In case you need them, some reminders of why we're here

Blue sky, sunshine and warm days. Not gray sky, glazed landscapes and frigid temperatures.

Let's celebrate being outdoorsy in midwinter with a roundup of news and things to do in Southwest Florida's waterways and along its woods and shores.

Other fish in the sea: The gag grouper season closed Sunday for Gulf waters off Florida until it reopens April 1. In the meantime, there are still prized fish to be had. Grouper gurus can take one red during the gag's closed season.

Find details at www.MyFWC.com.

Sea cows galore: They're still endangered, but there sure have been a lot of them spotted recently.

A series of cold fronts that swept across Florida conveniently caused manatees on both the east and west coasts to bunch Pair that with clear days, and the annual aerial count of the big, gray mammals produced an all-time-high number, according to statistics released recently.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute reported a preliminary count of 3,807 manatees statewide. A team of 21 observers from nine organizations counted 2,153 manatees on Florida 's east coast and 1,654 on the west coast. That count exceeds the previous high set in 2001 by more than 500 sea cows.

Scientists counted an all-time-high number of manatees during the annual manatee synoptic survey.

For more information about manatees and these surveys, go to http:// research.MyFWC.com. To report a dead or injured manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-FWCC.

Muck it up: Here's your chance to wade through the shallows of Pine Island Sound with some experts to learn what's in this mucky place where saltwater and freshwater meet.

 

The estuary is the headliner in the Mucking About series offered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The first free trip is at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, and it's designed to help you explore the watery shoreline and observe different species in their natural habitat.

When I moved here 15 years ago, I tagged along on a DEPsponsored field trip at this very spot, a landing on Waterfront Drive in Pineland near the historical marker there. It was messy and fun. The state staffers are informative guides. You feel as if you're on Discovery Channel.

 

Gag grouper season is closed, so these fish are off limits until April 1.

Wear a swimsuit, shorts, old tennis shoes, diving shoes or diving boots. Bring water, cold drinks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, towel, dry clothes and snorkeling gear. The trips are free, but advance registration is required and the deadline for registration is the day before the day of the trip. Call (941) 575-5861. In addition to this Friday's trip, two more are planned for March 14 and April 3. Check it out at www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/charlotte/ info.htm.

Explore for free: Two Fort Myers Beach locations are offering regularly scheduled free guided walks that will educate and inspire you to get outdoors a bit more often with a guidebook and your curiosity.

Bowditch Point Regional Park sits on the north tip of Estero Island, away from the fray of Times Square. Its nature trails never disappoint, with gopher tortoise sightings and warblers chirping. Every Tuesday a 9:30 a.m. a guide is ready to go.

Even though gag grouper season just closed, anglers can keep one red grouper (pictured here).

Matanzas Pass Preserve is a mangrove maze with a stellar boardwalk just southeast of Fort Myers Beach's only elementary school off Bay Street. Meet there at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. If you're into plants, check out the Wednesday option, also at 9:30 a.m. The guided walk about native plants meanders through the preserves' hardwood hammock. For details on any of these tours, call 765-4222 or 229-7356. For directions, visit www.leeparks.org.

I was on the boardwalk last week, and one short walk made me feel as if I were on vacation. The saltwater scent in the air invigorated me. The woods welcomed me. I felt all over again how fortunate we are to live in a sub-tropical place that truly is paradise for the outdoors types.

— Betsy Clay ton is a freelancer based on Pine Island and also is Lee County Parks & Recreation's waterways coordinator. Contact her at boatingbybetsy@ yahoo.com