With the really strong winds we’ve been having in Florida, it was only a matter of time until the leaning palm tree in our backyard, toppled over, fortunately towards the lake and not the house.
Annie Anhinga was the first wild resident to discover it and it soon became a favourite spot for drying her wings in the sunshine.
Next up was Woody wood stork, who also liked to pose there for the odd photo.
I’m happy to report that the Iguana Control guy hasn’t done a very thorough job of ridding our neighbourhood of Iggys, and was delighted to see that a young, bright-green one had also found his way onto the palm trunk for a quick shot, but only with my camera.
In only a few days, the garden service came along with their chainsaw to chop up the tree and cart it away. Annie, Woody and Iggy returned the next morning, only to find that their newfound perch had vanished. I felt quite sad and would have liked to explain to them, but unfortunately they don’t speak English.
Wishing you all a great weekend. Stay safe everyone. (Since updating the software on my Apple watch, it informs me every morning, “You have no events.” Sounds about right.)
What a mercy that it didn’t fall in the other direction! Such beautiful shots of all your amazing wildlife – how confused they must be at the disappearing palm!
Thanks, Emma. Yes, all’s well that ends well. 😃
It’s interesting how animals (birds, reptiles, cats) love to PERCH on boxes, bags, and fallen trees.
I’m always amazed at the root structure of palms . . . you’d think they’d be toppling right and left with great regularity. Glad it didn’t land on your house.
So true, Nancy. We were so surprised to see the short spindly roots and underneath was just a deep empty hole. 😳
We lost one palm tree (at the clubhouse) in the winds blown up by ETA. Much better than 2017 when trees were toppled like dominoes!
I am glad at least your backyard is the place for Iggy clan and other wild lifes to come be peaceful. I am sure those Iggys are cool with this and would not complain about missing the fallen palm tree.
Thanks, YC. Yes, the Iggys are safe in our backyard. It’s nice to see that some of them have survived. 😃
Great sightings, Sylvia. 🙂
Thanks so much, Jane. 😃
This has certainly been a windy and rainy year, thank goodness the tree fell the way it did. It is funny how your critters enjoyed the view from the fallen tree.
Thanks, Karen. It was cute to watch them on it, while it lasted.
Look at those photos! The birds are going to miss the tree!
Thanks, Eddie. I’m sure they’ll find another perch. 😃
You are lucky to have such entertaining visitors… I feel a bit sorry for them losing their tree trunk but there may be more elsewhere. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Gerrie. I do consider myself very fortunate to have such gorgeous visitors. You don’t do so badly yourself. 😃
That was a rather long Palm tree, so really lucky it fell the lake way. Love your animal life in your garden. Sure they find other lovely spots in the garden, they just wanted to try the new perch. Have a great weekend. Not much happening here either….. the highlight of the week is the food delivery 🙂
Thanks, Ute. Yes, the tree was very tall. We have three others which seem to be stronger. Food delivery is to be celebrated. 😃
You wouldn’t have time for events with all these lovely neighbours popping in to say hello!
Thanks, Dries. Yes, they do keep me rather busy. 😅
love the photos story, Sylvia! your visitors are always delightful! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lola. 😘
Poor guys, losing their new-found perch. 😦 I bet it through them for a loop the next day! Great backyard visitors, Sylvia, love your photos!
Thanks, Donna. Yes, they did look very nonplussed. 😅
A good weekend, to you, too. 🙂 Lovely to see photos of all your creature visits.
Thanks, Lynette. Glad you enjoyed my photos. 😘
Lucky the tree fell in the right direction. 😎
I agree with you, Lisa. 😅
That old tree had some shallow roots. I enjoyed seeing your visitors. Iggy made me think of Igasho.
Thanks, Lavinia. I often think of Igasho. He was such a larger than life character. 😍
Looks like there was a lot of good use made of it while it was there and you got some excellent shots. Glad it didn’t fall on the house!!
janet
Thanks, Janet. Hubby had been monitoring that tree for quite some time. We knew exactly where it would fall, which turned out to be perfect.
Wildlife just love logs and branches at their level, something fun to explore.
It does seem so, Sue. It was fun watching them trying it out for size. 😃
Looks like Annie’s doing a victory dance. Does she know something we don’t? 🙂 🙂 Take care, Ad. Sorry about the uneventful weekend.
Thanks, Jo. Haha…….yes, I hope Annie has received the good news we’re all waiting for. 😅
Yikes that was good luck that the tree headed for the lake and not your beautiful home! I’m sure the wildlife felt you had kindly brought in a most delightful perch. I chuckled at your Apple Watch reminding you of no events. Yes pretty much a world wide state of affairs I think. Stay well and have a good, albeit quiet, weekend.
Thanks, Sue. We are getting very used to quiet weekends and weekdays too. Not really complaining though as we’re fortunate to be well and comfortable in our inertia. 😅
Annie, Woody and Iggy. I love your friends, Sylvia. What I find amazing is that word gets around in the community. I found this great article that confirms that animals do communicate. Here is an excerpt: “It was only when she began to study philosophy that she saw that animals were almost completely absent from western thought. And when they appeared in science, they were treated solely as objects. This clashed with what she knew to be true from her own experience – that animals had agency, emotions and deeply communicative lives. When a human rides a horse, for instance, she says: “There is a lot of communication going on.” Research shows that the heartbeats of rider and horse synchronise.” https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/nov/13/of-course-animals-speak-eva-meijer-on-how-to-communicate-with-our-fellow-beasts
Yes, word does definitely get around. The smaller birds as well as Sammy squirrel and know when our bird feeder as been refilled, then the ducks pop along to dine on the seeds that fall onto the grass. Why am I now hearing that old CCR song in my head, “I heard it through the grapevine.” 😅
And now I’m signing it with you. LOVE that song!
Haha…….I remember dancing to this song many times and Chris and I just about collapsing at the end because the track was sooo long. 😅
😂😂😂
Such a big tree with so small roots… no wonder! You were fortunate!
Shame about the visitors losing their new discovery.
Happy weekend, Sylvia! xoxo
Thanks, Marina. The tree fortunately fell the right way, but it was pretty obvious that it would. 😃😘
😉🤗😘
Ah, Annie et al will need to find a new perch….
Yes, she came back for couple of days and just sat in the bank, but haven’t seen her since. 😳
Oh…I hope you do see her again soon
I’m keeping a lookout, Sue.
Lovely critters. Poor palm tree.
Thanks, Timothy.
Seems to have very shallow roots. No wonder they come down in strong winds. A shame it’s gone, the animals seemed quite keen on it. No events here either. Sigh…!
Yes we were surprised at not only how shallow the roots were, but also at how deep the hole was. A mystery.
Sounds like you had lots of events, Sylvia. I find wildlife so inspiring for their ability to adapt instantly. Fun photos and a great reminder.
Thanks, Jet. Yes, you’re so right about their ability to adapt. We can learn a lot from our wild friends.
Sorry you lost a palm, but I’m happy it didn’t damage your home. The critters seem to be enjoying the weather. 🙂
Thanks, Jill. Hubby had been watching the 🌴 for some time as it slowly leaned farther and farther over, so it was no surprise to wake up one morning and see it in the ground.
Great photos of the animals
Thanks, Marylou. 😃
Lucky for you but not your backyard visitors. Have a happy weekend, Sylvia! BTW, that first photo is quite beautiful 🙂
Thanks so much, Mary Jo. Ms Anhinga is a real beauty. 😍