Summer Solstice weather did not smile on us at Shell Mound. Well, actually, in a way, it did. It was almost ideal once we arrived. All around, storms were thundering and the rains were so heavy that driving to Shell Mound from Gainesville, or even nearby Cedar Key, was treacherous.

At Shell Mound, and to the north, the overcast sky kept the temperatures cool. It never rained enough to pull out an umbrella. Best of all, the offshore breezes were strong enough to blow away all biting insects. Driving in from Suwannee or Old Town was fine.

A crowd of about 50 celebrated and all were ready to call for this event to happen again, maybe as soon as for Winter Solstice. The guided walks with Dr. Ginessa Maher had about 15 participants each time, and the Seaside Talks by Dr. Ken Sassaman were equally informative and fun.

Deputy Manager Larry Woodward is leading a raccoon control team to the Cedar Keys NWR islands to live trap raccoons to protect nesting shorebird populations of plovers, oystercatchers, and terns.   Shorebird nesting habitat is rare; predator free shorebird nesting habitat is even rarer.  Raccoons are nuisance predators on nesting shorebirds. 

Forester Daniel Barrand used the Tiger Cat to complete needed mulching and is now, with the help of the YCC crew, preparing to move the machine for St. Marks for their use.

Fire Management Specialist and Wildlife Biologist Vic Doig will represent all of us from the Refuges at Professor Peter Frederick's retirement from the University of Florida's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences where he manages the Frederick Lab in Wetlands Ecology and Conservation.  Peter has been a staunch partner, researcher, and supporter of the Refuges and has done many projects on our lands.  Peter's work also involved the seminal Lone Cabbage Oyster Reef Restoration Project.  We wish Peter all the best and will miss him as a regular colleague.