Kayak the Key, and set yourself free

By Jane Bartnett

“Kayaking around Siesta Key is a must-do for any visitor to the Key,” says William Scott, owner of Siesta Key Bike & Kayak. Better known as Scotty, he has been traveling local waters for more than 20 years and knows the shoreline well.

Being away from the land but within a short distance of the shoreline in a kayak, while paddling along peaceful calm waters and taking in the beauty of the water and land that surrounds it, offers a new perspective on the wonders of nature.

“You can feel as though you’re out in the middle of nowhere but glance over and there’s Siesta Key,” he said.

Indeed, kayaking in a single or tandem kayak built for two offers a bird’s or dolphin’s view of the pristine waters and shores.

For the beginner or the veteran kayaker, Scotty recommends launching from Turtle Beach at Neville Preserve.

“It’s calm and there’s no boat traffic. It’s so neat to see all of the beautiful beach birds, the pink roseate spoonbills, osprey, pelicans and so many more,” he said.

For an itinerary, Scotty suggests heading out past the Midnight Pass beach (between Siesta Key and Casey Key) through the canal. “Stop at the Old Shark Pit where Mote (Marine) used to do their research.”

Mote, he noted, moved its shark research facility many years ago. “There are no longer any sharks there,” he said.

The next stop, he suggests, is the old Midnight Pass beach, just to the south.

“Stop there for some shelling and head on to Casey Key near (author) Steven King’s home before coming back to Turtle Beach,” Scotty said.

He also recommends taking the time to explore the many small coves along the way.

The sights and sounds on the water vary during different seasons, he reports.

“At different times of the year you can spot tons of bird life. Beginning in late April when the waters are warmer, there can be up to 20 manatees. They like the water to be about 72 degrees,” Scotty said.

Before heading out on the water, kayakers receive an overview lesson, a laminated map and a dry bag to store their keys, cell phones and suntan lotion, as well as lightweight paddles and comfortable backrests. Sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks are available. Up to 10 kayaks can be rented at the same time for a three-hour period. Kayak rentals can also be arranged for seven and 24-hour periods.

“We deliver to Neville Preserve on Turtle Beach and to resorts on Siesta Key that are on the water,” Scotty said.

The business is located at 1224 Old Stickney Point Rd. in Captain Curt’s Village. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Kayak reservations can be made online at siestakeybikeandkayak.com or by calling (941) 346-0891.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB”

Island Chatter

Island Chatter

and Casey Key that was closed off in the early 1980s, now has an online store that helps raise funds and awareness toward its cause.

Visit openmidnightpassnow. myshopify.com to get access to the variety of items for sale. All money goes to the organization, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Spiegel no longer at helm of anti-hotel Siesta Key Coalition into a “holding pattern” as it awaits the outcome of lawsuits fighting those hotel approvals that came in late 2021 and 2022.

Also, president Mark Spiegel has stepped down from his role in order to focus on other commitments.

Vice-president Bob Luckner will be now president, pusutant to the group’s bylaws.

The Siesta Key Coalition testified in opposition to all three Sarasota County approvals of three hotels: One on Calle Miramar, one on Old Stickney Point Road, and one on Midnight Pass Road where the old Wells Fargo bank stood.

Online store supports Midnight Pass cause

Midnight Pass Society II, which is fighting to restore the Midnight Pass waterway between Siesta Key

The Siesta Key Coalition, which was created in 2021 to fight the proposed high-density hotels that were looking for county approval at the time, saw its board of directors in November vote in favor of going

The group is also known for distributing hundreds of “NO HIGH-DENSITY HOTELS” yard signs in 2021.

Continued

Bicyclist on Siesta Key suffers serious injuries when struck

An 80-year-old male bicyclist was struck by a 2016 Nissan vehicle at 4:20 p.m. Feb. 1 on Midnight Pass Road near the south end of Siesta Key, the Floirda Highway Patrol reports. The man was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with serious head injuries.

The man’s handlebars struck a trash can that was partially in the bike path, causing him to swerve into the path of the vehicle, according to Sgt. Dan Smith with Siesta Key’s substation of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Ofiice.

Egg hunt will be at Chapel

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce’s annual Easter egg hunt has a new home: Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave.

It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 8. Pre-registration is required and limited to 200 children (ages 1-6).

There is a $12 fee per child. To register, visit siestakeychamber.com and click on the event calendar tab at the upper right of the homepage.

Beach University slate is set

The free and informative Beach University program runs each Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in March at the pavilion at Siesta Beach. This year’s lineup is as follows:

March 2: Got Sand? with Jonathan Poyner, Siesta and Lido beach coordinator, Sarasota County.

March 9: Human Behaviors on the Environment with Jason Robertshaw, program manager for virtual learning, Mote Marine

Laboratory.

March 16: Where Do Shells

Come From? with Armando J. Ubeda, Florida Sea Grant agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Sarasota County.

March 23: Turtle Tagging and Satellite Tracking with Jim Grimes, GIS Professional, Sarasota County EIT - GIS Services.

March 30: Fire in Coastal Ecosystems with Matt Brady, environmental specialist, Sarasota County. For more information, visit scgov.net/parks.

Prop Map-D #10

The Ringling Beach House Rentals Map-D #9 Tropical Sands Accommodations Map-D #67

RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS

Another Broken Egg Map-C #54 & 55

Blase Café Map-A #38

Bonjour French Cafe Map-C #47 Café Gabbiano Map-D #71

Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar Map-B #42-43

Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar Map-B #29

Flavio’s Italiano Ristorante Map-B #30

Gilligan’s Island Bar &

Live

Sarasota’s only old-fashioned Meat Market, Deli and Restaurant under one roof

Voted Sarasota’s best non-chain Steakhouse 4 years in a row!

Home of the Sarasota TurDucKen, as seen on The Food Network with Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Time to order:

• Beef Tenderloin

• Prime Rib

• TurDucKen

• Crown Roast (Pork or Lamb)

• Party Platters

• Stone Crab Claws

Prime Aged Steaks, Chops, Seafood, NY Deli Meats, Sausage and Salads

Voted Sarasota’s Best Philly

Cheesesteak and NY Reuben

Serving Sarasota Since 1975

We offer takeout and complete catering services.

* Authentic Italian food from Italian chefs

* Fresh housemade pasta

Best Happy Hour In Town

Daily 4pm - 6:30pm

Open for dinner from 4pm - 9pm 3900 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233 (941) 952-3186 www.chiantisarasota.com

Reddish egret (Egretta rufescens)

Two color patterns, or morphs, are found in reddish egrets—the common dark morph with its steelgray and rust colored plumage, and the rare all-white morph. The birds don’t notice plumage color during breeding season as chicks of both color morphs may be found within a single nest.

Along the Gulf coast of central and south Florida, the reddish egret is a year-round resident and is typically found foraging in shallow salt flats or inlets during low tide. With a flair for the dramatic, it’s “dinner and a show” when the reddish egret appears. Racing around a tidal pool on foot, turning tight circles punctuated by animated hops and wing-flaps, the egret’s erratic movements certainly keep the fish—and the photographers—guessing. Wings are alternately tucked then extended to cast shadows on the water, giving the bird a better view of the main course. Favoring small minnow-like fish, it is common for this agile performance artist to consume a dozen or two in a single meal.

The reddish egret is easily identified by size, as it is larger than a snowy egret but smaller than a great egret.

Jan Baumgartner’s handmade notecards are available at Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures, 6635 Midnight Pass Rd., in Crescent Plaza.

Blooming this month:

The dark and sultry clerodendrum quadriloculare explodes each spring with an incredible display of gorgeous blooms. This bush is in the Lamiaceae Mint family, and often called starburst or shooting star.

The leaves are dusty gray green, backed with deep purple. The blooms are in the tubular flowers that are a bright pink with white tips full of nectar that attracts pollinator butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. This bush can get about 10 feet tall and wide. It is a drought-resistant plant once it is established, can be grown in full sun, and is a nice addition to your garden.

It’s currently in bloom in the Butterfly Garden at Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Boulevard of the Arts.

Submitted by Sarasota Garden Club