The yo-yoing thermometer has many panhandle Florida residents in a state of seasonal confusion. Some want to know if we will have another visit from the dreaded Polar Vortex, the latest term for a dipping jet stream which will deliver colder temperatures. Others just want to know when warmer weather will be here to stay….Read more
The natural tri-colors of panhandle Florida’s winter are giving way to the soon to be arriving seasonal change. The dominant hues of green, tan and brown represent the evergreens and the deciduous species. The rainbow shades of brilliant spring will be here in a few weeks, but for now only a few plants offer any…Read more
One genus of plants, with both native and exotic members, is welcoming visitors to stop by for a snack or meal. Local hollies will soon be heavily laden with tiny blooms and deep green leaves. Ilexes, as hollies are scientifically known, are common in the temperate to tropical parts of the globe with species on…Read more
The rollercoaster nature of recent temperatures has been blamed on a variety of problems, primarily respiratory ills. The temperature was up, then down, then up and down again. The uncertainty makes it difficult to know if the heat or a/c should be on and whether to dress warm or cool. The weather’s wide variability has…Read more
Just 500 years ago Florida was barely identified, and the flora and fauna undocumented with little known of its complexity or diversity. Juan Ponce de Leon and the Spanish conquistadores who followed him claimed control of the state and geographic area for several centuries before being pushed out. Even today there are still places and…Read more
October has traditionally been the beginning of harvest season. Many agricultural crops are reaching maturity and, depending on several environmental factors, are soon to be ready for gathering. During the bygone era when the population was self-reliant and attuned to the seasonal changes, getting next year’s seed stock prepared was a critical activity. If next…Read more
Fall, believe it or not, will soon be in the air and on the thermometer. There will be a few warm days in October, but soon the 90 plus degree days in 2022 will be gone. Additional north fall color is developing in the vast hardwood forests of maple, hickory, and other showy tree species….Read more
The summer of 2022 has been ideal for wild plant life in panhandle Florida. As August progresses towards September and the “official start of autumn”, many native wildflowers are blooming. Some of these annuals are very showy with others being tiny and muted. All have the same purpose, production of seeds for the next year….Read more
Summer is usually considered the season of mostly green in the natural parts of panhandle Florida, and most other locations in North America. Soon this tonal attribute will change as the growing season ends and cooler temperatures arrive. Maples, sweet gums, hickory and many others make their contributions to the natural palette of shades and…Read more
Picky eaters are always a problem. They will literally turn up their noses at many, if not most, culinary options placed before them. For those making the offering available to the persnickety diner, the trial and error process of finding the right dish is particularly frustrating. This is especially true when considering the snobby consumer…Read more
