Ahhh, it’s Valentines week and love is in the air. All around the globe humans are acting as if they were smitten by love for the very first time. “I love you, my itsy, bitsy baby.” “No, I love you more” is the reply. “No, I love YOU more, my little cuddle kitten.” Even some of the animal kingdom seem […]
Stepping Stones
A Walk to Remember
Stepping StonesTwo issues ago it was a pleasure to inform you about an area just south of San Marco Road on U.S. 41 called the Marsh Trail. It’s a magical place this time of year, with a great variety of birds feeding in the prairies and along the shorelines of the brackish water, dotted with red mangroves and gumbo limbo trees. […]
From Tall to Small…Some Area Birds
Stepping StonesGo There, Do That What: Presentation on white pelicans, bald eagles and burrowing owls. Where: Rose History Auditorium/Marco Island Historical Society, 180 S. Heathwood Drive, When: 7-8 PM on January 21, 2019. Cost: Free for MIHS members, $10 non-members. South Florida is host to a large variety of birds, some of which are here all year long and others that […]
A Bird Paradise…The Marsh Trail
Stepping StonesNot too far from Marco Island is a magical place where birds go to feed, relax and rest for the night. Every journey there holds a new surprise for those looking to see our area birds and, oh yes, throw in a gator or two. I’ve never seen such a variety of bird species in one specific area anywhere in […]
An Eco Year For the Records
Stepping StonesAs 2018 comes to a close, it is traditional for folks to exclaim “Happy New Year!” and to wish each other a healthy and prosperous 2019. In the case of Southwest Florida’s environment and ecosystems, I am not only wishing for a healthy upcoming year, I am begging, on my knees praying, that things get better. This has been a […]
Lake ‘O’ Reservoir…Is It Still a Go?
Stepping StonesFor several years there has been talk, and hope, that a reservoir would be built to alleviate the releases of water from Lake Okeechobee into the St Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. These discharges constantly bring unwanted nutrients from the lake which flow all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, having a negative, and sometimes deadly, effect […]
Giving Thanks… For Baby Dolphins
Stepping StonesNow that you’ve sat down and enjoyed that turkey dinner, spent time with family and given thanks for all that you have, it’s time to be thankful for one more thing. When expressing our gratitude this time of year we often forget to look “outside of the box” and appreciate some of the signs and signals that remind us we […]
Year End Roundup… Already?
Stepping StonesMaster Naturalist
Holy Moly! What an astounding year we’ve had in South Florida! It seems like events began in September of 2017 when Hurricane Irma passed directly over Marco Island and never quit. During the next 14 months, the surprises just kept on coming, with no apparent end in sight. Let’s take a look at what we experienced, both good and bad. […]
Our Natural and Artificial Reefs
Stepping StonesDo you like to snorkel? How about scuba diving? How about fishing in a location where you know you’ll catch something? If so, you are more than likely to visit a reef system, be it natural or artificial. There are several options throughout the state and even more in the past few years with the development of artificial structures in […]
Wildlife Recovery… Not So Simple
Stepping StonesWhen we last corresponded, topics of deep concern were red tide, brown tide and blue-green algae and their effects on land, waterways and tourism. It was noted that 2.7 tons of dead fish were removed from Lee County beaches alone, at least 170 manatee deaths occurred, 49 dolphins washed ashore and hundreds of sea turtles lost their lives, all attributed […]
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