SUN CITY CENTER AUDUBON CLUB - the Sun City Center Audubon Club
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SUN CITY CENTER AUDUBON CLUB
April 2019
Ponderings from your prez A cloud fell over us for a time when the CA became
concerned that the habitat restoration beyond the trail
As many of you know, the Sun City Center Audubon was an insurance problem. Some interpreted this to
Club sponsors the North Campus Nature Trails (located mean that work along the trail (or even the guided
off West Del Webb just past Seton Hall). In partnership
walks) could not continue. However, we have been
with the Community Association, we applied for and
received a grant from the Hillsborough County assured that these things can continue and that anyone
Environmental Commission for $20,000 to clear the leading walks, etc. would be covered by the CA’s
canal that was choked by water hyacinth and do other liability insurance. This was wonderful news but still
work, which, along with the mighty efforts of John left the Board and our Conservation Committee
Lampkin and his hearty volunteers, restored the Nature concerned about the habitat management of the rest
Trails from a site overrun with invasive exotic vegetation of the property.
to a healthy ecosystem. Signage and benches were placed
for the benefit of those using the trail. The CA has said that we could bring any proposed
projects regarding the habitat to them for approval
We were proud to win an Environmental Excellence
and Sam Sudman recently asked that we let the CA
award recently, and upon completion of the grant, we
know if other grant opportunities arise that will enable
were also proud to receive the continued support and
Audubon to further enhance the trail and spillway.
praise from Sam Sudman, president of the Board of
Directors of the Community Association. So…our Conservation Committee and Board met and
asked ourselves – what next? We need a plan to ensure
Sam wrote in an email to Melanie Higgins (author of the
that the trail is not just surrounded by tangled weeds
grant) that “The trail is a better benefit for all CA
and that this pristine sample of old Florida habitat is
members and their guests because of the hard work and
maintained. We are looking at getting a habitat
creativity of the Audubon Club and its dedicated
management plan written up by an outside agency
members. Please share our sincere thanks with all who
who will look at all aspects and suggest the steps to be
participated in this effort.”
taken. We will be going to the CA to request their
So, first, many thanks to the Audubon Club members support in getting this written plan.
who have made the Trail what it is today:
Once the plan is in place, we will prioritize what needs
Melanie Higgins for her grant writing; Ray Webb for to be done – and what we’d like to see done. Then we
keeping track of the birds spotted there each month; and will need to look for funding or pursue other grants.
to John Lampkin for his guided walks on the trail, his In order to start a fund for maintaining the Nature
Trail Blazing column, and for his hard work in leading Trail habitat, the Board voted that all 50-50 proceeds
Joe Mustion and the other “Stalwart Stewards” of the be allocated for this.
trail in their weekly clean-up efforts. (Sorry I don’t know
When you buy your 50-50 tickets at the next meeting,
all the names of the stewards – but Thanks) you’ll be doing your part to support the Nature Trail.
And to encourage you…you can now get 7 tickets for
$5 – not just 6! Many thanks to all who have worked
so hard – and now on to the future.
Mary
Sun City Center Audubon Club 1
Florida’s Crested Caracara
April Meeting
The Crested Caracara is a tropical falcon that is often
mistaken for a vulture, as it has a bare face, walks on
the ground and may join vultures feeding on carrion.
This threatened species, which is found in open
country in south-central Florida, is the subject of our
April 6 meeting.
Dave Goodwin, our speaker, is an environmental
educator at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and a consultant
who monitors nesting Crested Caracaras. He will
discuss the birds’ current range and status, habitat,
behavior and breeding. Photo: Crested Caracara by Dave Goodwin
Fun fact: Caracaras are very sociable and not very
afraid of people.
Dave has been birding in Florida for 55 years and
currently holds the third-highest total bird list in the
state. He has served as president of St. Petersburg
Audubon and twice as president of the Florida Upcoming Field Trip
Ornithological Society. He is currently a member of
the Florida Ornithological Society Records Coquina Baywalk (Leffis Key)
Committee, which evaluates rare bird records for the Bradenton Beach, FL
state. He also leads birding tours to the Dry Tortugas
Monday, April 22nd
for Florida Nature Tours. Dave is a retired Pinellas
County School teacher who taught American History
for 40 years. Visit our website to sign up for field trips!
www.sccaudubonclub.com
The meeting will be held in the Florida Room. Social
hour begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the business
meeting at 10:00 and the program.
BYOM
In an endeavor to support our
conservation beliefs, please bring
your own mug to our Saturday
morning meetings. We appreciate
your cooperation.
Sun City Center Audubon Club 2
Thanks to all our volunteers and the
generous contributions from our Bench Dedication at Nature Trail!
members for our beautiful baskets, we
had a very successful Fun Fest Event! Due to the rainy weather we had to reschedule the
dedication ceremony for Juanita Kent at the Nature
a Trail. Please join us for this special occasion on
Monday, April 8th at 10:00am.
When arriving at the trail on Del Webb, please do
not park on the grass. You may park anywhere on
the street.
Remembering Dick Ris
It is with great sadness that we report the passing
Ann Fenimore, Rod Brogan, Jan Heuman of Dick Ris, after a lengthy illness. Dick and his wife
Debbie were very active in the club some time ago.
They were Presidents in 2000 and 2001. Dick
The year 2019 marks the passing of good
served as Treasurer from 2006 to 2011, and he was
friends to our Audubon Club, George &
active as Field Trip organizer and leader during this
Neva Getman! time as well. The club was very fortunate to have
When I think about George and Neva, I conjure up benefitted from his presence for many years. We
an image of two very personable, likeable, offer our sincerest condolences to Debbie and his
knowledgeable, hospitable, generous people. Their family.
involvement in the Audubon Club was very
important. Without them, the Audubon Club as we Ray
know it may not exist today. They both served in
different capacities. When I met them, they were past
presidents, and longtime greeters. Their involvement
in the community is legendary. I can still see George
in his Shriners Club apron serving coffee at their
Fundraising Breakfast. Their beautiful home on Royal
Palms Court stood out as a beacon of Sun City living
at its finest. We are forever grateful for their leadership
and guidance in all the activities of the Audubon Club
and to us personally. Rest in Peace. George and Neva,
we’ll miss you.
Clara & Ed Clancy
Historian of the Audubon Club
Sun City Center Audubon Club 3
News from our Master Birder Getting back to SCC, the common grackles have
again begun to nest in the traffic signals along Sun
Ray Webb
City Center Blvd. I am still amused by this
The owl in the osprey nest at the corner of La Jolla behavior, which they have done the past 3 or 4
and Pebble Beach Blvd has become a mother! I just seasons. It must work for them!
noticed it March 19. It will be fun to watch the
youngster grow up to be as big as its mama; maybe
there will be a brother or sister for it soon.
Plovers enjoying the beach
Photos by John Lampkin
Photos by Ray Webb
Our trip to Siesta Key Beach drew 48 participants,
who had to sit in traffic on I-75 (accident) to start our
day. After that, things went fine. We found four snowy
plovers, which are critically endangered and have their
own section above the sand roped off for nesting. I
was glad the group got to see them. Siesta Key
We weren't alone on the beach; not by a long shot! I was curious about what the Snowy Plovers were
Many beachgoers also were enjoying this well-known, foraging for in the sand and identified three
popular beach. There were birds, too, including species of invertebrates: tiger beetles, flesh flies
around 200 black skimmers, three species of gull and an isopod. The isopod is kin to pill bugs and
(laughing, ring-billed and herring), brown pelicans and aren’t insects.
royal terns. John Lampkin
Sun City Center Audubon Club 4
Amelia Island – 3-Day Trip Cumberland Island, birds, Dolphins and a complete
description of our US Naval Submarine and Coast
February 26, 27, 28, 2019 Guard operation in St. Mary’s Georgia. His coverage
was complete to every industry, buildings, fishing
On Tuesday, February 26 the Lamers bus arrived and 54 operations and tourist activities in the area. Pajama
Audubon Club members, luggage and supplies boarded Dave talked to us for two hours non-stop. We would
the bus and we were off. We actually left early. Everyone highly recommend this as something you must do if
was very enthusiastic and raring to go. We had our usual you go to Amelia Island. Brett’s Waterway Café was
rest stop of orange juice and delicious donuts. Mariclaire our lunch stop. The restaurant food. staff and
Jones baked blueberry muffins for the gluten free, ambience were fantastic. My lobster, crab and
diabetic members. Seven dozed donuts, one dozen shrimp enchiladas were to die for.) They provided
muffins and gallons of orange juice disappeared. brownie deserts for everyone. Our next stop was
Fort Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach. The
Our first stop, Fort Caroline National Memorial in Fort was built at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River
Jacksonville, FL. Incidentally, weather prediction was for to protect the natural deep-water port of
3 full days of rain. Due to divine intervention, our first Fernandina. Once again, we were given a detailed
day was not rainy at all but full of beautiful Florida guided tour by one of the Fort’s rangers. He was
sunshine. We had our brown bag lunches at the covered dressed in costume of the period. Many of us went
pavilion in an idyllic setting. Shortly after lunch, we were to the bastion and experience a magnificent view.
greeted by C.C. the ranger who toured us through the The Visitor’s Center also showed a detailed film.
Visitor Center’s Museum, Timucuan Relics, Fort Our Master Birder took us to a beach area where we
Caroline, Spanish Pond and Ribault Monument. Her could observe the coastal birds (Gannets) and a
knowledge of this historic, first planned French beautiful bird blind where we could observe a variety
settlement really held our interest. We continued to our of birds as well. Our day was done, and we boarded
Best Western hotel in Yulee. We were fortunate the hotel the bus, then the heavens opened to torrential rain.
supplied us with their hospitality room and because we We picked up our subway box dinners had wine and
were such a large group, we spilled over into the breakfast cheese and called it a night. Another great time to
room for our wine and cheese and ultimately dinner. The mingle and unwind from a truly great day.
Olive Cove restaurant catered our dinner but
unfortunately, they neglected to bring plates, utensils and Day three we had another hearty “Best Western”
serving utensils to us. The hotel staff graciously provided breakfast and we thought we would be off to our
us with them so we could eat. Everyone mingled and were Museum and Walking Tour. Then, disaster struck us,
having a great time. our bus broke down.
After a hearty “Best Western” breakfast, we were off to
our second day’s adventure. We went to Amelia River
Cruises. Once again divine intervention gave us the most
perfect day for a river cruise. Pajama Dave gave us the
most wonderful presentation of Amelia Island,
Sun City Center Audubon Club 5
We were stranded at the hotel for 3 hours until a new bus Whenever you plan a trip like this, it’s wonderful if
arrived. Our bus driver Dan Jasper tired to get a local bus everything works out like a charm. But we found out
company to take us but to no avail. Ordinarily that would even when it doesn’t, you can still have a great time.
be a nightmare for trip leaders but honestly no one We can’t do these trips alone and thanks to so many
complained. Everyone either went back to bed to sleep, people who helped us it worked out. Ray Webb, our
took walks, sat and rocked on the front porch of the hotel Master Birder who guided us birding, picked up ice,
and generally talked. The hotel graciously provided us sodas, orange juice and the birding guides, (by the
with coffee, tea, lemonade and water. Our bus arrived just way 59 species were spotted). Cathy and Mark
in time to take us to the Salty Pelican Restaurant for Meyerhoff who stored and brought supplies to the
lunch. Another home run for service, food, desserts and bus, Alan and Nancy Renfrow shopped, stored and
the best part because of our dilemma, the bus company brought all the goodies for the wine and cheese
paid for our lunch (all 54 of us) and for the deposit we celebration, Joyce and Tom Andrews, Don and Liz
lost for our planned outing. If we didn’t get the tour Grozis, Ann Fenimore and Mary Lawson set up and
information from Pajama Dave the history of Amelia served the wine and cheese. Rod and Ann Rodgrigues
Island might have been lost to us. However, he was so handled the bill paying, money matters and meal
knowledgeable he gave us the history of Amelia Island, place cards. Shannon Piper and Frank Quale put
etc. Then we were heading towards home and Ravine together the jokes and games for the bus. Carl Zjac
Gardens State Park in Palatka (that’s a real place). who counted the 54 souls on board every time we got
on the bus and last but not least our daughter
Another gem to visit. Ravine Gardens is one of nine new Mariclaire Jones who typed menus, itineraries,
Deal Era State Parks. It had American rustic architecture rosters, etc. She shopped and baked for us and while
style, tropical and subtropical plantings, two suspension we were gone over the three-day trip, she and (Al
bridges, amphitheater, stone terraces and Court of States Jones) completely sterilized our home so it would be
with its Obelisk dedicated to President Roosevelt. Paige germ free from the virus I left behind before leaving
Jones Ranger gave us a wonderful lecture on the park. for the trip. How blessed we are.
The Azaleas plantings were just spectacular, and another
great weather day wrapped up. We were off to our Mary Lawson who stayed by my side making sure I
surprise stop to 3105 Park Street Restaurant in Winter had hot tea with lemon and fresh oranges to keep me
Park. Even though we were late, the staff and food were full of vitamin C and countless other details she
prepared and served to us. Ed announced on the bus we helped us with. Thank you for your many kind notes
were going to his birthday celebration. of thanks. We loved the Amelia Island trip and
sincerely hope you did too.
(P.S. We did not give out chocolate on the bus, but I
have it for you. If you did not get your chocolate,
please see me at the next Audubon meeting on April
6th. See you there.)
Clara & Ed Clancy, Leaders
Sun City Center Audubon Club 6
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
CHAIRS
2019-2020
President Mary Duncan
April
Co-Vice Presidents/ Patsie Ginley
Programs Ann Fenimore
Suzi Boothe Mohsen Khalifa Secretary Betty Giles
Floyd Curvin Deanna Lansberry Treasurer Rod Rodrigues
Paul Davenport Sandi Lindstrom
Elaine Dow Dottie McCann COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Mary Duncan Jim McLellan
Susan Fader Kathy Michaelson At Large Gail Mongiello
Joyce Firebaugh Mary Mosby
At Large Linda Floyd
Jeanette Heuman Deborah Pfeiffer
Refreshments Pat Dean
Debbie Johnston Shirley Shoemaker
Sandra Kepley Dee Sleziak Membership Loni Baxter
Tom Sullivan Name Tags Pidge Curtiss
Conservation Joe Mustion
Melanie Higgins
Publicity Susan Shuttleworth
Newsletter Denise Rosen
Overnight Trip Ed & Clara Clancy
& Historian
Greeters Gail Mongiello
Field Trips/ Ray Webb
Master Birder
Sun City Center Audubon Club 7
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