Connie AND TONY (see below) in the news

[yakmaster]

This just in from the Biscayne National Park Newsletter...

 

FEATURED WILDLIFE SIGHTING

Submitted by Dr. Vanessa McDonough

Constance Mier, an astute observer and Biscayne Bay enthusiast, has

observed within the park a very rare albino morph of the otherwise

common yellow-crowned night heron. She reported her sighting

to park rangers and has also provided photographs of the bird. The

identification of the bird has been confirmed by world-renowned

ornithologist Dr. David Sibley.

 

Congratulations Connie, good eyes, good shot! Anytime Sibley himself documents you is DANG COOL!

 

[Swamp Hunter]

cool

[Connie Mier]

Thanks guys, I hope the little albino is doing OK. I haven't seen it for awhile.

[vivian]

Can you post a larger image?

[Connie Mier]

Vivian, here is the link to a previous post where I shared photos of the bird. http://floridaphotographyfromacanoe.blogspot.com/2012/05/albino-yel...

I would also like to share that this little white bird is a gift to me. I decided to share my photos of it with the folks at Biscayne National Park. My initial contact person, Gary Bremen, also happens to be the curator of the art gallery located at the park's visitor center. Consequently, I was asked to show some of my work at the gallery. I owe this opportunity to the little white bird.
Connie

[yakmaster]

I got so excited seeing that Connie had impressed Sibley himself, that I stopped reading the newsletter.

 

Picked it up and turned to the next article an there's our own Tony Pernas...

 

CHAMPION TREES IN BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK

Submitted by Dr. Vanessa McDonough

In late May, the NPS received confirmation that four trees within BISC have been

dubbed “Champion Trees” on the American Forests’ National Register of Big Trees. This

designation means that these trees represent the largest species representatives in

the entire USA. Champion designation is determined through a formula that takes

into account the tree’s height, circumference, and spread. BISC’s Champion trees are:

one Inkwood (Exothea paniculata), one Pigeon Plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), and two

co-champion longleaf blolly trees (Guapira discolor). These trees were “discovered”

during the 2010 Bioblitz event by Tony Pernas of the NPS’s South Florida and Caribbean

Exotic Plant Management Team, who noted the trees’ large sizes and nominated them

for Champion Tree designation. These designations reinforce that protecting natural

landscapes allows plants to reach their maximum potential.

 

 

Tony had told me about the un-recognized true champions. I'm glad he finally got them into the books! Tony do we still have some other "disputed" champions?

 

It just goes to show the caliber of folks we have giving advice and exchanging info on these boards! Thank You Connie & Tony for highlighting the spectacular that goes unnoticed in our day to day travels in our local scene and thanks to Keith for bringing us all together, this truly is an amazing resource focusing on some REALLY cool places! 

[Swamp Hunter]

There are actually quite a few tree species without champs and many right here in South Florida that can be nominated.  http://www.americanforests.org/bigtrees/species-without-champs/?sub...

[3sj8ukir9xxf9]

Too cool!  

[daniel]

that is really cool, congrats. great shot.