Posts Tagged "FL"

Handsome Green Heron

Posted by Pat Stewart on Jun 19, 2012 in Jupiter, FL, My Blog | 0 comments

On my drive from NC to FL, I stopped in at Merritt Island, near Titusville, FL to see what birds I might see in the Wildlife Reserve.  I was fortunate to come upon a handsome Green Heron resting in a short tree in the marsh.  Another bird tried to enter his territory, but with the loud hissing and clacking, that wasn’t going to happen.  He settled down quickly and allowed me to quietly get within about 8 ft. of him.  I imagine he was protecting a nest in that tree for ’tis the season! The Green Herons are quite stately looking to me with the greenish grey upper feathers, a darker green-black top of the head, and the chocolate brown chest area.  Their beak is long and stout and they are one of just a few large water birds that actually use their beak as a tool.  The Green Heron will gather a “bait” of some sort in it’s beak and drop it onto the surface of the water…lake or pond, and wait for his “catch” to come up to eat it.  His catch may, indeed, eat the bait, but the heron will eat IT!! Herons are smart, intuitive birds and live quietly among a variety of species…unless threatend.  At that time, they take control and make it known they claim their spot!  Fun and amusing to...

Jupiter Lighthouse

Posted by Pat Stewart on Nov 22, 2011 in Jupiter, FL, Portfolio | 0 comments

Jupiter Lighthouse

Posted by Pat Stewart on Nov 14, 2011 in Favorite Places, Jupiter, FL | 0 comments

I guess my most favorite spot in Jupiter, FL (other than wherever my grandkids are) is Jupiter Inlet.  It’s a lovely place rich with beautiful vegetation, lush palm trees, the blue-green water depending on high/low tide and, of course, the picturesque Jupiter Lighthouse.  Every visit to Jupiter, I make the short trek to the inlet and reach a peaceful state of mind.  Watching the brown pelicans ride the tide in is a treat.  And they know they will get a treat as the boats come in for the night.  The city of Jupiter owns all the beachfront area and has preserved it for public use with beachfront parks, plenty of parking along the coastline as well as protected areas for the sea turtles to nest and lay their eggs for hatching.  Hanging out at the inlet, we’ve seen manatees, white ibis, brown pelicans and various plovers and gulls.  Taking the boat up the intra-coastal it’s fun to view the homes on Jupiter Island…the homes  where we can see how the other part of our society lives…Celine Dion, Alan Jackson, Tiger Woods, etc.,...