tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72317443028299907172024-02-21T15:01:26.518-08:00Mound House Happenings...*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-83081852117109353902014-08-28T09:50:00.002-07:002014-08-28T09:50:50.769-07:00<br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CREATURE FEATURE #28</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Snowy egret (Egretta thula)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The striking white plumage,
black legs and distinctive yellow feet of the snowy egret make this one of our
islands’ most attractive resident wading birds. They are frequently found
on the beach, fishing in the shallows, especially on calm mornings.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Highly evolved for a life of
fishing, the snowy egret with its long legs, long slender neck and pointed
bill, is perfectly designed for catching the small fish and crustaceans in the
shallows. Sometimes, standing motionless until the moment they strike, they
also can be observed herding fish with widespread wings and their bright yellow
feet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The snowy egret can be found
at least seasonally throughout most of the United States, inhabiting rivers,
lake shorelines as well as swamps and wet agricultural fields. They are
most commonly encountered along the<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">coasts. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They can be seen nesting in colonies often in
association with other wading birds on small isolated islands and mature cypress
swamps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now a recovered species, the
snowy egret was nearly hunted to extinction in the early 20<sup>th</sup>
century as commercial plume hunters harvested these birds for their gaudy
breeding season plumage. These were the feathers that adorned the hats of
fashionable ladies throughout the Americas and Europe at the time. Legal
protection and post Great War changes in fashion saved this species from
demise. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><br />*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-86965715375897686692014-03-11T12:53:00.003-07:002014-03-11T12:54:07.215-07:00CREATURE FEATURE #27<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CREATURE FEATURE # 27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE9yqVbaVjoXAm3CsxxWSLWZmVclAeT1dVxntdTy8-zz2OpFE6kftsqAlro7EWZGNkoVb3NdZkAJK3bZsFeWFB-1O-5JDPapCsohfE6rIf3AYts5Hd4NKtQyOzg4fhTV8-tMuZoBoaVyk/s1600/ground+dove+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE9yqVbaVjoXAm3CsxxWSLWZmVclAeT1dVxntdTy8-zz2OpFE6kftsqAlro7EWZGNkoVb3NdZkAJK3bZsFeWFB-1O-5JDPapCsohfE6rIf3AYts5Hd4NKtQyOzg4fhTV8-tMuZoBoaVyk/s1600/ground+dove+1.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the regular residents at Mound House is the common
ground dove, a bird native to the southern United States. These doves are much
smaller than their cousins, the mourning dove. Ground doves have a similar soft
brown coloring but with pink feathers around the beak with tan wings. Ground
doves can often be observed at our bird feeder or foraging amongst the coastal
dune vegetation on site for grass seeds or fruits. Picking up bits of shell and
grit for their gizzards is a typical late afternoon habit of ground doves, and
they are often seen on the shell paths of the property. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ground doves build their nests either on the ground, or in
low growing bushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their small,
delicate nests can be observed by our visitors and have been located along the
sandy slopes of the shell mound itself or in the low growing native vegetation.
These nests usually hold two eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicks
can fly as early as eleven days after hatching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These birds are yearlong residents whose feeding and nesting
behavior has adapted to seasonal changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not unlike the bobwhite quail, who occupy similar habitat, the ground
dove spends most of its time on the ground walking and foraging, flying short
distances as needed to
relocate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-33520356802018981012014-01-14T11:03:00.000-08:002014-01-14T11:03:41.916-08:00CREATURE FEATURE #26<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNsTFYYTdy0pfMgCYQfjmd1qlkNKRJjhRwmiV9L5ckrn7n6FGYqn4jgjWsN6vJRq19LI8M07UAOk7eKnhN5hD-ZXbTVVgHmkIQFpxU2uaMqTxVPccZgeV03DkJTE5wqNbEpdv0B_65rq1/s1600/14174%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNsTFYYTdy0pfMgCYQfjmd1qlkNKRJjhRwmiV9L5ckrn7n6FGYqn4jgjWsN6vJRq19LI8M07UAOk7eKnhN5hD-ZXbTVVgHmkIQFpxU2uaMqTxVPccZgeV03DkJTE5wqNbEpdv0B_65rq1/s200/14174%5B1%5D.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PILEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus pileatus)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the occasional visitors to Mound House is the
pileated woodpecker. They can be seen foraging in our larger trees for insects,
especially carpenter ants and have a particular affinity for the coconut palms
on site. Slow and undulating in flight, pileated woodpeckers are a strikingly
colorful bird with a bright red head ,white stripes along the cheeks, and jet
black body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only does the pileated woodpecker eat ants, they also
dine on other insects such as caterpillars and roaches and enjoy fruits and
berries as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWww4Xp4Mpc1LxDG_pIV6It1s7ZQEnzMw7qNnz_z4qMu2ptXLv8NTRnuNZDZSp0p1HAIUgB4Rqg9jO0GwFmKtnfBw8CO2jro1G_vSj-zVdlX1LqfepSYGVLs_TkYXv7E3qZS8VgWjJWPIO/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWww4Xp4Mpc1LxDG_pIV6It1s7ZQEnzMw7qNnz_z4qMu2ptXLv8NTRnuNZDZSp0p1HAIUgB4Rqg9jO0GwFmKtnfBw8CO2jro1G_vSj-zVdlX1LqfepSYGVLs_TkYXv7E3qZS8VgWjJWPIO/s200/IMG_0035.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These woodpeckers typically nest in dead trees, carving a
large cavity into the tree that can also serve as a future home to other birds.
Their large and heavy bills are used to strike and chisel tree trunks with an
audible “thunk-thunk” that can be heard far away. They inhabit forests and
suburban areas from New England to Florida and all across the United States.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The photo to the right shows a replica of the Calusa Indian tablet
painting found at Key Marco which was dated to over a thousand years old. What
significance this bird held for the Calusa remains a mystery, but this tablet
is demonstrative of the fascinating art created by these long ago people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can see this tablet and many other examples of Calusa
art in the “Stories Beneath Our Feet” underground archaeological exhibit
here at Mound House. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-21424923193746369282013-12-05T13:22:00.001-08:002013-12-05T13:24:35.373-08:00Plants In Profile #28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZLrZRC9L_mnHQQRTwkzCiNU1UoR6qzRKrMHO_NMJBhy7kNAmiJufehLLXPbZXH7rUxqKa8zol6-VylvSegcObcJOZyQQaUbPA70JbPN-UqnUjahqSKEUE8A2btTafG4iCN6Kkhd1hBTJ/s1600/IMG_3012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZLrZRC9L_mnHQQRTwkzCiNU1UoR6qzRKrMHO_NMJBhy7kNAmiJufehLLXPbZXH7rUxqKa8zol6-VylvSegcObcJOZyQQaUbPA70JbPN-UqnUjahqSKEUE8A2btTafG4iCN6Kkhd1hBTJ/s320/IMG_3012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PLANTS IN PROFILE #28<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">FIREBUSH (Hamelia patens)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Mound House is home to a wide variety of plants and
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firebush, a native species of
Florida, is one of the more colorful and interesting shrubs and is located
right outside our office door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blossoming
all year long with bright red and showy flowers, these plants are often
featured in tropical landscaping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fruit of this shrub is a juicy red berry that is edible, but unremarkable in
flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond enhancing the landscape
with color, firebush serves as a host plant to attract butterflies and
migratory hummingbirds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While beneficial
to wildlife, firebush has also been selected for the landscape at Mound House
because of its medicinal and industrial uses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Historically, firebush was utilized by Native Americans to treat skin
problems such as burns, insect bites and rashes. Recent research
into the medicinal value of firebush has revealed that extracts from this plant
showed analgesic and anti- inflammatory uses. In addition, tannins from this plant are used
in several industrial applications as well. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37RFuDWRQ0Q95WTDODOKoP3uPyBPAS29OkR9sAbUIjcS3KFtDxGUIW9Tr3yMfY7BPa9aeFqk8mItjSru4FtxDfLtAo5gIr713QR1jVCHR0s410amfbFhCEECjBoPOjLAHAdgqgXklJYSQ/s1600/IMG_3010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37RFuDWRQ0Q95WTDODOKoP3uPyBPAS29OkR9sAbUIjcS3KFtDxGUIW9Tr3yMfY7BPa9aeFqk8mItjSru4FtxDfLtAo5gIr713QR1jVCHR0s410amfbFhCEECjBoPOjLAHAdgqgXklJYSQ/s200/IMG_3010.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-62278062213625462212013-10-29T13:19:00.003-07:002013-10-29T13:37:49.446-07:00Plants In Profile #27<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PLANTS IN PROFILE # 27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">WILD COTTON ( Gossyplum hirsutum)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The newest addition to the Mound House botanical collection
is a native plant often found on ancient shell middens such as ours here at
Mound House. In the wild, growing amongst the coastal hammocks and thickets,
wild cotton grows as a shrub and can reach heights of 6 to 12 feet living for
several years. The native range of wild cotton includes southern Florida,
Mexico, northern South America , Central America and the West Indies.
People have been cultivating and using cotton for over two thousand years,
spinning the fibers of the cotton bolls into fabric and string. Today, modern
varieties of cotton are the most widely used natural fiber in the world and the
seeds of cotton are used in the production of oils and animal food. In herbal
medicine, cotton seed and roots have been used to treat asthma , dysentery and
cancer and is occasionally planted as an ornamental. Interestingly, in Florida,
a permit is required from the State to grow wild cotton, even though it
is listed as an endangered plant. Oddly, this plant achieved its endangered
status due to extensive eradication efforts in the 1930s which nearly
obliterated wild cotton from the Florida. Wild cotton was eradicated in an
effort to prevent the spread of boll weevils from wild sources into cultivated
crops. Even though there is no cultivated cotton crop within several hundred
miles of the Mound House and our plants, the Florida Department of Agriculture
still requires a permit to grow cotton and monitors the site with insect traps
to detect the potential presence of the boll
weevil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-17573081812338346312013-09-20T12:02:00.000-07:002013-10-15T13:46:07.365-07:00THE CUBAN FISHERFOLK OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA<br />
<br />
During the seventeenth, eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth centuries, there was an <br />
extensive and lucrative fishing industry between Cuba and the coast of Southwest Florida<br />
which included the waters of Estero Bay and our own Mound House site. Semi-permanent<br />
seasonal fishing camps or "ranchos" were established along the coast, many of which <br />
occupied the abandoned shell mounds of the Calusa . The abundance and accessibility of <br />
this tremendous shallow water fishery that had enabled the Calusa to establish a vast and sophisticated kingdom, now supported a new group of people, the Cuban fisherfolk. The protected back bays and expansive sea grass flats of our area lent themselves to the simple<br />
fishing technology of the day. Using handmade woven nets and shallow draft sailboats,<br />
these Cuban fishermen harvested up to two million pounds of fish a year from our waters.<br />
Without refrigeration, fish had to be smoked ,or dried and salted before being packed for <br />
shipment to market.<br />
<br />
For centuries, South Florida was more closely tied to Havana than to any other port or <br />
capitol in North America. It is roughly one hundred miles by water from Estero Island<br />
to Key West, and another 90 miles to Havana. As a Spanish possession, "La Florida" <br />
had no gold or silver for the conquistadors, but Florida is rich in natural resources, and<br />
in the long run provided many colonial benefits to Spain. <br />
<br />
With the ascendancy of Spanish influence in the western hemisphere, Havana became<br />
a populous port city and soon the productive fishing grounds along the north coast of <br />
Cuba had become depleted. Feeding the growing colony of Cuba was a lucrative enterprise<br />
for the commercial fishing industries of the day. The Spanish Crown leased exclusive<br />
fishing rights to Cuban businessmen who set up seasonal, and sometimes permanent, <br />
ranchos upon the old Calusa shell mounds. In the fall, fishermen would target species<br />
such as redfish ,snapper, trout, pompano ,and particularly the mullet which begin to <br />
fatten up in the fall in preparation for the winter spawn in which vast schools of mullet <br />
assemble in the tidal creeks and back bays of our estuaries, making them accessible to the<br />
Cuban nets. As these fish were harvested,they were smoked or dried upon racks, salted and<br />
packed for shipment to Cuba. Around March, at the end of the fishing season, these fishermen<br />
would then sail to the Bahamas to harvest salt collected from seawater evaporation pools. <br />
This salt was then brought back to the fishing ranchos in preparation for another season.<br />
As trade became more established, many Cuban fishermen ended up marrying local Indian<br />
women. Historians and other observers of the day referred to the descendants of these people<br />
as "Spanish Indians". These families often joined the Catholic church and sent their children<br />
back to Cuba for education.<br />
<br />
For 200 years Cuban fishing ranchos operated along the coast of Southwest Florida, many<br />
of them, like the Mound House site, established atop ancient Calusa mounds .Ultimately, <br />
Spain ceded control of Florida to the United States in 1821, and in 1835 the Second Seminole<br />
War ended the era of Cuban fishing ranchos in Florida as the United sought to end foreign<br />
settlement of its new territory.<br />
<br />
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-54323917958524849922013-07-23T09:50:00.002-07:002013-07-23T09:50:47.229-07:00Jack DeLysle and Rum smuggling<br />
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While the Mound House has had a variety of interesting resdients, one of the most colorful was a British promoter named Jack DeLysle. DeLysle came to Southwest Florida amid charges of smuggling rum from Cuba to the United States during the alcohol free era of Prohibition. The following narrative describes the event and is pulled from newspaper accounts from the time.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_K4DbgLm1smu9uj8LU5U_Dd0lQM1Vno3cnPsew4S_5zygR8uY0M_ahHNcoUIMQ6TLRQX7BHvuOqbNo68jV-HwDQamYFaHhIvZDWFA1eHlMpfzX8RLDldGezrzWzAZRm68tdoQAAxM170/s1600/delysle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_K4DbgLm1smu9uj8LU5U_Dd0lQM1Vno3cnPsew4S_5zygR8uY0M_ahHNcoUIMQ6TLRQX7BHvuOqbNo68jV-HwDQamYFaHhIvZDWFA1eHlMpfzX8RLDldGezrzWzAZRm68tdoQAAxM170/s320/delysle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack DeLysle in front of a Ft. Myers home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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THE INCIDENT<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Uralia, a schooner containing
a ship load of whiskey was wrecked on a sand bar below Naples during heavy
northeast gale Saturday, the fifteenth of January 1921. Three days before the
ship had set anchor off the coast of Naples and when the storm hit the crew
attempted to secure the boat in Gordon’s Pass and became grounded on a sand
bar. A large number of cases of alcohol washed ashore and were then salvaged
and were either hidden in mangroves or stolen and changed hands. The vessel originated in Mobile several weeks
before the incident under the name Frank M. and sailed under an American flag.
It then sailed to Tampa, Naples, and Key West before it anchored in Havana. It
was here that the boat was loaded with alcohol and changed its name to Uralia
and its flag to British. Its destination was meant to be Pensacola but the
Uralia was forced to drop anchor off of Fort Myers due to the storm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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THE CREW<o:p></o:p></div>
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The crew originally consisted of
Jack and John Delyse, Captain Brindley L. Coats, a Spaniard, and a black deck
hand named Cleveland Bodden or Bedden. Jack DeLysle, had previously served in World
War I as a captain in the air service and “acted as one of the official air
photographers for the British government.” DeLysle met his wife and two year
old son in Havana and sailed back to Fort Myers with his family on a separate
ship. At the time of the shipwreck DeLysle and his family were living in a
suite at a Naples hotel and “apparently caring little for expense. Among the
incidentals added to the furnishings of the suite was a handsome piano.” When
police arrived at the shipwreck, the crew consisted of John Delysle, the
Spaniard, and Cleveland, John claimed that he was merely the engineer and that
the captain had fled the ship. <o:p></o:p></div>
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THE INVESTIGATION<o:p></o:p></div>
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Major William, federal
prohibition enforcement officer, arrived in Fort Myers from Tampa and worked
alongside Sheriff Frank B. Tippins and Officer John Barnhill to investigate the
illegal alcohol aboard the ship. They estimated that originally the Uralia held
close to 995 cases. The cases were labeled “Soap” and marked in blue chalk with
the number “12.” While most of these cases disappeared, the officials were able
to find a couple of cases labeled “Country Club” whiskey. The alcohol in these
branded boxes appeared to have originated from New Hope Kentucky before Prohibition
was enacted, at that time it was shipped out of the country to Cuba. The
officers stated that the liquor is a very poor grade, at least the bottles discovered
by them. The investigators discovereed Cleveland’s diary and found that he was
employed by Captain Coats three months prior to the incident; he and the
captain met the DeLysles in Mobile Alabama and chartered them for this trip.
They then sailed to St. Andrews Bay and then down to Tampa where the DeLysles
came aboard. It appears that on the cruise down south between Key West and Cuba
Capt. Coats and DeLysle had a quarrel “over whether they should bring back with
them a load of Chinamen or a load of booze, the former claiming it was more
profitable to smuggle in Chinamen to the United State.” Once they arrived in
Havana Coats registered the boat as the Uralia under Cleveland’s name since he
was a British subject. <o:p></o:p></div>
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THE TRIAL <o:p></o:p></div>
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The DeLysle brothers were taken
to Tampa for a trial before Walter O. Sheppard, the United States Commissioner.
The two brothers were represented by their attorney R.A. Henderson. Cleveland
was called as a witness during the trial as was Will Tomlinson and J.O.
Whidden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both brothers were declared
innocent after it was found that a number of the witnesses had been caught with
liquor and one of them at least had been convicted several times previously for
illegal sale of liquor. The testimony of one man, that he purchased illegal
liquor from Jack DeLysle, was thrown out after several witnesses proved that
Jack DeLysle was not in Fort Myers on the day the witness said, nor for two
days prior to that time. The jury
acquitted the DeLysle brothers after only ten minutes of deliberation and with
not a single dissenting vote. <o:p></o:p></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-33924941516613663812013-07-17T11:05:00.000-07:002013-07-17T11:05:16.277-07:00CREATURE FEATURE #25 - American Oystercatcher <br />
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AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5luOd_D2AYsUhZd34-L2hlNX0CdnhluBDc1j2RY1Pzcu-N_tkwrNaPH3blfuDhMYFeHKSvAhGR6I7d91mIu0iPkYbrLCOvYIpo8sPD23wgAGZFEdpvk1scGo_wUkLd8S1jIBWsAgkQuX/s1600/American+Oystercatcher+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5luOd_D2AYsUhZd34-L2hlNX0CdnhluBDc1j2RY1Pzcu-N_tkwrNaPH3blfuDhMYFeHKSvAhGR6I7d91mIu0iPkYbrLCOvYIpo8sPD23wgAGZFEdpvk1scGo_wUkLd8S1jIBWsAgkQuX/s320/American+Oystercatcher+c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A wide variety of shorebirds inhabit the Florida coastline,
each filling a unique ecological niche between land and sea. And of course, that is where human encroachment is at its greatest along the Gulf
Coast. As such, many of these species are listed as threatened or endangered,
or, as in the case of the American Oystercatcher, listed as a “Species of
Special Concern” by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The FWC estimates that there are only about 1,000 of these individuals living in the
State. But little is known about the movement, migration, or the population of
these birds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgO3lKBFQi7MdDrNs1SgK30FaKOEOb8AphM5L22bmQ2kIN8Eng7Do21uohzOvfoB9h6nKxDOXLtOtWazjT-WSswqO0_lRwOODM50qyFWaWu-TQ6KDjmd1Em1zmD1vaJ3SB3NipZ8AumXI/s1600/American+Oystercatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgO3lKBFQi7MdDrNs1SgK30FaKOEOb8AphM5L22bmQ2kIN8Eng7Do21uohzOvfoB9h6nKxDOXLtOtWazjT-WSswqO0_lRwOODM50qyFWaWu-TQ6KDjmd1Em1zmD1vaJ3SB3NipZ8AumXI/s320/American+Oystercatcher.JPG" width="320" /></a> The Oystercatcher, with their dark brown back and white underside and a bright red bill, is one of the largest and heaviest of our
shorebirds. In flight, a diagonal white stripe on each wing forms a “V”pattern.</div>
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These birds need extensive sandbars and mudflats in which to
forage and nest. They are very sensitive to human disturbance and require
remote locations to thrive, which is very hard to find on the coast of Florida.
Oystercatchers usually nest in shallow depressions scraped out of sand and
surrounded by water.This makes them subject to predators such as raccoons,
foxes, dogs, and cats.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA6W1NmpgDKfUGuXkngai-vUEZZ_HcdUNq0miRJ9eYw8prVcQ62gsXTJpBdxxE96W_EkXoOpDbBRX3DalkCDOLq-b5rbuG2mXMaCkYDSvgea3bFZelPMYZkDvWM16QmpYmUhemII2ZM8J/s1600/nickerson-beach-667-edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA6W1NmpgDKfUGuXkngai-vUEZZ_HcdUNq0miRJ9eYw8prVcQ62gsXTJpBdxxE96W_EkXoOpDbBRX3DalkCDOLq-b5rbuG2mXMaCkYDSvgea3bFZelPMYZkDvWM16QmpYmUhemII2ZM8J/s320/nickerson-beach-667-edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to the FWC, Oystercatchers get their name for
their habit of snatching oysters from slightly open shells. They use their
powerful bills to open mollusks and sort through shells on the beach in search
of food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp50hNVEuTYgphSMhr-yO4PbLeONYeTPXfYI3n8wj-2l8jFl3jMJS1wSNq74aPL5sPx92OM5cv1F6F1-yXmih5JiteyaYx8-2HFZnqMTTSBawLm8P6mcP2GiBNBwxpAecU_m4WCyFnrp5/s1600/artmax_331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp50hNVEuTYgphSMhr-yO4PbLeONYeTPXfYI3n8wj-2l8jFl3jMJS1wSNq74aPL5sPx92OM5cv1F6F1-yXmih5JiteyaYx8-2HFZnqMTTSBawLm8P6mcP2GiBNBwxpAecU_m4WCyFnrp5/s320/artmax_331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-1755227463569801212013-07-13T09:18:00.001-07:002013-07-13T09:18:40.183-07:00<br />
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PLANTS IN PROFILE #26 - THRYALLIS (Galphimia glauca)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH05uwC73xRwIv1W9g6kvw7cRXmXSQ06QCP8xgZS1DckBY0KtEeLOaMwttguzbj9iUp-mi6MsvCctalLk-hpi3H316nmR7aomPFroC5dYEbNZoKCcNvLxZCLGt2hDncmZeN5HyJoaJSFbe/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH05uwC73xRwIv1W9g6kvw7cRXmXSQ06QCP8xgZS1DckBY0KtEeLOaMwttguzbj9iUp-mi6MsvCctalLk-hpi3H316nmR7aomPFroC5dYEbNZoKCcNvLxZCLGt2hDncmZeN5HyJoaJSFbe/s320/IMG_0234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Summer rains bring back a vibrant and colorful element to
the vegetation at Mound House. Many species who wait out the dry weather of
late spring return more robust and vigorous than ever. In the scientific and
medicinal gardens portion of our site, be sure to check out the beautiful
golden flowers of the thryallis, in full bloom just in time for summer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy78mZKkUlQbkyBDSNFuDQ3bpPffWGJhjarGtyUWCrXHmc8BScisJs_CcR0oj7Avg8Tw7iyKzEJg8Dhi7mFSf7CEKw4lHZVcin6voRqgLYGBsRaI1SJwZVqF2MD69nKLGyyUzQFnxy4BUW/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy78mZKkUlQbkyBDSNFuDQ3bpPffWGJhjarGtyUWCrXHmc8BScisJs_CcR0oj7Avg8Tw7iyKzEJg8Dhi7mFSf7CEKw4lHZVcin6voRqgLYGBsRaI1SJwZVqF2MD69nKLGyyUzQFnxy4BUW/s320/IMG_0235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A medium sized, evergreen shrub, these hardy low maintenance
plants have become popular in Florida as landscaping hedges and for adding
color to lawns.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl39KXuOTZmOmeQBr3xvaVuq6RaWyX7h4o_f9p92jK_VLEour8AUMmRcAVELnptWoS4mUAH8pKv8RK38W-ka6NHRqzuPJUx9e0jmDXeAxRq8RqxzHvnww9-SmaoRx0aPOhJtXBFBh2kL1M/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl39KXuOTZmOmeQBr3xvaVuq6RaWyX7h4o_f9p92jK_VLEour8AUMmRcAVELnptWoS4mUAH8pKv8RK38W-ka6NHRqzuPJUx9e0jmDXeAxRq8RqxzHvnww9-SmaoRx0aPOhJtXBFBh2kL1M/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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A native of the tropical regions of southern Mexico and
Central America, thryallis does well here on Estero Island and can tolerate the
sometimes tough conditions that come with growing on a 2,000 year old shell
mound. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9O5sXQCWCpjeZlZIGiuLJ5r1-0xsN7GU-Hj5wXIrZBkgqDpnyTczA5nx1jHHI-We2piWq2Lu51eAy1viKwJASiLGYq4xJUFrjT04cNUKop6vFzn2UKfpcrHnGxhN5r9USKhN89TWZHI3/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9O5sXQCWCpjeZlZIGiuLJ5r1-0xsN7GU-Hj5wXIrZBkgqDpnyTczA5nx1jHHI-We2piWq2Lu51eAy1viKwJASiLGYq4xJUFrjT04cNUKop6vFzn2UKfpcrHnGxhN5r9USKhN89TWZHI3/s320/IMG_0239.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Traditionally, thryallis is used to treat asthma and
allergies in Latin America, and is even employed in the treatment of mental disorders. <o:p></o:p></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-18183379670115352182013-06-05T11:49:00.004-07:002013-06-05T11:49:59.859-07:00CREATURE FEATURE #25 - American Avocet<br />
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AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra Americana)</div>
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This remarkable wading bird is a migratory resident of
Estero Island, but occasionally turns up on our beaches in its
magnificent breeding season plumage. Usually found in grey and black plumage,
the striking coloration and elegant profile of the American Avocet stands out
among our shorebirds. Standing on the longest of legs they feed on invertebrates
with wide sweeps of their delicate upturned bill. When nesting, the Avocet is remarkably aggressive towards predators, sometimes, physically
striking crows and hawks. American Avocets may lay eggs in their own nests or
use the nest of other shore birds. This also occurs with other species of
shorebirds who leave their own eggs to be raised by Avocets. The young
can leave the nest after only one day, feeding, walking and even diving on
their own. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The birds shown in these photographs were observed feeding in the
surf on the south end of Estero Island.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>(Photos courtesy of Ellen Fernandez)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OFh0IbenpoKrg0-3wzw3ZwuzZxhV8nJeHYbCLqowDVV4VRCbR9aBv1qov53EzbPzR31kxmlasNiPW2fas3XiRl6odm4IVAItgyJSDE8cunYgRG3o6kkQXb2RbbWz6O9lu796Bcz03jW7/s1600/Am+Avo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OFh0IbenpoKrg0-3wzw3ZwuzZxhV8nJeHYbCLqowDVV4VRCbR9aBv1qov53EzbPzR31kxmlasNiPW2fas3XiRl6odm4IVAItgyJSDE8cunYgRG3o6kkQXb2RbbWz6O9lu796Bcz03jW7/s320/Am+Avo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-91732095391351252942013-05-23T10:02:00.002-07:002013-05-23T10:02:45.978-07:00PLANTS IN PROFILE #25 - Saltwort<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PamGtW8bxQavoJNqkqkSAFulG6I_kOQd-irwJJr1RpUnaXWJ4dHcn3cqiH3nDv3FnGLZpS-P2IVj6A4G7HEh1if-TXLnnBO0WM_IeRtbFJsWH3Cytv07A66pg5WQ03p9iUCqKGvikLpQ/s1600/IMG_0216%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PamGtW8bxQavoJNqkqkSAFulG6I_kOQd-irwJJr1RpUnaXWJ4dHcn3cqiH3nDv3FnGLZpS-P2IVj6A4G7HEh1if-TXLnnBO0WM_IeRtbFJsWH3Cytv07A66pg5WQ03p9iUCqKGvikLpQ/s320/IMG_0216%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Saltwort (Salicornia spp.)</div>
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There are several species of saltwort present on Estero
Island and several of them can be found growing naturally along the shoreline
at Mound House. These low growing fleshy plants are extremely salt tolerant and
can even spend hours at a time immersed in salt water. These plants are able to
retain the sodium found in salt water. As such, the genus <i>Salicornia</i> includes many varieties also known as glasswort. This
name taken from the ancient practice of using the ashes of <i>Salicornia</i> to make soda ash, a component in glass making as well as
in the manufacture of soap. Also known as “sea beans,” these plants are edible
and are used in salads and can be steamed or sautéed. </div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-49346200748472061112013-05-15T11:43:00.000-07:002013-05-15T11:43:08.285-07:00Volunteer Spotlight<br />
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Mound House staff would like to take this opportunity to
thank volunteer Geri Biggs for her invaluable service as a kayak tour
volunteer. Her experience and patience in teaching kayaking skills and making
visitors feel comfortable is a major contribution to our kayaking programs.
Quietly sharing knowledge and understanding of our islands’ back bays and tidal
creeks with inexperienced nervous visitors in wobbly kayaks requires a unique
talent that Geri graciously provides. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc8lk-HAmQSZnih3QQciaWbmw78eIGOzxwdcvj00UDOVSQjZiSuLzSxn0dfDT5OyQwdeEmYQdDB31WzG3qiDiYn13tdYwbF7Lp-GT-1N4xZvGVIOIKfBE7f1MjrUvxJWcbKuzho4UCMnr/s1600/IMG_3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc8lk-HAmQSZnih3QQciaWbmw78eIGOzxwdcvj00UDOVSQjZiSuLzSxn0dfDT5OyQwdeEmYQdDB31WzG3qiDiYn13tdYwbF7Lp-GT-1N4xZvGVIOIKfBE7f1MjrUvxJWcbKuzho4UCMnr/s320/IMG_3478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Geri comes to us from the Chicago area. She has taught at all
levels, from 2<sup>nd</sup> grade to High School, and it shows in her patient
and outstanding lessons while kayaking. She also coached high school Track
& Field, Cross Country, Soccer, and Girls Basketball. After Geri and her husband retired 10 years
ago, they began enjoying winters on beautiful Ft. Myers Beach. They have 5
children and 14 grandchildren. Nine
years ago the Biggs sold their house to one of their daughters and now enjoy the
freedom of living and traveling in their motorhome. They have visited 48
states, most provinces of Canada, and Mexico. Some of her many hobbies include
nature photography, kayaking, and any sport or physical activity. Recently, Geri
donated dozens of stunning, matted and sealed images of native wading
birds, shorebirds, and birds of prey in our area for use as reference. This
resource has already come in useful as we give kayakers a close up view of the
birds they may have seen only far in the distance. This valuable addition of images
is deeply appreciated by staff and visitors alike. Geri shared with us, “This
area of Florida is an excellent place to explore nature especially in a kayak.
I enjoy volunteering at the Mound House because I meet interesting people and
share my love to the water.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks again to Geri and all of our amazing volunteers that
help keep Mound House running!</div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-39043536057126383942013-05-08T12:21:00.001-07:002013-05-08T12:21:23.449-07:00Moment of Zen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHW6yL99D1geXJqGomp5ej3hHzyJeRt2Jk_vuhizcShUM6lhpBSaM4cy6lb5obYur_XXd9MQ3w-o9zaqtsnR4iaK91kBTf5fCpE7dxspk9PJSfO0LXmIoOKpZ8iwm_VMDlwZ7LD8trEQ3/s1600/IMG_3621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHW6yL99D1geXJqGomp5ej3hHzyJeRt2Jk_vuhizcShUM6lhpBSaM4cy6lb5obYur_XXd9MQ3w-o9zaqtsnR4iaK91kBTf5fCpE7dxspk9PJSfO0LXmIoOKpZ8iwm_VMDlwZ7LD8trEQ3/s400/IMG_3621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is this time of year the beautiful jacaranda tree explodes in purple blooms. If you have a chance, stop by and see our jacaranda tree's stunning flowers. If you have any pictures of jacaranda trees you have taken in Southwest Florida or our trees here at Mound House you would like to share please send them to brent@fortmyersbeachfl.gov and we will share them here in our Moments of Zen.</div>
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<br />*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-64083151487304414212013-05-03T10:22:00.002-07:002013-05-03T10:22:43.305-07:00Calusa Neighbors<br />
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THE MANASOTA PEOPLE <o:p></o:p></div>
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Visitors to the Mound House are offered an opportunity to learn about the Calusa culture and those who built and lived on this site so long ago. As a distinct culture, the Calusa are described as a having a well-organized and stratified society who traded extensively and collected tribute from tribes from as far away as the east coast of Florida and the Kissimmee River basin. One of the groups with whom the Calusa interacted, traded with, and may have battled, were their neighbors to the north, known by archaeologists as the “Manasota People."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-jbN_pliRWvCBzxRSLm8g88vahkL6owCXgu658ZoojrkwB3l0ieLUIpYv0zh2Cya_0VQFcYIu_AMZg-AsbF10W5ektUB1lWBBZhNDhAEN0OP59aZtd7WcAKeJtjuLG7YeswEY3QoTCH9/s1600/MANASOT.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-jbN_pliRWvCBzxRSLm8g88vahkL6owCXgu658ZoojrkwB3l0ieLUIpYv0zh2Cya_0VQFcYIu_AMZg-AsbF10W5ektUB1lWBBZhNDhAEN0OP59aZtd7WcAKeJtjuLG7YeswEY3QoTCH9/s320/MANASOT.GIF" width="320" /></a></div>
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Among the various groups of people to inhabit Florida, the Manasota
lived along the coast just north of here. The Manasota culture extended from
Sarasota County north to Tampa Bay. Like
the Calusa, the Manasota culture evolved from the earlier Archaic cultures of
mobile hunters and gatherers that settled along the west coast as far back as
4000 BC. Also, like their neighbors to the south, the Manasota developed an
extensive array of settlements along the coast. They lived on mounds located in
hammocks near the estuaries and derived their subsistence from fish and
shellfish as well as hunting and gathering plants from the inland.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Early on, the Manasota did not have a hierarchical society,
and leadership was based on individual ability, rather than inherited status.
This is inferred due to the absence of artifacts in graves and there not being any
indication of differential treatment in death suggests an egalitarian society. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Later in their history, the Manasota appear to have adopted
some of the religious and ceremonial practices of other cultures to the
north. Archaeological evidence of these
adaptations is found in the use of sand burial mounds and the placement of
ornate pottery in graves. Evidence from around 900 AD on suggests a change in
political and religious practices as a result of an increasing population. At
this point in history, there was a distinct change in the culture of the
Manasota, perhaps as a result of the influence of other Mississippian tribes to
the north, the Manasota culture as distinct entity in the historical record
ceased to exist. A new culture emerged,
called the Safety Harbor culture, and practices such as division of labor and
the management of resources to protect against famine and warfare became
established. The unequal status of
people can be seen in the importance of flat topped temple mounds in which the
most influential people, including political, religious and military leaders,
lived atop the mounds with most of the rest of the population living below. A
similar type of social structure and living conditions can also be found in the
archaeological record here at Mound House. <o:p></o:p></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-34672244506844934472013-05-01T11:05:00.001-07:002013-05-01T11:05:11.154-07:00Creature Feature #24 - Yellow-rumped Warbler<br />
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Creature Feature #24 </div>
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YELLOW- RUMPED WARBLER (Stetophaga coronata)</div>
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Winter is the time of year when Mound House becomes a
stopover for dozens of species of hungry migratory birds. Our rich and diverse
native landscaping serves up a natural buffet where traveling birds find winter
fruiting species such wax myrtle, bird pepper, white indigo berry, marlberry,
beautyberry, wild coffee, dahoon holly, and annatto among others. To attract birds
these berries are often bright and colorful, thereby enhancing our landscape.
One of the most notable winter visitors to seek our abundant natural food
source is the yellow-rumped warbler. These beautiful birds winter throughout of
the central and southeastern United States and make Estero Island a regular
winter destination.</div>
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Affectionately referred to as “butter butt” by birdwatchers,
this is a full bodied warbler with a sturdy bill and long, narrow tail. During
the spring migration, the formerly subdued colors of this warbler become a
dazzling mix of bright yellow, charcoal black, and white. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yellow-rumped warblers are often found in the outer fringes
and mid-story of trees. They spend much of the day eating berries from shrubs
and mid-story trees. They often travel in large flocks in winter, moving into
shrubby habitats including coastal vegetation, such as here at Mound House. Look
for them this winter feeding in the native coastal strand vegetation that grows
along the sloping perimeter of our shell mound. </div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-85546385666131279372013-04-26T11:55:00.001-07:002013-04-26T11:55:34.946-07:00Plants in Profile #24 - Society Garlic<br />
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SOCIETY GARLIC (Tulbaghia violacea)<o:p></o:p></div>
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This attractive and useful plant can be found in the
scientific and medicinal gardens at Mound House. It comes to us from South Africa.
A favorite food and medicine of the Zulu, society garlic was cultivated by
Dutch colonists as far back as the 1600’s. The genus name “Tulbaghia” is in
honor of Ryk Tulbagh, a governor of the Cape of Good Hope back in the 1700s. “Violacea”
comes from the violet like blossom. From the Dutch colonists of South Africa,
society garlic found its way into the Dutch possessions of the Caribbean and
ultimately, here to Florida. The flowers and leaves are eaten raw or added to
salads and other dishes. The bulbs are primarily used for medicinal purposes
such as treating intestinal, stomach disorders, and joint pain. The name
“society garlic” comes from the Dutch practice of serving this less potent and
more polite variety of garlic at social functions!<o:p></o:p></div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-48491471052635530402013-04-17T10:20:00.000-07:002013-04-17T10:20:38.475-07:00JIMMY'S AVOCADO COMES HOME In 2009, I was
living in Chicago when my cousin Jimmy died in Kansas City. His funeral luncheon was at his sister’s
house. His brother Bob had been house sitting for some friends in Kansas City
who had just returned from a Florida vacation. They gave Bob a gorgeous Florida
avocado, large, shiny bright and smooth skinned. When Bob brought that sunny
avocado to the luncheon, it was agreed by all to be the best avocado any of us
remembered tasting. I asked if I could have the pit to attempt to grow it.<br />
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While I have
attempted to grow many avocados, they have never survived a harsh Chicago
winter even when they are brought indoors. Nevertheless, I figured I would try
if for no other reason than it is a handsome plant with its' coppery leaves
when it is happy. To my surprise, the pit sprouted not one, but two strong
shoots! I began reporting its progress with pictures to all my cousins in
Kansas City. But winter was coming! What to do!? A friend told me of a nursery
about 45 miles west of Chicago where they would overwinter houseplants or patio
plants of fragile nature for a nominal charge. So, off to the Spa went Jimmy's
avocado!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The next
Spring when I went to retrieve Jimmy's avocado, I could not believe how well it
had done! Pictures of its progress continued to be sent to Kansas. But when I
picked it up in the Spring of 2012, I knew I would never get it back to the
nursery and home again at the rate it was growing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9M70nDD7-KaSPffwgJSRuwE0ZylfpO1rR02OzjBdJtVET9aLWW89OAV02atBb8p7pYFaH5tfM-jpTZgow9vQkH5G3woF3Otxj05WA0jAWF5-mR_VW3nCvwxU4rhDVpIY3F-6bKz6KlqS/s1600/IMG_3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9M70nDD7-KaSPffwgJSRuwE0ZylfpO1rR02OzjBdJtVET9aLWW89OAV02atBb8p7pYFaH5tfM-jpTZgow9vQkH5G3woF3Otxj05WA0jAWF5-mR_VW3nCvwxU4rhDVpIY3F-6bKz6KlqS/s320/IMG_3599.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy's avocado's new home</td></tr>
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At the same
time, I began making plans to spend the cold half of the Chicago year in
Florida where my brother lived. If Jimmy’s avocado could thrive by being
reprieved of the bitter, dry winter, I should pay attention and consider
following its example! So in the Fall of 2012 I packed up everything AND
Jimmy's avocado and drove down to Fort Myers Beach. We were intrepid travelers
and arrived safe and sound where my brother has hosted Jimmy's avocado on his
pool deck until I could find a suitable place for this prodigal pear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A perfect
spot became evident at the historical, cultural, ethnobotanical site on Fort
Myers Beach, the Mound House. Earliest archeological evidence showed the mighty
Calusa Indians inhabited and built a shell mound on this site starting 2000
years ago where they thrived. They were gone by the 1800s, victims of warfare
and diseases, but many of their resources were utilized by the early white
settlers. The Mound house is the oldest structure on Fort Myers Beach and is in
the process of being restored to its 1920s glory. Already the plants that
people have relied on for centuries here are once again thriving. Papaya,
mango, banana, avocado, pineapple, coconut, cabbage palm, orange and grapefruit
trees all blossom there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jimmy's
avocado is starting a new life back in its homeland and besides beautifying the
yard, it will provide a graphic learning experience to the visitors and
schoolchildren who visit the Mound House. Thank you, Jimmy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy's avocado with the Case House in the background</td></tr>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-75636598635777566152013-04-15T08:44:00.002-07:002013-04-15T08:44:45.518-07:00CALUSA NEIGHBORS Visitors to the Mound House are offered an opportunity to
learn about the Calusa culture and those who built and lived on this site so
long ago. As a distinct culture, the Calusa are described as a having a well-organized
and stratified society who traded extensively and collected tribute from tribes
from as far away as the east coast of Florida and the Kissimmee River basin. One
of the groups with whom the Calusa interacted, traded with, and collected
tribute from, were their neighbors to the east, known by archaeologists as the “Belle
Glade People.” Like the Calusa to the west, these folks were also mound builders.
Belle Glade people shared many of the same technologies and cultural structures
as the Calusa, but are given a distinct identity based on historical accounts
and archaeological evidence.<br />
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While the Calusa lived primarily along the coast of Florida,
from Charlotte Harbor to the 10,000 Islands, are known as the “Shell People,”
the Glades Indians might be considered their “Freshwater” neighbors. The
forests, hammocks, swamps, and ponds of the south Florida interior were, and
still are, rich in fish and wildlife. The Belle Glade people harvested, ate,
and utilized most everything, including alligators, frogs, turtles, and snakes.
They fished for largemouth bass, catfish, bream, and garfish. They hunted deer,
turkeys, bears, ducks, wading birds, and numerous small mammals such as raccoons,
opossums and rabbits. As noted above, the Glades People were mound builders. However,
their mounds were constructed of earth and sand rather than shell. In addition,
unlike the Calusa, there is some evidence that the Glades people may have grown
crops, including maize.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The most notable of the Belle Glade archaeological sites is
Fort Center, in Glades County. Here archaeologists have discovered extensive
earthworks and a series of circular canal systems. Bundles of human remains and
beautiful, intricate, wooden carvings of wildlife including birds, cats, bears
foxes and eagles have been uncovered. Centuries
later, a cabbage palm palisade, Fort Center, was constructed by the United
States army during the Third Seminole War in 1855.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today you can visit the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management
Area and enjoy the beautiful area the Belle Glades people once occupied. Visitors
can fish, hunt, bike, canoe, and camp while taking in the natural splendor. <o:p></o:p></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-81931876928630293352013-04-03T11:42:00.000-07:002013-04-03T11:42:15.207-07:00Salute to Bill Grace<br />
Please help us in honoring our outstanding volunteer Bill Grace. Bill has been involved with Mound House even before it was Mound House! He is also the great grandson of William and Milia Case who began the construction of the historic house on our property (the Case House) back in 1906.<br />
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We ask you to help us by logging on to the Salute to Senior Service website: <a href="http://www.salutetoseniorservice.com/volunteer-contest/entries/">http://www.salutetoseniorservice.com/volunteer-contest/entries/</a><br />
searching for "William Grace" and voting for him starting on April 15. So when you finish your taxes, cruise on over and give Bill a vote. But, you're not done yet! You can vote for Bill each and every day from April 15 to April 30. Not only will this reward Bill for his incredible efforts on the part of Mound House and many other organizations throughout Southwest Florida, but it has the opportunity to reward Mound House with funds to help us to continue performing quality public programming. Also, we encourage you to leave testimonials attesting to Bill's great service, I know we are always impressed by his willingness to fight through beach traffic to reach us!<br />
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Below we have reproduced Bill's nomination and don't worry we will remind you to vote as we get closer!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Bill Grace, a board member for Lee Trust for Historic Preservation, was alerted that the Mound House property was up for sale and the historic home was threatened with demolition in 1995. With his help the Town of Fort Myers Beach acquired the Mound House property, containing the oldest standing home on the beach, started in 1906 and called the Case House, which was built atop a 2,000 year old Calusa shell mound. A portion of the mound has since been excavated to create an underground exhibit, enabling visitors to see the strata, or layers, of shell that were built up by the Calusa over hundreds of years. Bill was instrumental in developing the plan for the exhibit and the Case House, which is now in the process of being renovated into a museum space and educational facility.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Bill is the great-grandson of William and Milia Case who began the construction of the Case House. He has been an amazing asset in educating the volunteers and docents about the families who have lived at the site. He continues to help with volunteer education as well as leading weekly tours of the site. Bill is also writing the application for Mound House to be designated on the National Register of Historic Places, a very prestigious honor. As the Historic Advisor for the Town of Fort Myers Beach's Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board, he has given vital advice and insight into the value of preservation and the procedure needed to restore the historical integrity of the building.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">He is also a founding and current member of the Friends of the Koreshan State Historical Site, another amazing treasure in our community. The Lee Trust for Historical Preservation is another organization that relies on Bill. The Lee Trust searches out important and historic sites worthy of preservation in the City of Fort Myers as well as the greater Lee County area. His presence on the board and service to this organization has been of great importance.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Bill feels that the preservation of our history, both in written form and the physical structures, is important; knowledge of the past affects what we do today and what we will do in the future. Bills invaluable work in preserving our past in today's fast paced, forward looking society deserves all the accolades we can give him and we hope you join us in recognizing all his incredible efforts.</span></span>*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-81403857599083277892013-03-30T10:59:00.000-07:002013-03-30T10:59:01.591-07:00 Bocce Courts have been repaired!<br />
We are happy to announce our bocce ball courts at Newton Park have been repaired and are now open!<br />
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These free ball courts are open to the public on a first come basis. You bring the equipment and we will provide the playing surface. So come throw some balls and enjoy the beautiful view. Paid parking is available at Newton Park.<br />
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-16350621634090590482013-03-22T08:27:00.001-07:002013-03-22T08:27:31.152-07:00Creature Feature #24 - Zebra Longwing<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times;">CREATURE FEATURE #23 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">ZEBRA LONGWING (Helliconius
charitonius)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Soon, the weather will warm and the gusty winds of winter
will dissipate and spring will be upon us here at Mound House. It is then that
we find so many of the numerous species of butterflies that make their home
here on the Mound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Our State butterfly, the Zebra Longwing is found throughout
Florida and adults may live for several months. The female lays her eggs on the
young leaves and tendrils of the purple passion flower, which will provide food
for the caterpillars that emerge. They may produce numerous generations each
year and these butterflies can be easily distinguished by the yellow bands on
their wide black wings. Mound House has a wide variety of flowering “host”
plants that provide food for several species of butterflies.
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-28987554815564139952013-02-22T10:04:00.002-08:002013-02-22T10:04:46.380-08:00Love Lites
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This year Valentine’s Day came a week late. Well, the Friends of the Mound
House's fundraiser “Love Lites” did due to thunderstorms last Thursday. Folks
who wanted to honor loved ones, two legged or four!, purchased luminaries and
had the opportunity to stroll the beautiful grounds at Mound House bathed in
candle glow. It was a special evening enjoyed by all. The Friends hope to
continue the tradition yearly, so contact Mound House in early February of next
year if you would like to honor someone special in your life.</div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-13478256674871139922013-02-22T07:33:00.002-08:002013-02-22T07:33:50.378-08:00Creature Feature # 23 - Sailfin Molly<div style="text-align: center;">
Creature Feature # 23</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SAILFIN MOLLY (Poecilia latipinna)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sailfin molly is one of the most prolific and beautiful
of our forage fishes. Growing to about four or five inches, sailfin mollies are
found throughout coastal waters from the Carolinas to Florida and Texas as well
as the Yucatan. They are able to survive in a wide variety of conditions from
salty to brackish and even fresh water. Here at Mound House, you can find sailfin mollies schooling in the shallows of the kayak and canoe launch,
amongst the rocks along our shoreline ,and even in the culvert pipes under our
entrance. They are easily recognized by their flattened heads and spotted
bodies. On the males, large and colorful blue dorsal fins and tails make
these species easily distinguishable. Like other species of forage fishes in
our region, the sailfin molly finds its way into tidal marshes and salt flats
as well as ponds and ditches where it feeds on mosquito larvae. In fact, one
method of mosquito control used here in Lee County decades ago was to
excavate a series of ditches from tidal waters and into areas of marsh or
standing water so that native fishes, including the sailfin molly could find
their way in and feed on the mosquito larvae growing in the formerly stagnant
water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But life is rough for the sailfin molly, they are the
target of numerous species of predator fish as well as wading birds and may
live less than a year after reaching maturity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-21100485406105956212013-01-30T11:58:00.000-08:002013-01-30T11:58:31.909-08:00Creature Feature 22 - Sheepshead
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CREATURE FEATURE #22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SHEEPSHEAD (Archosargus probatocephalus)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you were to spend the day here at Mound House, fishing
our rocky, historic shoreline with shrimp or crabs for bait, there’s a very
good chance that you would wind up with several of these tasty fish on your
stringer. Winter is the time when sheepshead congregate in our cold inshore
waters feeding on oysters ,crabs and other crustaceans around the rocks and
pilings of the back bay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaTTeeqlq7dounnIIDMZFpb_KELh4S8bdXgsllR0nkFcdw5EuEhp2crDlWOTRzMoGy2ehyphenhyphenx4HV2GQvqHDCJ3jHsM9KuVwGQiQT24iJHgys8Juy2TwkSrlgqh6hNPsUdQb7l3CzJcr9Q6M/s1600/sheepshead6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaTTeeqlq7dounnIIDMZFpb_KELh4S8bdXgsllR0nkFcdw5EuEhp2crDlWOTRzMoGy2ehyphenhyphenx4HV2GQvqHDCJ3jHsM9KuVwGQiQT24iJHgys8Juy2TwkSrlgqh6hNPsUdQb7l3CzJcr9Q6M/s320/sheepshead6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The prisoner stripes are a dead giveaway, and the
sheepshead’s unique, stubby teeth, made for crushing shells give this fish its
name. While they may grow to over 15 pounds, most sheepshead found in our waters
are between 2 and 5 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231744302829990717.post-4556391111378860652013-01-24T08:28:00.000-08:002013-01-24T08:28:10.441-08:00Plants in Profile #22 - Nickerbean
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> #22 NICKERBEAN (Caesalpinta bonduc)</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the most interesting facets of exploring the mangrove
coastlines of Southwest Florida is the dramatic change in vegetation that
occurs with only the slightest change in topography. What would constitute a
barely noticeable rise in elevation in northern habitats, will abruptly provide
a completely different ecosystem in our own back bay here on Estero Island.
Among the islands and along the landward of the edge of the mangrove forests ,
you will often find a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>narrow shell
ridge, perhaps only a foot or two higher than <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the surrounding muck. These shell ridges are
formed by wave action depositing shell onto the shore. And here on Estero Bay,
sometimes the higher ground is manmade, the result of mound building activity
by the Calusa centuries ago. Either way, this high ground is often guarded by
thickets of the formidable nickerbean. A vine like tropical shrub covered in
sharp thorns, clothes tearing, skin ripping, miserable thorns. Even the seed pods
are covered in thorns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the plus side, the smooth grey seeds inside the pod
are brilliantly shiny and waterproof. Often they can be found floating or
washed up on the shore. These attractive and unusual seeds are popular in the
Caribbean where they are formed into necklaces. In addition, nickerbean has
historically been used to treat malaria and the shoots and young leaves can be
chewed to treat toothaches, so, there’s that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
*Mound House*http://www.blogger.com/profile/13182788655870533865noreply@blogger.com