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“HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU”: DO SOMETHING GREEN!
Today is the 46th Earth Day, a global event to encourage ecology and conservation, and to discourage the spoiling of the planet by mankind. What becomes lost now may never be retrieved. Plant a tree. Grow some bee- or butterfly-friendly flowers. Clear a patch of beach of plastic trash. Recycle stuff. That sort of thing.
Atala Hairstreak Eumaeus atala – DelphiImage may be NSFW.
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Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae – Neem FarmImage may be NSFW.
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I’d lined up some horror-images of plastic-filled birds, entangled turtles, damaged reefs and so forth, of which I have a depressingly large archive. Then, in a spirit of *vogue word alert* positivity I scrapped that miserable idea and decided instead to celebrate some of the natural wonders that can be found on Abaco.
BAHAMA YELLOWTHROAT – one of Abaco’s 5 ENDEMIC BIRDSImage may be NSFW.
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CUBAN EMERALD HUMMINGBIRD (f) preening – Gilpin PointImage may be NSFW.
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Some signal species serve as a continuing tribute to those who work to conserve them. The gorgeous ABACO PARROTS, now saved from the brink of extinction – and currently establishing a new colony on New Providence. The rare PIPING PLOVERS that find a safe home to spend their winters on Abaco’s beaches. The 5 ENDEMIC BIRD species. The WHALES & DOLPHINS that populate the waters. The west-indian MANATEES, until very recently almost unknown for Abaco yet now providing a curious addition to the scene as they visit their favourite haunts.
BLAINVILLE’S BEAKED WHALE (m) approaching the BMMRO research vesselImage may be NSFW.
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BOTTLENOSE DOLHIN, Sandy Point (about to dive under the boat)Image may be NSFW.
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Habitat protection has been provided over substantial areas on both land and sea by the creation of natural parks and preserves. These have very recently been extended by the establishment of 4 large PROTECTED AREAS for East Abaco Creeks, Cross Harbour, the Marls and the South Abaco Blue Holes, a wonderful reward for a great deal of hard lobbying by conservation organisations and by many concerned individuals.
QUEEN ANGELFISHImage may be NSFW.
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BANDED CORAL SHRIMPImage may be NSFW.
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Scientific research and conservation work is continuously carried out in Abaco waters. The CORAL REEFS that form the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world; the BLUE HOLES that lead to wonderful caves and cathedral caverns of crystal; the vast area of the MARLS and the species that rely on the mangrove swamps; the MANGROVES themselves: all these are watched over and monitored for ways to protect them best for future generations.
PIPING PLOVER pair, Delphi (taken last month)Image may be NSFW.
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PIPING PLOVER on AbacoImage may be NSFW.
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I’ve mentioned trees and plants. There are a variety of well-known sources for both on Abaco – on the mainland, anyway, and maybe some cays. Any will advise on bee and butterfly attractants. Thinking of which, bird seed feeders and hummer sugar water feeders are cheap and guarantee the interest of garden and coppice birds, and during the winter months some brightly coloured migrants such as buntings and grosbeaks.
HIBISCUS – DelphiImage may be NSFW.
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BOUGAINVILLEA – DelphiImage may be NSFW.
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Bird of Paradise flower STRELITZIA – Marsh Harbour (seemingly on a steep slope!)Image may be NSFW.
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HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU!
RALPH’S CAVE South AbacoImage may be NSFW.
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Credits: all images RH except: Abaco parrot, Craig Nash; Bahama yellowthroat, Gerlinde Taurer; Angelfish & Shrimp, Melinda Riger; single piping plover, Bruce Hallett; Ralph’s Cave, Brian Kakuk
Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
