Wildlife

A Wee Thought After a Difficult Week – #Poetry (Sort of)

/ Marcia / 64 Comments

Ode to a Painted Bunting

A sign.
My heart called out for a sign.
Something to hang onto.
Something to give me hope.
Something to remind me the world can be beautiful,
And people can be kind, generous, and loving.

Just a sign.
Please.
Nothing momentous.
A simple reminder that Life can be good.
That’s all I asked.
All I needed.

And then …
A sudden glimpse of red,
An impossible flash of chartreuse,
A dollop of bluish purple …
There!

Just there, outside my window.
I held my breath, staring in wonder.
How could such a creature even be real?
So tiny and quick, and yet …
So brilliantly magical!
Reminding me of all the beauty in the world.

A sign.
That’s what it was.
And I smiled, at peace again,
And ready to face the day.

Painted buntings have been at my backyard birdfeeder for over 2 weeks now, passing through on their northward migration. I have been in awe every day, as they never stay here this long. (Guess they got the weather report and decided to postpone heading farther north). Last week was a tough one, and I was feeling pretty discouraged, but when I got up today and saw there were still two males and two of the solid green females at my feeder, I realized what a gift I’d been given. A sign, indeed! Better days are ahead! For ALL of us! 💖💖💖

 

#ReblogAlert – This Week on #StoryEmpire

/ Marcia / 18 Comments

As always, another week filled with great stuff on #StoryEmpire. Be sure to check out these terrific posts!

MONDAY:  Gwen Plano’s post, Extroversion and Introversion, gives us a look at the types of personalities writers might have, and how it can impact how we look at life, and approach our work. AND there’s a link where you can find out just where you fit on the introvert/extrovert scale. VERY interesting. Check Gwen’s post out  HERE.

WEDNESDAY:  Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Punctuation is another very helpful post in this informative series from Harmony Kent. Check it out HERE.

FRIDAY:  Today,  D. L. Finn has a post near and dear to my heart, entitled Animals and Writing. I’m a huge fan of pets and other animals being included in stories, and Denise does an excellent job of explaining the why and hows of doing so. Check it out HERE.

And there you have it folks! See? As I said, it’s great stuff! 😀

#GuestDayTuesday – The Cat That Changed America – by Tony Lee Moral

/ Marcia / 26 Comments

Today, I have something very special to share with you. Author and film producer Tony Lee Moral is sharing an excerpt from his latest children’s book, The Cat That Changed America, illustrated by Louise Groves. I think you’ll find this story as interesting as I do, especially if you have a love of wildlife in general and mountain lions, in particular. My thanks to Tony for sharing his book here today, and my very best wishes for a huge success. I know my grandson will be getting a copy of this one, for sure, and I’m guessing many of you will enjoy getting this book for the children in your own lives, too.  Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Then the biggest and ugliest looking mountain lion that P22 had ever seen emerged from behind a tree. He had a thick brown coat, enormous paws, and muscles bulged from his long limbs. His name was Prime.

“Good Evening,” said Prime, with a smile, baring his enormously long teeth. “Looks like you’re having a dinner party, and forgot to invite me. Now what kind of manners is that?”

“We were just passing through,” Mom said. “We’ve finished now and we’ll be on our way.”

The Old Male snarled another smile that made P22’s hairs stand on end.

“Just passing through?” he said. “This kill looks and smells a day or two old. You’ve obviously been here before.”

“We’ve stuck to our territory,” Mama said bravely, even though she was quivering a little inside. Prime was about twice her size and she knew that she’d stand no chance against him in a fight. “Even though we are close to yours. But the deer have gone further west. As I said, we’ll leave now.”

The old male, leered at the two lion cubs who despite themselves, tried not to quaver. 

BLURB:

Based on a true story with an imaginative retelling for young readers;
P22 mountain lion is born in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains outside Los Angeles, California. But he is forced out of the mountains by Prime, a fierce older male lion who wants him dead. He heads east to stake out a new territory of his own in the bright lights of the big city. Along the way, he makes friends as well as enemies, and crosses two freeways, the 405 and 101. He passes through the City of Stars at night, and strolls down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, all the while trying to avoid those bothersome humans. After more adventures, he reaches the edges of Griffith Park. Can he make it his new home?

Pre-Order/Buy The Cat That Changed America HERE (US) and HERE (UK)


Author Tony Lee Moral

Tony Lee Moral is an author specialising in children’s, young adult, mystery and suspense. He has written three books on the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock: Alfred Hitchcock’s Movie Making Masterclass (2013) published by MWP books; The Making of Hitchcock’s The Birds (2013) published by Kamera Books and Hitchcock and the Making of Marnie (2005) published by Scarecrow Press. Tony was born in Hastings, England in 1971, before moving to California. He lived in Monterey and Big Sur for two years which forms the inspiration for his YA novel “The Haunting of Alice May”. His latest book “The Cat That Changed America” is based on his 2017 documentary film about P22 mountain lion and is aimed at young readers.

You can reach Tony here:
Twitter and Instagram
@tonyleemoral
Facebook
@tonyleemoralfans

Websites
www.tonyleemoralbooks.com
www.thecatthatchangedamerica.com
www.ghostmaven.com

 

Reminder: Central Florida’s Fabulous Wildlife Presentation – Overview

/ Marcia / 9 Comments

Just a reminder for those of you in the central Florida area. I will be giving a presentation tomorrow at the Enterprise Heritage Center and Museum (information below), along with wildlife photographer Doug Little. Doug’s work has been on display at the museum all month, and if you haven’t yet checked it out, you really should stop by for that alone, though I hope you’ll stay for the show. It’s an overview of my brand new wildlife series, and features even more of Doug’s work. I’d love to see YOUR smiling face in the audience, getting a sneak peek of the various topics I’ll be focusing on over the months ahead .

Doug and I will both be happy to answer your questions on Florida wildlife, and we will be available afterward to sign books (me) or calandars (Doug.) This program is free, though donations to the museum are always gratefully accepted. No reservations required, either. Join us for a fun afternoon, with lots of time for Q&A! 🙂

When: 1:00 PM, Saturday, April 28
Where: Enterprise Heritage Center and Museum, 360 Main St, Enterprise, FL 32725
Phone: (386) 259-5900


Tri-colored Heron (background) and Little Blue Heron (foreground).

My Schedule of Local Events March thru May

/ Marcia / 16 Comments

Believe it or not, I have had electricians, painters, and contractors to deal with this week, just when I thought I was nearly done with Irma, once and for all. Eeep. Therefore, I’m not really back to normal with my blogging and writing routine. However, I do have a lot of fun events scheduled every month through October.

For those of you in this area who might like to attend, here is a list of the ones open to the public, covering the next three months. Hope to see some of you at one or two of them! 🙂

MARCH 

SAT, 3/10 – DeBary Hall – Catered Luncheon and Tea 

Time: 11:00  
Cost – $25
Reservations Required by 2/28 (You may choose your lunch selection when you call)Includes luncheon with custom-blended teas, a reading, Q & A session, and a signed copy of one of my books, your choice.
Call (386) 668-3840 for directions or additional information.

APRIL

SAT, 4/7 – “Meet the Author” EcoTour River Cruise 

Time: 1:30
Cost – $30
Reservations required to hold a spot.
The Naiad departs from Highbanks Marina in DeBary. Your ticket includes full 2-hour tour, plus a short stop midway for a reading and brief Question & Answer session, and a signing back at the dock.
Call (386) 626-9004 for directions and addition information. (Please leave message if they are out on a tour. 

SAT, 4/28 – Enterprise Heritage Museum – Joint Wildlife Slide Presentation 

Time: 11:00
Cost – $10 (Includes Lunch)
Reservations Required
Joint Wildlife Presentation with Doug Little and Marcia Meara, in conjunction with Doug’s month-long wildlife photography museum exhibit.
Call (386) 259-5900 for directions and additional information.

MAY  

SAT, 5/12 – DeBary Hall – Central Florida’s Fabulous Wildlife #2
 Wading Birds of the St. Johns River Basin 

Time: 1:00
Cost: FREE
No Reservations Required
A slide presentation featuring the wading birds of central Florida, with plenty of tips on identification, and information on nesting, feeding habits, and more. All you have to do is show up, ready for a fun and informative presentation. Plenty of time for Q&A.
Call (386) 668-3840 for directions or additional information.

#CFFW – #DeBaryHall Wildlife Presentation

/ Marcia / 12 Comments

If you are in the area this coming Saturday, 2/10/18, I will be at DeBary Hall, presenting the first of my series, “Central Florida’s Fabulous Wildlife,” featuring the area’s most famous–or infamous–animal, the American Alligator. The presentation starts at 1:00pm. I have lots of information and a ton of great slides to share with you. Join us for what I hope will be the first of many entertaining, interesting, and informative wildlife talks. And there will be plenty of time for Questions and Answers, too.

The event is FREE, no reservation required. All you have to do is show up prepared to enjoy yourself. 🙂

Hope to see YOUR smiling face in the audience!

DeBary Hall, 198 Sunrise Blvd, DeBary, FL 32713, (386) 668-3840

 

 

#SwampGhosts Presentation at DeBary Hall 5/20/17

/ Marcia / 19 Comments


“Big Blue”
Opening Slide from My Swamp Ghosts Presentation

On May 20, 2017, I’ll be doing my favorite presentation at DeBary Hall Historic Site, and if you are in the area, I’d love to see you there. This talk features many beautiful photographs of the St. Johns River basin habitat, including birds and wildlife of the area. There is also a brief introduction to albino and leucistic alligators, and a section on the easiest way to ID the very few snakes in our area that you do not want to handle. The last section covers a bit on how I write, my inspiration board photos, and the challenges of starting a brand new career at a time when most are thinking about retirement.

I always include plenty of time for Questions & Answers during and after the presentation, and I can pretty much guarantee that there will be a whole lotta laughin’ going’ on! 🙂 This is a fun event, and if you can possibly come, please do! Meeting new readers is my favorite thing in the world, next to writing books for them. Here’s the pertinent information for those who’d like  to  attend:

Location: DeBary Hall Historic Site, 198 Sunrise Blvd, DeBary, FL 32713
(386) 668-3840
Time: 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 20, 2017
Cost: FREE, No Reservations Required

COME HAVE A FUN AFTERNOON LEARNING MORE ABOUT WHAT MAKES FLORIDA GREAT!

Wednesday’s #NotesFromTheRiver – Barred Owls

/ Marcia / 11 Comments

Today’s #NotesFromTheRiver blog post features one of central Florida’s most beautiful birds, the barred owl. Hope some of you will check out the post, and share with your friends. Doug Little’s beautiful photos are worth the visit, alone. To see (and hear) for yourself, go here: #NotesFromTheRiver – Barred Owls

#StJohnsRiverEcoTour #MeetTheAuthor Friday, 5/27/16

/ Marcia / 6 Comments

0038-107-800-750-80-wm-right_bottom-20-DougLittle-255-255-255-20Come Say Hi to Me, and This Guy!
(Barred Owl)

I’m up for one last eco-tour this Friday, until after the weather cools down a bit. Want to join us on the beautiful St. Johns River, for some wildlife viewing, bird watching, local history, and a brief reading from yours truly?  I’ll be doing more in the fall, I’m sure, but this will be my last one for this summer, I think.

These tours are the best two hours you can spend in central Florida, you know . . . even without MOI! 😀 The river is always beautiful and lush, and the wildlife can be amazing. Even this time of year, when many animals are hiding in the shade, you always see something wonderful. Plenty of birds, for sure. If you live in the area, join us Friday for a great time.  Call for reservations ( 386-626-9004), as the boat is almost full. Bring your cameras!

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Help Us Spot One of These!

#MidWeekPOV – #wwwblogs Small Miracles

/ Marcia / 10 Comments

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Wood Stork on the Wing

Some years ago (too many to count), I developed a little habit I call “looking for the miracle.” It started as a small superstition that if I saw something truly beautiful or uncommon at the start of a long car trip, it was a sign all was well in the world, and I’d get where I was going, unscathed. Yeah, I know it was silly, but it made me feel surprisingly good, and you know what else? I found that when I was actively watching for them, small miracles showed themselves to me nearly everywhere I looked.

bald_eagle_stock_by_crystalsm

Of course, with my long-established love of nature, I often looked for special birds or wildlife along the roadside, as an omen of good luck. I’d spot a bald eagle soaring overhead (always an inspirational sight), and say to myself, “There! That’s this trip’s miracle.”

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Or I’d see the summer’s first swallowtail kite, my very favorite bird of prey, and feel so happy, I just knew it was good omen, and my trip would go smoothly.

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Over the  years, I’ve spotted all sorts of interesting animals and birds along the highways and byways of my travels. A flock of wild turkey is always a good sign, to me . .  .

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. . .  and my first Florida sighting of a half-grown black bear made me smile for the next twently or thirty miles.

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Over time, I saw other things that I counted among my miracles. Rainbows are always good, and double rainbows mean my trip home will go well, too.

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A solid purple field of wild phlox takes my breath away as it announces its miracle status in no uncertain terms.

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A crested caracara sitting in a tree,

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deer grazing in a field,

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a baby donkey standing in the front yard of a farmhouse–all have given me a sense of the magical, the beautiful, the miraculous, at one time or another.

You may count other things as your good omens, but whatever speaks to you in that way, I promise if you make it a point to look for the miracles around you, you’ll find them. And whatever you’re doing at the time will suddenly seem happier, taking on new significance.

Miracles abound, if we but open our eyes. Try it. You just might be amazed.