A saunter, Wood Stork, and Terry

December 17, 2023

The photo above is of a Juvenile Wood Stork and a personal awakening. Here’s what happened. A flock flew in – adults, juveniles. They huddled, but this young one immediately hop-stepped to the pond. Just before I took this picture, its parent charged and squawked with big-deal heightened energy. Juvenile cowered in fear, yet stayed. Ten or so seconds later, that scuffle disappeared, and I took this photo. 

 

Just like that. Calm, open. Being itself. 

 

This young bird would remind me, again and again, to face, feel, and remember my basic nature as Terry* (and I) similarly and differently began the Bardo between our life together to the next. To rebirth - something already familiar in one breath to the next, moment to moment, yesterday to today.

 

In our shared life, Terry was a notice-er. I remembered a work trip to Italy, when we wandered the streets of many cities. I watched him pause and study flaking paint on cathedral doors and decaying and crumbling walls. Unlike others like me rushing off to take photos of iconic artworks such as Michelangelo’s David, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, or Florence’s Duomo Santa Maria, his eyes were drawn to the layers and dissolution. When he showed me the photographs, I realized the importance of slowing down. Teachers say speediness affects presence.

All of Terry's photos are here.

This might be too personal. It’s significant. Five days before the energy I knew as Terry continued, he surprised me late in the night. He woke from a sleep state and crawled partway into our bed. (His hospital bed was next to our bed.) The crown of our heads touched in the dark. I felt an exchange of energy as if I was dying, too, within a context of love. I experienced timelessness –an ineffable peace. A blessing for us?

 

I believe Terry is okay.

 

I’m okay, too. 

Juvenile's practice is mine, and that late-night experience gives me confidence and devotion. Though mourning arises as it will, I'm waking up anew in response to it. Practice, being with wise teachers, trips to the planetarium to see a James Webb cosmos perspective crystalize the Four Thoughts. Pema Chodron’s book title and phrase, no time to lose, rings a bell for study and practice. 

Sitting like bird fosters peace.

Onward… 

* Terry (my beautiful husband) died peacefully October 29, 2023.

Belted Kingfisher and Mary Oliver's Invitation

A lucky photo amidst the movement, Belted Kingfisher, 10/12/23

Woke early to the Belted Kingfisher trill. Two of them calling, back and forth in that melodious strive. I stood under a tree canopy in the rain to watch. Then later, Oliver's Invitation. "To be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world." It means everything.

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.

Hurricane Idalia, 8/30/23

 

    Hurricane Idalia, effects. August 30, 2023

Hurricane Idalia swept the Gulf Coast, its strongest winds offshore. Light debris covers many roads in Wildewood. This will be an easy clean-up for our area. For those north of us, there is a lot of damage.

Look for more photos on the Wildewood Wonders Facebook page.

I lived for 20-some years on LBK. A no-name storm on the same track as Idaila brought flood waters up into the yard and far too close to our home. Then I lived two years on the tip of Anna Maria Island. Twice, about a foot of water came into our home. I'd lift furniture up on cedar blocks. I no longer live on the island!

Good news! I did a litter clean-up along 34th Street. I noticed the handrail adjacent to the Lakeview property was repaired (from Hurricane Ian, a suspected tornado that also took the roof off a Lakeview building)!

White Ibis, from one moment to the next

White Ibis, July 24, 2023

Dissolution. That's how it is from this to that.

So many White Ibis were grazing on the big pond edge before taking flight. Before that moment changed, this is how it looked.

Recycle clean and dry paper, cardboard, metal, plastic (#1 and #2), glass

I wonder if, like me, you are looking for ways to be helpful in your community. So, I'm learning more about recycling.

These signs are installed in the waste disposal areas (WW2A).

When I peeked into the recycle bins today, I mostly saw only items that can be recycled. Most of us are reading the sign! Here's a quick review.

Only recycle these CLEAN AND DRY items. 

Paper - only junk mail, magazines, newspapers

Cardboard - only aluminum cans or tin cans 

Metal - only aluminum cans or tin cans 

Plastic - only plastic jugs and bottles 

Glass - only glass bottles and jars, any colors

I carefully looked at the sign to read what NOT to recycle.

This information helped me and might be useful for you.

1. Video, Chasing Arrows, on YouTube

This 11-minute video shows how much plastic waste is "wish-cycling" and helps clarify what and how to recycle. I've looked into this and found that only plastics #1 & #2 have recycling value. There's no marketplace for #3 - #7, so most of this plastic waste is still sent to the landfill to be buried. 

The "chasing arrow"* is an unregulated symbol anyone can use. More info here.

2. Website, AMBR (Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers)

AMBR is a nonprofit group working toward making recycling viable and verifiable. Here is one article about false solutions in plastic recycling. 

3. Podcast, Living on Earth, weekly on Fridays.

The 7.14.23 episode focuses on recycling. 

Preventative things I'm doing.

1. Considering packaging materials when I shop.

2. Bringing my own bags: reducing my use of plastic bags.

3. Choosing eggs and drinks in paper containers. (Vital Eggs, for example. Eliminating styrofoam, plastic cups for events, such as SOLO.)

4. Using a refillable water bottle.

5. Sharing what I learn - hello neighbors and friends ; - )

*What does the chasing arrow symbol look like?

Blue Heron, hot hot summertime

(July 2023)

There are many posts of Blue Herons here in Wildewood. This is a favorite. Such a beautiful bird standing in a backdrop of color and texture. My photographer husband reminds me how it is light and timing that brings such gorgeousness. 

Behind the Pinehurst Pond, WWI.

These photos of the Blue Heron nest are pretty awesome, too. 

Wood Duck chicks just after hatching - July brood

Sunday morning, 7.9.23 @ 8:30 am  

Wood Duck hen and 5 chicks (one hidden from view)

I woke early and sat outside on the screened porch. I'm at the end of a summer cold, and the heat and humidity were comforting. Perspectives change! Before the cold, being outdoors felt too hot, miserably hot.

I noticed how still and quiet it was at first, though in reflection, that feeling was there because I had not yet settled into being, noticing my breath and sitting with life as it was. Because a few minutes later, I noticed a stirring in the orange Ixoria.  Two Carolina Wrens flitted about! Maybe they'll build a nest.

I closed my eyes and heard: Pileated and Red-bellied woodpeckers, Fish Crows, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal and Grey Gnatcatcher chirps. A Tri-Colored Heron flew in. Noisily. With a guttural, nasal call. It sounds like this. 

When I opened my eyes, I looked across the pond to the Southern Live Oak. A Wood Duck hen was leading 5 chicks to the pond. I saw the hen and 5 chicks again today, Monday.

WW's ponds in the summer

Terry Peeler (Lake Doctors) and his team have been caring for Wildewood's manmade, stormwater retention ponds for almost 20 years. 

Though the HOAs formally work with Terry, years ago he invited and I agreed to send him photos of the ponds between services for his use in determining maintenance. Here are some of the photos I sent this week.

He responded by saying that there is mostly protozoan scum on the pond, which is helped by dispersement. Another rain appreciation! 

Things that help control the bloom: taking stormwater runoff over land before entering the pond, reducing fertilizer, insecticide, and herbicide use as much as possible, and having the excellent services Terry's team provides.

Here is a good pamphlet to learn more about helpful stormwater practices. It is guidance about safety with algae blooms. People and pets should not come into contact with pond algae (toxins). 

I've written about WW ponds:

A post about the purpose of Wildewood ponds

A post about building stormwater paths in Wildewood to help with erosion control

Photos of Wildewood ponds during heavy rains

The Pineneedle/Woodlawn pond and its care are shared by WWI (John Haggerty, property manager) and Pineneedle (WW2A).

A Wildewood walk and Canis connection

 

In the distance, I saw one of Wildewood's Coyotes cross the street. Nature's wild dog and our free rat control neighbor (80% of the Coyote diet is vermin). This was a few days ago. Today, when I turned into Pineneedle, I saw one of the Coyote pups catch a mouse!

Coyote reminds me of how we share space with animals, wild and tame. 

Chicks sense feeding time

Looking out and up.

5/13/23 Wildewood Springs, Bradenton, FL (USA)

I watched for an hour before feeding.

The male will soon arrive. Mama Yellow-crowned Night Heron stands a few branches above the nest.

Spontaneously arising and ready for feeding as if an inner clock signaled feeding time.

I noticed the oldest (seemingly) pretending to feed its siblings (seemingly) standing on the edge and touching its beak in their beaks.

I noticed bright, eager alertness to this waiting-to-be-fed time which lasted 20 minutes.

Pond level lowest ever?

When I went outside to take a photo of the pond level, a male Pileated Woodpecker was also peeking out. May 15, 2023

Many notice the low pond level. I found a photo from June 21, 2021: 

Here is the pond today, May 15, 2023. What do you think? An advantage: I stepped down onto the pond edge and removed a large "Ian" branch.

This is another personality of the pond. Photo taken on August 31, 2016 (Hermine).

And here are a few recent photos from the neighborhood.

An idea about what might be going on: a male Northern Cardinal is keeping watch over a younger cardinal. It could simply be an adult male and female, but the way the male red hopped around in the Wedelia looking for the bird when it was in there makes me think it's a juvenile. 

The first photo, see them both? In the second photo - the younger bird is now in the butterfly garden tended by Jim and Betsy while the adult watches over it.

A Spoonbill Roseate (with an injured leg - is it the same one year to year?) and a companion Snowy Egret. Neighbor Susan sent a photo, too. We were looking out together!

An adult Opossum across the pond scurrying to take cover in the overgrowth. Some of you will say ick when you see one. It's one of my favorite animals. A marsupial that does not carry rabies and loves insects. Come to the butterfly garden, Opossum.

Last, the native Pink Milkweed is blooming!

A red Passionflower also blooms. That's an ant. Ants like flower nectar, too.

Devoted to chicks, a Yellow-crowned Night Heron

May 12, 2023, Mother's Day weekend

I got a peek at one of the four Yellow-crowned Night Heron chicks with its parent, a female. I took the photo just a few minutes after a feeding.

 That gaze! Oh my gosh. It made me smile.

And then it made me think of those who need our support. Just like the chicks, some are dependent on others for life-sustaining help. Like those homeless or near homeless in our community. If you haven't discovered the helpful goodness of Turning Points, here's a link describing one of Wonder Anew's projects. Too many families are homeless.

And in other communities. 

Here is a beautiful story of a woman once homeless, but no longer. Inspired by the birds in her life, she now makes and sells nesting houses to support herself. Photo and story credit: KGW.

 

Natural bird food - Sweet Bay's options

Sweet Bay Nursery, Florida Native Plants

We are fortunate in Central Florida to have natural bird food year-round in the form of plants. 

State, local, and Wildewood Springs HOA guidelines ask that we do not feed wildlife. There is a lot of information about this with Google, or info here and here and here.

Native plants adapt to our climate and rainfall, which includes drought times (November - June). Native plants promote a healthy ecosystem where all the creatures work harmoniously together. 

What is meant by harmonious? Watch the wonderful movie, The Biggest Little Farm. Look for inspiration on the film creators' Apricot Farms website. "Everything has a purpose...".

Sweet Bay Nursery is my first choice for native plants. This is a Sweet Bay sign reminding us that many creatures play a role in healthy gardens.

Pam Callendar is one of the people you might meet when you go. She is a passionate and experienced native gardener and artist, someone with good guidance for purchases.

In the last couple of weeks, I purchased and placed these plants in the butterfly garden. Come see if you can find them in the garden. I took these photos while at Sweetbay Nursery.