Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Happy Turkey Day to everyone tomorrow. This is my last kayaking for more than a week, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, then Eileen and I are headed to Lisbon, Portugal for 9 days.
Today was off and on clouds, then as I returned it started to rain. No manatees or dolphins today. 🙁
Monday November 20, 2023
Marian came with me, it was cool at first, but tee shirt weather soon. We saw birds, a dolphin and manatees, but did not get to interact with them.
Sunday, November 19, 2023
A picture perfect day. 68° and full sun, no wind.
Thursday, November 16, 2023
It has been some cooler (70’s) cloudy weather, even today not much sun (photos are not very sharp) and it is now raining.
Sunday, November 12, 2023
No manatees or dolphins today, just no wind, flat water and a few birds. First a video of me doing cleanup, then a video of a Snowy as I glided along beside him.
Saturday, November 11, 2023, Veterans Day
A quiet day, tee shirt weather, lots of birds and fish jumping.
Dolphin from yesterday (11-10-2023):
November 10. 2023, Friday
Weather is great, water up the Bear Creak is like a mirror.
No manatees or dolphin today.
November 9, 2023, Thursday
A wonderful day, temperature perfect, several birds and two dolphins running all around! They even splashed with their tales once!
November 5, 2023
Beautiful day, manatee and turtle! Wind brought me home quickly. A neighbor came out as I was returning, but I met Nature John out there.
Some say I should not play with manatees because “it is against the law”. But it is NOT, the law says that you cannot “harass” manatees. I do not harass manatees.
Manatees are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. “It is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy, or molest manatees.”
I only pet them when they come up to my kayak.
November 4, 2023
Cool 63° to start out. Windy and sunny.
No manatees or dolphins today.
About an 18 inch mullet jumped not too far from my bow:
November 3, 2023
Still cool 70° and breezy. I saw a mother and her calf manatee, but did not get photos. They disappeared quickly.
November 2, 2023
Also cooler and windy. Noa came with me today.
Amy told me that the video of the dogs does not show up,
here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG1ezuo8G54
November 1, 2023
My 75th Birthday is today! Windy and cooler today.
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30 Scam Phone Numbers To Block and Area Codes To Avoid
November 12, 2023
Scams are becoming more and more prevalent. They’re so common that experts have coined the term “scam economy.” Unfortunately, it’s easy to change a phone number, and scammers often do so to avoid getting caught. The good news is that scams operate in many known area codes, so you can avoid being the next victim simply by knowing the list of scammer phone numbers.
List of Scammer Phone Numbers
Wouldn’t it be great to have a list of scam phone numbers handy to avoid them altogether or at least have 1-888 scammer numbers be clear in their intention on the caller ID? Short of never answering the phone or putting yourself on every national “do not call” list, there are some red flags you can alert yourself to before accidentally giving out your Social Security number or being a victim of identity theft.
Here is a list of scammer phone numbers that are known by government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission.
11 Common Scam Phone Numbers
- AT&T raffle winners: (904) 495-2559
- Bank account temporarily on hold scam: (858) 605-9622
- Card lock scam: (878) 877-1402
- Debit card frozen scam: (863) 532-7969
- Failed delivery attempt scam: (469) 709-7630
- Fake Publisher’s Clearing House win: (805) 637-7243
- Student loan forgiveness scam: (202) 221-7923
- Weight loss and delivery scam: (312) 339-1227
- Wells Fargo text message scam: (865) 630-4266
- Unpaid taxes scam: (347) 437-1689
- USPS scam: (301) 307-4601
List of Scam Area Codes
More than 300 area codes exist in the United States alone which is a target-rich environment for phone scammers. The good news is that scam callers will often show up under common area codes for incoming calls. Here are 19 area codes you should never answer if you don’t know who’s on the other end.
19 Common Scam Area Codes
- 216: Cleveland, Ohio
- 218: Northern Minnesota
- 232: Sierra Leone
- 268: Antigua and Barbuda
- 284: British Virgin Islands
- 332: New York City
- 347: New York City
- 469: Dallas, Texas
- 473: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique
- 649: Turks and Caicos Islands
- 646: Manhattan
- 657: La Palma, California
- 664: Montserrat
- 712: Western Iowa
- 767: Commonwealth of Dominica
- 809: Dominican Republic
- 829: Dominican Republic
- 849: Dominican Republic
- 876: Jamaica
What Is a Scam Phone Number or Area Code?
Scam phone numbers and area codes typically involve calls you receive from numbers you don’t recognize. Often there is no customer service you can contact or law enforcement you can involve for these calls obfuscated by distance or sheer volume. Changing a phone number is easy, so it’s challenging to catch every scam phone number out there.
However, if you get a call from a phone number or area code you don’t know, it’s likely best to avoid picking up the call and research the following before you call back:
- Look at the area code: Start by comparing the phone number’s area code to the list of area codes you should never answer. If it’s on the list, there’s a good chance there’s a scammer on the other end of the line.
- Scammer phone number lookup: Another option to determine if a phone number calling you is likely scam activity is to search for it on Google. Several websites track scam numbers, and a quick Google search may pull one of those sites up. If it’s a common scam number, you’ll probably find reports from people who have answered.
3 Common Types of Scam Calls
Several different types of phone scams exist. Since there is no limit to a scam artist’s potential, recognizing signs of common scams will serve you well. Here are examples of three of the most common scams out there today and how to block these spam calls:
- One-ring scams
- Traffic pumping scams
- Package delivery scams
1. One-Ring Scams
Scammers use one-ring scams to get you, the victim, to call back. The scammers use robo-dialers to call you and hang up after just one ring. When you call back to see who called, they might charge a connectivity fee and per-minute fees for what will appear on your bill as premium services.
In another variation of this scam, the con artists leave voice mails requesting that you call them urgently. They may say you have a sick relative or claim some other urgent matter. When you call back, the longer you stay on the phone, the more money they steal from you.
2. Traffic Pumping Scams
Traffic pumping is also known as access stimulation. It’s based on the way phone services work. When you make a long-distance call, your local carrier gives the call to a long-distance provider. That long-distance provider then covers the call most of the way before handing it off to another local provider. They pay an access fee to that provider for the ability to do so.
Local carriers with high access fee rates may make arrangements with other companies with high call volume operations in an attempt to benefit from increased access fee revenues. Although this doesn’t cost you anything personally, it increases the costs of phone services for all.
3. Package Delivery Scams
This scam starts with a text message or voicemail saying you need to take action to receive your package. When you call back or click the link in the text, you end up on a website feedback page that looks like Amazon or another familiar site. On this site, you’re told you have won a prize.
To claim the prize, you need to give your credit card information. However, there’s no prize, and Amazon, UPS and USPS aren’t part of the conversation. Instead, it’s just scammers looking for your credit card number.
Final Take To GO
There will likely always be scams and scam phone numbers out there. The good news is that you can decide not to be the next victim. To avoid being taken advantage of by a scammer, use the following strategies:
- Call your carrier: Ask your carrier if they have any services to protect you from scam phone calls, or if you can file a complaint about robocalls and robotexts.
- Register on the National Do Not Call Registry: Put your phone number on the Federal Do Not Call Registry. This won’t stop all scams, but it could minimize the calls you get.
- Use apps: There are several spam-blocking apps you can use to avoid becoming the next victim.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about scam phone numbers.
- How can I check if a phone number is a scam?
- Search the phone number you suspect is a scam on Google. If anyone has reported it to a website that tracks scams, it should show up in Google’s results.
- What numbers should I not answer?
- You should only answer phone numbers you know. Scammers learn from their mistakes and tend to evolve with the times. Although there are scam area codes to watch for, which are listed above, scammers now use phone number spoofing to make it look like they’re calling from your local area.
- If you don’t know a phone number, let the call go to voicemail and research the number before you call it back. And if they leave a voicemail claiming to be someone you know or a company you do business with, call back at the number you have for the other person or company, not the number that left the voicemail.
- How can you tell when it’s a scammer number?
- A scammer number is one you don’t recognize in your caller ID. Some mobile devices alert you with a “scam likely” notification. Even if you don’t have that option, it’s good to be able to recognize popular scam phone numbers by the area code. Here are some to know:
- 216
- 218
- 232
- 268
- 284
- 332
- 347
- 469
- 473
- 649
- 646
- 657
- 664
- 712
- 767
- 809
- 829
- 849
- 876
- A scammer number is one you don’t recognize in your caller ID. Some mobile devices alert you with a “scam likely” notification. Even if you don’t have that option, it’s good to be able to recognize popular scam phone numbers by the area code. Here are some to know:
- Should I answer 888 numbers?
- 888 numbers indicate it is a toll-free call. Calls made to toll-free numbers are paid for by the recipient rather than the caller, making them particularly popular among call centers and other businesses. An 888 area code doesn’t necessarily indicate that it’s a scam, but will most likely be a robocall so answer at your own discretion.
- What is the scam block number?
- Depending on your provider, there are several ways to protect yourself from scams. For example, T-Mobile offers a scam blocker where you can download the free Scam Shield app and toggle it on to prevent scam calls
October 30, 2023
Another nice day! No dolphin, nor manatee though.
October 29, 2023
Sixteen species of birds this morning
1.Snowy Egret
2. European Starling
3. Wood Stork
4. Cormorant
5. Kingfisher
6. Tricolored Heron
7. Great Egret
8. Yellow Crowned Night Heron
9. Black Crowned Night Heron
10. Osprey
11. Little Green Heron
12. Anhinga
13. Mockingbird
14. Mallard
15. Crow
16. Blue Jay
October 28, 2023
An AWESOME day! My manatee came over to play! I brought along the watertight case so I could get underwater video as well! He even turned on his side to let me scratch his belly.
Then upon my return the Osprey had a huge fish for breakfast to show me!!
We walked with the 1800 stray dogs in the jungles of Costa Rica:
https://www.territoriodezaguates.com
The word “zaguate” is used in Costa Rica to refer to a mixed breed dog, a mutt, a stray. Territorio de Zaguates is a “No-Kill Shelter,” a dog sanctuary for over 1,800 wagging tails, where we do not believe in euthanasia as a solution to the problem of abandoned dogs in Costa Rica. Our mission is to find a home for all the dogs that are in our care. We are a temporary home for hundreds of puppies looking for a second chance, and we are also the permanent home of many others who may never find their own family.
Territorio de Zaguates is a non-profit organization founded by the spouses Lya Battle and Alvaro Saumet, who since 2006 have been dedicated to promoting animal welfare and respect for animals.
Our Goals:
1. Rescue and improve the quality of life of street dogs.
2. Promote the adoption of animals rescued by the organization.
3. Reduce the number of stray dogs on the streets by spaying and neutering all dogs we have rescued, and raising awareness about responsible pet ownership and care.9
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Another beautiful day kayaking!
Wednesday. October 25, 2023
I am back from Costa Rica and out kayaking again. Costa Rica was nice, it was raining every afternoon, but the mornings were nice.
Today I saw several manatees, but they did not want to come and play.
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Another beautiful day. Sunny, mid 70’s. Nice time to be in Florida. Two Tri-Color Herons, many other birds today.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Finally a day of sunshine! We had a front come through and sat on us for a few days with clouds, but little rain. Nice days for bicycling though.
Sunday, October 8, 2023
A nip of winter in the air, 72° out!
Nothing exciting today, just my birds.
October 6, 2023
Another fun day with manatees! Ten minutes of playing with one manatee while two others were close by. The one (I called him “Stinky Breath”) spent all ten minutes with me. He would roll over and I would scratch his belly! He would nudge the kayak, he would nibble on the kayak, he just came back again and again to have me scratch him all over. He grabbed my hand with his two flippers and held it. He just played with me! The skin on his body under his flippers is very soft, it felt like supple leather.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Manatees galore! A herd of manatees were playing just off of where Lady Pearl is moored! I spent more than 10 minutes with them! Three times they came up under my kayak and twice I was quite jostled! I was able to scratch the head of two of them!! An amazing day!
September 2023
- Post author By John
- Post date September 25, 2023
- 2 Comments on September 2023
Monday, September 25, 2023
Still feels like fall is coming, but it was warm toward the end of my run. I got a great photo of the Brown Pelicans this morning.
I met Nature John, but we did not see any manatees. He went on to get some August bricks he found on the shore up the creek.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Manatees! Two or more manatees were up near the dam. I first saw the head of one come up by the dam. Then I waited and two manatees showed up, just their backs on the surface. I paddled over to be beside them when one lifted his tail, then lifted it higher and bumped my kayak!
Osprey and Anhinga! Again an Anhinga was way up high, this time on top of a mast! The two Osprey decided to go together on top of the other mast! Two on one mast, wow!
Noa sent along her photos from today, 9-23-2023!!!
Noa came kayaking with me today, we stopped and talked to Allan and then stopped to talk with the two dogs, Elvis, and the little one Presley.
Such flat water! And fall is here, sliding glass doors and windows open!
Friday, September 22, 2023
Awesome day, on the water there is a nice breeze, a little hard going out, but a free ride going home. To start out there were several birds. The Kingfisher, two Osprey, two Pelicans, a Tern, Gulls, etc. Some I got photos of, others not. It just is such a peaceful ride up the creek and seeing birds. Allan said there was a manatee fifteen minutes ahead of me, but I never saw it.
The guy whose umbrella I rescued thanked me, he said that his brother gets this web site and really enjoys it. I hope all of you do as well.
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Another beautiful day. I thought that I saw manatees, but it was snook surfacing!
Monday, September 18, 2023
I only did half of my usual trip this morning, a thunderstorm kicked up. I got out of the kayak in time, but the sprinkles started as I carried the kayak up to the house. Then a few minutes later it poured. An hour later it was clear skys!
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Noa went with me this morning, weather was perfect. No manatees or dolphin, but a nice quiet ride. Met new people on Lady Pearl.
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Two Tri-colored Herons were the surprise visitors today, but they were in deep shade unfortunately.
I did see four manatees, they were under the bridge, thus not so good photos.
Also a surprise visitor, a Black Crowned Night Heron!
Friday, September 15, 2023
Osprey took the top spot today!
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Another great day! Marian was already on the water when I got out. No dolphin or manatees today, just a smooth beautiful day.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Another nice day. I spotted an Anhinga on the top of the light on the pinnacle of Lady Pearl, then saw an umbrella that had been blown into the water. I retrieved it for them. An hour later when I came back by, the umbrella was up by the building, they found it.
Monday September 11, 2023
We need to remember another September 11.
A beautiful day today, good for bird watching. Allan and I saw a mom manatee and two babies, but too far away for photos.
Here is a video of the start of my journey by my place, one Osprey, two Ibis and two Yellow Crowned Night Herons.
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Another beautiful day, a manatee and a dolphin! A lot of traffic today on the water, Nature John, another couple in their kayaks, and Chris, his wife and a friend all on their boards.
We watched a manatee going north and one dolphin chasing fish up in a draw. Lots of fun!!
September 7, 2023 Thursday
Friday I have a consultation with a diabetes doctor.
Saturday I am meeting in Tampa with my bridge breaking crew (balsa wood bridges)
Today Nature John and I paddled up the creek and back, We saw the swirls and evidence of manatees, but no manatees to photo.
I did see for the second time in quite a while the Kingfisher, this time I got photographs!
Wednesday. September 6, 2023
A nice day, the humidity is way down and the temperature is in the 70’s. So great!
Nature John and I went up and down the creek together. A dolphin went by us and Nature John decided to go after it. My video shows that the dolphin followed him!
We did not see any manatees today though.
September 4, 2023
Another cooler and beautiful day. I stopped by the Magnus family on their back lawn. We sighted both manatees and a dolphin!
Sunday, September 3, 2023
The temperature has gone down, only 74° this morning. Idalia took away our humidity and sent down cooler air. Still picking up some plastic and trash, but not too much. The tide was out this morning, and I had to take out at my alternative spot. An Osprey was eating its breakfast right over my usual take out spot as well. I did not want to disturb it.
September is here already. I spent September 1 cleaning up from the hurricane Idalia, I found a chair out in the bay and took it to Ann, and cleaned plastic out of the mangroves. I found one of the kayaks on the port side of Lady Pearl had come off and was half sunk. I got it back on deck.
I purchased a wedding gift for Stephanie and Jason and fed the poor on Friday as well.
September 2 was back to normal.
September 2nd photos below
GoPro Videos
- Post author By John
- Post date September 10, 2023
- No Comments on GoPro Videos
September 10, 2023
September 4. 2023
August 25. 2023
August 7, 2023
The GoPro cuts off after only seconds, I do not know why!
August 4, 2023
August 3, 3023
With Noa, who looks elegant!
July 29, 2023
July 28, 2023
July 21, 2023
I was right the first time, zooming in I see this IS a Snowy, not a juvenile Little Blue.
July 20, 2023
July 14. 2023
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Awaiting Hurricane Idalia, we have had two bands go by so far, just a short rainfall each time. I do not expect too much, some rain and a small surge. Hopefully not too much in my garage. I lifted everything up so if some water does get in nothing will be damaged.
I am in a High School opened as a shelter. Nice and Air Conditioned and good Internet. I have a nice teachers desk and chair – what more could I ask for!
It was such a nice sunrise this morning.
Sunday, August 27, 2023
The weather was awesome, lower humidity and slightly cooler. No manatees or dolphin today. I met up with three others on the water including one lady an a board, one lady in a kayak, and Nature John. Lots of birds though.
August 26, 2023
More manatees! Two dolphins and a pod of manatees today.
August 25, 2023
Back to America and kayaking. This morning Marian (freshly back from Vermont) rousted me out of bed to go kayaking, and we had a beautiful day to do it. 75° and low humidity ..full sun. Shortly we found that we were surrounded by manatees! At least six. Then up Bear Creek we spotted about six more! Manatee haven this morning!
August 23, 2023
We got up early and caught the first train from Bath to Reading, then another train from Reading to Gatwick. Every train we took (and we took 17) was on time or they notified us if it was going to be 2 minutes late. We only had one that we had planned to take, but it left early! Luckily we had planned to have two hours to spare at the airport, so waiting for an hour for the next train was ok. Next time I go to England I will save some money and go regular rather than First Class. The upgrade was not needed.
August 22, 2023
Our last full day we spent in Bath, England with a side trip to Stonehenge, Stonehenge was built at the same time as a Pyramids. An Englishman was showing his Egyptian girlfriend the Stonehenge. She said that his ancestors were rather puny and weak!
August 21, 2023
WE travelled by train from Glasgow to Oxford where we spent the afternoon at the University of Oxford.
Uploading Loch Ness photos, then today, August 20 photos.
So far sun every day, 70’s and very nice. Most days tee shirt weather.
August 19 2023
We spent the day in Edenburgh, they have the Fringe Festival going on and we stopped to se a lot of the events, we also walked down to Arthurs Seat, but did not climb it. It was a two hour walk (climbing almost 800 feet) but we had walked enough (three times my expected per my watch) so we passed.
August 18, 2023
Flash: NEWS: We did Not see the Loch Ness monster. 🙁
We did have fun on the boat and up to the castle though. No rain!! Just 19 degrees and nice. We have had exceptional weather – sun at least part of every day.
August 17, 2023
I got an email back from one of the swimmers in one of my photos in Dover, Lee wrote:
” I have swam the English Channel solo amongst other marathon swims UK & abroad. I have been involved with open water swimming at all levels for over 25 years; coaching, managing, regional development and organising races. I am currently coaching the young guy who was in the water with me to swim the English Channel. He is due to go on 22nd /23rd August and should complete the swim in under 11 hours which is considered fast. The average time is 15 hours and the world record is 6 hours 58 minutes.”
Amazing who you might meet traveling!
A very busy trip! August 15 we left Dover and went to Bradford where Eileen’s ancestors were from. We did a lot of hiking and went to a museum that was just like where her GGGrandfather may have worked. Then we took a train to Edinburgh (they pronounce it Edin-brh) and went to the castle there. The castle still has 400 soldiers living there!
August 14, 2023
We had a good flight over here to England, a long eight hours in the air but they fed us well. Then we got to Gatwick, found the train real quickly, hopped on the train down to Dover. We had found the bed and breakfast that we had reserved and just had to walk across the street to get there from the station so that was very convenient. We were really lucky when we arrived here in Dover that the lady who manages the bed and breakfast happened to be outside. She let us in and put our bags inside. We also were really lucky to have the beautiful sunshine, everything so far other than some bumps and bruises is going splendidly.
Then we climbed the mountain where the castle is and climbed up in the castle and checked out the King and Queen’s quarters and down in the basement checked out the kitchen. At the castle I was a little chilly so I bought a t-shirt and put it on over my shirt, two t-shirts, which was enough to keep me warm. The weather has been just wonderful sunshine for the most part we had a cloud come over and a few drips of precipitation but then it went away and there was a rainbow so we got to see beautiful sunshine. Both yesterday and this morning is sunny and about 59 degrees out there which is really refreshing and nice. and then hiked back down over the mountain and down to the beach where we found a seal had come ashore, he was still laying on the beach and took pictures of the three statues. The seal looked like it was fish out of water it was laying there and just moving its head a little bit it was waiting for the tide to come in apparently to pick it back up again and go back in the water.
We stopped in a bar and had that drinks but before then we stopped at a restaurant that was really good had a really good breakfast. A vegetarian breakfast no less, with vegetarian sausages that were absolutely delicious. The mushrooms that they use are delicious as well. best mushrooms I’ve had forever!
August 12, 2023
I am off to England starting tomorrow.
Today Noa came with me, and we met Nature John out there.
Noa and I saw a large dolphin, but no manatees.
We had a good time anyway and I got photos of birds.
August 11, 2023
Lots of manates! A pair of twins about a month old surfaced three feet from my kayak! The adults (I guess about three more) were having a good time thrashing about at times!
On the GoPro, I think I may be using the wrong SD cards. I have ordered a high speed card which should be here by the end of the month.
August 10, 2023
Mostly cloudy, but Allan and I saw a dolphin, and I saw two manatees up at the dam! The tide was high enough that I could go over the pipe and paddle to the dam. There were two manatees, taking turns with their noses over the dam taking in the cool fresh water.
August 9, 2023
Allan and I saw a mother and a calf manatee as they went by his place.
A very warm day toward the end.
August 7, 2023
Another BANNER day! A small herd of manatees were in front of Bob’s place! I played with then for 15 minutes and even got to pet one! At times there were three heads out of the water at a time! One came galloping toward me, up and down like a bucking horse, he went right under me!!
I met Java and family from Columbia and Jeff whose boat submerged but the electric motor seems to be OK.
I think tomorrow I will stop by where the mural is and ask who painted it. Scott has a nice mural of a pair of frogs on his wall. He was not around to ask who painted it though.
UPDATE on the murals:
August 6, 2023
Another great day. Allan said he saw 3 dolphins, but 8 minutes before I got there
August 5, 2023
Another beautiful day like yesterday. Lots of birds.
August 4, 2023
A nice day, the lower humidity was nice, people were coming out on their back yards to enjoy the weather. I added two more videos.
August 3, 2023
A fine day, Noa went with me this morning. I saw one manatee surface, but we did not see him again. A nice breeze picked up which made it not so very hot. I added three videos to the video page.
Videos of Noa are on the NEW GoPro Videos
August 2, 2023
A beautiful day this morning, a day of Little Green Herons. They were out, young and old. No sense using the GoPro as it still has issues with the SD cards, and the Little Greens are too little to be seen on a video.
July 30, 2023
Another banner day. One dolphin, he was longer than my kayak! I got a video of the waves he left behind when he surfaced 15 feet beside me. But the GoPro was pointed ahead.
I still am having problems with the GoPro reading the SD card, so I brought a second one with me. I was moving the card in and out trying to get a good connection when zing, the card hit my elbow on its way to the bottom of the creek. I reached for it under the water and it bumped my hand but sank to the bottom. Some archaeologist a thousand years from now may be digging up the creek and come up with it. I put a piece of thin plastic on the back of the SD card I have left to hopefully push it closed to the contacts.
I met Nature John out today – he had seen the dolphin as well. I also met a new person, Stefane on her inflatable board.
July 29, 2023
Another great day! No dolphin, but one manatee! I was trying to get the GoPro to record and so missed photographs of the manatee, he was 1/3 the way across the bay which surprised me, I had never seen them out here in the shallow water. Nature John and I waited at the dam for them but they did not show today.
I finally got the GoPro to save to the SD card, I will not take the card out again if it continues to work.
July 28, 2023
Another beautiful day, the surprise today was the Nanday Conures who had found the birdfeeder at Alan’s place! Seven of them flew in and chowed down.
The lady who lives by the dam said the manatees had been there yesterday, but not so far today.
July 26, 2023
A beautiful day, lots of birds! Another brood of tiny ducklings! I thought that the ducks were done for the year, but here were six itty bitty ducklings with their mother! I tried eight times to get a video, and I thought that finally I got one, but upon looking at the files, three of them had zero bytes, and the others did not register at all! The GoPro kept saying SD card error. At least I did get stills.
July 24, 2023
No dolphins, manatees or sharks (never sharks or alligators!). A few more videos of the birds, you can see how small they are in the videos, but my camera brings them closer.
July 22. 2023
Pleasant day out, no surprises. I learned afterward that 4k was not turned on on my GoPro, but an uneventful day.
July 21, 2023
No dolphins, manatees or sharks (never sharks or alligators!). A few more videos of the birds, you can see how small they are in the videos, but my camers brings them closer.
July 20, 2023
A great day, a dolphin and lots of birds!
I was taking photos of the dolphin when it was far away, then when it got closer I should have turned on the GoPro, it would have made a good video as the dolphin passed within 5 feet of my bow! I got great photos as he stayed on the surface for a long time.
I did take new videos with the GoPro (link is above).
July 19, 2023
I have been busy with lights and projector for the theater.
https://gulfportcommunityplayers.org/
Today was very nice, Allan spotted a manatee covered in barnacles, I paddled out to where he was, the manatee circled around and put his nose up to my kayak! So I petted him! Then a second manatee (with no barnacles) was spotted ahead. I paddled to catch up, but never saw them again. When the one which was beside my kayak I tried to take photos with the GoPro, but it had an error message, SD card error. My big camera said no battery! I reinserted the SD card and it continued to work, then I reinserted the battery and that one continued to work. But in the heat of the moment, I had neither camera and a manatee right beside me!
Some birds today, but not many.
Friday July 14, 2023
No manatees today, but a dolphin or two. Lots of birds today, including the baby Little Green Heron out again!
Thursday, July 13, 2023
Dolphin sightings again! Ann went with me today, I tried out the GoPro, unfortunately I had only a 2 GB chip in it, so it only recorded for 9 minutes, not much scenery during that time, just the mangroves and the sunrise. I have a 16 GB in the GoPro now.
The Little Green Heron baby was out, looking for food from momma!
Tuesday, happy Forth of July, 2023!
Dolphin sightings! A very nice day, the sea was like glass again, with a light breeze to keep us somewhat cool.
Monday, July 3, 2023
Lots of fireworks last night, it may have scared off my birds! Also, no manatees anywhere today, but four dolphins!
Sunday July 2, 2023
Today made up for yesterday, five adult manatees and a baby! Lady Four Scars was at the dam and I played with her for quite a while, still as playful as ever. Then on the way back I saw one adult manatee under a bridge, then across from Bob’s there were three adults and a baby! The baby and one adult were tugging on the prop roots of the mangroves, another adult was munching on the leaves and the last adult had its nose in the grass on the side of the creek. I must confess, I was stationary for about five minutes – splashing with my right hand to get the manatees to come. No one came, they were all out of sight. So I decided to move on. I put my left paddle in and pulled, then put my right paddle in. I had been looking to my left. When I put the right paddle in I hit something. An adult manatee surfaced right beside me! I had not seen him and touched him with the paddle! He continued north, but it was funny that he was there all the time! Five adults, one baby, a record!
I also got some good shots of a Pelican fishing.
Saturday July 1, 2023
For three days John and I played with the manatees. Today Noa and I went out and – no manatees. It was a nice day and we saw a few birds.
One thing you may notice, I used a different camera, my Coolpix P900. I also did not crop or edit any of the photos at all. I usually lighten or darken them a bit and crop them, not today.
Third day in a row playing with manatees! I just park my kayak on the dam and they come to me. One sucked my hand right into his mouth! They have teeth like sting rays, just two hard plates, but a very soft pink tongue!
Nature John and I played with them for a while then decided to go over the dam and over the water goat and go up the creek. I had been only one other time and was stopped by a fallen tree, same this time but a fallen tree further north.
Nature John sent two videos of me and a manatee, and one he called Kayak Cleaner!
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Yesterday there were two manatees at the dam, this morning there were three! Again I rested my kayak on the dam and a manatee would come up to me! Nature John came up later and we both enjoyed the manatees for a while. Then NJ allowed me to use his guest bathroom, saved the day there!
Update:
Manatees are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy, or molest manatees.
The manatee is also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states: “It is unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee.”
Others say molesting the manatees is considered if you have 2 hands on one of them.
One hand is not considered molesting them or they would have left!
So I am sure we are fine, the manatees come to us, we did not feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy, or molest them.
There are places here in Florida where you can swim with them and touch them all you want!
June 28, 2023
A day that will go down in history for me. Nature John and I were paddling up Bear Creek when we saw dolphins. Then as we got up further, about 8 AM we came across two manatees. Nothing unusual about that but we followed them up to the dam. One put his snout right up on the dam and was drinking (I think) the cool fresh water coming over the dam. It was about 2 inches deep and was really cold. The second manatee was swimming right nearby. So, for the next hour and 15 minutes Nature John and I reveled in playing with the manatees. State law says you cannot harass manatees, but we did no such thing. The manatees would come up right beside us again and again (where is my GoPro) and “sniff” at our hand in the water. Then they would swim around and take a “bite” out of the side of the kayak. Then they would clean off any algae that was on the kayak. Around and around they circled us. Twice I had one manatee on either side of me and was able to touch both at the same time. For more than an hour they played with us. Many years ago I was able to touch a manatee, but this was another level of amazing. They really were curious, coming up behind Nature John’s kayak and plying with his lifting handle, several times. What an experience. Obviously they were too close to photograph when I was touching them, but I got a few with Nature John accepting an advance from one!
Update Monday:
Out my back window is an Osprey eating his lunch.
Monday, June 26, 2023
Even more interaction with dolphins AND manatees!
A manatee lifted the stern of my kayak and turned me about 30° counterclockwise! He did not dump me, I think it may have been a mistake. It sounded like he had barnacles on his body that lifted my stern leaving little pin hole marks.
Also Jason and I watched two dolphin chasing fish, the larger dolphin caught a 12 inch fish!.
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Dolphins, manatees! A great day! First came the dolphins, I do not know how many but I saw several break the surface to take a breath, they were so quick. I only got one small dorsal fin photo, even though I saw at least 6. One was coming straight at me and rocked my kayak! At the same time a lady on shore said that there were several manatees right there! I only saw one nose, too quick to get a photo.
Saturday. June 24, 2023
A beautiful day!! A few high clouds, moderate temperature, NICE! Today there is no wind and the bay is like glass.
Thursday, June 22, 2023
A short day today, I almost made it home before a small thunderstorm hit! The thunder and lightning hit at the same time! Then pouring rain filled my kayak, I got home soaked!!
Monday, June 17, 2023 Juneteenth, a federal holiday.
It has been cloudy and rain the past few days, but today was clear and beautiful.
Manatees today! Several cavorting around in front of Bob and Di’s place!
Thursday (Thor’s day) June 15, 2023
(I have a necklace with Thor’s hammer on it!)
The tide was in (Nature John called it what it was, a King Tide).
Another day for the GoPro. An Osprey landed right in front of me going after a fish. Too close to get a clear photo!! The two photos I did get off were way out of focus. He really surprised me landing so close!
Allan said that I missed the dolphin. All around a crazy day! The day started out solid clouds and windy, the clouds moved away and the wind picked up to 10 to 15 knots, a wave splashed right into my kayak – it made for hard to photograph anything it was so rough.
Monday June 12, 2023
Another nice day, I spotted one Skimmer, a Great Blue exposing himself, and lots of ducks.
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Sunshine with a few puffy clouds! 74° and nice. Slight breeze out of the south.
Two Black Skimmers came by! They are so fast it is hard to get a photo! Skimming along above the smooth water next to the marina!
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Another fabulous day, full sun after a bit of clouds on the horizon.
Friday, June 9, 2023
Beautiful weather, a dolphin encounter this morning! As usual, I cannot get photos of things closer than ten feet. This morning I had been watching a dolphin up in front of me. when all of a sudden to my left about 3-4 feet away, a dolphin came up! He was facing me. He looked at me for a second, then splashed me and submerged under my kayak! WOW! I took 4 photos of him, none are recognizable as anything but a blur. I have thought many times of getting a go-pro for times like this. It would have made a great video! They are $400 and only take video for 85 minutes, I am out for 3 hours and I have no idea when nature will suprize me.
Thursday, June 8, 2023
For the first time in almost two years I did not get a photo because my battery had died. The battery in my Nikon D300 lasts a long time, I do not have to charge it up for about a month. This morning a Black Skimmer came around fishing – I missed the shot. I have put a spare, fully charged, battery in my waterproof container that I take every day, so, if it ever happens again I am prepared.
No dolphins or manatees, but a Yellow Crowned Night Heron catching a crab!
Monday June 5, 2023
Two dolphins today, no photos of them though, they were too close! All nine plus mom ducks are doing well.
Sunday June 4, 2023
Another awesome day, three dolphins!
Another great day. Tuesday I volunteer at Gulfport, so no kayaking. Wednesday it was cloudy and in the afternoon we had a severe thunderstorm, dropping more than 5 inches of rain, my rain gage only goes to 5 inches, and it was overflowing! Thursday was a cloudy day. Today, sunshine, 70° and nice.
Marine Max Fuel Dock
- Post author By John
- Post date June 4, 2023
- 2 Comments on Marine Max Fuel Dock
I want to remind everyone that there will be a meeting tonight at 6:30 at South Pasadena City Hall (7047 Sunset Drive South) regarding the proposed fueling facility.
The City does not have any regard for environmental conditions and has deemed the fueling facility safe because it is not installed in an aquatic land!
Everyone is encouraged to attend, sign in and leave a comment card. Please note that we need your voice as the City has already recommended approval: see below:
The waters here in Boca Ciega Bay are rich in wildlife that would be affected by any fuel spill.
Really, boats have other options for fuel, Gulfport, Tierra Verde, yard tanks on site, and fuel trucks, etc.
I have no beef with the existing Marine Max. The workers are nice, but sometimes let supplies they use get away from them. I have cleaned up many blue skid pads and empty cleaning bottles, etc. I paddle my kayak over to the marina every day. The manager of Marine Max (John) did come over and rescue me one day when my kayak sunk while I was in the marina.
I moved to my residence 25 years ago because I found it to be the only estuary around, the natural wetlands adjacent to the Bay.
Following are photographs taken in the area