Working remote. Hudson River Chestertown NY 8 25 2025

Another beautiful day in the Adirondacks. 

Just for fun - Palmetto Bay Bird Feeder Cam - common grackles - bullies at the feeder cam

Just for fun.  No politics - just watching birds with elbows - looking to dominate at the feeder cam.

Photo of the day

Cardinal season - photos of the day

My first time ever being cornered by a female cardinal (or greeted - it is all a matter of perspective). Such an interesting bird. 

I enjoy our Palmetto Bay oasis - we have maintained our entire yard to remain friendly to and actually attract native wildlife.

Cardinal feeding time at the Palmetto Bay Bird Feeder Cam

Looking forward to a chill weekend - figuratively as well as literally.  

The bushes are full of cardinals who are taking turns feeding at the Palmetto Bay Bird Feeder Cam.  

The real attraction is not the food in the feeder.  We have planted our yard with native plants that provide significant natural food sources and nesting opportunities for our native songbirds. 

Breaking post - Now I've seen everything - parrot out for a drive

 I did ask and obtain permission for the photos.  Of all the things to see on my way to a mediation: a parrot riding on the car (tethered).  A beautiful day for a morning drive with the top down. I should have driven the convertible car this morning!

Seen while cycling - Santsimodo?

Alex and I ran across this Christmas display near South Miami City Hall.

Come on, look at it with an eye toward amusement: Santa is not climbing to a chimney, he is climbing a tower (clock tower) that rings bells to mark time.  We have named this display Santismodo after the fictional character in The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo.

Just for fun.  Enjoy.

An outstanding idea - an ideal subject for the Nature Postings Photogenic Nature Workshop - Palmetto Bay's free range chickens & roosters

This is why I put things out on the blog.  I get some great responses.  

One reader suggested that readers and "photo contributors" of the blog should enter the Nature Postings Photogenic Nature Workshop - set for Saturday, August 31, 2024

The following info is provided by official Palmetto Bay sources: This workshop provides the perfect setting for amateur photographers, professionals, and families to experience nature behind the lenses of a camera. Open to all skill levels and ages. All participants will be required to bring their own camera or phone. $10 per person. Register here.

Registration remains open - hurry and register - please don't chicken out!

A new exercise opportunity for Coral Reef Park - here now : "The ROCKY II Chicken Chase"

For the fitness buffs - Palmetto Bay is supplying the chickens - all you have to do is chase them!

Also see PRIOR RELATED POST - Monday, July 22, 2024, Coral Reef Park and the Mangowood community have a morning wake up alarm.

I'm told that there are many to choose from - see photos posted below - supplied by readers (Please send more)

Also coming soon - reader submitted photos of Roosters who have come home to roost in other areas of Palmetto Bay (please mail photos to me at eugeneflinn@bellsouth.net)

Photo of the Day – the tortoise and the hare warming up

Are they getting ready to settle the score? Miami’s own (formerly of Miami) Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld takes a remarkable photo of local wildlife on a quiet morning at Ellington Park on Merritt Island – what were the odds to snap a photo of this tortoise and this hare? And inquiring minds want to know if they in fact were getting ready to race?

Photo credit: Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld

When its too deep to ride through

JUST FOR FUN - a replay of the 9-25-2021 gravel adventure.

Who from Palmetto Bay wants to join in?

Dora and Malcolm featured in carrying their bikes through thigh deep water - gravel riding Saturday, 9/25/2021

Photo of the day. Lucky dog cyclist - the lead dog

This pampered pooch has a great seat providing a great view. Love the googles.

Photo permission granted

#32: Enjoy the little things. 

Seen along Old Cutler Road - Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Get out and ride. Sometimes you you into some great sights and interaction through slowing down and travelling by bicycle.

20 year celebration. Time is flying. It takes a village! Photo memories.

For me, watching this village is like having children. You do your best to raise them right. Sometimes you enjoy sitting back and watching the success and then there are times you know you need to get involved (with your children as well as with the village).  A parent's job is never complete.

I am repeating a post from the 15 year celebration series. Does anyone recognize these the village children in the post?

Photos of the Day - Village History photos

In the spirit of the Palmetto Bay 15 year celebration - Palmetto Bay Village History. Remember the days through our youth.

Time flies - Eliza Rose Berse & Dhilini Amelung at our 2003 village picnic

 Recognizing Cub Scouts on February 7, 2005 - 

several of these scouts earned their Eagle Scout in 2016

Rickenbacker Climb - 01 - Sunday, December 12, 2021. Solo ride. What a v...

It was a beautiful day to ride. You can tell I am not much of a climber ( at 4:36 )  as you can watch some experienced climbers blow by me. It is all about practice. It had been a while since my last ride over the bridge: January 17, 2021.

And then - back to the mainland:

Why they call it "vulture alley" 12-5-2021. Part of the Sunday road ride

Check out the hundreds of vultures congregating in and near the southern Mount Trashmore on this Sunday chill ride - 31 miles for the day. 106 Miles for the week. 3,812 miles for the year to date.

I am working to complete my annual goal of 4,000 miles.

The Strava segment known as "Vulture Alley"

Morning ride - Photos of the Day

Saturday, 11-13-2021, what a gorgeous day! Who is out enjoying our South Florida weather? A morning 36.5 mile ride to the Grove and back. It should not take a court order to get you out of your home on a day like today.

The ay was flat smooth. Shore birds doing their thing, staying just out of reach. The water was clear, so you could see some fish close to shore doing their thing.

Why? These trees once thrived in Coral Reef Park. That is until this current mayor and council started their war on trees in Palmetto Bay

Coral Reef Park - losing beautiful specimen oak trees. These trees had thrived in Coral Reef Park for over 40 years. That is until this current administration took over and demonstrated their preference for asphalt and concrete. Take a look at Coral Reef Park to see how many new paths have been paved over grass. The paving of green space. But it is not just Coral Reef Park. The Palmetto Bay designed 8-10 foot shared path is yet another example of concrete over green.

These photos bring reality and mock the current administration's use of #PalmettoBayProud. Are you? Are they really?

Enough comments. Here are the photos of the day - a small series of photos sent to me by a fellow concerned resident. So many fellow residents are just floored as to how this current administration seems to have little concern for the trees.  I want to thank everyone who has reached out. 

I can't decide what stands out more: The two dead trees (any green is from the healthy trees behind the front two) or all that railing that now divides part of the part and has become a visual focus of the East side of the Park. The bridge has brought us more than 2 (for now) dead trees. It also has fenced off anyone from walking along the canal bank. I have yet to hear anyone tell me how all this railing adds beauty to the park.

Could this issue have been avoided if Palmetto Bay had gone through the proper process in pulling a permit?  See March 5, 2020, Palmetto Bay officials – acting as if “permits are for the little guy”: building a bridge without a permit – caught, now on hold, waiting for the permit. WTH (heck)??? Follow up on the issues.

Who designed and determined where to place this new bridge? The design required a significant ramp (also requiring a hard turn, further demonstrating how this current mayor and council shoehorned this bridge project into the park). Both trees had up to 4 feet of earth pushed up around their trunks. Frankly I can't believe the members of Palmetto Bay's Tree Board approved this - or sat quietly once the plans were presented. Where were they? Missing in action.

The current mayor and council succeeded if their goal was to clear the shade from parts of the Coral Reef Park paths as well as the SW 136st Street shared path. I wonder if the dead trees will  be removed from the park, or if they will remain as part of an upcoming Halloween event (scary dead trees) slated for Coral Reef  Park next month. 

The tool box: a link to Prior related Posts:

September 9, 2021, Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

March 5, 2020, Did I touch a nerve? Readers react. Village officials attempt to hide their shame behind a green screen for all to see at our upcoming community picnic. Update of the bridge.

September 9, 2021, Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

April 26, 2021, Poor Tree. Who determined where and how to locate the Coral Reef Park Bridge? Regulations ignored. Once again, Palmetto Bay acts say: do as (Palmetto Bay) says, not as Palmetto Bay does.

A quick break for something very light and entertaining: Today is September 1st - Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Pumpkin says hello and welcome to Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Pumpkin (foreground) hanging with his BFF (best friend feline) Fiyero.

Ginger Cat Appreciation Day is one of those 'are you serious?!' special days. It is observed annually on September 1st.

For what it's worth, Happy Ginger Cat Appreciation Day.

Read more: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ginger-cat-appreciation-day/

Photo of the Day - Its often Groundhog's Day in upstate NY or is this a woodchuck?

My daughter provided photos on a ground hog that has taken up residence nearby in upstate NY.

Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks. They are the largest-bodied members of the squirrel family in upstate New York. An adult groundhog weighs around ten pounds on average, and they are easily recognizable for their chunky bodies and stubby legs.

Some areas apparently consider them a pest. Geez, can't we all just get along? They are part of nature.

For the record, ground hogs are correct only half the time in predicting the end of winter. 

Finally, a woodchuck would chuck “As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, If a woodchuck could chuck wood.”

Enjoy your summer

Weekender - photo of the day - Bicycle at a lavender farm - fun question: what do both lavender and bicycles have in common?

Sometimes we all need to step back from the stressors in our lives and find a way to relax. So relax and think about this photo. Lavender and bicycles share many of the same health benefits (so too, would traveling to a lavender farm). 

This photograph was taken by Palmetto Bay resident Jennifer Santino Finger while at Washington Lavender, located on the estate at the George Washington Inn in Port Angeles, Washington. 

Photo Credit: Jennifer Santino Finger

Lavender is an herb. A/K/A the calming herb. The flower and the oil of lavender are used to make medicine. Lavender is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is also used for depression, dementia, pain after surgery, and many other conditions.

Cycling can ease feelings of stress, depression, or anxiety. Focusing on the road while you’re cycling helps develop concentration and awareness of the present moment. This may help take your focus away from the mental chatter of your day. Cycling can also keep you lean and fit, which may reduce your risk for certain types of cancer. While Lavender in the bath may help some with stress reduction, cycling may offer a positive start to your morning or a stress reliever after a day at work.  Cycling regularly is one way to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and its accompanying health concerns. It can help prevent cardiac issues such as stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Cycling may also help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes.

Both Lavender and Cycling are environmentally friendly.

The photo itself is quite relaxing.

Enjoy your weekend.