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Outdoors

Fishing, Outdoors

The Sportsman Swap is back

Sep 1, 2026 – Rusty Chinnis
August 18, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Beat the summer heat

The summer heat of August and September is always a challenge for local anglers. This year’s frequent heat domes have made fishing even more difficult.
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August 18, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Turtle Watch reports fatal hatchling disorientations

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Fifty-five loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings were found dead on Gulf Drive on Wednesday night, Aug. 12. The following day, the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monit…
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August 16, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Salty Dawg: Sand dollars

The Gulf gives on its own schedule. Some weeks I swim out at sunset and the floor is bare, sand rippled and empty as a swept kitchen. I’ll surface with a shell, maybe, tucked in a pocket like a conso…
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August 11, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Shorebird nesting season coming to a close

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The shorebird nesting season is ending on Anna Maria Island. The season began in May as more than 120 black skimmers and 80 least terns were observed sitting on an unusually hi…
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August 11, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Monitoring Anna Maria Sound’s seagrass loss

As I reported in a story earlier this year, I was alerted by Capt. Scott Moore and his son, Capt. Justin Moore, last year about a large loss of seagrass in Anna Maria Sound. I, like Scott and Just…
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August 3, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Mangroves: Critical habitats under threat

Friday, Aug. 7, is the deadline to submit public comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a proposed shoreline wall at the Aqua/Sea Spray development along El Conquistador Parkway.
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July 28, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Salty Dawg: Two dolphins

Ernie was joined by two dolphins while swimming in the Gulf.
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July 28, 2026
By Rusty Chinnis

Organize your fishing gear

Tarpon season is “officially” over, the heat is intense, winds have been blowing hard from the west and the fishing has been less than spectacular. What’s a die-hard angler to do? How about organizin…
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July 24, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Tropical Storm Bertha impacted 189 turtle nests

Heavy surf from the Gulf and strong winds from Tropical Storm Bertha impacted 189 sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island.
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July 21, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Salty Dawg: Wade In

Most people meet Anna Maria Island the same way: They pull off Gulf Drive, kick off their sandals and walk down to the shore, sand so sugary and white. They stand there a minute. Maybe snap a photo a…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting