A potent spring storm has been crawling eastward along the northern Gulf Coast over the past few days, producing severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, torrential rains and coastal flooding. This morning, the heart of the system is in northern Florida and its trailing cold front is approaching the west coast of the Florida Peninsula.
A tornado watch has been issued for areas north of Tampa Bay and we expect thunderstorms to reach Longboat Key by early afternoon. This morning, we enjoyed a short walk on the beach, buffeted by strong south winds ahead of the cold front. Despite the rough surf, sanderlings raced ahead of the incoming waves, ruddy turnstones and willets scoured the wind-swept beach and a mixed squadron of brown pelicans, cormorants, gulls and terns fished on the roiling Gulf waters.
Attentive to weather warnings, we humans appropriately head for shelter until the storm passes. Wildlife, always in survival mode, adapt to the changing conditions but remain active as long as possible; their lives depend on that resilience.
