Take a Trip Through Photos on Monday: Bosque Del Apache

Our dear Rick Greenspun, Sarasota Audubon VP and photographer extraordinaire, just returned from Bosque Del Apache National Widlife Refuge in New Mexico, the subject of Sarasota Audubon's monthly meeting on Monday, December 14. Hope you'll join us at the First Congregational Church's Fellowship Hall, 1031 S. Euclid at 7:00 p.m.

Here's Rick's report: 

I went to see the Sandhill Cranes and Snow/Ross's Geese which congregate by the tens of thousands during the winter months. The weather was cold ( 19 degrees) and we had one day where we actually saw the sun.

It was a spectacle not to be believed when just shortly after the first hint of daylight, thousands of geese and cranes "blast off"from the ponds they were spending the night in, and head for the corn fields to feed.

We also made the trip to the top of Sandia Crest ( elev. 10,680 feet) to see all three Rosy-Finches. When we arrived at the top, the wind was blowing about 50 MPH and the temp was about minus 20 degrees.

Iwas able to go out on the observation deck for only a minute at a time before my fingers were ready to fall off, but was rewarded with views of all three.

It was a trip that I recommend to everyone. Its relatively close, inexpensive and an experience you will never forget. I for one, can't wait to go back.

Snow Geese, by Rick Greenspun

Black Rosy-Finch, by Rick Greenspun

You can travel with us to the Refuge through photos! Show up on Monday to hear Maxis Gamez talk about his incredible trip. You'll enjoy stunning photos along the way.  Call 355-1709 if you have questions about the free meeting.

Despite Gray Skies, Birders Enjoy Birdy Things on Siesta Key Trolley

The Shorebird Trolley missed the rain and scored on the raptors. We ended up having more fun with all the Raptors than the Shorebirds. It all started in the parking lot (of course) with a Red-tailed Hawk on a low wire and Coopers Hawk 5 feet away on the next higher up wire. Both stayed long enough for extended looks/comparisons.

At the public beach on Siesta Key we found a Lesser Black-backed Gull in among all the Herring Gulls again fun to compare. At access 8 we spotted the American Kestrel perched on top of one of the masts in the sailboat area. Out on the Gulf we found 2 soaring Gannets and 1 sitting Juvenile. Gannet in the water. Heading back to the access 8 we spied the Peregrine Falcon perched on a balcony on the tallest building. Next we went to the North Bridge and found 2 American Oyster Catchers and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers.


Thanks to Kathryn Young for organizing the expedition and to Kathryn and Penney Hill for the great report back! Don't want to get left out next time? E-mail publicinfo@sarasotaaudubon.org and we'll add you to Sarasota Audubon Society's e-list.

Florida's Water: The Glass is Running Out

Just found a fabulous article in the Orlando-Sentinel about our shrinking water supply in Florida. With our state's population actually shrinking for the first time since World War II, the water worries do not also diminish. Take a few minutes to read what the Sentinel's Kevin Spear reports from water management districts, environmental councils, utilities and others, and then let us know what you think. 

Sarasota Audubon Society advocates for the environment. What would you like to see us doing locally that we aren't already. We depend on your feedback.

Make Those Pesky Phone Books Go Away!!

With the internet & electronic phone books, you may want to “opt out” of receiving a phone book on your front porch. In the USA alone the 540 million directories represent: 19 million trees for paper; 1.6 billion pounds of paper waste; 7.2 million barrels of oil (not including delivery); 268,000 cubic yards of landfill; 3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity consumption.

It’s not always easy to opt out and you may have to verify your request annually with each directory provider since these companies collect advertising dollars for every book they give away. Here are a few resources:

1. Verizon (800) 888-8448 (press 2)
2. Yellowbook (800) 929-3556 (press 3)
3. The Real Yellow Pages (866) 326-7200 (press 0) (or just click here)

8 Things You Can Do for Florida's Environment

Several Sarasota Auduboners, along with the Audubon of Florida staff, chapter leaders from around the state, one gubernatorial candidate (Paula Dockery), environmental researchers, and the state’s top environmental regulator (Michael Sole) attended AOF’s annual assembly in St. Petersburg Oct. 23 and 24. After hearing disturbing reports from national climate change researchers, bad news about some coastal birds, and alarming projections of environmental damage if the legislature approves near-shore drilling and guts growth management protections, the assembly approved conservation priorities for the coming year.

Statewide: Audubon will focus on climate change and energy policy, coastal conservation, and the greater Everglades ecosystem. The Assembly approved the areas of concentration selected by the regional conservation committees, including nine priority areas for action in our Gulf Coast area. These are:

• Water conservation, especially protection of springs and aquifers through fertilizer ordinances and better regulation of water withdrawal from lakes and rivers.
• Participate with other organizations in public campaigns to apply principles of sustainable growth in law and regulation.
• Advocate for wildlife corridors and against fragmenting natural systems.
• Advance the coastal habitat protection campaign with beach nesting and shore-dependent bird stewardship.
• Engage in programs to protect particularly endangered species, including black bears, Scrub Jays, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers , Bluebirds, Burrowing Owls and Whooping Cranes.
• Campaign for cap-and-trade legislation, renewable portfolio standards, and sustainable clean energy.
• Provide outreach, education and leadership on climate issues.
• Oppose offshore drilling.

Please help us in these priority areas during the coming year. We’ll be calling on you, but if you see an opportunity or a problem, don’t wait. Call your elected officials, write letters to editors, and testify at commission hearings, campaign for and vote on environmental issues and candidates. Volunteer to help protect birds and other wildlife. Together we can be an effective and formidable force for our natural environment and the birds and other wildlife that depend on it.

Visit us online here to get involved.

-Wade Matthews, Sarasota Audubon Society Conservation Chair

More Photos from Environmental Heroes Night...

Rusty Blackwell & Veronica Tarnowski

Jean Edmundson, Jeanne Dubi & Jim Edmundson

Warm greetings of two Audubon friends!

Ron Platt is recognized.

Bird recorder Edith Miller

Susie Bowie & Beverly Zimmer

Julie Byrne

Jeanne Dubi & Owen Comora

Betty Matthews

Congrats to Our Environmental Heroes!

Thursday, November 12 was an awesome night at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Sarasota Audubon honored eleven long-time members of our chapter for their passion and commitment to the environment. Mary Bader, Rusty Blackwell, Owen Comora, Jean Edmundson, Jim Edmundson, June Mades, Betty Matthews, Ron Platt, Arnie Rawson, Veronica Tarnowski and Beverly Zimmer received accolades for their involvement as volunteers, trip leaders and environmental activists right here in SW Florida.

The lives and accomplishments of our honorees were really something to hear as President Jeanne Dubi spoke about them from the podium.  We're pretty darn proud of our people--long-standing volunteers who have done so much to bring the joy, beauty and importance of nature into the forefront of our citizenry's minds.

Jeanne estimated that a collective 80-100 years of volunteer effort was represented by the 11 men and women being recognized.  WOW. Congrats to everyone!