The St. Johns County Health Department has lifted a 60 day rabies alert that resulted from a report of a feral cat that tested positive for rabies.

The alert, which covered Rio Vista Avenue in St. Augustine, in an area bounded on the north by Ponce Island Drive; the south to Rambla Street;  the east to the Intracoastal Waterway and the west to Lewis Speedway, was issued on December 20, 2010.

Chilly weather throughout Florida has kept residents inside and close to their heaters, under blankets and in their sweats, long sleeves and socks during December and January. However, spring is just around the corner and there is wildlife to discover in your backyard!

Get your binoculars ready, because starting Feb. 18, the largest bird count in North America begins. The Great Backyard Bird Count, which runs through Feb. 21, is a wonderful chance to add to your Bird Detective checklist and help scientists monitor birds across America. If you do not have a checklist, download it from MyFWC.com/Learning. In the left-hand menu, click “Fun Stuff.” From there, look on the right side of the page under “Educator Links” for “Jr. Birder Program.”

CRESCENT BEACH, Fla. -- A 2-year-old female right whale found dead in the water Tuesday has been dissected by a team of biologists and veterinarians, and its skeleton is now in its way to Georgia.  

The animal was pulled up onto Crescent Beach by a boat after a Florida Fish and Wildlife team spotted it about 12 nautical miles off of Palm Coast.

The whale is estimated to be about 30 feet long and 15,500 lbs. The same whale was found entangled in a net in mid-December and again in mid-January, said Karrie Carnes, spokesperson for NOAA.

"We know it traveled south almost  to Miami and back again," said Barb Zoodsma, a biologist on the team conducting the necropsy.

SLIDESHOW: WHALE ON THE BEACH