Giving Back, Dolphin Style~

A Bottlenose Dolphin in Florida

Those of you who live in Florida may be familiar with

Winter, a Dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium who was given a helping hand by some very kind humans and a new tail to replace the one that she lost due to a fishing line disaster.

If you don't live here, there is a really good movie about her life, " Dolphin Tale  " that is quite well done and details her painful tribulations, rehabilitation and eventual recovery.

Today on our local news, there was a " good news animal story, " there are so few it seems, so this was a joy to see, about how Winter is now giving back.

A little local girl recently lost both of her feet in a freak accident and Winter is now showing her how to adapt and relearn some basic motor skills.

These are the same kinds of things that Winter had to learn after her " accident. "

What you may not know, how could you, I have not shared this, my oldest son is a paraplegic from birth and has always been in a wheelchair.

So, Winter's beautiful story and her struggles to deal with her injury, really hit home hard for me personally, as did this new one today about how an animal who was nearly killed by us, is now giving back to the Humans that helped her so much during her time of need.

I highly recommend the movie, for all ages, it is a lesson in determination, perseverance, love and patience.

Couldn't we all use a big dose of that?

Who Cares If It's Endangered Species Day?

One of our Florida green treefrogs

So there you are, thinking, not another " special day. "

I don't even get a day off of work for it, so why should I care?

But you should care, do you know why?

In our lifetime, hundreds of species have already become extinct and they are going away at such an alarming rate, that even confirmed optimists are becoming concerned, even downright worried, that we may lose so many, that eventually our planet will, as the scriptures supposedly say, " be inherited by the insects."

It seems that insects are just about the only thing that all of our pesticides, or insecticides, don't wipe out, one way or another.

And if you're thinking "oh well, the chemical companies will save us with better, stronger, insecticides," hello, this has become our biggest problem.   

The insecticides now being produced by Monsanto, Bayer and others, have been so over used, for so many years, that the bugs have become immune to them and are well on their way to becoming super bugs, that eventually will respond to nothing that is thrown at them.

So, while you're digesting that cheery thought, think on this, all of the animals whose diet primarily consists of insects, are the exact ones that are the most endangered and are becoming extinct: the bats, the bees, the birds, the frogs, the list goes on and on.

These wonderful, fragile creatures, are what stands between us and the hordes of marauding insects, who are so anxious to take over our world.

To repeat, countless mammals, birds, bees and amphibians, are leaving this world precisely because of the overuse and wide-spread blanketing of our planet with poisons.

So, here's an idea for all of us on this, " not traffic stopping, just another day, " or Endangered Species Day.

Think what your/our world would be like, if the insects were all that was left here, besides us.

If that thought doesn't motivate you to get involved and pick an animal, or species to care about, come on down to Florida and spend a week in the Everglades in August and see what the future could be like for all of us.

As for me, I will keep pounding on this little Vaio 'til my fingers bleed or I croak, hoping that

somewhere, somehow, I will reach you and you will be affected enough to care and get involved.

The future of this planet as we know it, is on you, on me, on all of us.

So, the question remains, what will we do?   

Endangered Species Day

What's For Lunch?

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

A Lion in Botswana, Africa 

 

Before I begin, I wish to thank the 222 Word Press Blog "wildlife watchers " who have elected to "Follow" the Blog.

Although this inconsequential little Blog has only been online for two months, it has had over 4,000 hits and more than 200 followers.

Can I say, this is all just slightly overwhelming and completely unexpected?

I have been writing about these same Wildlife Issues for many years, not on Word Press, to my great chagrin, with little positive response.

But now, after two brief months on WP, I am convinced that you are not only out there, but that you absolutely do care what happens to "those with no voice."

Please accept my gratitude and a humble thank you from my heart to yours, for all that you have shared here since its inception on March 10.

Now, for today's Wildlife Issue revelation, for you to react to, respond to, and if history repeats, clearly oppose~

As many of you know, I live in Florida.

For much of the world, this is a place where Mickey and Minnie rule and fun abounds, but there is another side, a dark side, to the happiest place on Earth and it is this: Florida has the highest numbers of physical abuse towards women, children and you guessed it, animals, of any state in America.

A fact that sickens me to acknowledge.

Since moving here permanently in 2006, many stories on our local news have caused me great concern and alarm, especially those relating to animals being harmed by humans, but there are two recent stories that simply cannot wait, nor be ignored.

The first is that last week, a horse in an open field, apparently near where we live, starved to death and dropped dead right here in Lake County.

There have been in the past, quite regretfully, other similar stories about cows suffering the same fate in our county.

The denials and disclaimers were quick to come this time, from all sources involved, but the sad fact is, that if just one person had interceded in time, this horse might well be still alive.

According to the story, one other horse remains on this same undisclosed property and the county has given these people a short time to "correct the problem."

A witness who was interviewed during the story, said that she doesn't think " it will survive" the allotted time.

So when we drove home from the store yesterday and passed an open field with a very emaciated horse in it, we did not know if this might be the "other one " on the news.

I called our Lake County Humane Society this morning, but they were closed for the day, my second call was to Lake County Animal Control, who said that they would send someone out " to take a look."

Lake County Humane Society:  352 589-7400
Lake County Animal Control:    352 343-9088
Lake County Commissioners:    352  343-9850  

Next, in my email yesterday, was a Google Wildlife Alert with a story that I was sure had to be a misprint.

Sadly, it turned out, it was not.

If you have an extremely tender heart, please do not read the story:

Lion Tacos

This eating place in Tampa and one other, have crossed a line and the public backlash is, as it should be, in support of wild animals.

I fully expect and will be disappointed if you do not, respond in an animal avalanche about these two stories.

It has not escaped my memory, that some in this country are now also advocating the consumption of horse meat.

Applications to build Slaughter Houses are beginning to show up, including one in Wounded Knee, South Dakota and one that thankfully went down to defeat here in Lake County.

The one in New Mexico, is now considered "ground zero" for this issue.

Did I mention how really proud that I am to know each and every one of you?

Now, go get 'em~

Happy Hunting, Not!

 

 

A Beautiful Florida Black Bear

I am fully aware that many will disagree with my stance on this, but please hear me out.

Today all of the details were released for the next  Alligator Hunting Season here in Florida.

There seem to be so many "killing seasons" here now, it is hard to keep up.

My greatest fear is that our gorgeous Florida Black Bear may be next, as hunters are already chomping at the bit to get this passed.

I have recently, personally spoken to a "head person" who "assures" me that this will not happen.

Now, ask me if I trust "anyone" about this.

I came here to Florida as you know, after living in Southern California for over 30 years, where sadly, there are not really too many wild things left.

So, coming here and seeing them everywhere, is just such an overwhelming joy, that I would hate to see Florida become practically barren of wildlife, like Southern California has.

I grew up in Indiana and spent many happy summers on my uncles farm in the hills of southern Indiana, which was for me, a little city girl, a wild paradise to run through all day until I dropped.

I loved it with all of my heart and never wanted to leave.

So, I am truly not just another angry "city person" complaining about hunters and hunting.

This is what bothers me about hunting.

Where we live now, is many miles from the nearest anything, so we must drive a bit, to get to civilization, as it were.

Now, during any of the many "hunting seasons," we are forced to go past many VERY unpleasant sites.

No, I will not go into any of the grisly details.

The people who live out here on the fringes of civilization are "different" to say the least, from most other Florida residents.

They seem to be in a world all of their own.

Things happen out here, ugly, terrible things, that are not legal, but no one ever gets caught, so it continues to happen.

My question is, why do people still need to hunt, maim, kill?

Is it a primordial need?

There are so many animals in Africa who are being slaughtered for their body parts.

I know that I am in a very tiny minority and will take great punishment for this, but why do we need to continue to kill animals as if their lives mean nothing?

As a species, after so many millions of years, shouldn't we have by now, evolved to a place where we at least might show more respect to our fellow animals?

I truly do not believe that humans were put on Mother Earth to do so much harm to wild creatures and feel nothing.

Global Guinea Pigs~

 

A Guinea Pig Stable

If right now,  I asked you what the most important thing is, that you should or could do, to protect yourself and those you love, including your pets, from harm, you would probably come up with some pretty good answers,

but more than likely, you would be well short of coming up with the entire truth.

You see, the truth is, that on a daily basis, we and all living things on this planet, are being exposed to countless toxins, that are killing us, or at the very least, making us terribly sick, 

including some that we are not even aware exist.

Some time ago, most of you probably heard about a quote that was credited to the Ford Motor Company, 

that someone there was said to have remarked after learning of a number of deaths relating

to defects in their cars, that these deaths were simply, "acceptable losses."

This horrifying comment has reverberated around the world since then and has become a somewhat sick joke.

But, here is the real truth, everyday some company produces a product that they know is harming, people, plants and/or animals and they keep doing it, because no one has the temerity to stop them.

And, we are paying them to do this, because we are buying these products that are poisoning us.

In this Country, we have Government Organizations with thousands of people working full-time, being very well paid to protect all of us from the "bad guys" and/or their "bad" products.

They include, the CDC, the FDA and the EPA, to name just a few, but it would appear,

that none of them seem to be able, or are unwilling, to stop these ruthless companies with a

singular motive in life, that is,  to make money, and we, their Guinea pigs, can all be damned.

By now, most of the world is aware of the horrors  linked to Monsanto and their many lethal products, but there are 100 more companies  just like them, with their own personal brand of toxins waiting for their turn in line at us, their Global Laboratory animals, or Guinea pigs, to see if we live or die, or just become really sick or maybe just deformed, by the latest product that they are promoting.

The story linked below, is the single, most impressive work that I have ever found on this subject.

If you never read anything again in your life, please read this and swear on your ancestors, that you and yours will no longer be the victims of these companies, living your life in servitude as their Guinea pigs.

We must speak to these people, in the only language that they can understand, money, and we must refuse to buy their products.

You Are A Guinea Pig

There Just Are No Words

This will be an unusually brief posting today, with no picture, because it would be too disgusting.

While strolling through my Reader this morning, a posting came up that stopped me dead in my tracks.

I could not go any further, until I went and read about it.

As implausible as it may seem, mankind has just slipped another rung farther down the ladder of inhumanity.

I truly believed that as a species, we might be turning the corner on our treatment of animals, but now after reading this, it seems not.

I am now speechless.

So, here is the story and I now eagerly await responses from of all of you, my brilliant,

outspoken, compassionate followers:

Scientists Modify The Herd

Pollinators and Pesticides

 

It was a bit difficult to choose a topic equally as important as Earth Day for today's conversation.

But think this may do.

Let's talk about bees and the wondrous world of pollinators.

If like me, or maybe not, you were not an expert on their very vital purpose on our planet, here are a few thoughts.

It is quite simple, without pollinators, not much would grow, including a great deal of the world's food supplies.

They simply said are, one of man's, forgive me Breanna, best friends.

Pollinators can be seen on any warm day, flitting from one plant, or flower to another, taking and leaving what we humans need to survive.

But, consider this, the bees and many pollinators all over the Earth may soon no longer exist, why you ask?

Their imminent demise is being blamed on, what in our time, has become the single most detrimental toxin that any living thing can be exposed to, pesticides.

And the pesticides that may soon wipe out our pollinating friends, are neonicotinoid pesticides.

Pesticides harm people, plants and animals equally, as they are an equal opportunity killer.

Once their poisons get into our water sources, we are all goners.

Remember Erin Brockovich?

Ask the residents of McFarland, California, in the great San Joaquin Valley, where the continual use of pesticides on their crops, poisoned the entire areas water supply and a great many of their children now have leukemia.

There are many groups and individuals working diligently to reverse the damage already done by these toxins.

One of these groups is the Center for Food Safety, who is asking for your commitment to help stop this disaster in progress, by taking a "pledge to protect the pollinators."

The world of pollinators is made up of not only bees, but many of their friends, which includes hummingbirds, butterflies and numerous other helpful insects.

It's a gregarious group effort pollinating all of the worlds growing things you see.  

Ensuring that pollinators will always be here to work for us, is merely a matter of making better choices in our gardens and in the food growing industry.

Your local garden shops will know which ones are eco and pollinator friendly, or just plain safe for all of us!

These changes can be done, these changes must be done, if humans wish to continue to have food to eat and exist.

A place to learn more: Pollinators and Pesticides

Embracing Mother Earth On Her Day

        

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is Earth Day, so how should we thank this weary planet for the life-giving, air, water and everything else that she provides us with, that most of us take for granted?

This planet has existed for billions of years, but each year it becomes more and more of a struggle just for her to continue living.

Many of us never give her, or what we do to her, a second thought.

This is a tragic mistake.

One day, unless we change our hearts and minds and begin showing respect and concern for her, Mother Earth may not take care of us any longer, she may not be able to, she may die.

Every day, we fill her Oceans, Rivers and Lakes with garbage, toxins and poisons of all description.

Every day, we pollute her atmosphere, the very air that we all breathe, with more of the same.

Every day, we dig deep into her soul, stripping all that she has, leaving her scarred and wounded, with no concern for the effects of it on her at all.

Every day, we cut down her stunning, majestic trees that nearly touch the sky, for what, more paper to fill up our shredders?

Since we took our first steps on her face, we have taken and taken, rarely giving back and even less often, cared much about the effects of our impact on her.

So, my question to each of us is, yes, including myself, what will you/we do today for Mother Earth?

Have you ever noticed, that after facing an extraordinary danger or imminent death, when first putting their feet back on the planet, many people react by kneeling down and kissing the Earth?

So, on this very special day to Honor her, how should each of us show Mother Earth our gratitude?

As for me, I am going into my garden and pull some weeds, that should make her smile~

What Whales Want

 

A Right Whale Mother And Calf Off The Florida Coast
 

Whales are just like us, they want a family, a nice place to live and to be free to live there, in peace.
It’s a nice thought but, unfortunately for them, the Oceans are getting smaller everyday and for the biggest mammal on the planet, are becoming very crowded and may soon become terribly loud.

Right now, seismic blasting is being considered as a potential drilling option in the Atlantic Ocean, in the exact corridor where the single most Endangered Whale on our planet lives and breeds, the Atlantic Right Whale.

The impact of this blasting will be disastrous for them for several reasons, they may be         

harmed directly by the blasting and they will no longer feel safe to breed in the area.

Last year, the birthing numbers for this critically endangered whale was down dramatically,

because of food shortages up North, can you imagine what it will be like, for these extremely

noise sensitive whales, if they are exposed regularly to constant blasting?

It will simply be unbearable.

And, the Whales are not the only ones who will be greatly harmed by this proposed blasting, so will Dolphins.

We do not need to drill or dig, for more oil, gas, coal or other fossil fuels in this Country, what we need are more renewable energy sources.

Which, if it were more profitable for those who deal in fossil fuels, would already have replaced them here.

Other countries all over the world, have long ago embraced renewable energy sources, but America seems to be either unable or unwilling to make the progress absolutely necessary to protect and preserve both the environment and animals of this planet, including the human ones.

Silver Springs

Silver Springs Florida in 1886
 
This is the story of a magical place in Florida that has lost its way.

Once upon a time long, long ago, there was a destination here so revered, you were often, scarcely able to get in.

Tourists loved it, movie makers loved it, the whole world wanted to come see it.

Just hearing its name, Silver Springs, brought a smile to many people’s faces.

In fact, when I was in high school, I met a young man one summer at a local lake in northern Indiana, who also happened to be there on vacation.

It turned out that he was one of their very talented skiing performers, and that summer, he taught me to water ski.

But, that was so long ago.

Today, Silver Springs is badly run down and nearly unrecognizable, by those whose memories burn bright of more exciting times and the never to be forgotten glass bottom boat rides.

For years now the springs has been run and managed? by a California company, guess they didn’t think we could do it right?

But soon that will change and the state of Florida will take over the job, hopefully this will help.

Recently a Canadian Billionaire cattle rancher has shown great interest in setting up shop

just a few miles away and the negative impact from this would be two fold, tremendous water loss and harmful pollutants being introduced into the springs.

Neither would be good.

Water is a very precious commodity in Florida, because the whole state is a giant aquifer or sponge, everything that happens up above, travels down and affects the aquifer and all the living things here.

The many years of water abuse, in combination with this years severe drought, have resulted in an increase in the dreaded and dangerous sink holes which recently sadly, took a life.

We already have way too many places draining our aquifer dry, like the bottling companies, golf courses and huge farming industries, so this massive cattle ranch would be the final nail in the coffin for the springs.

Previous politicians have tried to protect the springs, and it helped somewhat, but current Governor Scott, has cut all of its lifelines, so it will now be up to the state to do the right thing, for one of Florida oldest and most treasured pieces of history.

Harriet

Harriet, our Gopher Tortoise

Yesterday afternoon, just as I was turning off my computer, our wayward wanderer finally graced us with her presence, after many months of complete absence.
Harriet is our resident Gopher Tortoise and she has become a sweet part of our family here in the Ocala Forest in Florida.
It seems that she comes out, just as the “snow birds” are all leaving and yesterday also happened to be our warmest day of the year so far, at just over 90 degrees.
We have learned so much about her particular species in the years we have spent with her.
She has had some very close calls and we have had to fight hard just to save her from a tragic ending on these occasions.
The world around her is not nearly as concerned for her safety as we are and we feel quite obligated to protect her from it.
Gopher Tortoises are an Endangered Species in Florida and it is against the law to harm them in any way, even picking them up and moving them is against the law.
But all of this is forgotten, when each spring, she pops back up out of her tunnel, ready to eat and greet us and the warm season ahead.
We have made sure that she has only what is good for her here, with everything left pretty much “natural” and no pesticides, no toxins or chemicals used in the front part of our property where her main tunnel is.

I say main, because she has a second one in the back where she goes occasionally, for reasons we have not yet determined.

Now we look forward to watching her the rest of the year, coming out to eat every day, moving slowly and carefully around, picking out just the special “weeds” that are her favorites.

Our entire property is fenced in, but the front part is just for her and our Airedale Breanna
and we are careful for both of their sakes, that it is safe from anything that could harm either of them.
We consider ourselves very fortunate to be able to share our lives with them.

Nuisance People

Our Florida Alligator

For those of you kind enough to come here, I thank you with all my heart.

Today is my “one month” anniversary on WordPress and your support has overwhelmed me. If you are curious, and why wouldn’t you be, about where the title of this Blog came from, it is this.

Many years ago on our first trip to Florida, we went to the Everglades.

My parents were living in Miami Beach at the time and we thought it would be a fun day trip.

It was the middle of August and in South Florida, August is not when you want to be in the Everglades.

The mosquitoes are like a black blanket that covers everything there.

For two people from Los Angeles, where there are few and I do mean few bugs, it was pretty terrifying.

We spent an entire day there and what we saw, was never to be forgotten and started my love affair with this breathtaking place called Florida.

Now for how this Blog got its name.

On that day, just as we were driving in and being very stupid tourists, we pulled over at the sight of our first Alligator resting peacefully on the side of the road.

Now being the idiot that I was, I got out of the car and walked toward this creature I knew nothing about, both hands stretched out like I was going to pet it.

I have a picture of the moment, which has lost itself somewhere in this house, one day to be found again, I hope.

The Alligator was not full-grown, maybe only four feet long, but it could have done some damage, if it has chosen to.
Instead it simply laid there, I am sure thinking, ” this has got to be a joke, stupid tourist. “

Because it did nothing, I turned and walked back to the car and we drove on.

Only after moving down here nearly ten tears ago, did I realize how very lucky I had been that day.

So, when we became permanent Florida residents, I started a web site and called it “Walking with the Alligators” out of my gratitude for what might have been that day and deep respect for what I consider one of this state’s greatest treasures, the Alligator.

So, as you can imagine, when they announced on the News here last night that they were looking for Alligator Trappers in Lake County, to “Dispose of Nuisance Alligators,” I was pretty steamed.

People come here, to this last Garden of Eden in the United States, with its splendiferous array of wildlife and then when our animals do what they normally do in the wild, these idiots go nuts, calling Fish and Wildlife whining, ” Come get these things out of my yard. “

“ Well, duh, you are in their yard, you morons, so why don’t you get out. “

I have zero patience for city people who want to come here, to my newly adopted home and change it, or kill all that makes it the National Treasure that it is.

Florida is truly a spectacular collection of wild life and wild places and it deserves to be respected for just that.

And if this is a problem for you, please go back where you came from.

The Visitors

A Beautiful Florida Black Bear
Photo credit: Dr. William Weber
 

For many years people have asked me about my complete dedication and passion for animals.

An answer: just now Breanna did her " OMG bark. " This is the one reserved for very special occasions.

I went to her window to look for the cause, but saw nothing at first,  then as I turned back around to look in the other direction, there they were.

The momma and her two babies running at a full gallop in the open field across from our house.

This sight, this experience, is something that should never be taken for granted.

These beautiful black bears and all of the other wildlife living in this Forest, are why this place is everything to us.

We share our lives with creatures that give us so much more, than we could ever give them in return.

For this we are grateful.

Who Let The Dogs Out

Wildlife Inspector Amir Lawal of the Service’s
Miami Law Enforcement Office and Viper
Picture Credit:  Tom MacKenzie / USFWS

Many thanks to Russell McLendon of Mother Nature Network for sharing this great story and vital information.

Many thanks also to Tom MacKenzie of the USFWS, for granting permission to use this picture, his hard work on this awesome project and all of his super pictures for it.

Poaching may not be a big problem in a lot of places, but Florida is not one of those places.

It seems like too many of our wild animals, as well as some highly prized orchids in this state, like the Ghost Orchid, have at one time or another, fallen victim to these fiends,   

who believe it is their right to steal things and then sell them to the highest bidder.
Recently many of our beloved wild turtles have been stolen by the hundreds of thousands, and sold to Asian countries where they are used for food, medicine and other.   
It would seem that these countries have long ago eradicated their turtle populations.   
Trappers or poachers, come to Florida and go into our swamps and marshes or where ever they can find them and just load up and ship out our wild turtles in such numbers, that many of them may soon be put on Endangered lists, when they never were in the past.
Enter my personal heroes, the Sniffer Dogs!

Now, these are not just any dogs, they are very well-trained, professional sniffers and they are doing what few humans can, tracking down or sniffing out, stolen wildlife.

These awesome dogs and their handlers, USFW agents, will soon be stationed at ports around the country and hopefully will help stop the tidal wave of thefts of our beloved Florida wild things to these scum bag poachers.   

The Press Release: Detector Dogs Sniff Out Smuggled Wildlife

U.S. Trains Dogs To Sniff Out Wildlife

A Picture Page About The Dogs