Category: Outdoors

Posted on

Private, peaceful paradise among the palms

There is a small country road off bustling Atlantic Avenue in west Delray Beach that quietly leads to a hidden lush oasis—the Paradise Palms Botanical & Sculpture Gardens. This place combines beautiful nature and creative artwork unlike anything I’ve seen before. The unique Paradise Palms does not advertise its existence online, there are no signs to tell you where it’s located, it’s totally gated off, and visitors can enter its grounds by appointment only. I wouldn’t have known about it if someone hadn’t told me. And that’s the way they like it there.

If you’re fortunate to make an appointment and get into this 20-acre secluded paradise (it fits its title!), you can stroll through numerous well-curated gardens, groves, and micro-forests containing a plethora of plants, shrubs, and trees, including one of the most extensive palm tree collections in the country. You can see 2,500 palms in their natural environments, with at least 450 different kinds to enjoy. There are numerous pathways throughout the gardens, with ponds and bridges along the way, and breathtaking vistas.

I went with three friends one Thursday afternoon, and we were the only ones in the entire botanical park, except for some staff members. It was like we were walking through our own elegant estate. We were impressed by the large number of outdoor sculptures interspersed throughout the property, artfully situated among the landscaping of palms, vegetation, rock gardens, and cacti. We enjoyed rounding a bend and coming across yet another unique sculpture. The collection comes from all over the world, and the pieces are widely varied in style and materials used.

These sculptures have been collected over the years, some of which were commissioned for Paradise Palms, and many of them works by professional sculptors. Others are creatively made from old trees that were repurposed as art, or driftwood from nurseries, one painted a bright red. There was so much to see, a feast for the eyes. We especially liked “Guardian of the Garden,” a dramatic metal statue of a goddess with multiple horns on her head, sitting nestled among the rocks.

Paradise Palms has been an ongoing project since 2013, when 5 acres of land were acquired for this ambitious verdant undertaking. Later, two more sections, of 5 and 10 acres each, were added to make it the expansive, impressive estate that it is now. Delray Beach residents Mark and Kathryn are principal supporters of the gardens, which were developed by horticultural consultant Paul Craft and other landscape professionals.

Featured is a half-acre “open-air” conservatory of rare shade palms from Southeast Asia, Madagascar, and the Americas, in an artificially created rainforest. This environment is controlled by a complex mister system. My friends and I also appreciated the bucolic, Asian-themed zen garden. In addition, the grounds boast a yoga platform hidden in a small bamboo forest; a pond with koi fish; a tiki hut; a huge ficus tree; a butterfly garden; a miniature village for kids; and a “mini mountain” covered in trees, plants, and succulents that thrive in desert-like conditions.

We were given brochures with a map when we first entered the park, which helped us identify what we were encountering. Informative, illustrated signs are also posted along the paths to give visitors lots of details about what they’re seeing along the way. And the site’s management lets you roam the grounds on your own, but they’re frequently around to answer any questions.

Paradise Palms is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is “to preserve and promote knowledge and enjoyment of the more than 500 species of palm trees in this garden as an educational and aesthetic experience for visitors, enhanced by a variety of modern and contemporary sculptures.”

It was definitely an aesthetic experience that day for four women who felt very lucky to have discovered these secret gardens filled with displays of modern art. It was a lovely, peaceful afternoon that you wouldn’t expect just off the main drag of a busy city.

Paradise Palms Botanical & Sculpture Gardens is open by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. For information, go to paradisepalms.org.

Posted on

Fern Forest: a hidden oasis of green

One of the most verdant, lushly vegetated venues in Broward County is the Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek. True to its name, this secluded oasis is home to more than 30 varieties of ferns. A 247-acre nature preserve, and a designated Urban Wilderness Area, Fern Forest includes 10 different plant communities within its boundaries.

This well-hidden, high hedge-lined park is located just off South Lyons Road, parallel to the turnpike. The entrance is easy to miss and I drove past it the first time. Once inside the gates, I was impressed by the beautiful setting and ready for a nature hike. The property is very nicely maintained with good signage. I parked in one of the large parking lots near the picnic area, with includes a covered pavilion with eight picnic tables, and six additional picnic tables scattered nearby among the trees.

To reach Fern Forest Nature Center’s main building and its pathways, visitors traverse the entry boardwalk, which goes though an information gazebo and then on to the nature center. This impressive wooden building quickly comes into view as you stroll along the boardwalk between the trees and look up to see the large, two-story natural structure that appears like a giant tree house built into the woods.

The two levels of the building are connected outside by wide natural-wood stairs, with matching wooden benches and porches to rest on nearby, and there are elevators as well. The first floor houses the indoor exhibit area featuring interpretive displays on the park, as well as native reptiles, kids’ educational activities, a nature store, trail maps, reference guides, and a lot of cool science posters. Back outside, you’ll find their 120-seat amphitheater that’s open on three sides into the green, ferny forest, with long wooden audience benches and a raised platform at the front for concerts and other events.

Upstairs, the second floor offers the Royal Fern Hall, a 2,343-square-foot, air-conditioned assembly space that has capacity for 120 people and features an equipped catering kitchen and buffet counter. It’s available for meetings, receptions, and other gatherings. The views from up there are amazing.

After exploring the nature center building, I went off to discover the rest of the grounds, starting with the Cypress Creek Boardwalk Trail. This wheelchair-accessible, raised boardwalk is a half-mile loop through a beautiful low hardwood hammock and maple/cypress community. Built above the wetlands and with high rails throughout—separating you from the trees, water, and wildlife—it’s the safest route for those who don’t want to go on the uneven terrain and often-muddy ground trails of the outer wooded paths. It was a nice, scenic walk.

But there is so much more to discover at this nature preserve. The property features a wading bird habitat, a butterfly bridge, a pavilion/outdoor classroom, a restored cypress dome, and a rewatering channel with culverts, a pump, and a receiving pond. There are lots of scheduled programs and events on-site throughout the month.

For hiking, visitors can take the Wetland Wander Trail, the Prairie Overlook Trail, or the Maple Walk. The 1-mile Prairie Overlook loops through an open prairie and an oak/cabbage palm community and includes a 20-foot-tall observation platform. The rustic Maple Walk covers ⅓ mile of red maple swamp and can get soggy; tree markings help guide you. The Wetland Wander is a ¼-mile foot trail that runs parallel to a canal and wetlands community.

Fern Forest also has a bit of art. Just behind the nature center before the beginning of the walking trails, nestled in a clearing among trees, is the sculpture “Fern-Lore Guardian,” which is two bronze pod forms created by artist Jerome Meadows, installed in 1993 by the Art in Public Places program.

Besides artists, scientists also have been enticed here, including some from Florida Atlantic University and Broward Community College, who had visited Fern Forest and discovered more than 200 species of plants. And coming up for National Take a Hike Day on Sunday, Nov. 17, is a Wetlands Walk, where a naturalist will lead a hike through the swamp and guide the group on an exploration of native flora and fauna. This will start at 10 a.m.; preregistration and $3 are required.

If you like being surrounded by lush green foliage and going on some peaceful nature walks, then Fern Forest is the place to check out.

Fern Forest Nature Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, for no charge. For more information, go to www.broward.org/Parks/Pages/park.aspx?park=14.

Posted on

A turtle rehab center: From rescue to release

There is a place on the Atlantic coast where injured and sick sea turtles are brought into a state-of-the-art facility and nursed back to health. They are provided their own saltwater tank to swim in, given a name and identity, and treated like valued patients. The public can come visit for free and learn about these sea patients while watching them in their recovery.

It’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center, one of Florida’s most-visited nonprofit scientific sites. I first learned about this place when it was voted the best free attraction in the U.S. in USA Today’s 2024 Readers’ Choice “10Best” list—beating such icons as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Boston’s Freedom Trail, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And it’s not far away, in Juno Beach!

So I decided to go check out this impressive rehabilitation center with my son Jacob, who loves anything related to animals. We spent a half-day there, immersing ourselves in the wonders of the ocean and enjoying a place totally dedicated to sea turtle and ocean conservation. The center notes that visitors can “explore interactive exhibits, observe our sea turtle patients, and engage with marine experts”—and we did all three things.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center has been operating for over three decades. Its advanced hospital, founded by the Gray family, is a leading resource for sea turtle rehab. It includes a surgical suite, blood-work lab, and facilities for x-rays, endoscope, and ultrasound. The treatment protocol is to take turtle patients “from rescue to release,” with the plan of releasing them back into the ocean as soon as they are medically cleared.

When Jacob and I were visiting, we learned about sea turtles named Arugula, Willow, and Falafel. Each one had a sign on its tank with its name, age, date admitted, and a little story about what brought them there. For example, we learned that Arugula was a juvenile green sea turtle found entangled in a fishing line and suffering from fibropapillomatosis tumors. The hospital admitted the patient May 31, performed surgery to remove the tumors, gave Arugula antibiotics, and now was providing supportive care until it can return to the sea.

Some weeks after we visited, the center posted this on its website: “Public Sea Turtle Release: Join us as we say goodbye to sea turtle patient Willow. The release will take place on the beach behind the Center. Be sure to arrive early so you don’t miss out on the fun!”

I think it’s great that you can come see a turtle while it’s being actively treated, learn its story, and later watch it get released on the beach and return to where it came from.

Jacob and I also checked out a variety of exhibits there, including beautiful fish gliding around in salt-water aquaria, a huge, prehistoric Archelon sea turtle replica, displays of local wildlife, a glowing tank full of jellyfish, and educational exhibits about the marine environment of South Florida. We talked with some employees who were showing a range of turtle skulls on a table, providing us with fun facts.

We learned that Juno Beach is home to one of the largest loggerhead turtle populations in Florida, hence the name of the center. The beaches there host some of the highest-density sea turtle nesting in the world, and Loggerhead Marinelife Center researchers record each turtle nesting activity along 9.5 miles of beach adjacent to the center. Loggerheads range in size from 2.4 to 3.5 feet, and their name comes from their large block-like head. They also are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The center receives sea turtles from their very start in life, too. It has on display a tank full of turtle hatchlings, which many kids were excited to gather around and observe while we were there. And outside in front of the entrance doors, there is a “Hatchling Holding Area,” which includes a large cooler left out so that if people find live hatchlings on the beach and bring them to the center after hours, they can place them in sand contained in the cooler—for safekeeping.

“If the hatchlings are on their way to the ocean, leave them alone. If they seem weak and confused, bring them to the Center,” the sign there says. “We appreciate your help saving our local sea turtles.”

What a wonderful system for some of our state’s natural wildlife.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to marinelife.org.

Posted on

Refuge of strength, fragility at the Norton

The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is exhibiting Donna Conlon, an American-Panamanian artist active in Panama, born in 1966. Her still of “From the Ashes (De las cenizas),” a 2019 video, endorses the hummingbird as her current statement toward invasive climate change.

Conlon’s exhibit is as silent as it is real. The exhibition is a two-minute, 57-second soliloquy of the smallest things as a big reminder for nature conservation. Hummingbirds, typically measuring 3–5 inches in length, include the smallest species of the bee hummingbird, just about 2 inches long and weighing less than 2 grams.

That’s small.

But don’t underestimate their size. They have the highest mass-specific metabolic rate of any homeothermic animal. Hummingbirds play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. Their co-evolvement with specific plant species makes them highly efficient pollinators, and their ability to travel long distances helps in the cross-pollination of plants promoting genetic diversity. However, habitat loss and range shifts are causing hummingbirds to lose a significant portion of their current range. Reduced nectar secretion due to climate change can reduce the volume and sugar content of nectar. This leads to a decrease in nectar production and means less food for pollinators, which also affects the hummingbirds’ survival and reproduction. Extreme heat can reduce their food intake and energy levels.

While there are around 366 species of hummingbird found in their native lands of the Americas, currently 21 of them are listed as endangered or critically endangered. Although many hummingbirds live from 3 to 5 years, some can live up to a decade or more in the wild. This further emphasizes the need for natural habitat conservation and pollution reduction.

Note that Conlon’s message is likely most relevant when attempting to solve the big problems by focusing on the little things.

Naturalism and Contemporary Conveyance of Reality

While Naturalism emerged in the 19th century as an attempt to resolve the idealized and stylized art between Neoclassicalism (also found at the Norton Museum) and Romanticism’s errors in realistic portrayals of the real world, the conveyance of reality cannot be more employed within a naturalist aspect to address the conservatory issues in contemporary lifestyles today.

Conlon’s statement is blatantly honest. While her work is a socio-archaeological investigation into her immediate environment and daily life, the intersection between these two fields offers valuable correlations between habitat and reality. Social archaeology explores how the social dimensions of human life are reflected in settlement patterns, for example, as Conlon’s artistic focus is on identifying and revealing their idiosyncrasies. Her conveyance is connected and contradicted by human nature inherited from today’s contemporary lifestyles. Settlement patterns, especially under climate change, are as revealing in nature as wildlife, and how their existence thereof underlines the contextual aspect of health stemming from the environment.

Idiosyncrasies: Behavioral Peculiarities, Distinctive Features, and Physical Reactions

In native tribes, the hummingbird represents life, love, beauty, joy, and freedom. This is likely due to its procession of autonomic compliance to these qualities and by adjacency to contemporary dynamic consistencies. Hummingbirds are sensitive to change, making them important indicators of environmental health.

Again, back to the little things, it is not to underestimate them by their size. Watching the muscle power and strength of the bird in Conlon’s slow-motion graphic stimulates the same power of structure and endurance that the strongest swimmer swimming the 800-meter butterfly encompasses. In real time, its wings are flapping as rapidly as up to 80 beats per second.

That’s fast.

Conlon captures this distinctive and peculiar feature in which its idiosyncrasy is a common-sense way of seeing it from a formal point of view about the resilience such small creatures possess. Their power to bestow is entangled with human nature: Different species of hummingbirds prefer different types of flowers, which helps maintain plant diversity of plant species in their habitats. For humans, this means nutrition and food security, medicinal resources, and ecosystem services—and helping climate regulation by plants alone.

Perhaps the hummingbirds’ vibrant colors construct the symbolic joy embodied in human nature. One cannot undermine the beauty of fragility and, in life, as a connotation of peace.

The Little Things—Ways to Conserve at Home

Planting native flowering plants that are as resilient to climate change as the bird’s unique qualities can help ensure a steady food supply for these pollinators. From a natural standpoint, you can attract these lovely neighbors to come and say hello during the day! Planting native flowering plants can also help to house a nest for the female, who is responsible for caring for her young. Lastly, the hummingbird can help in insect control to those pests that may, unwelcomingly, like to hang around.

Donna Conlon resides and works in Panamá City, Panamá. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Kansas (1991). She also has a master’s in fine arts from the Rinehart School of Sculpture, Maryland Institute College of Art (2002). Her work is represented by Diablo Rosso in Panamá and by Espacio Minimo in Madrid. For more information about Conlon and her work, go to www.donnaconlon.com.

Posted on

A beautiful key right outside Miami

Where can you find an island just minutes from downtown Miami? That would be at Key Biscayne, just across the Rickenbacker Causeway from the city. It is Florida’s southernmost barrier island, and it lies between two large parks, Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the latter which is home to the 19th-century Cape Florida Lighthouse. This key is located between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Key Biscayne is a great place for a nice day trip, which I did on a recent Sunday with my fiancé and another couple. I was interested in seeing the sheltered beaches, mangroves, and tropical forest—which features lots of birds, butterflies, and loggerhead turtles—that I’d read about. The island also includes a golf course and an interactive nature center.

Key Biscayne is known for its outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, wind surfing, and water sports. We weren’t going there for those, but did plan to do a nature walk and go up in the historic lighthouse to see the breathtaking views that were advertised.

Driving through downtown Miami and onto the causeway brought sweeping turquoise water views as we motored over the bridge to the island. As we followed the one road (Crandon Blvd.) heading south, we came upon the well-to-do Village of Key Biscayne, which was incorporated June 18, 1991, in the center of the island. From there, we continued on to Bill Baggs park on the key’s southern tip.

A little history: Ponce de Leon named this area “Cape of Florida” when he led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513. Shortly after Florida became a territory of the U.S. in 1821, the island was bought from a local family for $100, and 3 acres were sold to the federal government for $225 for a military reservation. The northern two-thirds of Key Biscayne used to operate as the largest coconut plantation in the continental U.S. The lighthouse was first lit in 1825 by John Dubose, its first keeper. The lighthouse signal served as important navigation to aid and protect ships along the coast. The Cape Florida lighthouse was damaged during the Second Seminole War. A rebuilt tower was completed in 1846, and the lighthouse remains the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County.

The day we visited, my friend Susan and I had all intentions of touring inside this lighthouse. It is 109 steps to the top, and we planned to view the beautiful scenery from up on its wraparound balcony. As we waited in line on this hot summer day, we heard the employee stationed at the entrance communicating with another staffer who was at the top of the lighthouse. We were able to make out that there was a woman who had climbed the steps and then gotten lightheaded and was asking for water. The worker on the ground was saying they could only provide ice chips for this visitor’s neck.

I turned to Susan, alarmed, and said that maybe we don’t climb to the top. High heat and walking up steep steps usually don’t create a great situation for me! She agreed, and we headed back to where the others were waiting on a shady bench. The spectacular views would have to wait for a cooler day. Climbing 109 steps in 90-degree weather wasn’t a good idea.

We enjoyed exploring the area around the lighthouse though. We went inside the original lightkeeper’s cottage, read all the signs providing history of the island (including its role in slaves escaping to freedom in the early 1820s), and took a stroll down to one of the beautiful beaches. We did some walking along shaded nature paths. The park also boasts mangrove wetlands, wooden boardwalks, and lots of water views.

We stopped for a late lunch on our way out the causeway, at a restaurant with striking views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline: the landmark Rusty Pelican. It’s a bit of a drive off the causeway to reach this property. Unfortunately, the only place to park there is expensive valet parking, and we were not remotely close to any free lots. The restaurant is very pretty, our food was great, and we loved our view, but they get you twice with the parking.

Another place on the way back along the causeway is a smaller island, Virginia Key, less than a mile from downtown Miami. It features the Miami Seaquarium on its south side, with close-up views of dolphins and marine animals. We didn’t make it there on this trip. Those attractions will be saved for another day.

Posted on

Cooling off at S. Florida’s best water park

In the hot doldrum days of a Florida summer, there’s one place guaranteed to cool you off: Rapids Waterpark in Riviera Beach.

I went recently when family was visiting, which included my two 20-something sons, and they loved it. The place is big—probably the largest, most expansive water thrill park in South Florida—and has everything my sons love: more than 40 slides and attractions, including the new Mega Mayhem dueling water coasters, floating tube rides along the lazy river, a wave pool with music videos on a huge screen, the FlowRider surf simulator, and rows of elevated ropes to test your strength before dumping you in crystal-blue water. And there are souvenir booths, dining pavilions, and tiki bars for pina coladas and other tropical drinks. What’s not to love?

Rapids Waterpark is 35 acres of colorful, bustling, water-filled fun. There’s an attraction for everyone, of all ages and thrill levels. There are kiddie sections for the youngest splashers, as well as super-fast water slides for the most intrepid visitors. I recommend wearing water shoes or flip flops for the hot concrete around the park, and lots of applications of waterproof sunscreen if you’re spending the whole day under the bright sun. I also always had a hat and sunglasses on, though those going under water or down speed slides would have to put them aside.

We started our day in the 25,000-square-foot wave pool, which was refreshing and fun. The smooth waves begin rolling in timed increments, and when they stop, it’s just a nice, big pool to splash around in. We all enjoyed jumping in the waves when they were coming at us, with my sons going over to the deepest (6-foot) section at the back for extra fun. After we had enough of that, we headed to the lazy river, grabbing tubes and moving in one direction along the lagoon that circles around the park. We figured it was a good chance to see what the other attractions were, as the sky-high tube slides and platforms loomed over us while we floated on by. Eventually, my sons got out at one of the exit points and ran over to a large slide they had spotted. The rest of us continued drifting along—very relaxing and chill.

Eventually we walked around and toured the park. I’d never seen so many slides in one place—there were closed tube slides as well as wider, open slides, including ones where you sit on a mat and glide down—all ending with a splash in a small pool below. The high slides involved climbing steep staircases to reach the take-off spot. Not for the faint of heart. There were tamer slides for those who didn’t quite want the high-thrill experience.

Long lines were the norm for many of the slides. My sons spent a lot of time waiting. But they enjoyed the variety of rides and things to do there, and they are raring to go back. For one day, they turned into excitable little kids again. Like everyone at the park, they had a blast.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that a day at the Rapids is not cheap. We were throwing out money there left and right. Parking costs $15/vehicle for general parking ($20 for the “preferred” lot). Admission is a whopping $64.99/person ($5 off if purchased online, or coupons can be found). Once in the park, you invariably need to rent a locker to store valuables for your time spent in the water. A small locker costs $25 and a large one $35 (both with $10 refunded if you return the key at day’s end). Cabana rentals start at $249/day, which we did not do. Then there is the cost of food and drinks, which of course adds up quickly. You can’t bring your own food in, so we bought lunch there, which was a bit overpriced for what you get. Then of course everyone has to have ice cream.

So for a family, a day here is an expensive way to cool off. Some people buy the Gold Season Pass, which gets you discounts every time you go, throughout the year. This season was the 45th year for Rapids Waterpark. It’s a lot of money to spend at a park, but there’s a lot of fun to be had. Just watch out for sunburns!

 For more information, go to rapidswaterpark.com.

Posted on

Meet one of Florida’s Smallest Owls The Threatened Florida Burrowing Owl

The cute, brown and white speckled Florida burrowing owl, (Athene cunicularia) with its long legs and short tail, white eyebrows and big round yellow eyes, is the only own species out of 171 species worldwide, that lives and makes its nests underground.

Weighing in at a mere 6-oz., 9-in. tall with a 21-inch wingspan, the owls, listed as “threatened,” in the state of Florida, due to loss of habitat, can be found year-round in Florida, Mexico and parts of South America.

“The main threat (to the burrowing owl) is the continued loss of habitat,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission says on its website. “Threats to habitat include construction activities, development and harassment by humans and domesticated animals.”

The burrows, owls and their eggs are protected from harassment and disturbance by Florida state law.

In addition to their loss of habitat, the owls are at risk from flooding and natural predators, especially iguanas, an invasive species in Florida.

“Once you see them, they capture your imagination,” says Kelly Heffernan, an avian biologist and the founder and director of Project Perch, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Florida burrowing owl.

She founded Project Perch with the South Florida Audubon Society in 2008.

“They’re one of the only bird species with eyes in front of their face, like humans,” she says.  “This gives them an endearing quality.”

Typically, the Florida burrowing owl may dig its own nest or utilize the abandoned burrows of prairie dogs, armadillos, skunks, or pocket gophers.  Project Perch creates artificial burrows using inexpensive, 40-in. PVC sewer pipes which act as nesting chambers for the birds and irrigation control boxes, which become their home.

They get buried in the ground and covered by 6-in. of dirt and connected to the pipe which goes up to ground level.  In front, volunteers put a bed of white sand to attract the owls to the burrow.  When the birds fly out at night to hunt, they’re attracted to the white sand to burrow.

Breeding season is February 15 to July 10 and the owls live an average of six to eight years.  Both parents take care of their young until they are ready to fly the coop, about 40 days after hatching.

Females lay up to eight eggs within a one-week period, and they will incubate the eggs for up to 28 days.  Once the babies are born, they remain in their burrows for two weeks.  They begin learning how to fly at four weeks, but will not be able to fly well until they are six weeks old.  They continue to live with their parents until 12 weeks old.

Burrowing owls are different than other owls as they are active during the day time (diurnal) rather than at night.

Known as Florida’s “original homegrown pesticide,” the owls eat bugs, frogs, lizards, snakes, palmetto bugs, baby birds and mice and are a “holdover species,” from when Florida was (believe it or not!) a desert.

“They are an essential part of our environment,” Heffernan says.

As green spaces are developed, forests are cleared and wetlands are filled in, the owls turn to other open spaces, making their homes in parks, golf courses, school yards, vacant lots and airports.

Project Perch works with developers and other landowners to relocate the burrows and works to protect the owls by installing fencing around their burrows to keep power mowers away from the tunnels and by nurturing the birds by constructing artificial perches to give them a lift.

Perches help the owl see ground predators by increasing their field of vision and allowing them to spot nearby prey.

The non-profit’s artificial burrow design attracts the owls to high-dry ground instead of being susceptible to the burrows’ possible flooding and collapse.

Locally, both the Coral Springs Sportsplex and the Parkland Golf & Country Club, an Audubon certified gold community, have successful initiatives, led by Cooper City volunteer Paul Kragh (“Owl Man Paul”), a retired operations manager for McDonalds and the director of burrowing owl conservation for Project Perch.

Kragh worked with Joe Postel, director of agronomy for the Parkland Golf & Country Club, who reached out to the non-profit in 2023 when the golf course was undergoing an $8M renovation.

“A week before construction began, a burrowing owl showed up on the 18th hole,” remembers Postel.

Although the diminutive bird threw a potential monkey wrench into the club’s renovation timeline, Postel says members were captivated by the bird, they named Bunker.

“They  took a liking to the little guy,” he says, noting that a photograph of Bunker, taken by a member, hangs in the British consulate in Miami.

They set up a live stream camera in the burrow so members could observe Bunker, featured him in the community’s “Critters of Parkland Golf & Country Club” newsletter and created an artificial burrow to relocate him from the 18th hole.

“They’re an interesting species,” says Postel.  “This is a perfect example of how natural habitats are so important to our threatened wildlife and how we must act to protect them.”

“Bunker brought us so much joy and wonder,” he says, noting how otherwise busy members took time to rally around him and go out of their way to ensure his survival.

And, although Bunker left the golf course presumably to find a mate, Postel hopes another will take advantage of the artificial burrow they created.

Additionally, Kragh has implemented successful mitigation projects in the Florida Keyes at Radio Marti in Marathon, a government-owned island and radio towers known for broadcasting news and information to residents of Cuba during the Cold War.

Now, situated on acres of open field, Kragh and a crew of volunteers installed six pairs of artificial burrows.

Other mitigation projects include the Isle Casino in Pompano Beach and at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where due to runway construction, the owl colony diminished significantly.

If, however, you are fortunate to spot a burrowing owl, it’s best to leave them alone, advises Kragh.

“People love to look at these cute birds,” he says, “but it’s best to leave them be.”

“Observe them from a distance,” he says.  “Get a pair of binoculars or use a long camera lens when you go ‘owling’.”

Having survived since the late 1880s in South and Central Florida, this species needs some help from its human counterparts to better adapt and survive into the future.

“It’s up to us to save this native species,” says Heffernan. “They don’t fly or migrate anywhere else; they’re ours to keep or lose.”

What You Can Do To Help:

  • Add T-perches near a burrow being careful not to disturb/puncture the tunnel.  It is best to have Project Perch or a registered agent from the SFWC help with that.
  • Restrict the use of rodenticides and pesticides.  Burrowing owls also
    feed on mice.
  • Consider installing an artificial burrow.  Look at ProjectPerch.com to see if your home is a good location for owls and contact them if interested.  You can also create a starter burrow.
  • Report medically injured owls to the SFWC at (954) 524-4302.
  • Keep pets away from the owls’ burrow sites and put a bell on the collar of your outdoor cat to reduce the loss of birdlife.
  • Report malicious destruction or harassment of burrowing owls or their nests to (888) 404-3922.

Visit projectperch.org

southfloridawildlifecenter.org

Posted on

Exercise safely in hot weather

Many people flock outside in warm weather to jog, play basketball, or do yard work. But when the temperatures rise, “easy” exercise becomes a huge physical undertaking, and intense exercise can be deadly. If your body’s temperature regulation system is overtaxed, you’re at risk of developing a heat-related illness. Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself in extreme summer heat.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

Exercise and warm weather increase your core body temperature. When you combine the two —for example, when you run on a hot, humid day—even seasoned athletes need to exercise caution. Your body cools itself by sweating, but cooling down is harder in humid weather because perspiration doesn’t evaporate as quickly from your skin. Your heart rate rises as your body works hard to keep itself cool.

Before you lace up your running shoes or head to the tennis courts, take a look at the weather report. If the temperature or humidity is high, scale back your workout. A workout that feels easy on a temperate day can be dangerously intense on a hot, humid afternoon. Respect your body and your own limitations. People with larger bodies, the elderly, kids, and those not accustomed to rigorous exercise should be extremely cautious in hot weather.

Dress Appropriately

When exercising in heat, what you wear matters. Light-colored, sweat-wicking clothing is best for hot weather; dark, heavy clothes can make you even hotter. Gear such as protective padding or a helmet also traps heat and raises your body temperature. If you have to suit up, shorten your workout intensity and duration.

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses and don’t forget the sunscreen. Choose water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels), and apply it 30 minutes before going out. Continue to reapply sunscreen according to the package directions. Sunburn decreases your body’s ability to cool itself.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

When the temperature heats up, make sure you drink enough fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated, and enjoy water-rich foods such as crisp lettuce, watermelon, grapefruit, broccoli, and tomatoes.

It’s surprisingly easy to lose a few pounds of water weight through sweating. Weigh yourself before and after working out, and replace each pound of weight lost with 2 to 3 cups of water. Water is a good choice because it moves quickly through your digestive tract and into your tissues. If you’re sweating heavily or exercising for more than 60 minutes, sports drinks can help your body rehydrate more efficiently.

Know the Warning Signs: Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

Dehydration is a serious medical condition. Exercising in hot, humid weather can rapidly raise your body’s core temperature, putting you at risk for heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures, and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. The following are signs of heat exhaustion:

  • Heavy sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Fainting
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dark urine
  • Cool, moist skin

If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heatstroke. Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Body temperature may rise to 103°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

With heatstroke victims, look for the following symptoms:

  • Dry, hot skin (no sweating)
  • Rapid, weak pulse
  • Confusion
  • A body temperature of above 103°F
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

If you see someone with any warning signs of heatstroke, call 911 immediately, then cool the victim however you can (for example, move them to a shady spot or an air-conditioned location, or wet their skin with a sponge or hose).

Posted on

Peacock fever

You are not seeing things, that’s a peacock on the road.

Like occasional gator sightings, or seeing a turtle cross the street, seeing a peacock on a Parkland side street is another reminder of how close we live to nature.

Peacock sightings are also a legacy of the fact that the Parkland and Coral Springs area used to be farm and ranch land. In the past few decades, new developments were added, but small farms are still thriving in our area.

These large pheasants are not native to Florida, or even the Americas. The most memorable peacock with blue and green plumage comes from the Indian subcontinent. They first arrived as pets or for specialty farms, and over time they were released or escaped into the wild. They are omnivorous, and will eat plants, flowers, seeds, insects, even reptiles, and amphibians. So South Florida is paradise for them.

Technically, peacocks are the male peafowls, whereas the peahens are the females. But the brilliant display exhibited by the males during mating season makes them a more iconic image for the species.

Throughout scientific history, there is much speculation about why peacocks have such a vibrant display. Darwin speculated that the peahens, through a long line of descent, must have “appreciated this superiority.” But scientists are not sure if the large tail plumage, or the train, is due to natural selection as Darwin postulated.

A multiyear study in Japan concluded that peahens did not show a preference for large trains. In fact, peacocks with more symmetrical, or elaborate train (more eyespots) affect the peahen’s choice of mate.

The eyespots, or ocelli, do seem to affect peahens. The angle at which they are displayed seems important to holding the peahen’s attention. The dance and rattling of the tail seem to be an attention-grabbing aspect of their ritual. For most human observers, it’s the eyespots that are most mesmerizing.

The eyespots are composed of intermeshed features held together by microhooks. The eyespot’s structure keeps the spots stable when the peacock vibrates his tail to attract the peahens. The vibration usually has a frequency of 25.6Hz, which is audible for the peahens, and able to keep the attention of most observers looking at it.

While scientists continue their research into this area, we can all enjoy these displays when we find them on the street or at a local farm. However, some in the neighborhood with a peafowl population may be more concerned about their noise. The typical peacock sound has been described as a cross between a bird call and a baby crying out.

Before you consider harming these gorgeous birds, keep in mind that even though peacocks are not native, they are protected under a Florida statute, which may result in a fine of $5,000 and/or up to a year in prison if you are found guilty of shooting a peacock. The penalty is even more if one tortures or intentionally harms a peacock—up to 10 years in prison.

You may see them mostly wobble or hop around. Peafowls can fly around a mile in a single flight, so with an abundance of food locally, they can quickly become wild and adapt to our southern Florida climate.

So you may find yourself face to face with a peafowl, even if you are not next door to a farm or do not park where these birds reside.

You may also find leucistic variants, which is a natural loss of pigmentation, similar to white lions and tigers you have seen. These are prized by some, and bred locally for pets.

This spring, hopefully you will be lucky enough to see them in person. If not, enjoy the pictures we have collected of local peacocks!

 

 

 

Posted on

Diving deeper with dolphins

Dolphins are known for their playful personalities. We love watching them leap into the air and swim alongside boats. Many of us even have swimming with these adorable mammals on our bucket lists. But dolphins aren’t all fun and games. Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures that can be aggressive, cunning, and remarkable, which explains why our NFL team is named after them!

Dolphins love to play games—sometimes at the expense of other animals. When it comes to game playing, dolphins are masters at having fun. In many instances, dolphins have been observed tossing fish or turtles to each other for sport. On an episode of BBC’s and PBS’s “Spy in the Wild,” a pod of dolphins is caught snatching a lone puffer fish and playing catch with it. The dolphins are careful not to bite the fish too hard, as they know the puffer fish are poisonous. But these cunning mammals also know that when they consume small amounts of puffer-fish poison, it acts as a narcotic, relaxing the dolphins and taking the game—and the dolphins—to new heights.

Male dolphins form gangs. A study published by the National Academy of Sciences found that young male dolphins form close bands of two to three dolphins to find females to mate with. These bands also work together to defend against other dolphins looking to take the females. In instances where backup is necessary, these small bands are linked to a larger network of male dolphins that serve as allies. These male gangs can form a network of up to 50 dolphins.

Dolphins are naval assets. According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, dolphins have an entire area of their brain dedicated to echolocation, meaning they can “see” with sonar, helping them navigate and hunt in deep and murky water. Considered one of the most sophisticated sonar systems known to nature, their echolocation skills have made bottlenose dolphins a naval asset. Since 1959, dolphins have been an important part of the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program, helping to identify and guard against mines and other underwater threats.

 Dolphins can stay awake for two weeks straight. Imagine going 14 days straight with no sleep and maintaining your health and mental acuity. Sounds completely impossible, right? For dolphins, it’s not a problem. The two halves of a dolphin’s brain can sleep in shifts so that dolphins are constantly half awake. This uncanny ability to literally sleep with one eye open helps dolphins guard against predators.

Dolphins are deep thinkers. Dolphin brains contain spindle neurons, which are associated with advanced abilities such as problem-solving, recognition, reasoning, communication, and even adapting to change. The presence of these neurons suggests that dolphins are actually deep thinkers. Many years ago, at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Mississippi, a dolphin named Kelly astounded trainers with her cunning behavior. One day, when a gull flew into her pool, Kelly caught the gull and handed it over to her trainers, who rewarded her with lots of fish. Kelly quickly learned from this experience. The next time she was fed, she hid one of the fish at the bottom of her pool and later used it to lure more gulls to her pool. Then she would catch the birds and hand them over to her trainers, reaping the rewards of even more fish.

Posted on

Seven surprising facts about reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, and—of course, Rudolph the iconic, red-nosed reindeer. But did you know that—if accurately depicted—all of Santa’s reindeer would be pregnant females? That is just one of the fascinating facts I learned about reindeer on a visit to Running Reindeer Ranch in Fairbanks, Alaska, earlier this year.

Fact #1: Both male and female reindeer grow antlers every year, but only pregnant females keep their antlers through the winter (it helps them forage for food in the snow). All other reindeer shed their antlers at the end of fall. Hence, Santa’s reindeer must be carrying more than just presents!

Fact #2: Because they only grow during spring through fall—which is a short period of time in Alaska, with spring and fall each lasting about two weeks—reindeer antlers grow about one to two inches per day. According to our reindeer wranglers, after they leave work on Friday and come back on Monday, some of the reindeer have added a whopping four inches to their antlers!

Fact #3: Female reindeer normally grow bigger antlers than males do, which is why the leader of the herd is usually a female, as was the case at Running Reindeer Ranch.

Fact #4: Reindeer antlers are made of bone, meaning these animals can inflict some serious damage when fighting or defending themselves.

Fact #5: While growing, reindeer antlers have a velvety outer layer that looks very inviting to touch. But there are nerve endings and blood in the growing antlers, so touching them makes the reindeer uncomfortable. It’s a big no-no on the ranch! Once the antlers are fully grown, this velvet layer dries up and itches, so the reindeer rub their antlers against trees to get it off.

Fact #6: Reindeer are the only species of deer that have been domesticated. People have been domesticating them for about 7,000 years now—longer than they’ve been domesticating horses.

Fact #7: Reindeer can see ultraviolet light, which helps them survive the harsh arctic winters. Their main winter food source is lichens, plant-like organisms that absorb ultraviolet light and appear black in the reflective snow. The ability to see ultraviolet light allows the reindeer to find the lichens and also helps them to spot predators.

Running Reindeer Ranch (pictured here) is owned and operated by Alaskan natives Jane Atkinson and Doug Torelle. They have a herd of 13 reindeer, with more on the way come spring. They offer visitors the opportunity to walk among their herd through a birch forest and learn all about these amazing creatures that—bonus fact—thrive at a temperature of 40 below zero!

Thinking about ditching the Florida heat to start a reindeer farm in Alaska? Think again! In Alaska, only those native to the state are allowed to own raindeer.

For more information, visit https://runningreindeer.com.

Posted on

Immerse yourself in tropical Flamingo Gardens

There is a 60-acre botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary in Davie, featuring more than 3,000 species of tropical, subtropical, and native plants and trees, and home to the largest collection of Florida native wildlife. Their slogan: “We ask that you take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.”

My friend and I went there recently, and we adhered to their instructions. It’s a beautiful, natural setting. It’s called Flamingo Gardens, and yes, it does have many pink flamingos, but it also has a lot more.

Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens in South Florida. It was founded by Floyd and Jane Wray, originally as an orange grove. Specialized botanical gardens here include naturalized orchids, cycads, heliconias, and more. The arboretum contains some of the largest trees in Florida. The state began keeping the Florida Champion Tree Register in 1975, and Flamingo Gardens boasts 15 Champion Trees. One of them, the Indian jujube, is also a National Champion, the largest of its species in the country. We were quite impressed by the majestic scenery surrounding us as we toured the venue.

Flamingo Gardens is part of Long Key, a natural oak hammock containing an untouched hardwood forest. There is also the Wetlands Walkway, where visitors can take nature walks and see all kinds of birds. In addition, throughout the area, peacocks, iguanas, and cats roam around, as this is their home.

Flamingo Gardens is owned and operated by the Floyd L. Wray Memorial Foundation, started by Jane Wray in 1969 in honor of her late husband. She sold off much of the original property but kept 60 acres for the wildlife refuge, where animals from the site’s “backyard,” the Everglades, are cared for, as a guide informed us. Wray’s goal was “to preserve the core property for future generations and emphasize the flora, fauna, and history of the Florida Everglades.”

The Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary is a place that takes in injured or nonreleasable native wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, otters, hawks, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, peacocks, and, of course, flamingos. It also houses threatened species such as the American alligator, American snapping turtle, Florida burrowing owl, wood stork, bald eagle, and Florida panther, which now serve as animal ambassadors in educating the public about the Everglades.

Nestled in the hammock of 200-year-old oaks is the Wray Home Museum, which was built in 1933 as a weekend residence for the Wray family. It is now a cultural landmark and the oldest residence in Broward County west of University Drive. It has been restored to provide visitors “with a glimpse of life in South Florida in the 1930s.” My friend and I toured it and enjoyed the historical items from that period of time. We also were amused by the peacocks that hang around outside. One magnificent male kept strutting around in front of the museum building, showing his plumage and doing a little dance to woo the nearby peahens. He didn’t have any luck, but he put on a good show for us.

We ate lunch at the Flamingo Pond Snack Bar and then jumped on a tram at the nearby station, which picks up passengers throughout the day and takes us on a tour around the property. We had a very good tram tour guide who gave us lots of information about the cultural history, special features, and verdant nature all around us.

Flamingo Gardens has something for everyone, including the Wildlife Encounter (held at various times), a tropical rainforest, a butterfly pavilion, a pollinator garden, a tropical fern section, a cactus and succulent garden, and even a wedding gazebo. And, off the beaten track, there were lots of cool animals to see. We visited a variety of them in their enclosures and were thrilled when a parrot said “Hello!” to us when we walked by.

It’s a lovely place to spend some time. You won’t regret it.

Flamingo Gardens is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. For information, go to FlamingoGardens.org.

Proudly powered by WordPress