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To prey or to pray…. That is the question. English is a very confusing language. Both words sound the same, yet present very different meanings, all depending on the context in which they are used. There is preying and praying in a photograph of a Great egret fishing beside a makeshift cross. An egret preys on sea critters, where locals pray on Sunday morning.  A Great egret preys on sea critters, while locals come here to pray. Around the turn of the 21st Century... about 23 years ago... a restaurant and watering hole existed in Rock Harbor, called the Mandalay. A casual spot with cold beer, peel and eat shrimp and views of the ocean and boat moorings. A cross erected at the point was the focal point for Sunday morning open air church services. Around the turn of the 21st Century… about 23 years ago… a restaurant and watering hole existed in Rock Harbor, called the Mandalay. A casual spot with cold beer, peel and eat shrimp and views of the ocean and boat moorings. A cross erected at the point becomes the focus of worshippers who sit at those same tables and chairs during Sunday morning open air church services. The Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta) is a three foot tall, long-legged wading bird that is often confused with a similar looking white bird the 'Great White Heron' (the white form of Great Blue Heron.) Though both birds are herons, a simple way of differentiating between the two big white birds is the Great egret has black legs, and the Great white heron’s legs are yellow. The male Great egret also sports delicate ornamental feathers down it’s back when in mating plumage. Those beautiful feathers not only attract female mates, but nearly led to a human-driven extinction of the species. Around the turn of the 20th Century, a ton and a half of Great egret plumes, known as “aigrettes” were sold in London to decorate women’s hats. In terms of birds slaughtered, 200,000 adult birds, multiplied by 2-3 times, counting the eggs abandoned in the nest, became prey to the millinery industry.  The Great Egret by John James Audubon is shown in the marshes, preying on crayfish. In 1902 John James Audubon worried that “the long plumes of this bird being in request for ornamental purposes, they are shot in great numbers while sitting on their eggs, or soon after the appearance of the young.” It is hard to imagine a time when birds were so plentiful, they could be sacrificed for vanity and decoration, rather than be admired for their beauty and role in the natural world. The modern day National Audubon Society’s logo is of a Great egret in flight, representing the organization’s role in enacting conservation laws to protect the species and ensure it’s return.  The Great egret can be found in fresh or salt water habitat. Here a flock of egrets and other long-legged wading birds, hunt for fish, frogs and other small fare. Great egrets are equally at home in fresh or salt water environments. They have also been successful at adapting to life in an increasingly developed world. Egrets can often be seen foraging in roadside ditches, or along suburban roads. They typically stand motionless, and with keen eyesight that can look straight ahead as well as downward, patiently wait until unsuspecting prey comes their way. Then with lightning fast reflexes, the long necked egret strikes with a jab of their sharp bill. To quote Winnie the Pooh … “Which is more important, the voyage or the destination?” Piglet replied “The company.” For me the voyage and the company are of equal importance, especially in the Florida Keys when wildlife appears.  I had to do a double take, was this standing bird a new variety of plastic yard art in the genre of the pink flamingo? Then it moved, revealing a real live egret preying on lizards in the hedge. Sometimes the voyage is the destination, such as the day I photographed an egret hunting beside the road. I stopped and silently observed; luckily I was in a golf cart and not worried about traffic. I watched the scene unfold through the lens, because that is what photographers do. And bam! The once motionless egret produced a nice lizard snack from within the foot high greenery. If I hadn’t stopped, I wouldn’t have known. The voyage and the company of the egret became the experience. It also became the experience for the man in cart stopped behind me. I apologized… he waved that off, “You’re working” he responded. Nice man. So how about the people that don’t venture out in nature, or never pay attention to wildlife? That is part of why I write, to pique the interest of the unknowing or unaware. You cannot fault someone for doing the wrong thing if they do not have the facts or the understanding.  Suddenly the egret darts into the foliage and emerges with his lizard prize.  The Great egret walks with its neck extended and wings held close.  According to the prevailing view in 1900, a man could kill a bird for its feathers in order to put food on the table. The context of his preying was to feed his family, and there were plenty of birds.
How does that relate to the year 2026? There is an unrelenting population influx to Florida. It is the wild west in many respects, where every man has a right to do what he wants with his property. But will those decisions be morally right? The people of the State of Florida should enact a state-wide comprehensive plan encompassing development, roads, housing, and quality of life, before adding more people to the mix. A healthy environment means better quality of life, and happier people. Prior environmental commitments such as “Florida Forever” should be funded, and projects completed. Is that too much to ask? Maybe it is time to pray for something greater.
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The Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a year-round resident in the Florida Keys. It is one of the most familiar birds, even to those who struggle to identify bird species. Even if you say, look at the “red bird” you are partially right, as the Northern cardinal is commonly known as red cardinal, common cardinal or simply cardinal. In the year 1883 there was a community in North Key Largo called “Red Bird City,” named after the colorful birds. Though it cannot be found on any maps, it was a few miles up CR-905 from the intersection of US-1 near the current Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. The Pinder and Russell families had more than 300 acres there, and earned their living by farming and fishing, and by the vocation of catching and selling cardinals. They would capture the red birds, send them by boat to Key West, where there would be shipped to Cuba, where songbirds were in demand as caged pets.  A bright red cardinal provides striking contrast from its vibrant green perch. Historically, cardinals ranged from the Gulf to New York, southern Ontario and Iowa. Partly due to the proliferation of bird feeders, their range has shifted north to Maine, to Minnesota and southwest to Texas, New Mexico, southern Arizona, southern California and south through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. Red cardinals are here year round, but it is their nature to be elusive at times. Unlike the mockingbird and the blue jays who will let you pass within yards of them, the cardinal always has a watchful eye out for intruders, and flits away when approached.  Cardinals prefer early morning and late evening. Place food on a seed table near the cover of shrubbery in your backyard.  The male cardinal is unmistakable for its bright red feathers and pointed crest on its head.  A female cardinal makes short work of a black sunflower seed with its strong, thick beak which is perfect for large seeds. European settlers arriving in our country were reminded of the Roman Catholic bishops by the bird’s crest, resembling the bishops headgear and red color resembling the red vestments of the church. The unmistakable bright red plumage of the male cardinal is from their food. They eat seeds and grains, but they also eat insects and a variety of fruits. The female is duller, but also has a crest, and a pink bill.  When cardinals appear to you, it usually means nothing but goodness for you and your beloved, with their lifelong partnership suggesting a strong, unwavering bond. Their coloration is not all that makes a cardinal a spiritual reference. These birds have often symbolized heavenly visitors, or even a sign from a deceased loved one. A friend of mine received a large sack of sunflower seeds from a friend in memory of her husband's passing. She thought it unusual since she doesn’t feed the birds. Perhaps her friend should have included a note with the gift containing the cardinal's favorite food explaining her symbolic intent: the appearance of a cardinal is meant to show us that we are not alone. There is the rhyme “Cardinals appear when Angels are near.” The Cardinal’s Call When the cardinal sings its song I fee a tug at my heart A reminder of the love we shared Even though we are apart Its red feathers like a beacon Guiding me through the night A sign that you are with me still In spirit and in light Anonymous  Cardinals are private birds that favor dense tangles. Cardinals are private birds that prefer thick foliage with lots of trees and shrubs. In Spring and Summer they are extra protective of their nests, especially against intruders and other males. The blue jay is a major predator of cardinal chicks and eggs, as are squirrels, hawks, crows, owls, snakes, iguana and domestic cats. A word of caution: If you have bird feeders or spread seeds, avoid scattering near low shrubs and anywhere else that predators may hide and attack from. If you have pets that go outdoors, keep them away from cardinal nesting and feeding grounds. Both male and female cardinals tend to the chicks in the nest, and pairs of cardinals form life-long bonds and remain together for consecutive breeding seasons. Cardinals are a symbol of devotion and loyalty.  Late summer, a male cardinal missing feathers during molting. On a recent photo assignment I was to capture the moment when a man proposed marriage to the love of his life. Awkward at best is how I describe my role as paparazzi. So as I await hiding in plain sight with my camera and long lens, I notice a red cardinal on a branch above the path leading to the beach where he would propose. Moments later the couple walked down that same path. What a positive sign, especially for a couple embarking on a lifelong partnership. She said yes! I love happy beginnings!
When it rains the birds remain hunkered under cover in dense brush, but as soon as it clears they out in search of food. At the first sign of good weather I put sunflower seeds on the seed table and soon the hungry cardinals reappear. The return of the cardinal is a sign for new beginnings… and I’ll embrace that thought every time. Alligator Alcatraz has been in the news since June 2025, when an immigration detention facility intended for the worst of the worst was slated to be built on an improved site inside Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress has been occupied by the Micosukee Indian tribe since the 1840’s, because an impenetrable wilderness kept them from being captured in the Indian Wars in Florida. The site formerly known as Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport was constructed in the early 1970’s for commercial and military use, and as a place to land the space shuttle. Environmental concerns in the late 1970’s /early 1980’s halted further development.  Carol photographing at Fisheating Creek, documenting the moment in 1999 when the land was returned to the people of the State of Florida. Alligator Alcatraz is a catchy name designed to garner attention to the problem of the bad hombres already here, process them for deportation and to act as a deterrent for future illegals. As a native Floridian, I consider the entire media campaign ridiculous. The folks who created the narrative of man-eating pythons and alligators in Florida do not realize that there are cities and towns here, full of regular folks who treasure the Everglades. Generations of Floridians grew up taking airboat rides down the ditch, swamp buggy treks through the cypress forest and slogging on foot through the river of grass.  Florida Man. Generations of Floridians grew up swimming, fishing and even baptizing their young in these headwaters of the Everglades The original settlers lived off the land. On fertile farmland they planted orange trees and pineapples. On grassy ridges they raised cattle and they fished in the lakes, rivers and ocean. They ate swamp cabbage, a delicacy known as hearts of palm, made from the core of young saw palmetto, Florida’s state tree. Frogs legs are Everglades fare… tastes like chicken. They made gopher stew. For the Florida neophyte, that’s not stew made by a “go-fer,” a low wage undocumented worker.  The swamp guide had more alligator teeth around his neck than actual teeth in his mouth.  Alligator Alcatraz is a media concoction reported by those who live in canyons made of concrete, lined by tall buildings that scrape the sky. Their roads are like tunnels in the form of a rat maze. The only wildlife they know are street rats and park pigeons. Though these reporters may have visited Florida, they probably only made it to the Alligator Farm to watch gators in pens jump out of muddy water to snatch a dead chicken on a stick. They leave Florida with a live alligator souvenir, who after a small starring role in the third-grader’s report about what I did this summer, ends up being flushed down the toilet to appear later in a sewer near you.  My friend Bill Hutto and the local guide contemplating the first cold one of the day. The new detention facility is close-by the gallery of nature photographer Clyde Butcher, whose black and white photographs bring the wild lands of the Everglades to life. He spent his life photographing with a large format film camera, wading waist deep in the alligator’s swamp in order to give the viewer an intimate perspective of a pristine environment worthy of preservation. As far as I can tell despite photographing in alligator infested waters, Butcher still has all his limbs intact.  An ancient oak tree serves as waypoint along the creek. Florida is made up of lots of swamp. In predevelopment time Florida was 50% wetland - approx. 20.3 million acres. Now there are only about one-half of the original wetlands remaining. Wildlife need wild lands was the callout for land acquisition, and the State of Florida legislature enacted Preservation 2000 and Forever Florida to help do just that.  A baby gator hidden in the swampy waters. In 1999 I took multiple trips to the headwaters of the Everglades to document the State of Florida’s $43 million purchase of Fisheating Creek, the State’s most pristine wilderness site and unspoiled lands near Lake Okeechobee. Historically the early settlers relied on Florida’s web of creeks and waterways as their primary mode of passage through impenetrable swamp. The purchase of this 52 mile western tributary of Lake Okeechobee returned the land from private ownership back to the people of the State of Florida.  An alligator resting on a large limb is unfazed by our presence. I traveled Fisheating Creek aboard a jon boat with some well-armed locals and a guide who had more alligator teeth around his neck than actual teeth in his mouth. Sentinel oaks and limbs of ancient trees reaching out over the water were the guideposts along the way. As we traveled to remote areas, touched only by Mother Nature, the cameras’ wide angle lens took in the beautiful view, as with open arms, offered a wide embrace for a perfect ecosystem. Back on shore I sampled wild boar stew from the guides’ crusty crock-pot. He lived off the land and provided food for the local women, children and for those who could not provide for themselves.  Governor Jeb Bush recognized Carol for her efforts. The residents of Alligator Alcatraz probably possess more skills to deal with the wildlife in Florida than the media gives them credit for. Show me an Honduran man with a machete, and I will show you a survivor.
There is no place like the Everglades. I appreciate my Florida roots, and I never want to be planted in a concrete jungle. The beauty and the balance between the water and the air and the natural feel of what was… and is left of our environment in Florida is worth saving. Repatriate the inmates and when the job is done, restore this scarred land to nature. |
CAROL ELLIS
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July 2025
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