Today, a reminder of why we migrated south to this tropical paradise known as Florida. Although the early morning, just cool enough, allowing the sweet citrus vapors to drift through open windows, the partly cloudy skies would soon give way to a sweet Mother Mary Novena Blue, a brilliance that radiates images back to the earth so breathtakingly striking, one yearns for more! With stiff breezes bordering all out windy, one forgets that this land is tropical rain forest HOT for much of the late spring, summer and early fall seasons of the year.
This southern sky, with it's infinite expanse, tells a story. Today's clouds, so descriptive, would have allowed a soft blanket in the grass on which a body could observe these tremendous marshmallow like puffs floating quickly by, had it not been the thought of the multitudes of ants at ground level. Nice thought, however, a walk at the edge of the preserve or seashore will have the suffice.
As the afternoon sun begins its descent toward the western horizon, the stiff warm breezes continuing, we decide, sitting outside amongst the gorgeous display of fragrant gardenias, majestic royal purple petunias, perfectly showcased by the emerald green and white flowing spider plants cascading downward, would be a great ending to a near picture perfect day in the outdoors.
Rehashing the events of our day, sipping icy cold sweet green teas, we are treated to not one or two but three of Mother Nature's elusive and endangered raptors in flight. The swallow-tailed kite only makes its appearance mid-March through mid-May, it's striking black and white plumage so vivid against the tropical setting sun. As we watched these birds in flight, realizing how rarely we are treated to their company, we must learn more about our southern feathered friends. Built for speed, these birds only number around three to four thousand, will soon be leaving for their winter feeding grounds, some as far south as Brazil.
A quick search of the Internet reveals, the Audobon Society tracks these graceful birds of prey as they cross-cross the southern skies, from their breeding homes in the southeast to their winters in South America. Drops in their numbers caused by disappearing wetlands, pesticides and sport shooting, the Society's plea for help tracking these majestic and distinguished looking hunters would be our pleasure and a sincere a heartfelt thanks and commitment to our environment and those whose time, patience and diligence will insure these and all the creatures that share this planet, will continue to flourish.
This southern sky, with it's infinite expanse, tells a story. Today's clouds, so descriptive, would have allowed a soft blanket in the grass on which a body could observe these tremendous marshmallow like puffs floating quickly by, had it not been the thought of the multitudes of ants at ground level. Nice thought, however, a walk at the edge of the preserve or seashore will have the suffice.
As the afternoon sun begins its descent toward the western horizon, the stiff warm breezes continuing, we decide, sitting outside amongst the gorgeous display of fragrant gardenias, majestic royal purple petunias, perfectly showcased by the emerald green and white flowing spider plants cascading downward, would be a great ending to a near picture perfect day in the outdoors.
Rehashing the events of our day, sipping icy cold sweet green teas, we are treated to not one or two but three of Mother Nature's elusive and endangered raptors in flight. The swallow-tailed kite only makes its appearance mid-March through mid-May, it's striking black and white plumage so vivid against the tropical setting sun. As we watched these birds in flight, realizing how rarely we are treated to their company, we must learn more about our southern feathered friends. Built for speed, these birds only number around three to four thousand, will soon be leaving for their winter feeding grounds, some as far south as Brazil.
A quick search of the Internet reveals, the Audobon Society tracks these graceful birds of prey as they cross-cross the southern skies, from their breeding homes in the southeast to their winters in South America. Drops in their numbers caused by disappearing wetlands, pesticides and sport shooting, the Society's plea for help tracking these majestic and distinguished looking hunters would be our pleasure and a sincere a heartfelt thanks and commitment to our environment and those whose time, patience and diligence will insure these and all the creatures that share this planet, will continue to flourish.
