Tag: Native Species

Noisy Native Ground Nesters

There are certain sounds which attract the immediate attention of people and set off instinctive reactions. Car alarms and sirens are two good examples. At the first sound of a car alarm, most of those present instantly look around to see what occurred. It may as be simple and harmless as the owner accidently hitting…Read more

Florida’s Hungry, Frenetic, Humming Flyers

With spring’s beginning there is an added frenetic pace to contemporary life in north Florida. Time off for spring break, with its increase in vehicle traffic, and the home landscape chores accumulating while the beach and tourist traps are visited both add to the chaotic rhythm of the season. The domestic deeds, tasks, and jobs…Read more

Florida’s Crafty Marsupial

The seasonally cool weather has had a silencing effect on the nighttime chorus of insects, amphibians and most other animals. The frogs and cicadas have taken shelter in anticipation of the imminently arriving warmer months. With the exception of the barred owls, even much of the avian population is silently waiting out the dark hours….Read more

Deceptively Dangerous: The Io Moth Caterpillar

Looks, as the old saying goes, can be deceiving. It is a cautionary pronouncement from experience in springs past, usually painful and expensive, to serve as a warning to those who follow and hopefully to avoid similar complications if the advice is heard. In most situations a threat in nature can be easily identified and…Read more

An Ant’s Worst Nightmare

The old saying identifies the lion as the king of the jungle, feared and respected by all.  Every creature which lives in or enters its realm, be it jungle or savanna, must respect the hierarchy of the order. Legend has it the regal creature can be generous with vassals or savagely brutal.  The reason or…Read more

Woodworkers to Watch Out For

There are certain sounds which cannot be ignored. They convey an immediate message which calls the listener to be alert and prepared. These noises, even in the panhandle, are uniquely distinct and are not likely to be confused with other audio messages. One of these acoustic alarms is buzzing, especially in close proximity. While there…Read more

From Regal Roosts, They Watch and Wait

Having a distinctive and easily identifiable physical feature can often prove to be a beneficial resource. This visible trait makes it easy for the viewer who encounters the notable subject to quickly know and make the necessary accommodations. The distinguishing trademarks in humans can include from unusual height, striking eye color, or even a dignified…Read more

If Red Touches Black, It Is a Friend of Jack

The warmer weather’s approach has many residents of the panhandle believing the winter of 2021/22 is soon to be finished, and it might be.  The nightly ruckus of toads and frogs staking out their territory becomes louder each evening, and even mosquitos have returned in small numbers. Unseen in most cases, but just as active…Read more

Watchers From Above, Hungry and Waiting

Life can be lonely at the top, but there are certain advantages. Command of the heights is an entrenched doctrine of every military unit on the globe.  The value of this convention lies in the simple fact that controlling the high ground allows gravity to do some of the work of hitting targets fast and…Read more

On the Prowl at a Snail’s Pace

The lengthening days and less intense cold fronts, signifiers of spring’s approach, are speeding up the activity level of many plants, animals and fungi. Home landscape chores will soon shift from raking leaves and pine straw to mowing and edging. During this current period of mostly moderate temperatures, the installation of new ornamental plants and…Read more