Seaweed on the beach. (Visit Florida Collection) By Lauri deGaris There are many types of seaweed, and their color and grace are emphasized by the sun in the underwater world. Seaweed has been …

Bucko and I have lived in north Florida for decades now, but it doesn’t stop me from trying to find new things to see and do here. Last week I used my trip planning skills to better explore the Big …

Like everyone else these days, I’ve been complaining about the heat, and even dedicated a column last week to this topic. But I haven’t stopped thinking about it and about the animals that are …

This is an open letter from the Nassau County Sierra Executive Board to fellow stakeholders of the local environment: If you have noticed the sidewalks being closed off by FDOT on Atlantic Avenue, …

By Pat Foster-Turley The pool at the Atlantic Recreation Center provides a cool environment for the seniors (called Sassy Athletes) doing water aerobics. It’s hot out there! Everyone I pass on the …

Fresh trout served in north Georgia. It’s no surprise to my friends and family, and even to my loyal readers, that I love seafood of all descriptions and I am always in search of different types of …

By Lauri deGaris On April 12, 2023, the horses of Cumberland Island -- in their own right, along with the Georgia Equine Rescue League, LTD; The Georgia Horse Council, Inc.; Will Harlan; and Carol …

Planning a trip is always fun for me, and always full of unique challenges depending on the location, the time of year and the company I will spend it with. Usually, the company is my husband Bucko, …

A Meditation by Lauri deGaris   Horses have grazed the plains and pastures of Mother Earth for 50 million years. For at least 30,000 of those years, humanity has held these magnificent creatures in …

I am by no means a fisherperson. Bucko has tried to get me interested, but the last time he tried, years ago, it was a total failure. We were at the Fort Clinch jetties and Bucko kindly lugged two …

Any regular reader of my columns knows I am hounded by rabbits in my backyard. These wild critters live in my backyard and appear often, eating our vegetation, and there is no stopping them. Over …

A couple of weeks ago some friends and I decided to visit the Cummer Museum and Gardens in Jacksonville. It’s been a long time since any of us have been there. I had heard about the wonderful …

Jean Taylor’s 80th birthday[/caption] It’s summertime again and time to head to the beach. But these days I head to the beach alone. In the good old days, I had a number of friends eager to go to …

I am always alert to the possibilities of new columns and sometimes my Facebook friends provide a good source for me. This week a retired University of Florida professor friend of mine, Steve …

Dr. Roger Payne recording songs of whales. Photo courtesy of Ocean Alliance, Inc. Dr. Roger S. Payne, biologist, born January 29, 1935, passed away this month. For more than 50 years, he poured his …

There’s a small otter-like critter roaming our saltmarshes and beach shores, but few people ever encounter one. We have mink here in Nassau County and even on Amelia Island. It turns out that …

Armadillos spent much of their time with their nose buried in the ground, seeking food. These days it seems like armadillos are everywhere, in all-natural areas on this island snuffling around in the …

The proposal for a disc golf course at Simmons Road Park was unanimously rejected after a tour of the property that was intended to sell the idea but instead backfired as people visualized how …

Katelin Franklin feeds orphaned fawns. I was so wrapped up with Lake the otter last week I didn’t have the energy or enthusiasm to write much about the wonderful place that fostered him, the Ark …

A few days ago, I was asked to hop on over to Main Beach and investigate the “big bugs” devouring plants near the playground. It did not take long to discover many Eastern lubber grasshoppers …