Brittle Thatch, White-crowned Pigeon

What's Growin'-Palms Brittle Thatch Palm(Thrinax morrisii) is an uncommon palm elsewhere is a common tree on the pine rocklands of Big Pine Key.

This slow growing endangered species is not a tall palm with extreme specimens reaching 20’. The berries are a favorite food of the Key Deer.

It has a characteristically rough trunk with the frond bases not persistent but falling away as the tree matures. A very difficult palm to transplant but nice as a low specimen plant or in a group.
What's Flyin'-Birds Our summertime visitors, the White-Crowned Pigeon(Patagioenas leucocephala), are becoming fewer and fewer. They arrive in late April or early May feasting on the ripe fruit of the Poisonwood tree, Blolly and Randia. Local lore says they do show the effects of fermented berries sometimes crashing through the trees in a drunken frenzy. They are a timid bird that is very difficult to approach but fortunately show a preference to sitting on solitary branches. This fine bird suffered from hunting in the early part of the century. They are only found in the Florida Keys, sporadically in South Florida and the Caribbean.

That's it, see ya

Pitch Apple, Swallows

What's Bloonin'-Native
The Pitch Apple(Clusia rosea) goes by a couple common names including Balsam Aplle and Autograph Tree. If you carve your name in the thick leathery leaves they will stay on the tree for many months to come. It is said that the pirates of old used the leaves as playing cards.

The seed pod contains small red seeds and is surrounded by a black resinous substance that was at one time used to caulk the seams of boats hence the name Pitch Apple

The bud opens with white and pink petals that later turn brown.

The seed pod is a tough poisonous applelike structure.

What's Flyin'

Barn swallows have stopped in in the beginnig of the annual migration. They can be seen wheeling about the sky in seach of insect meals each morning and evening.

Shore birds

This is from just down the road in a shallow pool of water in the wetlands. What makes it interesting is the four species in one shot. From left to right - Tri-color Heron (Egretta tricolor), Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) and Snowy Egret (Egretta thula).