Fossilized Florida: A Guide to Finding Fossils in Florida’s Creeks

In North Florida, you’re never far from a fresh water creek. This is a lucky thing for those interested in archaeology and paleontology, as these creeks are some of the best places to find fossils, most notably shark teeth, ray teeth, and other bits and pieces of the fossil record.  Florida is a great place to find these fossils due to …

Florida’s Big Bend Gets Its Very Own Fishing Chart

Waterproof Charts has just released their Chart #89F that covers the shoreline near Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach.  The 25″x38″ chart includes information about local fishing spots, boat ramps, marinas and GPS positions.  It’s available at your local tackle store, marina or online from Waterproof Charts.

Join the Star Party at Cedar Key

Cedar Key’s annual astronomy event January 31-February 4 welcomes the public to scan the skies of the Gulfside town, where the lack of light pollution creates a star-gazer’s paradise. Volunteer astronomers will host free stargazing events at the Cedar Key Museum State Park on January 31 and February 4 with a slide show at 7 …

Water Cold? Fishing Slow? Here’s a List of Chores to Get Your Fishing and Boating Gear Ready For Spring

Make Your List—and Check It Twice No, I’m not Santa, but if you pay attention to this article, you may thank me. Everyone knows that this weekend’s the last one before spotted sea trout season closes on the Big Bend. And we all know that the fishing’s been unpredictable for the last month due to …

Stock Up at Gainesville’s Union Street Farmers’ Market

Downtown Gainesville comes alive every Wednesday afternoon when the vendors of fresh fruit, veggies, baked goods, and snacks all show up with their wares.  Open from 4 to 7PM, the open-air market at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza (on University Avenue) attracts Gainesville residents and visitors from all walks of life.  Look for seasonal specials …

Winter Trout Tips from Keaton Beach Inshore Guide, Capt. Pat McGriff

Capt. Pat McGriff spoke at the January 2011 meeting of the Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club. Pat is a very successful inshore fishing guide, based out of Keaton Beach, on Florida’s Big Bend, in Taylor County. Here are a few of Pat’s suggestions for successful wintertime trout fishing: If you’re targeting big trout in water that’s …

Visit the Easton-Newberry Archery Center

The Easton-Newberry Sports Complex is all about athletics, especially archery!  Indoor and outdoor archery events and tournaments are scheduled here year-round.  Participate or just come and enjoy watching other shoot.  They welcome beginners, seasoned competitors or folks just wanting to hone their archery skills.  This is a world class facility with a professional staff and …

R.O. Ranch: Mayo’s Equestrian Paradise

With 2,500 acres of unspoiled wilderness and miles of trails, R.O. Ranch in Lafayette County gives horse enthusiasts reason to cheer. The visitor’s center at R.O. Ranch is still under construction, but three trails are open, including the Steinhatchee Trail, a 6-mile jaunt that ends at the scenic Steinhatchee Falls. The 5-mile Home Trail is …

Plant Spotlight: Coontie

The coontie (Zamia pumilia) is a native Florida plant that many people are probably familliar with, but few can identify by name.  While today the coontie is almost exclusively found in landscaping, it used to be a fairly common wild plant.  Native Americans used to dig up these plants and use their roots to make flour.  European settlers …