A classic case -- in meteorological terms -- of "isentropic lift" Thu.(!). What that means:
Wed.'s cool front stalled south of Jax across Central Fl. Mid & upper level winds are still from the southwest while surface winds are from the E/NE. The mid & upper level flow spreads over the top of the cooler low level air & causes "lift" within the atmosphere. Helped out by plenty of moisture + upper level air disturbances, it was a perfect recipe for showers & t'storms with some locally heavy rain. At Gate Parkway/I-295 - 2.1"...San Marco - 1.11"....JIA - 0.94"...Fleming Island - 0.8". No doubt there were some localized much heavier amounts. Same story for Fri., showers more widely scattered for Sat. then isolated by Sun. The weekend will turn very warm with highs in the mid 80s to near 90 inland....low to mid 80s at the beaches.
The photo below is from Christine Holler in Folkston, Ga. Thu. afternoon -- one of the hardest hit areas with downed trees & power lines. It was also a good day for rainbows. Dave Garcia, Dorothy Halligan & Dennis McDermott sent the last 3 photos.
Join me Sat. morning for in Jax Beach for "PurpleStride" - a 5K timed run & 1-mile fun run to support the fight against pancreatic cancer. I'll be the emcee as registration begins at 7am (online registration is now closed). Pancreatic cancer has left a scar on my heart. To read my story as well as the story of a 5-yr. survivor that will be at the Sat. event + how you can still participate or donate -- click ** here **.
Sat. is "World Rhino Day"! The White Oak Conservation Center in Nassau Co. near the Ga. border will be celebrating the big day. White Oak was extremely exclusive at one time but is now going public & encouraging visitors to take a look. The place is truly fascinating not to mention beautiful. Click here to see my interview with a worker at White Oak during the 5:45pm weathercast Thu. The photo below is Roger Bahadur petting a white rhino! Click here to go to the White Oak web site. You can call 904-225-3285 for reservations. Info. below provided by White Oak:
• The newest female rhino calf was born on 6/22. The dam Kathy came from South Africa (Kruger) in 1998. The sire Bully also came from South Africa. The dam and sire are about 24 years old. This is Kathy’s 5th calf.
o She is the 24th white rhino born at White Oak
• White Oak’s first Indian rhino calf was born 1 June 11. White Oak received its first Indian rhino in 2003 (9 years). White Oak has 2 males and 2 females.
• White Oak has 4 black rhinos, 3 males and 1 female. White Oak sent a male born here back to Kruger National Park in South Africa in November 1998. He has produced 4 calves with two females born in a German zoo. These genetics are important for the South African population.
• White Oak leads the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Rhino Advisory Group making recommendations for rhino conservation programs in US zoos. 92 zoos in the US hold rhinos and participate in rhino programs and support rhino conservation.
• White Oak works closely with the International Rhino Foundation which supports conservation projects in Africa and Asia for the five remaining rhino species - Indian rhino, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Sumatran Rhino and Javan Rhino.
• Only 100 white rhinos remained at the turn of the century, but conservation efforts (mainly in South Africa) allowed the number to grow to over 25,000 in 2012- a conservation success story.
• However, a rhino poaching crisis is underway.
o From 1990-2005 an average of 14 rhinos were poached in South Africa per year
o In 2011, 448 rhinos were poached in South Africa
o At the end of June 2012, 251 had been killed in South Africa
o Trade is driven by a booming import market in Asia (mainly Vietnam and China)
o Current rhino horn prices are more than gold and rival or surpass cocaine
o Rhino horn is used in traditional Asian medicines to treat many ailments
Rhino horn is made of keratin, the protein found in human fingernails and western medicine finds no medicinal effects
o Recent upsurge is partially linked to urban myths about its curative effects on life-threatening diseases (mainly cancer)
o Perhaps more importantly- recent investigation shows other types of users (especially in Vietnam) that are being created from a burgeoning Asian middle/upper-class
Used as a detoxifier and hang-over cure for the affluent
Rhino horn ‘societies’ -group consumption with social dynamic
‘Face consumption’ -flaunting wealth
• White Oak has 27 distinct species and sub-species and 25 distinct species.
• White Oak has around 260 animals
• Total Births = 2283 (84 per year) 1985-2012
• White Oak is 7,400 acres
• Tours are given every Wednesday through Sunday at 10am. Larger groups can schedule private tours at ‘any’ time.
• Corporate events/meetings
• Overnight stays
• Golf course- nine hole, secluded and unique
• Sunset safaris- this Saturday at 5:30. Saturday October 13th, and Saturday November 17th
o Lovely evening tour- great for pictures
o Gourmet dinner prepared by our team of chefs
o Overnight packages- great for a special weekend
World Rhino Day (click here)
When is World Rhino Day?
World Rhino Day is on September 22nd.
Who is organizing World Rhino Day?
World Rhino Day is an international team effort co-organized by Lisa Jane Campbell of Chishakwe Ranch in Zimbabwe and Rhishja Cota-Larson of Saving Rhinos in the US.
How did World Rhino Day get its start?
World Rhino Day was first announced by WWF-South Africa in 2010. The following year, World Rhino Day grew into an international success, encompassing both African and Asian rhino species, thanks to the team effort of Lisa Jane and Rhishja.
What happened in 2011?
In mid-2011, Lisa Jane was already planning ahead for World Rhino Day. She searched online for ideas and potential collaborators, and found the Saving Rhinos website and blog.
Lisa Jane sent Rhishja an email, and the two found they shared a common goal of making World Rhino Day a day of celebration for all five species of rhino.
Meanwhile, the team at Rhino Africa prepared for their second World Rhino Day event in Cape Town, building on the success of South Africa’s popular 2010 campaign.
In the months that followed, they worked together to make World Rhino Day 2011 an international success, both online and offline.
Building on the good will and momentum, Lisa Jane and Rhishja decided to continue working together as organizers and promoters of World Rhino Day -— for the rhinos and the people that love rhinos.
Is there a theme for World Rhino Day 2012?
Yes! “Five Rhino Species Forever” celebrates both the African and Asian rhino species. In addition, World Rhino Day is an opportunity to highlight efforts to debunk the myths and diminish the demand for rhino horn.
Is there more than one event on World Rhino Day 2012?
Yes! We believe that World Rhino Day 2011 was a success because it provided the opportunity for cause-related organizations, NGOs, zoos, and members of the public to celebrate World Rhino Day in their own unique ways. These activities varied from one participant to the next. Donors and partners were able to contribute to the organizations and initiatives of their choosing. Peaceful demonstrations, classroom projects, fundraising dinners, auctions and poster displays are just a few examples.
