[noelcmn]

I'm with you-all kinds of people and cultures have these silly business. Still I'm thankful that some are still around.
An early morning Heron-KNP

[WPRESTO]

BTW, V-A-V changes. The various places where the heron/egret/etc photos were taken in Florida, I have been told, had five times as many birds in the 1960's, and at least ten times as many before WWII.

[noelcmn]

That is not surprising-considering the exposion of the human population with its inevitable results.
Red Billed Buffalo weaver, which I seldom get a chance to photograph in Kruger Park.

[WPRESTO]

Three coordinated phenomena really put pressure on Florida wildlife after WWII: 1) the USA came out of the war stronger than it went in, the middle class expanded enormously and initiated the American mania for automobiles; 2) Eisenhower started the interstate highway system, so the newly affluent, auto-loving middle class families could drive long distances comfortably at reasonable cost; and 3) Florida real estate sold like cola-for-a-penny-summers-in-Arizona for retirement homes and winter escapes for "sun birds." So the land was laid waste and tourism exploded in Florida, and the wildlife accelerated exponentially its previous long slow decline. Few at the time recognized much less worried about what was happening.
And here's a stork.

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Last edited by WPRESTO; 07-01-2015 at 05:45 AM.

[noelcmn]

The record here is not much different, though there were some that recognized the dangers, and acted accordingly, such as Paul Kruger, after whom the Kruger Park is named, who saw the devastation of hunting, promptly set aside land to preserve wildlife, and the rest as they say is history. We do need a few more like him. Or we can hope that something else can happen, such as with this Greater blue eared starling, that is adapting to an urban environment, and surviving. Just a few years ago you could only see these in the game and nature reserves-well, here is was a few blocks from my home. And I have been blessed to have it right in my back yard.

[WPRESTO]

Some birds may adapt, but sadly few mammals larger than rodents will become urbanized.

[noelcmn]

Yes, and we will be back to the same old problem of humanity that will see only opportunity-an opportunity for food and the excuse for the need to survive. It would be nice to see kudu around here- but it will be killed in no time- and eaten. I have seen this happen to a horse that was knocked over-in no time there were 100+ people with knives vying for their share. Rather keep the Kudu in the reserves.

[WPRESTO]

This lemur, and several others, seems to have a lightly sad face.

[noelcmn]

Back to birds

[pete-tarmigan]

Three coordinated phenomena really put pressure on Florida wildlife after WWII: 1) the USA came out of the war stronger than it went in, the middle class expanded enormously and initiated the American mania for automobiles; 2) Eisenhower started the interstate highway system, so the newly affluent, auto-loving middle class families could drive long distances comfortably at reasonable cost; and 3) Florida real estate sold like cola-for-a-penny-summers-in-Arizona for retirement homes and winter escapes for "sun birds." So the land was laid waste and tourism exploded in Florida, and the wildlife accelerated exponentially its previous long slow decline. Few at the time recognized much less worried about what was happening.
And here's a stork.

Gorgeous! An intimate portrait.

[WPRESTO]

I'll avoid birds for the moment and put up an iguana.

[noelcmn]

I can't avoid birds, especially when they are this cute, and very melodious. Heard this one before I located it in the garden.

[WPRESTO]

Another somewhat wistful looking lemur.

[noelcmn]

And yet more birds-this one I particularly like, elusive birds, and they do not allow you to get close-I've even tried crawling to get closer.

[WPRESTO]

I've posted several other shots of this cormorant. In those Florida locations where there are boardwalks for wildlife viewing, these birds become tolerant to almost brazen, easily approached within two or three meters.