3rin's View…

Recently, I popped over to nearby Ted Phillips Wood Ibis Park to get a bit of fresh air. It was my first visit to the small neighborhood park in Gulfport.

I thought it amusing that there was a flock of American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) loitering by the pond since the park was named for them. Well, it kind of was.

The artwork near the sign clearly depicts a White Ibis but the park name, Wood Ibis, was the common name once erroneously given to Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) which are not ibises. Get it? Got it? Good!

I found this painted rock on the beach yesterday. I brought it home because this is the only kind of snow I want at my house! ❄️❄️

This morning I was signed up for the Run for the Beaches fun run on Treasure Island. I checked in, attached my number bib, and started stretching. But then, I looked down and my plans immediately changed.

I spotted a small sand dollar that was still alive and knew I had to move it out of the way of the impending stampede. I placed it gently back in the water but by then I had noticed a small piece of coral, and the fog over the water, and a larger sand dollar, and the run was over for me!

I still completed the route and I’m so glad I did because on my return trip I spotted a small Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus) in the shallows. The ray wasn’t happy to see me so it quickly glided off before burying itself in the sand.

I didn’t set any records this morning but it was certainly another memorable day on island!

Since it’s the holiday season I thought I’d share some nature-inspired tree decorating tips. There’s a tall Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) visible outside my kitchen window. Various birds take turns perching on it. I recently caught this Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday) on the tippy top.

Cute but perhaps not showy enough. Stay tuned, I’ll have some other suggestions coming soon…

I had the pleasure of spending time with this juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) last week at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Though they are roughly the same size as a Snowy Egret, the grayish, two-toned bill is a helpful clue.

As the name implies, when this bird molts into adult plumage it will be a sleek blue-gray.

Sunset on the beach was a bit chilly tonight but oh, so very worth it!

Apparently, Westley isn’t a big fan, though he did finally get out of bed. Wonder what he’s going to do when the temperature drops tomorrow?

Spent a drizzly morning wandering the trails at Boyd Hill on Friday. Unlike the mall, it was pretty quiet out there but some of the plants were putting on a show. Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) shrubs were loaded with fruit and looked so cheery in spite of our dearth of rainfall this year. Might have to plant one in my yard since birds and other wildlife are fond of the fruit.

Sadly, invasive species were also thriving, like the detestable Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) and pervasive Air Potato Vine (Dioscorea bulbifera). The vines are rapid spreaders, growing 6 inches a day. Though I must begrudgingly admit that those heart-shaped leaves are attractive.

Both of these invasives are a land management headache, proving difficult to eradicate manually. Thankfully, the USDA has approved biological control agents for them. Species-specific thrips, leaf gallers, and beetles to the rescue!

Not a bad way to spend a cloudy morning.