Florida's More Exotic Wildlife

As we have traveled up and down Florida's coast we have been privileged to encounter some rather exotic wildlife.

Florida Manatees

The Florida manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer, or sometimes crawl, through shallow water. They also have powerful, flat tails that help propel them through the water. Despite their small eyes and lack of outer ears, manatees are thought to see and hear quite well. Well known for their gentle, slow-moving nature, they normally rest and feed often.  They are herbivores, with a diet consisting mostly of sea grasses and freshwater vegetation. Manatees communicate by squealing under water to demonstrate fear, stress or excitement. Although there is no precise census of Florida manatees, today’s population is estimated at approximately 5,000 individuals.

Manatee near our dock in Key Largo

Various human activities threaten manatee populations. Fishing nets and lines can cause injuries to manatees that can lead to serious infections. Some manatee deaths are the result of collisions with boats and boat propellers. Additionally, coastal development affect manatee habitats, both positively and negatively. Manatees tend to gather in the warm water outflows of power plants and springs during cold weather.  In accordance with the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, an act of Congress designed to list endangered animal species and offer them limited protection, the manatee became one of 78 original species listed as being threatened with extinction. As such, it is a violation to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or collect these animals.

Due to Florida's prominence in the exotic pet trade, iguanas imported as pets have escaped or been released, and are now established in South Florida. South and Central Florida's subtropical climate allows these large herbivorous lizards to survive, reproduce, and become part of the Florida environment. 

Iguanas Basking in Trees

Three large members of the iguana family have become established here. These are the common green iguana, the Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas and black spiny-tailed iguana. Large male spiny-tailed iguanas are often misidentified as alligators by startled homeowners because of reduced dorsal spines and dark color. We often see iguanas basking in the sun along rocky shores, in trees, on docks and by bridges.

Iguana next to Sea Wall

Iguanas can cause damage by eating valuable landscape plants, shrubs, and trees, as well as orchids and many other flowers. They can also dig burrows next to seawalls and foundations, increasing the chance of erosion and eventual collapse. Special permits are unnecessary for trapping iguanas on private property in Florida, however, they must be trapped humanely. Only snares and live traps are legal. It is illegal to relocate iguanas, because, as a non-native species, they cannot be released into the wild.  Therefore, if captured, iguanas must be destroyed humanely. It is illegal to shoot iguanas in Florida,  

Oops, this is a 'Geico', not an Iguana!

We hope you don't have any encounters with 'dangerous' exotic animals wherever you are! Wishing you fair winds and gentle seas. Jay and Peggy

Surviving South Florida's Severe Weather

Anticipating severe weather, we moved "Little Lara" to Lake Sylvia February 15th.  This anchorage is surrounded on all sides by high-end homes. Access to the lake is gained through a narrow channel. A popular anchorage with locals, it has good holding and all-around protection.  When we arrived, fifteen other boats were already at anchor.  Once our anchor was set, we felt secure. The next morning as the sun was rising, storm clouds were gathering on the horizon with lighting flashing inside them. The radar showed a strong storm cell approaching the area.

Southern Florida Radar Image
 February 16, 2016

The storm hit suddenly with winds approaching 60 miles per hour. "Little Lara" was knocked down on her beam (side).  Though it felt like minutes, in reality it was probably seconds before she  righted. Sea water began backing up into the galley sink while we were heeled over so far. We hurriedly closed the sea cock.  The wind and rain were blowing so hard we were unable to see the bow of the boat much less what was happening to the other boats in the anchorage.  As the wind continued to blow, "Little Lara" began to yaw from side to side, tugging at her anchor rode. As the rain continued to fall, it began cascading down the companion way. It was raining sideways. 

Because the previous night had been cool, we had not yet opened any of the port holes, so all openings but the companion way were dogged down tight. We quickly secured the canvas over this opening. Looking out the companion way Peggy noticed "Little Lara" was being pushed dangerously close to the nearby docks.  Jumping out into the cockpit, I hit the engine's starter button and it fired-up immediately.  Throwing the transmission into gear, I steered "Little Lara" into deeper water, relieving the pressure on the anchor.  But, with so much heavy rain, it was impossible to see ahead or to either side -- it was difficult to breathe with so much water in the air. 

Within thirty minutes the storm passed.  As the wind died down and the rain ceased we noticed all types of debris in the water around us: leaves, branches, fuel cans, cushions, kayaks, dinghies, etc. Then we noticed a boat against the seawall, boats banging into each other with their anchor rodes tangled together, and two boats sunk.  Some of these boats had drifted past "Little Lara" during the worst of the storm and we had not seen them!  Remarkably, no one was injured. Of the boats sunk, one was a trawler, the other was a catamaran.  

Sunk Trawler

When the trawler was initially hit by the blast of wind, it heeled over and water rushed into its cabin swamping it.  The 37 foot catamaran, weighing 14,000 pounds, was flipped by the wind quickly turning turtle.

Flipped Catamaran

After the storm we went around the anchorage checking on the other boats, surveying the damage and searching for items lost overboard. Every boat we visited reported some kind of damage including torn sails, ripped biminies, lost solar panels, bent stanchions, destroyed wind generators, damaged gelcoat, lost dinghy motors, etc.

Below is a link to local TV station's coverage of the storm.  It includes helicopter film footage, interviews, and pictures.  They reported the storm as a tornado.  It probably was.  (Note: you may have to copy and past this link into the address line on your computer)

 http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Severe-Weather-Overturns-Boats-in-Fort-Lauderdale-368950021.html

Below are videos we took of the two sunk boats:

We felt very blessed as "Little Lara" suffered no damage and we incurred no injuries.  We were also very thankful none of our fellow sailors were hurt.  Our prayers go out to the owners of the two sunk boats.  Both boats were re-floated within 24 hours and were taken to nearby yards for repairs. Hopefully they will be sailing again soon. 

Catamaran Re-floated

Here in south Florida we continue to pray for fair winds and the same for you.

Some of our favorite things...

 In the past many of you have asked us to post more pictures.  Below are a few of our favorite ones that have never made it into the blog.  We hope you enjoy them.  Let us know which ones you like.

Fort Lauderdale LDS Temple

Sailing past downtown Miami, Florida

Sunset in Florida Keys

Manatee visiting "Little Lara"

Dinghy Dock Tarpon Basin, Florida

"Little Lara" and the Big Boys

Boca Chita Key, Florida

View from Boca Chita Key Lighthouse

Sunset Boca Chita Key, Florida (c)

Sunset Boca Chita, Florida (c)

And, finally, below is a video of us taking the dinghy through the mangroves in the Florida Keys.  Fair winds.

More on Anchoring

It is interesting that sailing and anchoring have so many parallels to life. For instance, if we don't pay attention to our charts while sailing we might go aground... potentially with disastrous results. In life if we wander aimlessly without regard to civil laws and/or the commandments of God, we will find ourselves in disastrous circumstances. 

Different types of anchors

While sailing if we follow our charted course, and pay close attention to the advice of wise people who have traveled these waters before us, we have peace of mind and confidence we will arrive safely at our destination.  Similarly in life we will have peace of mind and confidence as we heed the word of God and his prophets, as well as church leaders, and trusted family and friends.

Imagine the size of the Queen Mary's anchor!

We have had only a couple of instances while anchoring where the anchor didn't stay where we dropped it.  The first time was years ago when we were new to sailing and clueless about the need to put out enough “scope”. There needs to be enough line and chain between the boat and the anchor to ensure that the boat is pulling on the anchor at a narrow angle, which makes it dig in deeper rather than pull out.  Since we didn't put out enough line, the anchor didn't have a chance to dig in properly.

Anchor Scope

In retrospect it was pretty comical watching the boat pick the anchor up off the bottom each time a wave lifted the bow and we drifted wherever the wind and waves pushed us along.  Luckily we were on the boat at the time. We figured out pretty fast that it is important to put out a length of rode (rope) and chain that was at least five times the depth of the water in calm weather and more when there are significant wind or waves. 

Add caption

Another time the anchor didn't hold was years ago when we were in the Bahamas. We had left the boat at anchor and gone ashore only to come back hours later to find our that our boat had moved!  Thankfully the anchor had dug back in as it dragged across the bottom.  We came to understand that anchors don't set well in thick sea grass or in thin sand over smooth rock.

Now each time we drop our anchor we take the time to make sure it is firmly set with good holding and we back down hard so the flukes dig in.  As we think about anchoring and how this applies in our lives, it is apparent if we aren't careful to make sure we are anchored to gospel truths, we can be blown onto the rocks of deception.  If we are firm in our testimony of Christ, the storms of tests and trials in our lives may still blow but we can be at peace knowing that we will not be in spiritual danger.

Safely at anchor at the end of the day

We hope your life's anchor holds fast and is deeply set ensuring you are safe and secure to weather life's storms.  Fair winds.