I've probably seen a thousand of them in my lifetime, but every time an osprey flies overhead while I am fishing, I still get goose bumps.
You can keep your brown pelican, when it comes to a bird that represents all that is special about this great state, I'll vote for the osprey.
And apparently so will most of the middle schoolers in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced that the osprey is the winner in a statewide vote of fourth- through eighth-graders to be Florida’s new official state bird.
The FWC and the Department of Education dreamed up this little experiment in democracy to help get the state's youngsters more involved in the great outdoors.
Students across the state did their share of research on birds, and even held debates as they searched for an alternative the current state bird, the mockingbird.
But the lesson is not over. You can follow this initiative as the students’ selection will go through the legislative process to decide if the osprey should become the new state bird.
The FWC has prepared a bill that will go before the Legislature early next year. The bill must be approved by the House, the Senate and Gov. Charlie Crist before the osprey is officially designated as the state bird. To learn more go to http://www.vote4bird.org./.
More than 77,000 students voted for the top ranking birds which included the snowy egret, great egret and black skimmer.
Looking for a great day hike for your toddler? How about a romantic paddle to a barrier island with your sweetheart? Planning to buy a backpacking tent but don't know where to start? Find the answers to these and other questions when you take a walk on the "Wild Side" with St. Petersburg Times Outdoors Editor Terry Tomalin, who has traveled the globe for the past 20 years looking for adventure.
No, No NO! We love our mockingbirds here in Florida - not some yankee flamingo, parrot, pelican (the dumbest bird ever) or now the osprey. Who the hell is the FWC to screw with this? A bunch of law enforcement jerks from Ohio?
Posted by: Tim Hawkins | November 07, 2008 at 07:14 PM
The osprey is a beautiful bird, but I agree with T.H. I love the mockingbirds.
Posted by: Linda Kruger | November 08, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I do a lot of flats fishing in Fort Desoto and Tampa Bay area, I am looking for a Fishing Club that deals only with kayaks and canoes and has monthly or weekly events. Are there any clubs in the area of St Petersburg or anywhere else in Tampa Bay? Also is there a good, active fishing organization associated with kayaks?
Thanks for any help.
Posted by: Kurt Wolhuter | December 06, 2008 at 08:58 AM