Chasing the dragon

Dragonflies buzz around a drifting flower bud as it moves down Boiling Creek April 19. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Tree snake

A banded water snake suns itself on a log hanging over Boiling Creek April 19. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Butterfly effect

A butterfly stands along the bank of Boiling Creek April 19. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Snake eyes

A banded water snake watches from a tree branch as kayakers are carried down Boiling Creek April 19 during the first-ever kayak tour through the Eglin Air Force Base range. The five and a half mile kayak tour took 10 people down Boiling Creek and the Yellow River deep within the Eglin range. The scenic tour showed off Eglin’s unique wild and plant life. It kicked off Eglin’s week-long Earth Day celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Lilly of the water

A water lilly drifts along Boiling Creek as the first-ever Eglin Air Force Base kayak tour passes by April 19. The five and a half mile kayak tour took 10 people down Boiling Creek and the Yellow River deep within the Eglin range. The scenic tour showed off Eglin’s unique wild and plant life. It kicked off Eglin’s week-long Earth Day celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bug zapper

Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, opens up the carnivorous Whitetop Pitcher Plant to reveal it’s decayed victims April 19 during the first-ever Kayak tour through Eglin’s range. The five and a half mile kayak tour took 10 people down Boiling Creek and the Yellow River deep within the Eglin range. The scenic tour showed off Eglin’s unique wild and plant life. It kicked off Eglin’s week-long Earth Day celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Environmental motives

Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, stands with Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, prior to the signing of the proclamation beginning Water Conservation Month March 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Some tips for conserving water are: taking shorter showers, chilling water in the fridge, turning off the facet while brushing your teeth, handing wash dishes or limit pre-washing and installing low flow fixtures. U.S. Air Force photo/Ashley M. Wright.

Back to flying status

Stephanie Kadletz, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, releases a Peregrine Falcon on the secured area of Eglin reservation on Santa Rosa Island Feb.19. The falcon had been rehabilitated by the biologists from the ECWR after being shot in the wing by an arrow in November. The Peregrine Falcon is a migratory bird that most likely came from as far north as Canada. While in the Refuge's care, the bird's injuries were treated and medication applied as needed. The bird is thought to be approximately 1-year-old and is expected to make a full recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Spaits.)

Bear guard

Col. David Maharrey, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander, installs "bear latches" while Andrew Jernigan, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, assists on garbage cans in the Poquito Bayou housing area, Jan. 29 at Eglin Air Force Base. Volunteers from the 96th CEG are installing the latches on every garbage can in housing in hopes of discouraging bears from using the trash as a food source that will keep them coming back. In addition to the latches, the volunteers are also going door-to-door distributing information on methods to prevent bears from returning. All housing residents should have the latches installed within the next few weeks. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Bear guard

Col. David Maharrey, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander, installs "bear latches" on garbage cans in the Poquito Bayou housing area, Jan. 29 at Eglin Air Force Base. Volunteers from the 96th CEG are installing the latches on every garbage can in housing in hopes of discouraging bears from using the trash as a food source that will keep them coming back. In addition to the latches, the volunteers are also going door-to-door distributing information on methods to prevent bears from returning. All housing residents should have the latches installed within the next few weeks. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Energy Awareness

Bob Mantovani, Gulf Power, shows Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th ABW Commander, the new Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology to reduce energy.

Biologists release baby sea turtles on Eglin beaches

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Twenty-three Loggerhead baby sea turtles were released into the wild off Eglin’s beaches on Santa Rosa Island, Aug. 14. The baby turtles were removed from their nests by endangered species biologists a few days prior to release to enhance their chances for survival after it was discovered they were unable to dig their way out. Most sea turtles lay three to five nests with 80-140 eggs per nest. Female sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. Currently, Eglin’s beaches are home to more than 20 active nests. (U.S. Air Force photo/ 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk)