NARRAGANSETT -- July 2, 2003 -- Some summer visitors to Rhode Island beaches don’t come toting coolers and sunscreen. Instead, they come with flukes, flippers, and shell carapaces.

These visitors—whales, seals, sea turtles, and other marine creatures—will make the scene in a public lecture on Thursday, July 17. Jessica Anthony and Carrie McDaniel from the National Marine Fisheries Service Protected Resources Division in Gloucester, Mass., will describe the seasonal sojourners, explaining their migratory habits and noting when and where they are likely to make an appearance. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol.

"Whales, Seals, and Marine Turtles of Rhode Island" is presented as part of the Community Summer Lecture Series sponsored by Rhode Island Sea Grant and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension/Nutrition and Food Science Program, in cooperation with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. This year’s series investigates modern missions for ancient resources. Presentations include past-to-present study of sea-dwelling creatures ranging from storybook marine mammals to nightmarish deep-sea denizens, kitchen wizardry with old-time seafood for modern tastes, and a back-to-the-future exploration of drugs from the sea.

The lecture is free, but seating is limited, so reservations are required. For reservations or more information, call the Sea Grant Communications Office at (401) 874-6842 or visit the Web site at http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/. For directions, call the Education Center at (401) 245-7500 or check the Web site at http://www.asri.org/edcenter.htm.