Trip to Belize

We are just back from a great vacation in Belize.  Besides time on the beach and by the pool we went on two trips to the rainforest or jungle and on a snorkeling trip out to Glover's Reef.  In the rain forest we saw the dense foliage, heard and saw many birds and saw a few butterflies.  The Blue Morpho was the most spectacular butterfly we saw.  I saw them several times, once while on a brief hike looking for the Howler Monkeys which were living along the Monkey River.  The Monkeys were too high in their trees for a good picture and the butterflies were just too fast.

On the Monkey River

We also went to the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve, however, we did not see Jaguars.  They are primarily nocturnal and there are relatively few of them in this very large preserve.

Belize is a poor country in terms of its per capita income but rich in natural resources.  Over 40 percent of the land is in some type of conservancy, either as national parks or private consersation groups.

As we stayed close to the shore most of the birds we saw were those that love the coast and marshlands. Examples:  various herons and ibis, Jabiru stork, the Magnificent Frigatebird, the aptly named Roadside Hawk and several other hawks, a lovely Fork-Tailed Flycatcher, a Pinneated Bittern and a Neo-tropical Cormorant.

Around the lodge we had the constant company of Large Tailed Grackles and the lovely Great Kiskadee.  There was the familiar Belted Kingfisher and a larger bird called the Ringed Kingfisher.

The trip out to Glover's Reef for snorkeling was a highlight. Glover's reef is an atoll beyond the barrier reef.  I don't have any underwater pictures to show you but the coral reef provides home for quite a variety of lovely fish and other sea creatures.  We also visited a Research Station on the reef that is maintained in a very sustainable way with captured rainwater, a composting toilet and solar collectors for electric power.

Spring is on the way.

These daffodils are almost ready to bloom.

This maple tree is about to bloom.  

This river birch has catkins that are ready to release their pollen

And this river birch is even farther along, the catkins are spreading their pollen.

The weather this week has been a contrast.  The past weekend and Monday were so spring like you could almost forget that it's still winter and the vernal equinox is a month away.  But, just as I was about to dig out a pair of shorts to wear the weather changed.  Tuesday was cold and gray and I knew it was still winter.  But, just because the weather is changeable doesn't mean we can't see signs that spring is on the way.  So, I walked around and made some pictures that show the fact that nature knows spring is coming.

Some cool nature websites

Great Backyard Bird Count

North Carolina Herps

Hilton Pond

Western North Carolina Nature Center

These are some great websites.  I enjoy checking out what others are posting and find new links by checking these out.  Maybe you've found some great ones, too.

Pond Frozen in December

This December was so cold.  The pond froze over completely.  Last winter before the level of the pond was changed the pond froze but not from bank to bank.  This year the level of the pond has been lowered by about 50 percent and that makes a big difference in the way it looks and in how much of it could freeze.  Winter has only begun.  It will be interesting to see what else happens.

News from the Pond

The first picture shows the Beaty St. Pond a couple of months ago.  The white pipe is the siphon the town is using to lower the level.  Seems the state inspectors have found serious problems with the dam on the pond so they are requiring the level to be lowered substantially.  The other two pictures were made this morning and show the current level.  I'm guessing this is as low as they'll take it until they remove the fish which they are likely to do this winter.  Hope the funds for repairing the dam are found, soon.

Signs of Fall

As fall comes to this part of North Carolina we begin to see the leaves changing color.  Although it's October, only a few trees have begun to change.  The dogwood in my neighbor's yard is the most colorful one on our street.  Out on Beaty St. there are some other changes: the Poke Weed has lots of berries which will attract animals- unfortunately they might cross this busy street to get to them.  Also see lots of yellow flowers.  Among them is this goldenrod.

Hearts-a-bustin

This interesting plant is called by several names including Hearts-a-bustin because of the unusual fruit that looks like tiny hearts about to explode from the pod.  Also known as Strawberry Bush it is loved by deer who apparently enjoy eating it so much that some have called it Deer Ice cream!  It grows in abundance in the woods behind our house and maybe keeps the deer from eating quite so much from our garden.  It has tiny white flowers in the spring and the stems stay green all year.