amazing

Leave a comment Posted on Design and Patterns, Garden, Travel highlights, Tropical environments

New observation…

Another striking find during a walk at Flamingo Gardens. I wanted to touch them and see how hard or soft, how light or heavy they felt. Too high in the tree to answer the question. Look at the Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) tree. God (or whatever higher being your recognize) never ceases to amaze and humble me with his designs and creations.

The Tamarind tree are filled with pods caring multiple fruit which is edible and medicinal. The fruit is sweetest when the pods are dark brown. Each Tamarind tree yeilds over 350 pounds of fruit per year. CLICK the image to learn more. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Tamarind is a native of Aftrica; but enjoyed in many tropical parts of the world. I look forward to trying to view it when in flower, though the flowers are less striking in presence. I look forward to buying some Tamarind jam for my breakfast toast. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Garden, Tropical environments

Berry bounty…

Unsure of the specific Palm variety here, but the berries were prolific and in all stages of ripening. Also unsure if these are edible. They were part of the foilage in the Bonnett House Courtyard, Ft. Lauderdale Florida.

Palm Tree rich with hanging clusters of berries.Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

‘Tis the season for berries. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Design and Patterns, Nature, Ocean beaches and Florida nature, Photography

Second miracle discovery…

Spotted this on the beach near one of the Common Purple Snails shown the other day to you. Looked at first like a shell on top of some dark sand. Moving to the side so that I didn’t cast a shadow on it I saw the vertical clear “sail” on top. It is a By-The-Wind-Sailor (Velella, aka Sea Raft. It makes sense that I saw it near one of its predators, the Common Purple Snail. The By-the-wind-sailor is related to the Men of War. This one was only a couple of inches in size; not sure how large they can become. I continued to be amazed and humbled by nature’s designs. Brand new miracle found (witnessed?) this morning!

By-the-wind-Sailor beached after high tide receded. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Leave a comment Posted on Design and Patterns, Nature, Ocean beaches and Florida nature, Photography

Humbled by nature’s design…

Once again, I am awed by nature. This morning walking on the beach I saw this lovely little purple snail shell; during my walk I found about six more of them. They seemed to be blowing bubbles?! I did try to remove/pop bubbles on one, but it was clearly attached to the dear slug inside the shell, so I left it alone, except for placing it at the edge of the tide. Turns out that these Common Purple Snails live on Men of War as predators. However, when a situation arises where they detach from the Men of War then it automatically secretes a foamy pillow as a floatation device. Wow! So simple and so effective! I am humbled and impressed.

See one of my favorite reference books: Florida’s Living Beaches by Witherington, for more information.

I feel like a witnessed a design miracle today; simple and effective. And we think we’re so smart! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Common Purple Snail with UNCOMMON talents. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg