Perfection and beauty in truth….
Posts from the ‘The Natural World’ Category
Dec 10
6 Comments
Dec 4
Support a Federal Wildlife Conservation Stamp
No worries, those humans will help!
Juvenile Cattle Egrets in Protected Florida Wetlands
The Federal Duck Stamp has a long history in the U.S., a program devoted to conserving this country’s pristine lands. The stamps themselves are beautiful pieces of art, and remain highly collectible. There are efforts to re-issue the stamp, now called the Wildlife Conservation Stamp, to help the currently severely underfunded wildlife refuges… See below for more information of this wonderful endeavor!
It is now more important than ever to draw on the diverse group of refuge advocates around the country to safeguard America’s wildlife heritage. National wildlife refuges have been underfunded since President Theodore Roosevelt created the first refuge in 1903 and Congress refused to appropriate money to manage it. Without adequate funding, habitats are not restored, invasive species are left unchecked, poaching and other illegal activities occur and our nation’s wildlife suffers.
Already underfunded and understaffed, National Wildlife Refuges are now facing even more budget cuts. And some members of Congress want to cut funding dramatically.
With already over $3 billion worth of incomplete projects, deeper funding cuts to National Wildlife Refuges could have catastrophic results. Further reductions could:
- End popular wildlife education programs for school children
- Close visitor centers
- Lead to layoffs for law enforcement officers, biologists and maintenance staff who keep visitors and wildlife safe
- Close entire Refuges, restricting public access
Learn more about this clever and wonderful initiative to protect our country’s land and wildlife — and sign the petition aimed to the White House — at http://wildlifeconservationstamp.org/
Nov 13
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
Oct 2
I had to share a post by David Kanigan on Lead.Learn.Live. Perhaps it’s my upbringing in Micronesia in the South Pacific, but this giant pod of dolphins brought tears to my eyes — so utterly beautiful and inspiring. As the witness says at the end of the video: “Once you’ve lived that experience, it obviously leaves a trace in your mind… you’re marked forever. And from that moment, you just want to protect that natural beauty.”
Sailors capture spectacular footage of rare dolphin super pod encounter
“They were aboard Horn’s 110-foot sailboat off Cape Town, South Africa, when perhaps as many as 10,000 common dolphins appeared around their boat, swimming in what’s sometimes referred to as stampede behavior. “At first, on the horizon, we noticed what appeared to be a giant ball of bait fish…The water boiled for literally a mile in every direction … only as it approached at the speed of a swift wave did we see first a nose, then another, then a dorsal fin and then a thousand of them, then more…Only then did we realize we were experiencing the rare ‘super pod’ of dolphins. Not dozens, not hundreds, but thousands of them — so thick you could have walked across their backs had they been game for it.”
~ The GrindTV Blog
Thank you Susan for the share.
Related Posts:
View original post 60 more words
Aug 28
Goodbye to You, Isaac!
Since Friday evening, we felt Isaac’s feeder bands with increasing force — Sunday and Monday were particularly…”active.” If you haven’t witnessed a tropical storm, hurricane, or their feeder bands, it’s a most amazing and beautiful sight — to stand in the open and watch a storm’s dark feeder clouds rapidly circling around you. The sheer force and expanse of these storms is awesome, and can put things in perspective.
However, I’m particularly grateful today, given our flooded neighborhood and city, that I freelance / work from home — GRATITUDE!
Flooded cul-de-sac
A new lake in the cul-de-sac! The other streets were equally…damp
And on another bright spot, the fish and ducks are VERY happy with the extra real estate.
Thanks St. Francis, for keeping those waters just a few feet from our little home….
A Motled Duck surveys her newly expanded lake
A happy Muscovy Duck eating at the water’s edge — near the house
An anxious Mouse surveys the lake, staying far above the flooded porch floor
Now, sending good wishes and love to the northern Gulf Coast, as a strengthening Isaac approaches on Katrina’s anniversary.
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 