2:10 pm
partly cloudy
air temp 84 F
Breezy
Dune Systems of Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is a vacation destination for many. The white sugar sand attracts visitors from around the world. The mild climate draws many visitors from the north also. Clearwater Beach, is a highly maintained beach that is raked daily so it is free of seawrack. The further north you move along the beach more natural features begin to develop.
The primary dunes are evident not far from the berm crest or high tide mark. These primary dunes are indigenous plants that look to be sea oats, however appear as a restoration project. Then a short distance fine sand is piled up and the dune is covered with plants like sea oats panic grass, dune sunflowers, morning glory, poor mans patch and a few scattered ink berry plants. Evident by the holes in the sand are some other residents of the dune.
One of the most unsuspecting thing we saw was a tortoise climbing the dune. Much more diversity then I suspected to see. I guess because I was looking with different eyes. Another great adventure and it is nice to see the beach dune system looked pretty healthy vs just plowed down so the homes along the water have a great view of the Gulf of Mexico.
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| tortoise |
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| highly maintained evidence by tire tracks |
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| looking north just past the Palm Pavilion |
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| sea oats on top of 15 ft dune |
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| primary dune near berm crest |
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| swale |
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| ink berry |
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| see the black berries |
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| Healthy dune |
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| Dr. G pointing out a rhizome |
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