On April 25, the four fledglings from the first brood had flown up into the trees and for the next two weeks or so would be fed by their parents, primarily the male. I did not catch a single glimpse of any of them during this time. After the fledging event, I had taken the…Read more
Every year, just before the beginning of the hurricane season, many homeowners frantically seek professional assistance assessing the condition of their larger mature trees. This is done to determine if any of them present a significant risk to them or their neighbors’ property should they be subjected to significantly high seasonal winds. Most people can…Read more
Insects generally are viewed by the public-at-large as pest species which are tolerated in moderate numbers and eradicated when reaching the nuisance level. A prime example is the housefly, Musca domestica, the most common domestic fly in the panhandle and just about everywhere else on the planet. It accounts for about 90 percent of all…Read more
After the first egg was laid on March 19, I felt joy but also apprehension; I had already begun to develop that sense of concern that bluebird hosts get when anticipating what might possibly go wrong. Bluebirds lay one egg per day until they reach the final egg for that brood, usually between four and…Read more
There is the often-quoted Biblical admonition “By your fruits you will be known,” which commonly comes up when discussing behavior. In other words, a reputation will ultimately be based on the deeds and accomplishments of an individual, family or group. This warning advises long-term performance consistency is critical to establishing one’s good (or not so…Read more
I mounted the nest box and pole in my back yard in late February. Frankly, I didn’t expect much to come of it and was prepared for disappointment. A couple of weeks went by and I saw no birds. In the interim I did some rudimentary research about bluebirds, which consisted basically of looking at…Read more
As July fades into August, more residents are questioning how the trees in their home landscapes would fair in a tropical storm or hurricane. Some have a high potential to cause problems. Others, like the southern live oak, are less likely to damage structures. Live Oak is often used as a generic term for any…Read more
Over 10,000 species of plants are growing in the state of Florida. About 3,000 of these are native. About 10 percent of those native species are endemic or widespread to specific habitats. According to the Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP), an invasive species is defined as an organism (plant, animal, fungus or bacterium) that is…Read more
The low frequency droning is unmistakable. The casual flight pattern belies the potential agony of an encounter and the real possibility of a painful attack from multiple directions. Wasps in north Florida, and most other regions, are known for their dyspeptic nature and vile retaliation if provoked. They are the grumps of the mini aerial…Read more
As you read in the first column of this series, I’ve been hosting nesting bluebirds in my back yard for the past three years and have become quite fond of this beautiful and wonderful bird. Because bluebird hosts find this activity so incredibly rewarding, we hope others will become involved, not only to enjoy the…Read more
