Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.
I received the following email and pictures from CladKing.
Looking out the window this morning, it sure looked like a treasure day - cloudy and windy. We're supposed to have a four to seven foot surf. I hope we get some change in wind direction. The tides are still high. The high water will help at some locations, but I'm not expecting much in the way of old items. The swell is too much from the East. It would help if the water gets high enough to hit the dunes where the renourishment sand has been removed.
I dug a ton of modern coins this morning. There are plenty of those at the tourist beaches. I want to talk about strategies but don't have time to do it today.
I dug a ton of modern coins this morning. There are plenty of those at the tourist beaches. I want to talk about strategies but don't have time to do it today.
...Spent a couple days camped at Sebastian Inlet State Park! No-see-ums not withstanding, it was a decent stay! I only wish the state would spend some money on trees and maintenance! It was much nicer before they cut down all the Australian pines! (Been a long time since l camped there!) Spent time fishing and detecting! Bonsteel was still closed. Went to Amber Sands and detected up past Mclarty a good way into park! ( Asked ranger where permissible to detect of course; high water mark to water only) Found iron, and fishing tackle, and not much else on mushy sand! And one message in a bottle, which had only been out one day, so I returned it to the water for a second chance! Also hit Wabasso and Disney Vero, but again lots of iron and few finds! In my defense I was using a new coil, sooo!
Sounds like you did much better in todays post! (Experience and local knowledge helps, haha) I did much better fishing than detecting; experience favored me on this one! Snook bite was awsome!! Also Redfish! Anyway, here's a couple pics near Mclarty, and Bonsteel ( Really!! Closed for that!!)
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| Pictures Of McClarty and Bon Steel Beaches by CladKing. |
Thanks for the report CladKing!
Its always fun to camp and detect new areas.
I still don't know why so many beaches were closed for so long. I have no good explanation.
The Australian Pine is not native and is considered to be an invasive pest. Here is a summary from the Australian Pine Task Force.
Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) is a fast growing tree native to Australia, Southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh and the Pacific Islands that has been introduced to tropical areas throughout the world as an ornamental; to stabilize sand dunes; to form windbreaks around canals, roads, houses, and agricultural fields; and for reforestation due to its capacity to thrive in poor and saline soils. As a result of these intentional introductions, Australian pine has become a highly invasive species and is found along most humid tropical or sub-tropical beaches around the world. In Florida, Australian pine occurs predominantly south of Orlando as it is sensitive to extended periods of freezing temperatures. Australian pine produces copious amounts of wind and water dispersed seeds and is able to colonize a wide variety of habitats including coastal areas, pinelands, disturbed sites and higher areas of elevation in the Everglades. The fast growth, prolific seeding and thick litter accumulation of Australian pine impedes the establishment of native plant species and their associated herbivores, disrupting natural processes. Australian pine readily establishes on sandy shores which leads to increased beach erosion and interference with the nesting of endangered sea turtles and crocodiles.
I don't see how it can cause increased erosion. It does in some cases make erosion more apparent, but I would think it actually has a stabilizing effect overall.
Here is the link.
http://www.fleppc.org/Manage_Plans/Casuarinamgmntplan_FINAL-05-13-13.pdf
I think most of the Australian pines have been removed from the beaches. There are still a few though.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net