Gary
The Serengeti Plain in Florida
Several species of zebras roam the open scrublands graze on wild grasses. Giraffes, some 15 feet tall saunter into the shade of taller trees. Rhinos browse the wild plants of the plain as antelope wander from across the grasslands. It is not Africa, but it is a similar habitat within Busch Gardens, Tampa. Except for […]
Exotic Butterflies in Maryland
Tropical rainforest butterflies float over flowerbeds seeking the sweet nectar the blossoms produce. Morpho butterflies, iridescent sky blue above and brownish below land on a tray with rotting fruit to sip the salts and nutrients from soft bananas, pears and watermelon. Owl butterflies with large eye spots to scare predators also enjoy the produce. Zebra […]
Ghost Plants of American Forests
A peculiar wild flower grows in many forest throughout North America. It is a strange plant because it has no chlorophyll, the substance that gives plants their green color and is critical in the production of food for the plant through photosynthesis. It is totally white – stems scale-like leaves and flowers. It depends on […]
The Grapes of Cocoa Beach
During a recent trip to Cocoa Beach, Anne and I walked from our small suite to the Atlantic Ocean beach front. Our short hike took us through a dune community dominated by a dense growth of sea grapes, a tree flattened by sea breezes and thriving in the dry sandy soils. Large rounded green leaves, […]
Florida Drought 2017
It is May 2017 and the Southwest Florida Water Management District has issued Phase 3 water shortage restrictions limiting the use of water for watering lawns and washing cars. The below average rainfall this winter has contributed to the dearth of water. Lakes are receding into shallow ponds concentrating fish, frogs and other aquatic […]
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