Posts Tagged ‘season’

Welcome Turtle Season!

It’s that time of year again on Sanibel! Yes, it’s turtle season! During the season, which runs roughly from the first of May through the end of October, there is likely to be hundreds of turtle nests on Sanibel and Captiva; which means it is important to find out a little bit more about these charming visitors to the local area.

While it may be somewhat difficult to actually spot loggerhead turtles, you can usually see their tracks well enough, especially in the early morning on the beaches, so do take care if you are headed out for morning run or walk along the beach. Once the little turtles have hatched they will hustle for the water, using the light of the horizon to guide their path. Considering the many hazards they can encounter along the way and the fact that only about one in one hundred eggs will eventually mature into an adult turtle, they can certainly use all of the help they can receive.

Loggerheads are actually the most common type of sea turtle to be found in the state. The adults can grow to more than three feet in length and can weigh as much as 350 pounds when fully grown. These amazing creatures can easily travel thousands of miles from their feeding grounds to the local beaches where they nest during the current season. Interestingly, females will always nest on the very same beaches where they were actually born; meaning the visitors to be seen in the coming weeks and months are actually original residents! These females can nest as many as seven times during the season.

Incubation for the baby turtles takes between 55 and 65 days. During this time, it is actually the temperature of the nest that will determine the gender of the turtles. Warmer sand will primarily produce females while cooler sand will result in primarily male turtles. The baby hatchlings are initially only about two inches in length.

During the season it is important to be aware of some of the laws that govern the hatchlings. Due to the fact that the hatchlings will emerge at night and then be guided to the water by the horizon, it is imperative that interior and exterior lines not shine on the beach. Also, there must be nothing left on the beach that would cause interference with nesting. These rules are effective from 9pm until 7am during turtle season.

Christmas season celebrations in Australia

Christmas season celebrations in Australia

Violet Teague (1872-1951), Adoration of Shepherds, 1931, oil on canvas. Photograph by Colin Holden. Image courtesy of Anglican Church of Australia Archive.

Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world on 25 December. Protestant and Roman Catholic churches hold Christmas Day services on 25 December. The Eastern churches – the Ethiopian Orthodox church, Russian Orthodox church and the Armenian church – celebrate Christmas on 6 or 7 January. There have been rituals, parties and celebrations at this time of year for thousands of years.

The birth of Jesus

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is ‘the son of God’, the Messiah sent from Heaven to save the world.

The ‘Christmas story’ tells of the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem, the angels announcing the birth to the shepherds in the fields, and the Magi (wise men from the East) visiting the stable and offering gifts to the newborn child.

The origins of Christmas

A Roman almanac confirms that 25 December was used to celebrate Christmas in 336 AD, although it was nearly 600 years later that the churches created a liturgy – a service for public worship – for the occasion.

The choice of date is believed to have been influenced by the northern hemisphere winter solstice, as well as ancient pagan rituals that coincided with the solstice. These rituals included the Halcyon Days in Greece, a period of calm and goodwill when it was believed the sea was calm for birds to lay their eggs; and the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, a celebration of the god Saturn, which involved wild parties, the exchange of gifts and the temporary suspension of social divisions between slaves and masters.

Christmas traditions and symbols

A photo of Santa arriving at the beach by boat. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia: A1500, K26950.

Christmas trees are part of a long tradition of greenery being taken into the home at Christmas to brighten the dreary winter. Mistletoe was popular with Druid priests because it remained green throughout winter. Holly placed over the doorway was believed to drive away evil. Placing branches from trees in the home was first recorded in 1494, and by the beginning of the 1600s there are records of fir trees being decorated with apples.

The story of Santa Claus has its origins in the legends surrounding the humble generosity of Saint Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated on 6th December. Saint Nicholas was a 4th century Christian Bishop from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) who became the Patron Saint of Children. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed up as bishops begging alms for the poor. Later, the Christ child ‘Christkindlein’ was said to have accompanied Nicholas-like figures on their travels. The 1822 poem ‘Twas the Night before Christmas forged the link and Saint Nicholas (Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Christ Kind, Kriss Kringle or Sinter Klass) became known as Santa Claus.

Christmas in the southern hemisphere

The heat of early summer in Australia has an impact on the way that Australians celebrate Christmas and on which northern hemisphere Christmas traditions are followed.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas houses are decorated; greetings cards sent out; carols sung; Christmas trees installed in homes, schools and public places; and children delight in anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. On Christmas Day family and friends gather to exchange gifts and enjoy special Christmas food.

Many Australians spend Christmas out of doors, going to the beach for the day, or heading to camping grounds for a longer break over the Christmas holiday period. It has become traditional for international visitors who are in Sydney at Christmas time to go to Bondi Beach where up to 40,000 people visit on Christmas Day.

Carols and music

Christmas tree in Martin Place, Sydney 2005. File photograph. Copyright Commonwealth of Australia.

The tradition of an Australian Christmas Eve carol service lit by candles was started in 1937 by radio announcer Norman Banks. This outdoor service has now been held in Melbourne every year since then.

Carols by Candlelight events today range from huge gatherings, which are televised live throughout the country, to smaller local community and church events. Sydney’s Carols in the Domain has become a popular platform for the stars of stage and music.

Some uniquely Australian Christmas carols have become popular and are included alongside the more traditional carols sung at carol services and at Christmas church services: John Wheeler’s The Three Drovers is perhaps the best known of these.

Many light-hearted Australian Christmas songs have become an essential part of the Australian Christmas experience. These include Rolf Harris’s Six White Boomers, Colin Buchanan’s Aussie Jingle Bells and the Australian Twelve Days of Christmas.

Christmas plants

Denise Greig, Blandfordia nobilis – Christmas bells. Image courtesy of Australian National Botanic Gardens: A6952.

There are many native Australian plants in flower over the Christmas season. A number of these have become known as ‘Christmas plants’ in various parts of the country, including Christmas bells, Christmas bush and the Christmas orchid.

When Europeans first arrived in Australia they were delighted that they could pick wildflowers resembling bells and bright green foliage covered in red or white flowers to use as Christmas decorations. This was a huge contrast to the bare trees and dormant gardens they had left behind in Europe.

Food

Christmas in Australia comes at the beginning of summer and many people no longer serve a traditional hot roast dinner. Cold turkey and ham, seafood and salads are often served instead. It has even become acceptable to serve the traditional Christmas plum pudding with cold custard, ice cream or cream. Pavlova, a meringue base topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, and various versions of the festive ice-cream pudding have also become popular Christmas desserts.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Coles company are engaged in a project to cultivate native foods. They are working with Mandawuy Yunupingu (of the band Yothu Yindi) and Aboriginal communities to grow sufficient quantities for sale in supermarkets across Australia. The aim is to offer all Australians a Bush Tucker Christmas.

Film and television

Cover of Wombat Divine by Mem Fox. Image courtesy of Mem Fox.

The films Bush Christmas (1947) starring Chips Rafferty and the remake Prince and the Great Race in 1983 (with Nicole Kidman), and Miracle Down Under starring John Waters (telecast as Bushfire Moon) are insights into the early Australian Christmas culture. Many television series have used Christmas episodes to explore the changing culture of Christmas in Australia.

Children’s stories

Australian children grow up enjoying traditional Christmas stories such as Clement Clarke Moore’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but children’s authors and illustrators are beginning to create truly Australian children’s Christmas literature. One favourite is Wombat Divine by Mem Fox, while a more recent addition is Aussie Night Before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison.

Major sporting events

The Christmas break is an opportunity for sports fans to enjoy two major sporting events. The 26 December is the opening day of the ‘Boxing Day Test’ between the Australian Cricket Team and an international touring side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This has been well attended since the first match in 1950, and watched by many others on television. In Sydney one of the world’s most prestigious ocean races, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, starts on Boxing Day from Sydney Harbour.

Indigenous Australians

A. Shnukal, Celebrating the Coming of the Light at Kemus on the anniversary of the arrival of the London Missionary Society on 1 July 1871. Darnley Island, Torres Strait. Image courtesy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland.

Indigenous Dreamtime stories obviously do not include Christmas. However, this date in the calendar coincides with other seasonal changes. In Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Yolngu Aboriginal people will observe the last season of their six-season cycle. Gudjewg, the wet season, begins in late December.

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities include Christian groups within them which celebrate Christmas. The Ntaria Choir at Hermannsburg, via Alice Springs, Northern Territory, has a unique musical language from mixing the traditional vocals of the Ntaria women with Lutheran chorales – the hymn tunes that were the basis of much of J.S. Bach’s music.

Baba Waiyar, a popular traditional Torres Strait Islander hymn, is featured on Lexine Solomon’s debut album This is Woman (2003) – showing the influence of gospel music mixed with traditionally strong Torres Strait Islander vocals and country music. Significantly, Torres Strait Islanders celebrate the ‘Coming of the Light’ on 1 July, the day the London Missionary Society landed at Erub Island in 1871.

Modern Indigenous Christmas celebrations are beginning to take on elements of traditional Indigenous culture. The Department of Conservation and Land Management in Western Australia offers a Christmas celebration by organising activities which encourages people to join in Christmas bush activities with Nyoongar guides.

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Season is right for camping

Season is right for camping
Amid the plethora of bridge runs, chili cook-offs and craft festivals that dot the calender in late winter leading into spring, the season for another fun activity has arrived.

Read more on The Brunswick News

’tis the Season to be Cruising

Christmas, the most exciting time of the year for many. Young and old, cold hearts open up, and complete strangers exchange smiles in the street. But, lets face it, with the endless present buying combined with the stresses of preparing the perfect Christmas meal, not to mention the TV soap storylines reaching their long awaited depressing peaks, it’s no surprise that over 17 million of us Brits wish we could leave it all behind this year. And it never, ever snows.

Dreaming of something different? Whether it’s island hopping in the Canaries, swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean or a truly spectacular festive trip to Alaska that takes your fancy, cruising can be the perfect answer to a stress free Christmas getaway.

Last Christmas around 2.5 million of us said farewell to the UK in search of warmer climates, with an increasing number choosing to cruise. It’s clear to see why the market is booming, cruise lines spend thousands of pounds each year transforming their ships into festive wonderlands, with lavish decorations, carol concerts, religious services and of course, scrumptious seasonal meals, minus the washing up! This December, Princess cruises have gone one step further in creating the magic of Christmas with their latest innovation – “falling snow” – in the Atriums of many of their ships. Amazingly, passengers can enjoy the romance, without the chills as the flakes vanish on contact.

Any child’s Christmas appetite will be well and truly satisfied onboard a family friendly ship. Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, crackers and games comes as standard, but with an onboard Father Christmas complete with grotto, and presents, and if they are lucky, a special reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by the captain, it will be an experience to remember. And the grown ups? Well, how about a glass of eggnog, Midnight Mass and a burning log fire on your cabin TV screen!

So is it expensive? The short answer is no, cruising works out to be outstanding value for money, and you can make huge savings by booking up early, or, if you’re really lucky, catching a great late deal that will see you and your family enjoying a Christmas next year to remember.

Minnesota DNR seeks changes in dates, shooting hours for duck-hunting season

Minnesota DNR seeks changes in dates, shooting hours for duck-hunting season
Minnesota duck hunters could see earlier seasons and shooting hours under two proposals being floated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Read more on Pioneer Press

Holidays To Aruba To Escape The Winter Season

Aruba is one of the exotic islands worth visiting in the Caribbean. Actually it is in the southwestern region in the Caribbean. It is well known among tourists because of its waters and marine life. Tourism became a boom in Aruba starting from the 90s. And since that period, the island continues to cater thousands of tourists from different part of the globe every year. Aruba is also one of the favorite destinations among popular celebrities. Never be surprised if you will see them sun bathing. Along with its popularity, there are several package deals offered by accommodation units and travel agencies.

Package deals offered by accommodation units are fitted for all budgets, interests and tastes. There are also luxurious hotels in the island if you want to have a luxurious stay and amenities. Among these hotels that offer the best deals Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, Marriott Aruba Ocean Club, Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All Inclusive, Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive, and Hotel Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. But if you want to visit Aruba just to have a relaxing and exciting holiday away from those luxuries and probably would want to save money, then Hotel Brickell Bay Beach Club, Hotel the Mill Resort & Suites and Hotel Manchebo Beach Resort are an option.

When US is experiencing their winter season, the Caribbean island of Aruba is enjoying its warm and fine weather. In fact this place is a good venue to escape the winter season and enjoy under the sun. With an average annual temperature of 82°F (28°C), visitors are guaranteed a pleasant and fine climate regardless of season. The temperature of Aruba would never exceed than 89°F or 32°C. On the other hand, their lowest temperature would never go below 76°F or 24°C, allowing visitors to enjoy the nightlife all throughout the year. And since most of the people living in the upper part of the globe are experiencing winter blues, December to April is the best time to go to Aruba. Obviously, Aruba lies near the equator, but then there is a consistent eastern trade wind that cools the island and prevents typhoons from coming over the island. This trade wind also creates perfect conditions on the eastern coast for sports such as windsurfing. On the other hand, the calm waters of the western coast are great for scuba diving and snorkeling. The sun even rises and sets at nearly the same time every day, allowing visitors to enjoy a majestic Caribbean site any time of year. Perhaps best of all, the island is never threatened by tropical storms.

Most of the best resorts in Aruba are along the southwestern coast, particularly around Palm and Eagle Beaches. Most of the affordable and cheap accommodations lies on Eagle beaches, while luxurious once are situated at Palm beaches. Staying in the Eagle beaches doesn’t mean that you would not enjoy your stay. It would just mean that you are being practical and you don’t need luxurious amenities to enjoy. After all, you are staying in one island with the same open crystal clear sea.