South Walton Turtle Watch Group volunteer Dawn Ratcliffe gets ready to release loggerhead turtle into the Gulf.

Juvenile turtles get second lease on life

South Walton Turtle Watch Group volunteers Sharon Maxwell and Dawn Ratcliffe successfully released two rehabilitated loggerhead turtles into the Gulf of Mexico on June 30.
The two turtles, approximately 3-years-old have been recovering from pneumonia at Gulf World for the last 4 months. The turtles were discovered washed ashore last March.
Good luck little one!



Jason Hatcher of Freeport donated his time and 20 ft. Kenner Center Console boat for the release of the turtles. Jason captained his boat more than 4 miles offshore for the release, to ensure the turtles would not encounter fishing boats for the first leg of their new journey.
For more information about the South Walton Turtle Watch Group go to seaturtlewatch.com

WaltonOutdoors.com is an online zine for outdoor enthusiasts in Walton County, Florida and the surrounding area. Lori Ceier can be reached via email at lori@waltonoutdoors.com

Sad news for turtle nesting as loggerhead
unable to find place to lay her eggs

South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers continue to struggle to find turtle nest success in South Walton. These photos were taken by volunteers June 17. The above photo shows where a loggerhead turtle attempted to nest but was unable due to obstructions left on the beach. No one knows for sure why she gave up, but it appears the tracks spell out the message. The photo below shows the abundance of items left overnight along the beaches in Miramar Beach. Without a clear path to a nesting area beyond the high tide line, turtles will simply give up and go back to the Gulf. As of June 17, there has been 11 successful nests laid.

WaltonOutdoors.com is an online zine for outdoor enthusiasts in Walton County, Florida and the surrounding area. Lori Ceier can be reached via email at lori@waltonoutdoors.com

Local environmental advocates team up to educate public

Local environmentalist Arix Zalace has a message to share. As the producer of turtle-safe flashlight filters, Arix has teamed up with the South Walton Community Council and created a four-and-a-half minute educational documentary to enlighten both children and adults about sea turtles and the dangers they face.

The SWCC has underwritten the documentary, and the DVD is available for distribution free of charge for local educators and the public.

The colorful and informative video explains the importance of our sea turtles in the balance of the sea, and the struggles they face to survive.

It also describes how humans can ensure a healthy future for the ancient creatures by taking sensible measures, such as filling holes in the sand and not leaving items or garbage on the beach.

Anita Page, Executive Director of SWCC hopes the video will enlighten beach goers to do the right thing when visiting the beach during turtle nest season May 1 – Oct. 31.

“We hope this is educational – empowering people to make the right decisions such as using turtle safe lighting,” Anita said.

Sharon Maxwell, president of South Walton Turtle Group is pleased with the video and getting out the message as well.

“It is so good to see a public minded group in South...

Swift and clear, Turkey Creek brings lots of paddling action. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com

Turkey Creek paddle full of beautiful surprises

Located on Eglin AFB Reservation, just off of SR 85, the Turkey Creek paddle is approximately 9 miles long.
Swift and clear, the first two thirds of the paddle is tight, as the creek is only about 25 ft. wide, full of logs and sandy, shallow bottoms. Trees hang over the water, providing good shade and cool water for the journey.
About 5 miles into the paddle, Turkey Creek joins with Juniper Creek where it widens, and eventually empties into Boggy Bayou in Valparaiso, just west of Niceville.
Floating through the tunnel on Turkey Creek. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com



This paddle will bring also bring you under a few bridges and a double tunnel that at one time supported railway tracks. There is a bit of a rapid as the creek forces into the narrow tunnels, providing a fun place to stop, get out and float through.
Before you get to Boggy Bayou, you will pass through the Turkey Creek Recreation area. There are several swimming spots used by locals in this area cooling off on a warm day.
Paddling Turkey Creek requires a permit from Eglin AFB. You can acquire one by calling...

Several of Barrettt's beehives. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com

Bears wreak havoc, force beekeeper to install electric fences

Local beekeeper Earl Barrett is not happy. Local black bears have been raiding his beehives in the Pt. Washington State Forest this season, forcing him to put up electric fences to protect his hives.

As he worked on putting up a fence off of CR 83 in Santa Rosa Beach on May 27, Barrett said with a bit of frustration, “this is the third location of boxes I’ve had to fence in.”

“The bears only need to hit the fence once,” Barrett said, as he explained that it only takes one jolt to deter the sweet seekers from coming back.

Barrett explained the bears get into the hives, wreaking havoc, knocking them over, getting into the honey and creating rowdy bees. The result from the disruption ends up taking days for the honey makers to settle down.

Earl Barrett is a third generation beekeeper from Point Washington. Son of Solomon “Otis” Barrett. Earl and his ancestors have been in the beekeeping business for more than 120 years producing wholesale honey for the area.

The family has approximately 350 beehives, down from more than 1,200 from years ago, and house their production operation off of Old Ferry Road.
Barrett’s bees produce several types of seasonal honey; titi, high-bush gall...