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Posts by FeyGirl

Nov 23

36 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

Southeast Florida, and the Everglades, boasts its share of green… Without further ado, here’s a sampling of our local wildlife sporting some brilliant green hues!

The brilliant green lore of a breeding Great Egret

Green-on-Green dragonfly in the Savannas Preserve State Park

A hiding frog in the wetlands’ duckweed

Duckweed bloom on a stalking alligator

Green dragonfly along the Apoxee Trail in the Grassy Waters Preserve

A non-native Knight Anole…in the backyard!

A tiny Barking Tree Frog in Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Duckweed vista of the wetlands

A lovely luminescent Cricket Frog in the Grassy Waters Preserve

Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

Nov 19

45 Comments

Double Vision

We recently hiked the Grassy Waters Preserve — specifically the SWA Trails within the Preserve, the Rookery Loop, and the outer Owahee Trail. Today, the Preserve serves as the freshwater supply for the city and its associated municipalities — but historically the area was the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River (Seminole for River of Turtles). It was also a key component of the Everglades watershed, which began north of Orlando and flowed through rivers that emptied into the vast Lake Okeechobee, where the lake’s waters flooded into the Everglades Basin and slowly flowed into the Florida Bay.

So while we expected to see alligators (as always!) during the hike in the Rookery Loop section of the Preserve, such numbers as those we encountered were not expected. I lost count at 40…in 3 hours! And in this area, as warned by the signage, the gators are in very close proximity to the human visitors. But as is often the case, they were very shy, perhaps not quite as accustomed to humans. And I was thrilled to spy such numbers of these amazing creatures in this beautiful and thankfully preserved ecosystem — they always make wonderful models. I don’t even know where to begin with my alligator collection from this outing, but this duo made me smile.

Seeing Double: Alligator Pair in the Everglades

 

Nov 13

33 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal

“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.” —Mary Ann Brussat

Scorched — but not necessarily dead — slash pines are profiled against their more lively brethren at various natural areas and parks. Their tenacity is ever-inspiring and a not-so-gentle reminder, as they continue to stand tall with new growth peeping amid burned limbs.

Controlled, or prescribed burns are an integral part to sustaining Florida’s natural habitats.  Such burns mimic natural fire cycles to restore healthy natural communities, thus reducing the undergrowth that accumulates over time — a contributing factor in severe wildfires. An increase in native plants, birds, and wildlife can be viewed at these burned lands.

Always Azure: Controlled Burned and Thriving Slash Pines at Bluefield Ranch Natural Area

Controlled Burned Results at Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Controlled Burned Results at Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Controlled Burned and Thriving Slash Pines at Cypress Creek Natural Area

Weekly Photo Challenge:  Renewal

Nov 6

8 Comments

For all the fellow tree lovers out there, here’s a link (for the blog and Facebook page) to a most amazing woman and cause, devoted to protecting our ancient forests…. “God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.” -John Muir

Organikos's avatarOrganikos

Click above for the video made by Australian environmental activist Miranda Gibson, who has been living on a platform in a Eucalyptus tree in Tasmania’s southern forest. She has vowed to stay there until the forests receive more protection from logging. She writes about it at Observertree:

Observer Tree needs your help!

I’ve been at the top of this tree for over 300 days now. I think it’s time for the world to know I’m here. The more people who find out and add their voice to the call for forest proteciton… the sooner we can save Tasmania’s forests and I can get down!

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Oct 31

55 Comments

The Eyes Have It

An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language. ―Martin Buber

In preparation of an upcoming post on Black-crowned Night Herons, and in honor of Halloween, I give you the lovely and brilliant red and orange glowing pumpkin stares of these lovely wetland waders. I’m always captivated by birds’ eyes, but some are especially striking….

An adult’s red glowing gaze

A juvenile’s changing orange sight

 

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