Nature and Animals

During September and early October, Summer Deadheaders pulled weeds and invasive vines at the front and back entrances, the bocce court, the Villas pool and various cul-de-sacs. Volunteers together worked over 84 hours, saving our community nearly $5,500 in landscaping costs. The group celebrated the end of summer deadheading by playing in the 1st Annual […]

The black snakes that we usually see here in Southwest Florida are Black Racers. However, they are often confused with the Eastern Indigo Snake, also native to this part of the state. The biggest difference between indigo snakes and black racers comes from their weights. Black racers weigh only 1-2 pounds, while eastern indigo snakes […]

HEAT IMPACT ON PLANTS Few would argue that this summer has been hot and dry. While the effects of heat and drought on flowers are obvious, it’s harder to see how intense sun, humidity, and storms affect trees. As you water your flowers, remember to care for your trees as well. Deep Watering – Once […]

Florida is home to nearly 4,000 varieties of ferns, flowering and nonflowering plants, making it the third most diverse state ranked by plant flora. The abundance of plant life is the result of Florida’s ample sunlight, sandy soil, torrential rains (followed by long stretches with NO rain) and nearly a 12-month growing season. As a […]

ALLIGATOR AND CROCODILE The difference between alligators and crocodiles is often easy to spot once you get the hang of it. Alligators are dark colored with a broad, rounded snout and are usually found in fresh water. Crocodiles are grayish-green and prefer coastal, brackish and salt-water habitats. They have a narrow, tapered, triangular snout. Also, […]

NORFOLK ISLAND PINES Norfolk Island Pines – we are all familiar with them. They look so cute in our local garden center shops; they’re adorable in our homes and on our lanais—in a pot; they’re relatively inexpensive, providing a nice alternative to an expensive Christmas tree. But, did you know that those adorable trees, when […]

ANHINGA Anhingas and cormorants are both large black aquatic birds often confused for each other, but they have distinct differences. They are similar in size (somewhat smaller than a goose) with wingspans from 3.7 to 5 feet, the cormorant having the larger wingspan. Anhingas are known for their long, slender necks and pointed bills, while […]

TURTLE I was recently told some of our residents are removing our turtles and tortoises from the roadways and putting them into the ponds. I understand why you are doing this. You don’t want them to be hit by a car. Now I’d like to explain why you shouldn’t be taking the turtles and the […]

DESCRIPTION Green iguanas are large, typically green lizards, though they can sometimes be brown or almost black in color. Some adults can take on an orange or pink coloration during certain times of the year. Hatchling and young green iguanas usually have bright green coloration. Green iguanas have a row of spikes down the center […]

NATIVE SOUTHERN TOAD As the rainy season gets underway in Southwest Florida, you may see an influx of cane toads in your backyard and surrounding areas. Cane toads are one of the largest species of toad in the world posing a danger to pets due to their toxic nature. Native to South America, the species […]