The Manatee, commonly known as the Sea Cow, are gentle herbivorous aquatic giants.
They have a prehistoric quality that leaves one in awe. Viewing them through a camera lens is like a meditation. Their slow movement as they glide through the water slows the pulse and soothes the soul.
They are familial and communal, moving in groups to feed along the bottom of springs and mangroves.
During colder months they migrate to inland areas like warm springs in Florida where the waters are normally warmer.
But these incredible creatures are dying in record numbers.
Why?
The list is familiar:
Exposure to harmful algae due to increasing water pollution
This has caused a loss of seagrass and decreased their food source
Watercraft injure and kill manatee and the numbers increase every year
Human generated trash that ends up in waterways ensnare them. They are curious by nature and ingest plastic debris, often ending in fatality
In over 6500 manatee necropsy reports from 1993 to 2012, more than 11% that died ingested or were entangled in marine debris.
In 2021 the death record of the manatee was broken at 841.
Here in the land of the evergreen in everything the seasons are different but still exist. Since we are now in the prelude to the dry season it is, for a few weeks, the windy season. I’m talking really windy. Two weeks ago we had a broken tree in the little pine forest on the property. A year ago the cedar that stands beside our little house cracked and half fell onto the wall and part of the main house.
Yesterday morning, shortly after we got up, I heard someone saying, “Buenos dias!” through my open bedroom window. Surprise! The same talented tree fellers (not fellas) were back, this time to take out our cedar. This tree actually grows around the side of our place and had significant height and breadth over the roof.
So, we packed up our devices and parked ourselves down the hill to watch the show. My heart skipped a few beats every time another piece came down. These family guys work as a great team with quick precision and planning and don’t miss a beat.
It was a fine old cedar. Before it’s first injury there was a huge branch that shaded the side yard. We weren’t here for that mishap but were told it was potentially devastating. Yes, that is a power pole and yes that is a transformer attached to it. The landlord tried getting the power company out here to do it but they never responded to his calls. Time to call the experts..
This kid can’t be more than 18-20 years old but he clearly has been doing this awhile. He has a good teacher though.
That guy has monkey blood I swear it!
They patiently took it down in pieces, tying it off and cutting, mostly with a machete. He wore no gloves or harness and stood should to shoulder with that transformer box for much of the process. They were done in about two hours.
There were watchers…
And the supervisory committee..
And a mountain of cedar branches with a pound of sawdust later, it was done!
The view from my bedroom window. 😱 Hopefully someone will come to get this soon.
I wish I knew someone who did carvings. Would love to have a totem here.
Oh! They had five more trees to take down after ours!
All in a day’s work!
Okay you know this calls for the obvious! One of the best groups ever to take a stage…
In a world where so much ugliness slithers its way into our lives even as we struggle to find the beauty there, it can seem that the only day when people really share and care is Christmas.
If we just take a moment to step back and examine what the most beloved holiday of the year represents, we might realize that we experience its magic nearly every day of our lives. Friendship, gifts, love, beauty, brilliance and hope. And if we remember that little overblown holiday between Fright Night and Commercialism’s favorite day, we could add thanksgiving to our list.
So, starting off my list of Good Things is…
1) Traditions
Okay, okay. Yes, this a photo of Harry Potter and you might wonder how it fits in with my theme. Well, yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter movie franchise. I saw this film with my youngest son and it set in motion a tradition for he and I that went on for all the years of the story’s unfolding on the big screen. Harry holds a special place in our hearts. My son even buys me Lego Potter sets to build. It is a magical story that somehow screams of the holidays, likely because they often celebrated Christmas in the films. And it just makes you feel good.
Spending time with my kids has always been the greatest gift in the world and a very good thing.
2) Nature..
Living in such an eco diverse country brings so many moments of magical wonder. This is a Silkmoth Caterpillar. You don’t want to cuddle it. Those feelers pack quite a sting. But if left to continue its business will one day become a gorgeous adult moth.
I’ve seen one up close and they are so amazing.
Pretty huh?
3) Friendship and generosity..
How about this face? Meet Buzzbee. Yes, he’s a hedgehog. He has a brother named Weed who is a bit more shy. These brothers from the bushes are some of the cool ‘children’ of the sweet people who created our little residential oasis here. Les and Julie have a deep love of all things natural. They cultivate a wide variety of garden treasures in their greenhouse, raise chickens and quail and have turned a simple piece of property into an extraordinary bit of paradise. They happily share its bounty with all of us who live here and for this we are thankful.
4) Playtime..
Every evening is outdoor fun time for the little guys with their frisky, in-charge brother Trek keeping watch!
I love making new friends. 😀
5) A safe place to snuggle..
The hedgehogs love running around in the grass and hiding in their burrows on the hill.
Isn’t this a face you can’t resist? ❤️❤️
6) Caring and sharing..
Our hosts Les and Julie are a lovely couple who appreciate their life here in Panama and share with others whenever they can. Julie is involved in community efforts and helps organize and work charity events as well as networking to keep the ladies of Boquete connected. Les is a conscientious gardener and kindly shares the ‘fruits’ of his labors . 😱The lemons.
Julie and Buzzbee! 🤗
7) Thoughtfulness
I was sorely needing a ‘little Christmas’ and since Thanksgiving is not an official holiday here, I was more than happy to start jingling some bells.
This little tree was ours when we spent Christmas here last year, before the disaster. My sweet friend from where we lived before saved it for me, knowing we would return. Thanks Lissy for the encouragement and support during our hardship! We have been blessed with good friends and loving family.
8) Having a magical tree decorating hat! 😜
What do you think, is the magic working?
9) Ending the day watching one of my favorite shows..
Sometimes a single moment in time brings living beings together in the most unusual way. And magic comes from madness.
When I stepped out of the truck, leaving the door open for a moment to unload things and chat with my friend, I never imagined that a couple of playful hummingbirds would flit by and one would pull up just in time to avert disaster while the other slammed against the inside of the door and fell to the ground at my feet.
My heart fell beside it. My mind raced and I ran inside for a paper towel, afraid to pick my little friend up with my bare hands. Resting on the table near the feeder it breathed quietly while I gently smoothed its feathers and tentatively stroked its tiny head. Its buddies buzzed by and I whispered to it.
After a few moments it flew from the table and awkwardly into the trees. But it was okay. My heart sang.
We found this little fellow while on a walk around the neighborhood. The bluejay population is booming here and they are gorgeous. We opted to leave him where he was. Sure hope he fared alright.
