Mourning Dove

Have you ever been captivated by a bird’s low, sorrowful cry in the early morning? That’s the unique call of the Mourning Dove, a small, simple yet beautiful bird that’s a common sight in America, particularly in Florida. Known for its surprisingly gentle, lamenting coo and the whistling of its wings when startled, the Mourning Dove is a fascinating creature to discover.
The mourning dove’s plumage is a rusty grey with white undertones and black spots on its short wings and pointed tail. It has a small beak designed to collect seeds they can store in their specialized esophagus called the crop. In fact, the mourning dove has evolved to drink brackish water without the effects of dehydration, allowing the bird to live in deserts and ocean coasts alike.
Birdwatchers can attract the mourning dove by planting low shrubs to protect
them as they forage; however, they will usually only nest in the safety of tall trees. This dove species is also the most abundant game bird in North America, with hunters taking home roughly 20 million a year. Despite this, the mourning dove is a common and wonderful sight.
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
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Hatbill Park

Brevard County features a unique site known as Hatbill Park, an excellent place for boating. Situated on the edge of St. Johns River, the park is a beautiful spot for bird-watching. This conservation area is home to waterbirds, eagles, and even the lovely Crested Caracara. At night, the park hosts several nocturnal birds, such as Great Horned Owls and Chuck-will’s-widows.
A 24-hour boat ramp allows kayaks and canoes to traverse the waterways and get a closer look at the local flora and fauna. Additionally, overnight camping is permitted but must be cleared by special request at the Sandrift Community Center Site. There are 5 campsites to choose from within the 15-acre park. There are no bathrooms or hookups for RVs so make sure you have everything you need. Most visitors say most visitors the weekends are hectic at Hatbill Park, so plan for a weekday if possible!
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
Author Sarina Pennington
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Stinkhorn

The Stinkhorn, a fungus commonly found in Florida backyards and wooded areas where there is decomposing matter, is an unusual specimen, to say the least. This mushroom, which is in the same family as puffballs, is a non-poisonous, stinky fruiting body that is reported to smell like carrion and sewage. Typically, the stinkhorn is seen in its fruiting body stage, developing an elongated shape (consider the stinkhorn’s genus, Phallus.) and colors a shade of green and bright red. There are several types of stinkhorn found in Florida, but the photos below are of the Columned Stinkhorn.
Despite the stinkhorn’s grotesque appearance and stench, the fungus plays an incredibly important role in Florida ecosystems. Just as bees use flowers for nectar and spread pollen, the stinkhorn uses flies and other insects to spread its spores. The stinkhorn develops a section upon the top of the fruiting body in which it contains its stinky mass of spores. The offensive stench attracts all sorts of insects which in turn come to feast on the gleba (the spore mass). Unknowingly, the insects now carry the spores within them, which they then spread to different areas via their excrement. A fascinating example of symbiosis in our very own backyards.
Though the stinkhorn may smell disgusting, the fungi are instrumental in the function of a healthy ecosystem and should be left alone to live out its short life cycle. Moreover, even if one wishes to remove a fungus from their yard, the mycelium
below the fruiting body is extensive and highly resilient to fungicides, making their complete eradication impossible. Best to leave the little stinkhorn to its important work as a decomposer.
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Author: Sarina Pennington
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