RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
Breeding in almost every kind of wetland across North America, Red-winged Blackbirds are suffering from habitat loss due to changes in farming practices and increased urbanization. The draining or filling of wetlands, and the removal of fence lines and brushy borders between agricultural fields, limit vegetative cover. Widespread and abundant, the bird’s success has sometimes led to conflict with people. Large flocks of mixed blackbird species may damage crops and affect residential areas with their noisy roosts.
From the traditional scarecrow to designer pesticides known as avicides, humans in some areas where this species is considered a pest have attempted to control Red-winged Blackbirds. The alteration of wetlands to discourage breeding may threaten other, less abundant species. New techniques for limiting and relocating roosts and flocks may prove more effective, more humane, and less toxic. These include falcons trained to disturb roosts, noise canons to disperse flocks, and the reduction of grain spillage during harvest.
Enjoy the enthusiasm and color of Red-winged Blackbirds, when they arrive in early spring.
For dispersing and relocating Red-winged Blackbirds, support the use of natural techniques.
EVENING GROSBEAK
Population decline: 17 million to 3.8 million
(78 % drop since 1967)
Habitat: Breeds primarily in coniferous forests, secondarily
in deciduous forests. In non-breeding season, it feeds on
both coniferous and deciduous tree seeds and buds, and on
sunflower seeds in birdfeeders.
Threats: Evening Grosbeaks, as birds of boreal and montane
forests, are susceptible to anything that affects those habitats:
logging, mining, drilling, global warming, acid rain, and
development for transportation and housing. Chemical control
of spruce budworm and other tree pests reduces this
species’ food supply and may cause secondary poisoning.
PAINTED BUNTING
Although the exact cause of the Painted Bunting's decline is unknown, it is most likely the result of loss of habitat.
The Partners in Flight's Bird Conservation Plan for the South Atlantic Coastal Plain identifies the Painted Bunting as an extremely high priority. One of the Plan's objectives is to stabilize or reverse population declines for the Painted Bunting in the next 20 years. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of a stable bunting population on the sea islands, along the coast of Georgia and
South Carolina. Additional is the call to the protect 100% of the remaining maritime woodland communities in the planning area, restoring maritime shrub-scrub (which is preferred by Painted Bunting) where possible.
Capsicum Cerulean Warbler
CAPSICUM
Capsicum is a genus of plants from the nightshade family (Solanaceae— the family is also informally known as the nightshade family or potato family. The family includes datura (Jimson weed), mandrake, deadly nightshade (belladonna), capsicum (paprika, chili pepper), potato, tobacco, tomato, eggplant and petunia.)
Native to the Americas, where it was cultivated for thousands of years by the people of the tropical Americas and now cultivated worldwide.
Basil Chickadee
BASIL
The unique array of active constituents called flavonoids found in basil provide protection at the cellular level. Orientin and vicenin are two water-soluble flavonoids in basil have been of particular interest. In studies on human white blood cells, these components in basil protect cell structures as well as chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-based damage.
In addition, basil provides protection against unwanted bacterial growth. These "anti-bacterial" properties of basil are not associated with its unique flavonoids, but instead with its volatile oils, which contain estragole, linalool, cineole, eugenol, sabinene, myrcene, and limonene.
CANARY IN A COALMINE:
Life for an actual canary in a coal mine could be described in three words— short but meaningful. Early coal mines did not feature ventilation systems, so miners would routinely bring a caged canary into new coal seams. Canaries are especially sensitive to methane and carbon monoxide, which made them ideal for detecting any dangerous gas build-ups. As long as the canary in the coal mine kept singing, the miners knew their air supply was safe. A dead canary in a coal mine signalled an immediate evacuation.
Now, canary in a coalmine is used frequently to describe a harbinger of the future. A melting glacier in Alaska, for example, may be described as a canary in a coal mine for global warming. One small event in an isolated area may not seem especially noteworthy, but it may offer the first tangible warning of a larger problem developing.
MUSCADINE
Common Names: Muscadine, Bullace, Scuppernong,
Southern Fox Grape.
Related Species: Summer grape (Vitis aestivalis), California Grape (V. californica), American Grape, Fox Grape (V. labrusca), River Bank Grape (V. riparia), Sand Grape (V. rupestris), European Grape (V. vinifera).
Origin: The muscadine grape is native to the southeastern United States, found in the wild from Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico and westward to Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Many older varieties were selections from the wild, but the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture have introduced a number of improved varieties that have become standard cultivars.
The earliest named variety was Scuppernong, found growing wild in northeastern North Caroline in 1810 by Dr. Calvin Jones. Scuppernong has become another name for all muscadine grapes. Commercial production of muscadine grapes is essentially limited to the U.S. Southeast.
Adaptation: Muscadines are well adapted to the warm, humid conditions of the southeastern U.S., where the American and the European grape do not prosper. Its lack of frost hardiness also limits it to this same region, except for some West Coast locations.
Muscadine is an example of an indigenous species of the Southeast. The indigenous plants of an area have evolved over a long period of time. They are well adapted to local conditions such as climate (especially rainfall), the area’s topography and soils.
The diversity of a balanced, indigenous ecosystem makes it relatively resistant to pest and disease outbreaks. However, reduced coverage and diversity of indigenous plants, with the resulting imbalances, can make a local ecosystem more susceptible to attack.
Lemon Sky Canopy
Blue Sky Canopy
Orange Sky Canopy
OKRA
A tropical plant in the mallow family, okra traces its roots to Ethiopia and the Sudan. As early as the 13th century, it was said to grow along the Nile River. From Africa, okra readily found acceptance in the Middle East. There it is enjoyed in a dish called Bamieh, a traditional stew of okra, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil to which meat is frequently added. Highly favored in India, even today a popular dish is Sabzi Bhindi, okra fried with cumin, onions and spices.
In the early 1600's the black slave trade brought new delicacies to North and South Americas as well as the West Indies. Okra came to our South during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, when slaves from the Gold Coast introduced it as nkrumun. That name never caught on, but okra brought by slaves from Angola was called ochinggombo, later shortened to ngombo. The Indians of Louisiana discovered okra's thickening abilities. They used it in place of file' powder to thicken a stew made of vegetables and seafood, which they named "gumbo."
Okra is among the world's most heat and drought-tolerant vegetables. It tolerates poor soils with heavy clay and intermittent moisture.
FISH CROW
One of the few birds found exclusively in the
United States, the Fish Crow is a common bird
of the southeastern coast.
BLUE JAY
That blue plumage, it must be noted, is an optical illusion. Scientists remind us that blue pigment doesn’t occur in birds. The royal hue results from scattering of light waves by tiny, prism-like melanin particles on the feather barbs.
This Is Just To Say
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
William Carlos Williams
Caspian Tern, Great Barrier Reef
Sooty Oystercatcher, Great Barrier Reef
One type of ecosystem that perhaps is neglected more than any other is perhaps also the richest in biodiversity— the Coral Reefs. Reefs are useful to the environment and to people in a number of ways. However, all around the world, much of the marine biodiversity faces threats from human activities, as well as natural. It is feared, that very soon, many reefs will die.
ECOSYSTEM:
“An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms (biotic factors) in an area functioning together with all of the
non-living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment”
-Christopherson, RW (1996) Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography.
"The whole system,… including not only the organism-complex, but also the whole complex of physical factors forming what we call the environment"
-Sir Arthur George Tansley
BIO-DIVERSITY
Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or for the entire Earth.
At least 40 percent of the world’s economy and 80 percent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Yellow Half
Heirloom Half
Vine Ripe
Heirloom Half
Cucumbers Light Front 1 & 2
Cucumbers Light Back 3 & 4
CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers were thought to originate over 10,000 years ago in southern Asia. Early explorers and travelers introduced this vegetable to India and other parts of Asia. Very popular in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, people used it not only as a food but also for its beneficial skin healing properties. Greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers was originally invented during the time of Louis XIV, who greatly appreciated this delightful vegetable. The early colonists introduced cucumbers to the United States.
The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber's high water content makes it naturally hydrating—a must for glowing skin. Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis.
House Sparrow Natural in UnNatural
Spot Breasted Oriole Natural in UnNatural
MOCKINGBIRD
The Northern Mockingbird, the most well known representative of this family above the equator, is known scientifically as Mimus polyglottos, which comes from the Greek “mimus” to mimic, and “ployglottos” for many-tongued. The song of the mockingbird is actually a medley of the calls of many other birds. Each imitation is repeated two or three times before another song is initiated. A given bird may have 30, 40 or even 200 songs in its repertoire, including other bird songs, insect and amphibian sounds, and even the occasional mechanical noise.
Blue Sky Canopy 2