The Lazy Naturalist

The Re-Enchantment of Nature - Sarasota, Florida

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Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Mexico in July? Well, we went to see the whale shark migration, which we did, and the weather was great. But, again, the people of Mexico are terrific, and that made a fun getaway. Here’s a list of people from the trip:

Four Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii (Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai) is great… in addition to being ten degrees cooler that Florida at the right time, it is a beautiful combination of sea and mountains. Though I had been there 30+ years ago, I really didn’t have much of a sense of the place. We were there for two weeks in […]

Five Coots

American coots (Fulica americana) are distinct from ducks. Members of the rail family, they have lobed toes rather than webbed feet, allowing swimming and walking across the marsh. Gregarious, they form large rafts, and defend using a repertoire of splashes and calls. A raft of five coots suggests that by staying anchored, working harmoniously with […]

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Purple loosestrife poses a severe threat to North American ecosystems. Its rapid growth outcompetes native plants, reducing biodiversity and degrading habitats for birds, amphibians, and fish. But it sure looks nice…

Deep Hole, MRSP

Deep Hole is best known for its quantity of alligators, and I have seen over 200 on its shores in the past. Last Sunday was a quieter day, overcast and cool, and only a few of our reptilian friends were on the shores, between 20 and 40. But the pot continues to be beautiful and […]

Sandhill St. John’s-Wort (Hypericum tenuifolium)

Commonly known as Sandhill St. John’s-Wort or Low St. John’s-Wort, this species is a testament to the evolutionary brilliance of Florida’s upland flora. While many members of the Hypericum genus prefer the soggy margins of cypress domes or wet prairies, H. tenuifolium has carved out a niche in the most well-drained, sun-scorched soils the Sunshine […]

Sword Fern (Nephrolepis)

The genus Nephrolepis, commonly known as the sword fern or Boston fern, is a staple of Florida’s landscape. Yet, within this single genus lies a dramatic contrast: a beloved native species providing critical habitat, and an aggressive, “tuberous” imposter that is systematically dismantling local ecosystems. Understanding the Sword Fern in Florida requires peeling back the […]

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)

While the “Sunshine State” is often associated with coastal herons and swamp-dwelling egrets, the Eastern Meadowlark represents a different side of Florida: the vast, open interior. From the historical “Florida Dry Prairie” to modern-day sod farms, this striking icterid—a member of the blackbird family—has carved out a niche in a state rapidly losing its open […]

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

The Snowy Egret is a medium-sized heron, easily recognized by its pure white feathers and contrasting black bill and legs. Their yellow eyes and feet add a splash of color, making them one of the most visually striking birds in Florida. Measuring about 24 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 41 inches, […]

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

The Great Egret, also known as the Common Egret or Great White Heron, is a large, stately bird that is easily recognizable by its pristine white feathers, long black legs, and yellow bill. Measuring about 39 inches in height with a wingspan that can exceed 51 inches, the Great Egret exudes an air of grandeur […]

Royal Terns (Thalasseus maximus)

Standing on the quartz-white sands of Siesta Key or watching the sunset over Sarasota Bay, one cannot miss the loud, rhythmic “keary-keary” calls of the Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus). With their shaggy black crests and dagger-like orange bills, these birds are as much a fixture of the Sarasota landscape as the palm trees and the […]

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