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Posts tagged ‘nature’

Jul 9

16 Comments

Hang On

“All you need to do is hold on tight…and believe.” —Stephen King

We made our second visit to a wonderful 24-mile-large Everglades preserve this weekend (more images forthcoming, it’s beautiful land) — an area new to us, so each trail is an adventure. What’s so wonderful is that we’ve been completely alone each visit, save the rustling of the critters, a magnificent great-horned owl (sadly, no picture, as we startled each other within a matter of feet), and the awe-inspiring trees, wetlands, and swamps. Entering one trail, there was a ruckus among a saw palmetto plant, and a tiny lizard popped out of its depths — it doesn’t take much to create a cacophony in their noisy fronds. He simply sat on a nearby twig, seemingly perturbed at the brief interruption. Cutie.

Brave Lizard Along the Trail at Grassy Waters Preserve

Trailhead at Grassy Waters Preserve

Everglades Vista of the Grassy Waters Preserve

Jul 6

28 Comments

1…2…3 Gator Mounds & Their Protectors

Twenty million years as a resident of planet Earth, and counting…. Scientists believe that the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) resembles animals that inhabited our planet as long as 100-150 million years ago — and that they may be linked to creatures dating 50-65 million years ago, managing to avoid the extinction that killed off the dinosaurs, their prehistoric contemporaries.

I’ve posted images of alligator courtship, several on the gator babies (with more on the way — updates to our wetland babies!) — but we now have alligator nests to watch. At least 3 nests in one wetland preserve alone — with the momma gators keeping diligent guard. Alligator nests (or mounds) are built by the female, and comprised of vegetation, sticks, and mud. They’re usually located in a sheltered spot in or near the water. She lays 20-50 eggs, and covers them under more vegetation which heats as it decays, serving to incubate the eggs. The female will remain near the nest throughout the 65-day incubation period, protecting it. If a mother alligator is killed or removed, she can’t protect her nest or young — dooming the hatchlings. *Leave wildlife alone!*

It’s always wise, and healthy (wink) to know what a gator nest looks like (see below!), if you’re a hiker in our area — momma will most definitely be nearby!

Female Alligator Guarding Her Nest

Female Alligator… Keeping a Watchful Eye on Her Nest

Small Female Alligator Guarding Nest, Surrounded by Pond Apples

An Alligator Mound at the Water’s Edge

Alligator Mound from August ’11 — Newly Hatched

Jul 4

36 Comments

A Tiny and Striking Owl Finch

The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man. ―Charles Darwin

The Owl Finch — Bicheno Finch, or Double-barred Finch — is native to Australia, and can be found in open savannah-like habitats. The “owl” part of this tiny and striking finch’s name is due to the dark ring of feathers around an otherwise white face. The rest of these finches sport black and brown on their upper bodies and throats, with white underneath. A black band divides the breast from the throat, with another black line dividing the chest from the belly area. Their wings are mostly black, layered with speckles of small white uniform dots.

Owl Finches are known to be friendly, and interact well with mixed species — and sure enough, these handsome little finches were twittering about the lush and fairy-like Butterfly World’s Jewels of the Sky Aviary, the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the United States — even cohabitating with the butterflies.

Owl Finch

Owl Finch Displays Its Lovely Wing Patterns

Owl Finch and Its Striking Facial Markings

Jul 2

53 Comments

Look Closely…

I was so focused on a songbird on this tree’s branch, that I barely heard my guy gasping, in a barely audible whisper…. “Ohmahgawd. You’re gonna freak.” I love frogs — well, I seem to say that about everything — but I do love them and appreciate their vital role in our ecosystems.

I couldn’t even see what he was pointing at — did I need my spectacles? I had my telephoto lens working hard, so as to not disturb the bird. I quietly crept up to the trunk, and there it was: a tiny frog — he had to be two inches, at the most — nestled comfortably in the depths of a knot within the tree’s trunk. My eyes quickly became bigger than the knot itself.

I’m continually amazed at how much life trees support — seen and unseen.

Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
—Mary Oliver

A Tree?

Tree Frog… Closer…

Tree Frog Face… Peek-a-boo!

Jun 29

23 Comments

Yellow on Red: Wild Canaries & a Powderfuff

Nature does not hurry
Yet everything is accomplished. —Lao Tzu

The Wild canary (Serinus Canaria) — Canary, Common Canary, or Atlantic Canary — is native to the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira. These wild birds are mostly yellow-green, with brownish streaking on the back — similar to a sparrow in size and markings. It belongs to the finch family.

The bird is named after the Canary Islands, derived from the Latin Canariae Insulae, meaning “Islands of Dogs.” They were so named by the Romans, in honor of the islands’ native inhabitants breeding large dogs. So the word “Canary,” derived from the Latin Canis, means “dog.” The Spanish conquered the islands in the late 1400s, and returned to Europe with the yellow songbirds. From there, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, and later the U.S. bred their own versions of these colorful little birds, primarily for their sweet song. Germany became the center for breeding canaries, and for training them to sing. They were so widely bred, that by the beginning of the 18th century, 29 distinct varieties were already in existence. Today, the species is common in captivity, with myriad color variations — and breeders striving for more color, song, and physical diversity. But taking a peek at the original Wild canary, it’s difficult to find similarities to the bright yellow counterparts you may encounter today. Personally, I find them that much lovelier.

During mining’s heyday, canaries were taken deep into coal mines to detect gases; being sensitive, they would soon die if gases were present. On that note, I give you The Police’s Canary in a Coal-Mine, a great ditty that’s been in my head for days, understandably….

This golden beauty was twittering about the lush and fairy-like Butterfly World’s Jewels of the Sky Aviary, the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the United States. He finally settling on a Red Powderpuff plant (Calliandra haematocephala). Red Powderpuffs are subtropical shrubs/trees that are easy to grow (and not just in Florida, but they do grow LARGE here), and even better… They’re attractive to bees and butterflies — and obviously birds!

May your weekend be as golden and bright as this lovely little songbird!

Wild Canary Enjoying a Red Powderpuff Plant

Wild Canary Enjoying a Red Powderpuff Plant

Wild Canary Enjoying a Red Powderpuff Plant

Wild Canary Enjoying a Red Powderpuff Plant

Wild Canary Enjoying a Red Powderpuff Plant

Wild Canary Enjoying a Red Powderpuff Plant

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