FWC Shark ID Class

We went to downtown St. Petersburg to check out the FWC Shark ID program. While we were waiting for it to start we relaxed and listened to the new Moana soundtrack.

The program began and we were all excited to see what we would learn.

We watched a 45 minute presentation on how to ID sharks and how to use a dichotomous key to help. Then we were turned loose with 25 sharks samples to ID them. Some were super hard and some were fairly simple. Since many were juvenile samples it was really hard.

Not bad we got 19/25 but a few we had almost right! We took good notes and know what to look at next time. Some of the ones we missed were because they were preserved samples or a identifying feature was missing. I think we did excellent!

This was a bonus question! We both knew the answer was Angel Shark!

This was an amazing program and really opened our eyes to how to ID sharks and how difficult it can be for the FWC officers to tell let alone fisherman!

Shark Identification Workshop with the FWC Research Institute

 

 

 

Emmerson’s Birthday Get Away to St. Augustine

We loaded up the motorhome and headed to St. Augustine for the long weekend. We camped at Faver Dykes State Park. It was a quiet and sandy campground. Mom fought constantly to keep the sand and mud outside!

We went to the Castillo de San Marcos (St. Augustine Fort) and learned about the history and structure of the fort. It was neat to learn it was made of coquina, crushed shells and sand.

We saw the 10:30am cannon demonstration. We had front row spots so were really close! Not I just want to shout FEUGO all the time!

We walked the grounds of the fort and completely around the outside. We loved the cannon fire. They would heat up cannonballs in here and then shoot them at ships in the harbor when under siege!

Next we visited Fort Matanzas. The fort itself is currently closed because Hurricane Matthew damaged the docks and the ferry can’t run. We instead took some hikes along the trails and checked out the flora and fauna.

Next stop was the beach! You can drive your car not he beach, we did not! E got a whistle and blew and blew in the wind. I chased waves and looked for shells.

Back at the campground we played outside in the cooler weather.

On E’s actually birthday we visited the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine.

We pet snakes.

We explored the entire zoo.

We fed the alligators. Boy were there a lot of different types of crocs and gators!

I was obsessed with the huge gator, Gomek!

We had a great time exploring and learning. We also earned two more National Park badges and did the extra work and got two cool patches as well!

Archery

We have been trying to get ready for a 4-H tournament coming up in January. I have been practicing as much as possible. We went out to Adventures Archery in Brandon and show on their indoor range.

We still shoot at WAC.

Something happened and my bow derailed. I was distraught to say the least. Mom made me grab a house bow and keep shooting so I wasn’t afraid.

We got my box fixed the next day and were back to shooting. Dad resighted in my bow with me and I am back on fire!

It is great that now we have a few friends shooting with us. I love shooting  at the 3-D targets. The match in late January is a 3-D match so it is good practice!

 

 

 

 

Emmerson’s Party and Fun with Friends

We have been trying to hang out with our friends as much as possible during break. We went to the park with H & M the other day. I played sneak up on Mom but kept getting caught!

 

My kindergarten pal, Z, came over with another friend. We played games, watched a movie and had a great yummy steak dinner.


They stayed all afternoon and evening. It was a wonderful time!

Mom’s been playing with the new Brother Scan and Cut machine. She is making so many things.

Emmerson has his 9th birthday celebration. Harry potter themed, of course! Mom mad a cool photo booth.

He has a bounce house, slide and cotton candy.

Fun was had by all! 🙂