Nature’s Reflections – Florida Osprey

Nature’s Reflections – Florida Osprey

The Fish Eagle – Master of the Catch   The osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Florida’s fish eagle, gets its name from the Latin word for sea eagle. These eagle-like birds of prey catch fish with impeccable precision and finesse. Measuring 21 to 24 inches in length, ospreys have long, pointed wings spanning six feet. The head, […]

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Nature’s Reflections – Whooping Crane

Nature’s Reflections – Whooping Crane

This large bird still on the endangered species list The whooping crane (Grus americana), is named for its unique trumpet-like call that can be heard for several miles. It is North America’s largest bird, standing 45 to 50 inches tall with a wingspan of 90 inches. Mature birds are pure white with black wing tips, […]

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SECO News, October 2017

SECO News, October 2017

  Duncan’s Digest HURRICANE IRMA HITS HARD   Hurricane Irma is indeed the biggest, baddest, meanest named storm we’ve seen in a long time. Irma’s damage to our system was more significant than we experienced in the infamous 2004 hurricane season.   Hurricane Irma – the aptly named “war goddess” – arrived with an arsenal […]

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Nature’s Reflections – Living with Alligators

Nature’s Reflections – Living with Alligators

Keep your distance and NEVER feed them   Florida’s official state reptile is the American Alligator (Alligator mississippensis). This largest North American reptile is a common site in Florida’s waterways. Our state is home to 1.3 million of them. People are intrigued by alligators, but they are dangerous creatures if someone attempts to handle or […]

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Nature’s Reflections – Nine-Armed Sea Star

Nature’s Reflections – Nine-Armed Sea Star

Once called a starfish, although it is not a fish   Sea stars are Echinoderms (Echinodermata) —a group of animals whose name means “spiny skin,” which includes sea urchins, feather stars, sand dollars and sea cucumbers. About two thousand species exist exclusively in oceans worldwide. None are found on land or in freshwater. Sea stars […]

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Nature’s Reflections – The Green Anole

Nature’s Reflections – The Green Anole

One of Florida’s best natural pest control experts   This lively little garden critter is the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis), pronounced uh’no-lee, of the Iguanidae family. It is the only anole native to Florida and not to be confused with the non-native Brown Anole. Its long-pointed snout and smooth skin distinguishes it, as does its […]

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