POD - a lucky find - a baby Racer on my doorstep

I found my own juvenile Racer on my doorstep. I initially thought this was a baby Corn Snake, but experts have properly identified this for me as a baby racer.

Thank you Deering Naturalist Rangel Diaz who brought me good luck when he allowed me to post his photo of a cooperative Everglades Racer earlier this week. See July 29, 2019, Photo of the Day - Everglades Racer photographed at Deering Estate on Friday, 7/26/2019

Take a moment and look at a prior blog post: The wildlife is in the backyard (CLICK HERE) to view the photos of some of the local natives I have located in my Palmetto Bay yard. Posted below is a photo on adult Racer I found in my Palmetto Bay back yard in 2012:

Please don't harm these good guys. CLICK HERE to view an online article - Don’t be in a Hurry to Shoo Away a Racer, by Dr. Joan Bradshaw, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Service. I share the goal of Dr. Bradshaw and agree, "Attracting wildlife to home landscapes has gained a lot of momentum over the past few years with most of the attention focusing on enticing birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. An equally compelling case could also be made for encouraging snakes into the garden."  

Coral Reef, Palmetto Bay and Perrine Wayside Dog Park recognized as Florida-Friendly Landscapes.

3 of our Palmetto Bay Parks are recognized as Florida Friendly Landscapes.

The conservation and protection of Florida’s water resources starts at home. Homeowners’ landscaping choices can affect the health of ground and surface waters and the natural environment.

Congratulations to our Village of Parks. Coral Reef, Palmetto Bay and Perrine Wayside Dog Park were recognized as Florida-Friendly Landscapes on June 18, 2018. 

Thank you to our Parks staff for protecting Florida's environment and enhancing the community by successfully implementing Florida-Friendly Landscaping practices and maintenance at these parks. 

Here's a guide to how you can make your own yard a "Florida-friendly" environment: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/homeowner.htm

A big "Thank You" and another "Job Well Done" to our Village Management and Staff.

The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Homeowner program educates homeowners about how to design, install, and maintain healthy landscapes that use a minimum of water, fertilizer, and pesticides. The result? Low-cost, low-maintenance, attractive landscapes that add value to your community and reduce the chance of polluting the water supply.

Councilman David Singer & Mayor Eugene Flinn, Coral Reef Park, 1-15-18

Parks are my passion. I was honored to be the 2016 recipient of the Charles H. Crandon Award from the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, "For outstanding effort by an elected official to increase park, recreation, and conservation open space opportunities for the residents and visitors of Miami-Dade." The award was presented at the Great Parks Summit back in April 0f 2016.