Beach Report 8/11/26

Cooler than yesterday, mid 80s, thanks to a thunderstorm and cold front that rolled through last PM, it was still pretty warm and humid.

A pretty decent tide, with lots of shell and gravel

The best of 30 teeth, a stunning 1 1/2 inch White Shark ancestor, Carcharodon hastalis.

Beach Report 7/24/26

 

Brown Pelican on the remains of the south jetty at Flag Harbor. Now, pelicans aren't exactly rare on the Bay, but I've never seen them fishing close to shore here, and resting on the jetties. I don't know what it means, but wherever pelicans are, bait fish can't be far away.

It was another cool, gorgeous day. Unfortunately, the fossil hunting was subpar. 

Beach Report 7/15/26

A brutally hot day, with temperatures in the 90s and all but windless. It showed 92 at Cove Point, but I suspect the beach was warmer with a SW flow. At home it hit 96 F, with a "feels like" of 111 and heat index of 119.  The Sea Nettles were thick.

Georgia and Gabby wisely went to the pool while I walked on the beach, with the help of a once frozen bottle of water.

It was not a terrible day for fossils. 17 sharks teeth, a ray chevron and a drum tooth. This one inch Snaggletooth lower was my best, but I met a man on Matoaka who had a small, maybe 1.5 inch Meg

Beach Report 7/3/26

A brutally hot summer day, without even a decent breeze to help. Temps at home were around 97 this afternoon. When I left for the beach, Cove Point was showing about 88 over the water, later climbing to 92. 

I managed the full walk up the beach past Matoaka and back with the help of one bottle of water. You can't see in these pictures, but there are a few places along Matoaka where the cliffs provide some welcome shade.

I found 14 shark's teeth of which this was the best. It's a Snaggletooth, of course, but there appears to be  some debate over position. I think it's an upper tooth close to the center, maybe next to the parasymphyseal because of the heavy serrations, others think it's a lower. Paul Murdoch was out walking a group, and I asked him, and he waffled.

The Sea Nettles are definitely here. 

There was a fly-over from a B2 bomber flanked by 2 B1 bombers. I assume they were on their way to a fly-over of the National Mall. This is the first time I've ever seen either of those planes in real life. Too bad I couldn't get my phone ready for a picture in time.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Hot Summer Day

And the country is getting ready for its 250th birthday tomorrow. The Victory Girls say Dear Democrats: Our National Party is Still On — Shut Up and STAY HOME and note Independence Day Gone Woke In San Diego County, California. Sounds like a blast! Beege Welborn at Hat Hair notes Anti-Trump States Wouldn't Fix Up Booths for the Fair - PA AMERICANs Took Matters Into Their Own Hands. Sore losers. Dr. Suneel Dhand's Newsletter gives 10 Reasons I'm PROUD to Be an American, "I left Britain and have been a citizen for over 10 years. Best thing I've ever done. An honest reflection this special July 4th." OTH, Hat Hair's John Sexton reports Man Charged with Felony for Damaging Reflecting Pool. "David Hearn, 67, of Maryland faces one felony count of destruction of property tied to a June 19 incident in which National Park Service employees say they caught him trying to rip a portion of sealant from the pool’s bottom. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison." It's DC, he won't be convicted. And at WaEx, Airman arrested during Capitol Hill protest urging Trump and Vance’s impeachment. "A Capitol Police spokesperson confirmed Watson’s arrest, noting that there are spots on Capitol Grounds where demonstrating is permitted, but “it is generally against the law for the public to demonstrate on the House Steps unless they are with a Member of Congress.” “Yesterday afternoon, a man was escorted to the House Steps by a Member of Congress,” the spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “When the Member of Congress left the area, our officers gave the man lawful orders to stop the illegal demonstration or he would be arrested. The man refused our lawful orders. Jason Watson was then arrested for 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding.”" So he wasn't arrested for his speech denouncing Trump, he was arrested for unlawful conduct at the Capital, like the J6ers. I'm sure Pete Hegseth has plenty of grounds to toss him out of the Air Force, though. A Larry vid at Hat Hair says This Was All Trump Needed. They're Gonna Regret It.

At the Buckeye Firearms Assoc, Trump reiterates support for national right-to-carry reciprocity. As a fairly liberal New Yorker, I suspect Trump personally doesn't fell strongly pro-gun, but he knows his coalition. Mary Chastain is pleased to report the Energy Dept. is Moving to Drop ‘Green New Scam’ Appliance Mandates. "Thank you. THANK YOU. Make it happen!"

Hat Hair's Capt. Ed is worried that the US Adds Only 57,000 Jobs in June As Workforce Deflates. I gave up trying to make sense out of job numbers a while ago. The methodology is shitty, and manipulative. I also wonder how much of this is due to the ongoing self-deportation of illegals. The Wall Street Journal thinks it is.

Jenna’s Side is America Doesn't Have a Socialist Problem—We Have an Apathy Problem. "And apathy is how tiny, terrifying, highly motivated minorities end up running cities." At Hat Hair Dave Strom thinks Socialism in the West is Ignorance, Unearned Wealth, and Resentment,  Yes, The DSA Is a Communist Organization and Beege Welborn adds Commie Mamdani's Pied-à-Terre Billionaire Tax Attack Began Yesterday. Althouse notes "The DSA, in fact, seems to despise the Democratic Party. Darializa Avila Chevalier has called Joe Biden a 'rapist' and wrote 'Fuck Kamala Harris'...", ""... on social media. She proceeded to be nominated for a House race in New York last week by Democratic voters who presumably do not all share those feelings."  At Reason Kennedy recalls New York's Socialist Experiment Already Failed Once "Will Mamdani break New York City?" Leslie Eastman at LI hears NYC Mayor Mamdani’s Recommendation for ’78 Degrees’ Met with Frosty Reception. "The responses to his “78 degrees” suggestion included references to France and New York’s embrace of “Green Energy”." Capt. Ed hears from Fetterman: The One Thing That Would Force Me Out Of My Party Is ... being anti-Israel. Aren't we there already? Dave Strom thinks it might be AOC vs Vance?

Bonchie @bonchieredstate, "Every time. It’s never organic." Quote AG @AGHamilton29, "This is a major red flag. The CCP is funding/aiding left-wing groups and activism to try to push policies that discourage us developing energy independence."

From DataRepublican’s Substack, The 400,000 USAID Deaths That Nicholas Kristof Will Not Tell You About. "How USAID Built the South Sudan, Watched It Collapse, and Then Allowed China to Take Over."

Eric at Security and Cigars, explains Why Wolford Should Worry Big Gov Fans More Than Slaughter. "SCOTUS has now made clear that states and cities cannot simply designate broad categories of private property as “sensitive” and thereby ban the exercise of constitutional rights there. This has obvious and immediate implications for the Second Amendment, but it also reaches into First Amendment territory like speech, religion, and assembly. As well as many other rights protected by the Constitution." Charles C. W. Cooke @charlescwcooke, "Impressive ignorance. The unitary executive theory is about personnel; it confers no substantive powers on the executive branch that haven’t been delegated by Congress. The whole column is a bizarre non sequitur." Quote Dana Milbank @Milbank, "My latest column looks at how Democrats are drafting plans to to use the all-powerful, unitary executive that Trump has established (and the Roberts Court has blessed) to launch a new Progressive Era, in which a Democratic president imposes by executive fiat government-run health." At Da Caller, Clarence Thomas Laughs As MS NOW Reporter Barrages Him With Questions. Althouse says I don't believe Nina Totenberg's explanation for why she reported that Justice Alito was retiring. "I'm reading "'I am so, so sorry': NPR reporter explains SCOTUS retirement error" (CNN): "Say what really happened, " and "Democrats stopped talking about trans politics long before the court’s ruling this week." ""In June, which is L.G.B.T.Q. Pride month, no Democratic candidate mentioned the word 'transgender' in their TV ads, according to data from AdImpact, a media tracking firm. Their silence may be an attempt to deprive Republicans of campaign-trail ammunition.... A New York Times/Ipsos poll conducted in January 2025 showed that nearly 80 percent of Americans opposed allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports...." At substact Insty recommends Ditching the Seventeenth. "Taking the Senate back to the Framers' Intent." Let State Legislators pick Senators? We could do worse, and have.

Gina Milan @ginamilan_ "Ruh Rho" Quote Paul Sperry @paulsperry_, "BREAKING: Here's the just-filed NLPC bar complaint against NY attorney Roberta Ann Kaplan. The basis for the complaint is that Kaplan failed to inform Trump’s lawyers + the court when she knew her client E. Jean Carroll provided false testimony by denying outside funding for her."

TownHall's Amy Curtis reports More Antifa Terrorists Were Just Sentenced in Texas "Antifa and their Leftist allies in the Democratic Party were not happy about these sentences. They really believed they were above the law, and are threatening the federal judges who put their comrades behind bars." Bob Spencer at PJM says Bravo: DeSantis Officially Calls Antifa and CAIR What They Really Are, terrorists. 

Dave Strom takes a look at The Immigrants Who Hate America. Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok, "BREAKING: The Somali flag flying over Buffalo City Hall has been reportedly STOLEN just hours after it was raised. Buffalo's Democrat Mayor Sean Ryan, claims that individuals cut the cable in the middle of the night and took the flag down. He then goes on a rant about "diversity." Police are currently investigating, and no charges have been filed." At NYPo, Andy Arthur opines ABC’s ‘3% delusion’ on criminal migrants turns the law on its head "ABC’s statistic is real — of the 438,537 illegal immigrants detained in the administration’s first 14 months, 13,018 of them had been convicted of a crime like homicide or sexual assault in the US. Yet its conclusion is utterly wrong, ignoring the impact of the most significant immigration law Congress has enacted in years: the Laken Riley Act.  Americans should remember why Congress passed that law. Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered in February 2024 by an illegal immigrant who had been apprehended for committing lesser offenses and released into the United States. Her vicious killing sparked outrage over a system that repeatedly ignored warning signs — until an innocent American paid the ultimate price." Dave Strom, Yes, The Activists Want to Protect Paedos From Deportation. Gov. Walz helped pardon a child rapist so he couldn't be deported. The feds may yet find a way. Visegrád 24 @visegrad24, "BREAKING British authorities have released the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang, Shabir Ahmed, from prison The Pakistani man was sentenced to 22 years for 30 child rape charges involving girls as young as 12. He was released after serving just 13 years & won’t be deported." Beege Welborn, Merz Scolds German Serfs Over Sick Day Slacking When There Are Immigrant Bennies to Support.

At Twitchy, Heavily Armed Would-Be Trans Terrorist Arrested for Planning Mass Shooting; Check out This Hardware. Shooting News Week, Cops Bust Would Be Casino Mass Shooter With An Actual Cache (This Time) of Weapons. Robby Starbuck @robbystarbuck, "There needs to be a deep investigation into how this weirdo was able to afford this. Well over $100k of guns listed. Seems unlikely for a mentally ill trans activist to come up with that on their own." Quote New York Post @nypost "Trans gunman caught in alleged casino terror plot with huge cache of weapons - as cops release chilling footage." Capt. Ed reports a WI Activist Declares 'Trans Jihad': 'Kill Your Local Republican.' Dustin Grage @GrageDustin, "WOW: Wisconsin Democrat staffer, Teha Delaruelle is calling on activists to "K*LL YOUR LOCAL REPUBLICAN." “We’re going to make this the moderate position for the state of Wisconsin” WTF!?" They should be careful; Republicans tend to be better armed.

More at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 07.02.26.

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Waiting Until August up in star-spangled glory at the Other McCain.

Beach Report 6/27/26

The thunderstorm we had been expecting for the afternoon was cancelled, so we went to the beach.

It was overcast, only about 80 F, but the humidity was 90%, and the air was still, which made it feel just a bit sweaty.

Although the tide was high, there was a nice line of gravel and shell hash to look through for teeth. I was just telling a woman on the beach that I didn't have any teeth to brag about when I spotted this 1 3/8 inch lower Snaggletooth rolling in what little surf there was. It makes it look so easy. The best 24 teeth.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

Starring the Taylor Gallo in the rare triple play:

BarChart, When Brazil Catches Cold, Coffee Catches Fire

Coffee sentiment over the past month has been shaped almost entirely by Brazil. A cold front moving through Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Parana has raised fresh frost risk concerns just as the 2025/26 harvest winds down, a development that briefly lifted prices toward $2.60 per pound from levels closer to $2.50, which had been the lowest since November 2024. Traders are also watching the developing El Nino pattern, with industry analysis suggesting a stronger event could delay the September to October rains that are critical for the 2026/27 flowering period in Brazil, a risk that extends well beyond the current harvest cycle. At the same time, ICE certified arabica stocks have fallen to 396,171 bags, sharply below the 859,389 bags held a year earlier, reinforcing the view that near term physical supply remains tight even as the broader narrative turns bearish.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Redness a bit late, but within reason.

Father's Day and First Day of Summer Beach Report

A lovely day, mostly sunny, in the high 70s, a light east wind, and a low tide.

Lots of stuff to look through, but teeth seemed a little scarce, a total of 12.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this lower Snaggletooth, a little worn, but not bad considering it's a few million years old.

But the best find was this nice brown ? Probably a Sand Tiger, but an outside chance of being a lower Isurus retroflexus, the Long-fin Mako Shark.

It's Hot!

Not going out in that, today.

Forget It Jake, It's Baltimore

 From the Balmer Sun, Baltimore budget deficit swells to $64M. Here’s why.

Baltimore officials say an unusually brutal winter and soaring overtime costs have pushed the city’s current budget into a $64.4 million deficit, forcing leaders to tap reserve funds despite stronger-than-expected tax revenue. Finance officials told the Baltimore City Council on Tuesday that cleanup costs tied to four snowstorms — along with overtime spending in the police and fire departments — wiped out what had been projected as a $19.6 million surplus earlier this fiscal year. The largest hit came from emergency winter operations that kept crews working around the clock for weeks. The city budgeted $8 million for snow cleanup and instead spent $80 million this year.

“Even in the best planned environment, you’re going to hit a storm that’s going to go beyond what you’re budgeted for,” Deputy Finance Director Bob Cenamme told council members. “That’s why we have reserves.”

Baltimore wasn’t the only city struggling with this year’s winter storms. Philadelphia, for example, budgeted $4.1 million for snow cleanup and ended up spending $59 million. Washington D.C., meanwhile, budgeted $7.3 million and spent more than $67 million.

To close the gap, Baltimore plans to draw from its rainy-day fund and use FEMA reimbursement money. The city’s reserve fund now sits near $200 million.  City officials confirmed to The Baltimore Sun they haven’t received the FEMA funds yet. As of Tuesday, Baltimore was still in the process of applying for the money.

Tax revenue, parking revenue and investments saved the city from digging an even deeper hole in its budget, city officials said. Income tax revenue alone gave the city $17.3 million more in revenue surplus than originally projected after generating $74 million more than predicted in Q2. Vacancies across several agencies, including the comptroller’s office, state’s attorney’s office and city IT department, also reduced spending.

Still, the city’s overall financial outlook deteriorated sharply from earlier projections. The Q2 projections for the total budget were worse by $84 million, as the city expected to have a $19.6 million surplus instead of a $64.4 million overall deficit.

Here's a clue. If you spend more money than you take in, you'll run a deficit.  

Palm Sunday

 With Aurela Hoxha:

WDW Now, Damaged EPCOT Palm Trees Removed From Park Entrance

The EPCOT palm trees that flanked Spaceship Earth have been removed after being irrevocably damaged during cold snaps this winter. The trees were previously in flowerbeds right behind the flag poles at the entrance to the park. As of May 22, they are all gone. Florida experienced several bouts of freezing temperatures this winter. Disney was able to protect some plants but trees saw significant damage. We saw Disney trying to save the banyan tree at Animal Kingdom.

Linked at Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has Rule Five Sunday: Outstanding In Her Field up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

NOAA Predicts Subpar Hurricane Season

 At WUWT, GOOD: NEWS: NOAA predicts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season

Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service are predicting a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, predicts a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.

The agency is forecasting a total of 8-14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 3-6 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1-3 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges. An average season has 14 named storms with seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

The Atlantic season is expected to be below-normal due to competing factors. El Niño is expected to develop and intensify during the hurricane season, while ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be slightly warmer than normal and trade winds are likely weaker than average. El Niño conditions tend to support less tropical storms and hurricanes, while warmer ocean temperatures and low winds support a more active year.

But, Scorecard: How Well Does NOAA’s Hurricane Outlook Actually Perform? 26 Years of Forecasts vs. Reality. Even with the rather generous ranges they allow themselves to call correct predictions, they're only about 68% accurate.

Remember, it only takes one hurricane to ruin your whole day.

Beach Report 5/20/26

90 F at home, 75 at the beach. Seems like an easy choice, right?

I can't believe this is the first report from the beach this week, but I have been a bit preoccupied. 

Crowded today.

Lot's of shark's teeth, 37, a drum tooth, three stingray dental plates, but nothing big. This small-medium Snaggletooth upper was the best of the lot

How Good are Hurricane Season Forecasts?

 WUWT has the Scorecard: How Well Does NOAA’s Hurricane Outlook Actually Perform? 26 Years of Forecasts vs. Reality

Let's check the data:

NOAA’s May outlooks land within their stated range for named storms roughly 17 of 25 years; about 68%, just shy of their own 70% confidence target. The hurricane count accuracy is similar. That said, NOAA aims for a range (not a point forecast), so some “hits” are easier than others in wide-range years.

So, a little better than a coin toss...

 

Beach Report 4/28/26

Over cast, and cool, after a light rain in the morning. Back in long pants and boot!

High tide, so I couldn't get too far, but there was a nice line of gravel and shell to look through.

The best of 10 teeth, a Snaggletooth, most likely an upper lateral, well toward the back. A bit worn but otherwise intact. 

Beach Report 4/24/26

A partly cloudy day, with temperature crossing above 70 F on the way. There are possible thunderstorms in the forecast, but I only experienced a few stray raindrops along near the end of the walk

The tide was about half way down, and the beach was mostly sand but. . . 

Say, what is that? Just laying in the sand near with water line.

A closer look.

And safely in hand, a prehistoric White Shark (Carcharodon hastalis) tooth 1 7/8 inches long. It beat the current best for the year, and get the honor spot on the kitchen window sill.

Beach Report 4/15/26

I got a late start today, and managed to hit just about the top of a high tide. Warm at home, in the 80s a strong SE breeze kept the temperatures in the mid 60s.

I met this beach dweller along the way. A Northern Watersnake, not as all the locals would like to insist a Water Moccasin. Totally non-venomous, but capable of a nasty bite if sufficiently provoked. I walked right up to it, and poked it with my walking stick (a piece of bamboo), and it took off into the surf.

A nice find. 

Isurus retroflexus, the Miocene equivalent of the Long-Finned Mako Shark. Not a terribly big one, but it's not very common.

A big upper Snaggletooth, 1 3/8 inch. What I spotted was just the thin line of the top of the root level with the sand. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to have taken that picture. I was pleasantly surprised at how big, and perfect it was when I pulled it out of the sand.

Beach Report 4/14/26

It felt like summer today, 80s at home, mid 70s at the beach under an all but totally clear sky. 

The wind was strong, but from the SW, which barely effects the shore here. 

Huh? Actually, it was harder to spot when I first saw it, but the waves washed it out while I was fumbling with my phone.

Not too bad, the best of today's 20 sharks teeth, a 1 inch Snaggletooth lower, a little used, but to be fair, it's been kicking around for 10 million or so years.

Beach Report 4/11/25

A fine Spring day, sunny, a bit breezy from the north, and on the borderline between shorts and t-shirt or jeans and long sleeve shirt. I opted for the later, and was a bit warm at the end of the walk.

This looks good here, but most of the beach was sandy, and a bit too rough to look in the surf.

Consequently, fossil hunting was tough. This medium size Snaggletooth upper was the best of five total teeth for the two of us.