Lost & Found—the Atala Butterfly
Let’s look at another Lazarus species (believed extinct but found alive). This time, let’s choose an animal: I present the beautiful little gem that is the atala butterfly.
Moth Week without even trying
Every week is moth week! Or should be anyway. These underappreciated cousins of butterflies are just as important and beautiful as butterflies. Many of them are quite stunning. My friends … Continue reading
Spring Treats
Spring is different in South Florida than in most parts of the country. Though we do have seasons, their transitions are more recognizable due to changes in humidity and the … Continue reading
Animals Adrift in my Suburban Pool
Getting dressed this morning for another routine day, I opened the curtains to let in some, but not too much, light. I don’t like seeing myself too clearly in the morning. … Continue reading
Ocean Rocks Part Two — Ball’s Pyramid
Nearly a year ago I wrote about Rockall, an odd lump sticking out of the North Atlantic. I’m finally getting around to another ocean rock. What’s the hurry?
Beachcombing for Things You Cannot Buy
Beachcombing ‘for’ isn’t even accurate. You can’t beachcomb for anything. You get what King Neptune thinks you need, and maybe you need nothing. And in the spirit of full disclosure, … Continue reading
Old Bones and (Nearly) Forgotten Cemeteries
Do you ever explore cemeteries? I’m one of those people who likes to walk around old graveyards. A taphophile is one who digs (Ha ha, get it? Sorry) graves, cemeteries, … Continue reading
In the Heart of the Sea
Today is the anniversary of a remarkable event in nautical history. The whaleship Essex, stove and sunk by a whale: the victim/leviathan fought back. The ultimate text on this tale … Continue reading
The Mushrooms Have Arrived!
Back here, I mentioned sending away for a kit to grow my own luminescent mushrooms. I’d like to follow up as I promised myself I would, and let you know … Continue reading
Vestiges — Ancient and Otherwise — in New York City
I recently returned from a long weekend in NYC. I hadn’t been back since 2008, and as always it has changed a lot. A bit cleaner and seemingly safer; consequently … Continue reading
The Mushrooms are Coming!
Or the mycelial fruit bodies are, via the USPS or UPS, not sure which. On my life’s list of goals has been to find and photograph bioluminescent mushrooms in the … Continue reading
Tropical Storm Brings Most Welcome Visitors
Is it because I drew them to me emotionally/spiritually/attitudinally, or did the change in barometric pressure due to T.S. Debbie Debby cause a change in behavior in these two beautiful … Continue reading
Moonlore: Our Verdant Satellite that Never Was
One August morning in 1835, New Yorkers awoke to the increasing heat and humidity of a typical northeast summer. Any one of them wanting to read about the events going … Continue reading
Ocean Rocks, Remote and Romantic — A Series for Those Who Stare at Maps
I’ve always loved to think and daydream. And maps and globes have always been catalysts to my daydreaming and pondering — particularly the little dots in the middle of nowhere … Continue reading
Bioluminescence Comes in Many Forms
It seems as though it is that time of year again, when I become intrigued and enchanted by fungi. I always am, of course, but now in warmer weather I … Continue reading
Photographers: Lyrid Meteor Shower to Peak This Weekend; May Be Best in Years
If you dig sky photos, look up this weekend: Lyrid Meteor Shower to Peak This Weekend; May Be Best in Years.
Sun Dogs, Moon Dogs, and Halos
I saw the coolest thing on April 1, and this is not a belated April Fool’s prank. The midday sun was encircled by an enormous bright & beautiful halo. It … Continue reading
Things I’ve been bitten by
I got to thinking about all the animals we get stung or bitten by in our lifetimes. I’m sure there are so many we don’t ever even become aware of, … Continue reading
I Met a Scrimshander
I was lucky enough to meet a very talented man many years back, with interests similar to mine (nautical art & oddities being one of them). He, however, didn’t just … Continue reading
Combing Through Castellow Hardwood Hammock
A couple weeks back I woke up with the usual sore back, only to bend down to feed our rabbit at the worst angle possible. I could not stand up … Continue reading
Green Animals are Cool
Now that Nome’s fueled up, I can get back to nature. Thanks to my neighbor across the street, who knows I like “weird things,” I’ve recently become acquainted with this … Continue reading
Nome’s (not) Burning.
Because apparently it’s running out of gas and oil. I’m lucky to have been to the great state of Alaska twice, and both times have been to the city of … Continue reading
Reindeer and Caribou and Christmastime
This day has got me thinking about reindeer and caribou, and which is which. While toads and frogs have differentiating characteristics and behaviors, and are definitely quite different animals in … Continue reading
Castellow Hammock Continued
Way back in October, I posted about a great walk I took through the Miami-Dade County Park of Castellow Hammock. It was great in no small part due to the … Continue reading
Found: The Big, Bad Manchineel Tree
I found it! In my earlier Post on the poisonous Manchineel tree, I had yet to find the specimen supposedly growing at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. I returned on October … Continue reading
Ah the Fecundity! A Fungus Walk through Castellow Hammock
This post has been long in the making. Not the text, which isn’t very involved, but the photos. Saturday, October 15, 2011 was an overcast day after many days of … Continue reading
Digger Bee Squatters’ Rights
You know the nozzle sprayers that go on the end of your garden hose? I have one unused in my yard, just sitting on a shelf between some plants. I … Continue reading
Painted Buntings, Nature’s Paint Palette, Return for the Winter
The Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) is unarguably the most colorful bird I could hope to see in my neighborhood in South Florida. We’ve got all kinds of parrots and other … Continue reading
Clathrus Crispus, the latticed stinkhorn
I like photo opportunities best when they seem to be presented to me, rather than preplanned or set up. It’s a serendipitous gift from nature in my eyes, providing a … Continue reading
The Greenhouse Frog
Frogs and amphibians in general are our environmental “canary in a coal mine.” Because they have porous skin, and need to return eventually to water to avoid dessication, they absorb … Continue reading
