The Wandering Disciple

  Rising temps on the thermometer, flowers and bloom and return of seasonal wildlife are all signs that warmer weather are upon us.  While there may not be a definitive change of seasons in Florida, there are seasons and the swallow tail kites know when summer is.  Swallow tail kites can be found soaring over the Sunshine State skies in Spring and Summer.  (Photo: June 15, 2019)

  Living in a sparsely developed part of town can have its benefits, especially when it comes to wildlife.  Last night while putting seed in the bird feeders, we got company from a bobcat at it was out on its evening stroll.  We have heard from neighbors for a while there is a family of them living in the brush behind us but last night it finally made an appearance while we were outside.  (Photo: February 17, 2021)

This pair of Eastern Meadowlark do a pretty good job of blending in with the grasses despite having a bright yellow chest. Found in the grasslands of the eastern US, the Eastern Meadowlark spends its time on the ground, foraging for food and nesting. Despite being called a lark, the Eastern Meadowlark is part of the blackbird family. (Photo: November 20, 2020)

When people think of Florida, they usually associate palm trees, oranges, beaches and Disney as symbols of the Sunshine State. But you can add the Florida Scrub Jay to that list. People flock from all over to catch a glimpse of this dwindling Florida bird. The Florida Scrub Jay is just one of two scrub jay species in the United States. It can be found in dry, scrubby habitats throughout the central portions of the peninsula with one of the largest habitats located within Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey. The little bird is so popular despite its rarity, it is being petitioned to become the state bird of Florida. (Photo: August 2, 2020)

For such a small bird, the Northern Mockingbird packs a mighty punch. This mockingbird here in Fort Myers antagonizes a much larger hawk. Much of the aggression shown by the mockingbird is in defense of its nest. The mockingbird is known for its ability to mock sounds as its name implies. They can replicate sounds around there region, sounding like other birds, cats and even urban sounds. The Northern Mockingbird is the only mockingbird living in North American, with a range that extends from the United States through Central America. (Photo: July 6, 2020)

A group of wading birds enjoy a feeding frenzy along the banks of the Myakka River.  On any given day, wading birds like these spoonbills, ibis, and herons enjoy the bounty that the riverfront provides.  There are great places along the river at Myakka River State Park to watch these birds at work.  Because of the great wildlife watching opportunities in the park, Myakka River State Park is a designated stop along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.  (Photo: November 13, 2016)

Since starting at the airport fire department, I have noticed a little fox squirrel that hangs around the station. I have tried and tried to get a picture of him, but he never really trusted me enough to get close. In fact it almost seemed like a game, he would hang out until I got my camera and then take off. Well yesterday we reached a plateau in our friendship for him to finally pose for a photo. Here he is, our fire station fox squirrel. (Photo: May 14, 2020)

A European Starling splashes in the backyard birdbath during a spring shower. With so many parks and wildlife refuges closed due to COVID-19, the backyard has been the place to go to watch wildlife. During this spring afternoon shower, six bird species were seen playing in the rain in the yard. (Photo: April 30, 2020)

A swallow-tailed kite flies high over Fort Myers, a sign that warm weather is here to stay in the sunshine state. The swallow-tail kite migrates to Florida in February-March for breeding and then return to South America in August. They are distinguished by their large forked tail as they soar above looking for food. (Photo: April 21, 2020)

A great horned owl sits on top tree as the sun sets over Southwest Florida. The great horned owl is the largest of the US owl species and are known my they ear tufts. These nocturnal animals start getting active as the sun sets and use their stellar night vision to look from prey. (Photo: March 10, 2015)

Slow and steady wins the race. Well this gopher tortoise wasn't racing a hare but it was racing across the hiking trail at Oscar Scherer State Park. The threatened gopher tortoise can be found throughout Florida scrub habitats like the one here at Oscar Scherer. The gopher tortoise is important to the ecosystem as its burrow system provides homes to over 300 other species of animals. That is crucial in this landscape that is controlled by fire. (Photo: March 8, 2014)

An alligator catches some rays along the bank of a pond at the Englewood Sports Complex. The gators use the sunlight to help regulate their body temperature and aid in digestion. (Photo: April 23, 2019)

A raccoon tries to catch a nap in a tree at Picnic Island Park in West Tampa. While raccoons are known mainly for digging in trash and being a pest, what a lot of people don't knwow are they they are also very intelligence. It is believed that a raccoon can remember the solution to a task for up to three years. Guess that's how they know how to get into all the locking trash cans. (Photo: September 7, 2018)

A snow egret grabs a bite to eat along the surf line at Gasparilla Island State Park.  The snowy egret is a small wading bird and can be found along the edge of the water feeding on shrimp and small fish.  The snowy nests in the mangroves and can be found throughout the state of Florida where they live year-round.   (Photo: March 8, 2017)

A brown pelican dives down into the Gulf of Mexico in hopes of catching its next meal.  Pelicans and other shorebirds can be seen along the coast looking for a bite to eat (Photo: March 10, 2013)

A mother Great Horned Owl watches over her nest of baby owls along the hiking trail at Stump Pass Beach State Park on the south end of Manasota Key in Englewood.  The nesting pair of owls had two baby owls during the early part of 2013.  (Photo: March 5, 2013)

A Florida scrub jay sits on a utility cable in Englewood, Florida.  Only found in Florida, the scrub jay can be found in scrub habitats in Central Florida.  It is currently listed as vulnerable to extinction because of habitat destruction as a result of over development. It is believed there are only 8,000 Florida scrub jays left in the wild.  (Photo: January 5, 2013)

A visitor from our neighbors to the north carefully cross a street in Sarasota.  A family of Canadian Geese took a stroll down the streets on a sunny Saturday afternoon.  Just like their human neighbors, the geese also like to migrate from Canada to Florida to enjoy the warm sun during the colder month.  (Photo: May 6, 2017)

The flowing feathers of a snowy egret on full display at Ponce De Leon Park.  These flowing feathers are the breeding plumage for these birds found along the waterways in Florida.  (Photo: March 22, 2009)

A willet plays in the surf along the shore of Manasota Beach in Englewood.  Shorebirds like this willet can be found along the surfline searching for food in the surf.  (Photo: March 14, 2016)