined with thousands of tiny hair-like structures called cilia that they use to propel themselves through the water, often illuminating with bioluminescence. Even though these jellies may look similar to jellyfish, they have a major difference that is perhaps in our favor – they don’t sting! That’s right, these gentle jellies do not have nematocysts. Instead of using a powerful sting to capture their prey, they use colloblasts, which are sticky cells that essentially glue their prey to their tentacles.  So, have no fear in handling one of these delicate creatures!

5 Sanibel Palm Trees

With their delicate fronds fluttering in the ocean breeze, palm trees are the epitome of island life. On Sanibel, we are lucky enough to see these beautiful trees almost everywhere we go. But how many species can you identify? Here are 5 common ones that you're likely to see around our island home:

The leaf bases found on the trunk called “boots” provide a place for epiphytes like the native golden polypody fern to grow.

Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)

Also known as the sabal palmetto or cabbage palmetto, this easily recognizable tree is native to the region and an important resource to other plants and animals. This ecologically important palm provides food for bears and deer all over Florida and its flowers entice important pollinators like birds and butterflies locally.  These palms can be identified by their large palmate or fan-shaped fronds, as well as by the characteristic cross-thatching leaf bases found on the trunk.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

One of the most cold tolerant palm trees, this palm is native to Florida but is known for withstanding temperatures down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Even more so, this palm is known for its fruit, which is widely used in alternative medicine to alleviate reproductive and urinary ailments. Not only is this palm economically important but also has great ecological importance to Florida’s wildlife. The Florida grasshopper sparrow and wild turkey utilize this tree for nesting, while the berries are a food source to birds, mammals, and gopher tortoises. The saw palmetto looks similar to the cabbage palm, but can be distinguished by its horizontal growth form where it often looks more like a shrub than a tree.

 Everglades palm (Acoelorraphe wrightii)

The everglades palm or paurotis palm is another fan palm native to our region. This water-loving tree is one of the few that can tolerate standing pools of water and even slightly brackish water. This palm often forms clusters of tall slender trunks that can reach up to 40 feet high, making it an attractive landscaping plant – but be careful, the petiole (leaf stalk) is covered with menacing spines!

 Royal palm (Roystonea regia)

This quintessential palm is most likely the favorite palm of all tropical vacationers. The royal palm is native to south Florida and is often standing tall and regal along roadsides or at beach resorts. In addition to aesthetics, bees, bats, and birds also take advantage of this tree for pollination and nutrition. Growing to heights of 60-80 feet, this palm is easily distinguished from other palms on this list not only by its height, but also by its fronds. In botanical terms, the fronds are pinnate, which means the leaves grow evenly along a single axis, somewhat resembling a feather.  

By law, the city of Sanibel requires 75% of all landscaping plants to be native and 25% may be non-native species. The coconut palm is considered a neutral species and is not counted as native or non-native.

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera)

The only species on our list that is an exotic in Florida is perhaps the most functional of the bunch. Having a worldwide distribution within the tropics, we aren’t sure where exactly the coconut is from, but fossil records suggest the Indo-Pacific may be where it originated.  The coconut palm has gained its large distribution not only by human transport, but also by dispersing coconuts in the ocean, allowing them to float for miles before germinating. The coconut itself is an energy-rich food packed with iron and potassium and even the husk can be turned into new products or used as a horticultural media.

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 If you are interested in finding out more information on palm trees or native vegetation to plant in your yard, check out the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). They have a native plant nursery and can recommend plants for your own garden to attract birds, butterflies, or just to give your home a beautiful natural landscape.

If you want to browse through some beautiful scientific drawings of palms, take a few minutes to flip through this book next time you're at your local bookstore. 

Fun Fish Friday - The Seahorse

Now that the excitement of summer camp is over, we think it's time to reinstate Fun Fish Fridays. This week we are going to learn about a very unique fish that doesn’t look much like its cousins – the seahorse. That’s right, the seahorse is actually a highly modified fish in the class Actinopterygii, or ray-finned fishes. The seahorse belongs to the genus Hippocampus, which literally translates from Ancient Greek to “horse” (hippos) and “sea monster” (kampos). This horse-like fish is prevalent in the waters around Sanibel and Captiva; we actually have 3 species that inhabit the region: the dwarf seahorse, lined seahorse, and longsnout seahorse.

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The dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is common in the seagrass beds in Florida and throughout the Caribbean. 

Let’s start with the basics. Seahorses have the same basic fins as most other fish: a dorsal fin and paired pectoral fins. However, instead of a caudal fin (tail fin) the seahorse has an elongated, prehensile tail that it uses for stabilizing itself in the ocean currents. It wraps its tail around seagrass or coral and hangs on tight, helping it save energy for other uses. We've even observed a seahorse catching a ride on an arrow crab's back!

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Notice the curved prehensile tail of this lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus). This species can grow up to be almost 6 inches!

Like many other fish, seahorses are voracious, carnivorous predators, but because they have no true stomachs, they have to constantly eat to meet their energy requirements. Some seahorses may consume up to 3,000 brine shrimp in one day!  To chow down on so many crustaceans, they have a specialized mouth. Their jaw is fused, creating a straw-like shape that enables them to ambush and quickly slurp up their prey.

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One of the seahorse's favorite meals, the brine shrimp, is an aquatic crustacean that is only slightly related to true shrimp. 

There is one aspect of a seahorse’s life that differs quite drastically from other fish. When seahorses are ready to reproduce, the male and female engage in an elegant courtship dance to seal their bond. Soon after, the female deposits her eggs into the male’s brood pouch where they are fertilized and incubated for up to 25 days. The male will then give birth to hundreds or thousands (depending on the species) of baby seahorses that are miniature copies of the adults. Scientists aren’t exactly sure of the biological advantages of Mr. Mom, but one theory is that it could allow the female to begin producing eggs as soon as she delivers her last batch to the male. Check out the courtship dance of one of the seahorse's closest relatives, the Weedy Seadragon:

About the programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/life These two could teach Strictly Come Dancing a thing or two. Named for their uncanny resemblance to the plant life around them, a male weedy seadragon seduces a female with some very fancy fin work.

Because seahorses are so unique and sensitive to environmental changes, scientists are studying them to better understand how to improve the overall health of our oceans on a global level - find out more here: http://seahorse.fisheries.ubc.ca/why-seahorses

What’s washing up in the wrack?

The ever-changing wrack line can be a very dynamic environment. Originating from the Middle Dutch word “wrak”, meaning something damaged, this place may look damaged but is far from it! Technically, the wrack line is the place on the beach where marine debris is washed up and left behind by the most recent high tide. The wrack line may be teeming with life, full of stinky algae, or a treasure trove of seashells – it just depends on the day! Today, let's explore some of the more curious items we often find in Sanibel's wrack line. 

Sea pork

Is it a plant? An animal? A fungus? This mysterious blob is actually a colony of animals called tunicates. These teeny-tiny animals protect themselves with a sac made of cellulose and spend their days filter-feeding. Sea pork can be found in various colony sizes and be colored pink, purple, black, and even orange.

Purple variation of sea pork. 

 Gastropod egg cases

Like sea pork, these paper-thin structures can come in all different shapes and sizes. Gastropods (live shells including whelks and conchs) are responsible for creating these elaborate structures to house their eggs in until they are ready to hatch as young shells. We often find these washed up on the beach after many of the eggs have hatched, but sometimes if you tear open one of the capsules, you can find some of the tiny shells that didn’t hatch. Give it a try next time you happen upon one at the beach. 

Lightning whelk egg case entangled in red drift algae. 

Parchment worm cases   

These hollow straw-like structures were once home to a marine polychaete worm that looks somewhat like a centipede. The worms build these housing tubes and attach themselves to various substrates or burrow beneath the sandy sea floor. These creepy tubes also provide a home to a couple different species of commensal crabs. Next time you find one on the beach, tear it open and you might discover these crabs!

Empty parchment worm housing tubes washed up on the beach. Photo: iloveshelling.com 

Sea anemones

Sea anemones are cnidarians that often resemble flowering plants, but beware of their beauty – they are armed with capsules of stinging cells called nematocysts for protection. Most of the anemones found around Sanibel don't have potent nematocysts and aren't dangerous to humans, but they do have an additional defense mechanism that makes you wonder if they might be a creature from outer space. When sufficiently irritated, they will release defensive threads called acontia that are neon orange and packed with powerful stinging cells.

Here is a sea anemone attached to a gastropod shell. Those vibrant acontia are hard to miss!

 Pig bones

At first glance, you may think these are human artifacts or remains of a large marine mammal, but they are in fact just pig bones. Unfortunately, these don’t come from a rare species of marine swine but rather, pig parts that are used in crab traps as bait.  Crabs are attracted to the pungent aroma of the meat and enter the trap to chow down. After the bones have been picked clean, many of them wash out of the traps and end up on our beaches.

A pig bone found washed ashore. Photo: iloveshelling.com 

Florida bans the lionfish

Sharks examine a foreign visitor to their habitat.

If you’re a Florida native, it’s probably old news by now that invasive lionfish can be found from the coast of North Carolina all the way south to Venezuela and to depths of 1000 feet.

These fish, popular among aquarium owners for their beautiful stripes and ornate fins, can grow up to 15 inches, and are native to the Pacific waters around Southeast Asia. Over time, many have been released into the Atlantic by aquarium owners who, for a variety of reasons, no longer want to care for them.

As voracious predators, they feed on everything from tiny shrimp to larger reef fish, and often eat juveniles of commercially valuable species like groupers and snappers. They can throw off the delicate balance of our ecosystems, and because they have no natural predators in the Atlantic, may outcompete native species that consume a similar diet.

Lionfish tournaments have become a common event in our state, but do little to control their growing populations. Scientists have even tried to train sharks to eat these fish, with some localized triumphs but little potential for large-scale success. This week, Florida is taking further measures to reduce the impacts of lionfish on our local ecosystems by banning the import of these creatures statewide. The state is also loosening rules to make it easier for fishermen to harvest lionfish.

As an individual, what can you do to help reduce the impacts of lionfish in our state waters?

• Never release a lionfish into the wild (or any pet, for that matter).
• If you are properly equipped and trained, spear or net lionfish when you see them on a reef or elsewhere in the wild. Be sure that your spear or net does not impact or damage the reef. You can submit the fish to researchers for genetic analysis – click here for instructions.
• If you are unable to harvest the fish, you can report the sighting to REEF, an organization that tracks lionfish sightings. 
• Explain to family and friends why invasive lionfish pose a problem to Florida’s ecosystems, and encourage them to take action as well.

For more info, visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's lionfish page: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/marine-species/lionfish/faqs/