Key Fauna

Francis ever ready tp communicate

Florida is a long state and it is a long drive through the Keys. We only got about half way, as far as Marathon. Marathon actually encompasses several Keys, the Jolly Roger being on Grassy Key. With a new swimming pool and a dock and pavilion on the Gulf of Mexico we could have hunkered down on site. Francis would well have done so, spending his time adjusting radio reception. In preparation for the trip he had ordered a collapsible antenna. It was on back order and finally was shipped to the Jolly Roger. He had also purchased a new analyzer. With a new antenna and an analyzer, he had activities for days. While it is my inclination to get out and explore NOW, I practiced patience. It was a tough sacrifice sitting in the shade knitting or swimming while Francis played radios.

Non native but quite at home

Eventually we ran out of the preferred daily drugs, caffiene or alcohol, and were forced to set off to explore. It is a narrow highway, often with heavy traffic  and high winds through the Keys. Traveling through hauling the trailer was disconcerting, buffeted by trucks and the sea breeze. Unhitched, driving along in the pickup alone, was a real breeze. Much to our delight Florida sells wine in the grocery store, one stop shopping. After stocking up, we played tourist. Local fauna featured turtles, dolphins and pigs, yes pigs.

Turtle Orthopedics

Two contented residents

Down the road was the first veterinary hospital dedicated to the rescue, recovery, rehab and release of sea turtles. The hospital was originally a motel and bar. The owner, as an attraction for the motel, had converted a salt water swimming pool into an pond / aquarium featuring the local fauna. In order to have any sea turtles on display he had to agree to provide rescue and rehab. Turtle rescue gradually became the primary focus, with the motel finacially supporting the hospital function until a hurricane closed the motel. The hospital became a non-profit entity with the old motel serving as housing for volunteers and staff. The transition from using the turtles for personal economic gain to dedication to turtle welfare, I found poignantly moving. While fascinating, it was very sad to observe the plight of the residents. Due to the severity of their injuries many would remain residents for the remainder of their long turtle lives. On the other hand, in contrast to the half dozen retirees, over 1400 turtles had been successfully treated and released back into the wild.

Somewhat more expected, there is a dolphin research facility. In addition to the preditable  dolphin displays and training shows, their research into dolphin cogitive process has discovered some interesting facets to marine style intelligence. Dolphins have initial persistence of memory but not if you relocate the object. The residents at the dolphin lab were bred there or were retirees from Sea World type shows. The research center has student programs, camps for youth and college credit for adults seeking employment in marine animal care. What a fantastic summer school for a teenager, to spend your time in the Keys, learning about and working with dolphins.

After the more intellectually stimulating aspects of local fauna we came across a completely absurd  aspect, the pig race. It was promoted as "National Pig Day",  a fundraiser for a local child care organization. Curiosity piqued, we stopped on the way back from sad turtles and decrepit houses. As we admired the fantastic kid's bungee sling / moon bounce,  which made me wish I was little, free flowing beer and a bar b que buffet, the announcer said 15 minutes to place your bets before the next racing heat. Perfect, we were too hot and sun struck for beer. The disappointed waitress brought us bar b que and plain water. Scarfing down the q we hustled over to the small but well decorated race track. A very enthusiastic woman hustled the crowd in proper NASCAR fashion. Right on time she announced the first heat, wild racing pigs, big ugly and fast. Next up were baby domestic pigs, little cute and very fast. The last big heat was the mature Asian racing pigs, bigger uglier and completely ridiculous. Just watch the video...