Spinning Tails About the Viera Wetlands

There is a wildlife haven in Brevard County—Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands (named after a deceased county employee), more commonly known as Viera Wetlands. This man-made habitat is as outstanding as any of Florida’s natural wetlands.

Viera Wetlands - photo Charlie Corbeil

Morning Fog - photo Charlie Corbeil

White Heron - photo Charlie Corbeil

Viera Wetlands - photo Charlie Corbeil

Mottled Ducks - photo Charlie Corbeil

Initially, visionaries planned polishing ponds to help with water purification and also create wetlands. Hopefully, wildlife would be attracted, especially waterfowl. Moreover, the nutrient-enhanced effluent from the primary treatment process would support the food chain. 
Today, the synergy of water treatment and wetlands transcends expectations. Flora and fauna thrive! In this sanctuary, simple dirt roads and grassy berms allow photographers, bird watchers, and local or foreign enthusiasts to enjoy a leisurely drive, walk, or restful stop among soothing surroundings. And one might just linger and chat! 

Vegetation characteristic of natural environments—trees, grasses, rushes, aquatic plants—provides nourishment and cover for various creatures. Deer and alligators are common. A discreet photographer may capture an otter frolicking with her pups in the water. On summer evenings, one may sight a partially-submerged pig frog as it bellows pig-like grunts. How about the bobcat that climbed the observation deck? 

Successful reproduction occurs in this refuge. I observed great blue herons utilize a cabbage palm for nesting. The female accepted sticks and twigs from the male and built the nest. Several days later, she lay three pale-blue eggs. Incubation was shared by both, and two nestlings emerged in 28 days. The unhatched egg disappeared the next day. The pair fed regurgitated fish and vegetation directly into their chicks’ bills. The younglings fledged in two months. 

Stunning insects abound! The exquisite zebra longwing, the designated state butterfly, is identifiable by its striking black wings with yellow stripes. It frequents the passion flower vine, a larval host plant. The spotted cucumber beetle, with its vibrant coat of yellowish green accentuated with six black dots on each wing, also embellishes the local foliage. 

Obviously, the wetlands is for all to conserve and enjoy. Recently, at the annual Viera Wetlands Nature Festival, Hailey Scalia, a second grade student at the Ralph M. Williams, Jr. Elementary School, received the top prize in both writing (poetry) and art at the Charlie Corbeil Conservation Awards. Her brothers Joseph and Evan were there to applaud her. “Conservation is good because you can see the beautiful nature,” claimed Hailey. Indeed, the future of nature is in caring hands!

Hailey Scalia - double winner at the Charlie Corbeil Conservation Awards, in writing and art

Spinning Tales About Pollinators

Honeybee on Rusty Lyonia - photo by Brett Pigon

Plants are vital to humans and many living things.  Through pollination and resulting fertilization, plants produce necessities, such as  food for nourishment, cotton for clothing, lumber for shelter, and seeds for reproduction.   

Pollination is the transfer of pollen in a flower from the anther (male) to the stigma (female).  It  may be intentional, incidental, or accidental.  Methods of pollination:  cross pollination (used by most plants)—the transfer of pollen from one flower to the stigma of another in a different plant of the same species by an insect, animal, wind, or water; self pollination—the transfer of pollen to the stigma within the same flower through shedding; artificial pollination—hand pollination by a human.

Carpenter bee on Buttonbush - photo by Brett Pigon

Honeybee on Rusty Lyonia - photo by Brett Pigon

Performance varies in pollinators.  Butterflies do not always efficiently pick up pollen with their bodies, legs, or tongues, although they are helpful with pollinating certain plants.  However, hummingbirds, with their long tubular bills, skillfully retrieve pollen from deep-throated flowers.  Actually, the exceptional pollinators are bees.  They intentionally collect nectar for energy and pollen for protein, and nature helps them gather this pollen with fuzzy bodies, special hind legs and abdomens, and electrostatic charge.  Furthermore, some bees, especially bumblebees, buzz pollinate—move flight muscles rapidly, causing vibration in the anthers to better release pollen in self-pollinating plants like tomatoes.  Because a large portion of food consumed is dependent on bees, they are worth billions to the global economy.   Supposedly, Albert Einstein estimated that humans would only exist four years if bees disappeared; therefore, the noticeable population decrease in these insects is alarming.  Habitat loss and degradation threaten wild species.  Consequently, growers rent or purchase bees (commercial crops are primarily pollinated by honey bees), but managed bees suffer from parasites, pathogens, and pesticides.  In some regions of China, where pesticides have discouraged bumblebees in apple and pear crops, artificial pollination is necessary.

Honeybee on Rusty Lyonia - photo by Brett Pigon

Most essential is the pollination of trees.  Besides providing food and shelter, trees are the lungs of the earth—they release oxygen.  They also furnish fuel—sunken, compressed trees ultimately become coal which fuels electricity.  How about pines (conifers) which produce turpentine through the distillation of their resin? 

Obviously, pollination is crucial.  The sudden urge to swat annoying bees or destroy any pollinators should be repressed—these beings may determine whether there are delicious apples to savor or colorful flowers to smell.  And these flowers will in turn attract needed pollinators!

Carpenter bee on holly tree - photo Brett Pigon

Carpenter bee on Buttonbush - photo by Brett Pigon

Honeybee on cactus flower - photo by Brett Pigon

Spinning Tales About the Florida Sandhill Crane

Photo - Charlie Corbeil

The Florida sandhill crane, a subspecies, is a year-round resident.  The common name is derived from favored habitats in sand hills.  The crimson patch of skin on its forehead and the long bill, neck, and legs distinguish this large gray bird.  The female is slightly smaller.  Life expectancy is twenty years; however, habitat destruction is a threat to survival.  An opportunistic feeder, it frequently seeks roots, seeds, insects, or snakes in local yards and wetlands.  Its presence is often disclosed by piercing trumpet-like calls, such as unison calling between mates.  Vocalization is also combined with energetic courtship dancing displays.  Nesting extends from December to August.  A mat-like nest made of dominant vegetation is generally built in wetlands; a nest established on dry land is simpler.  One brood is produced yearly.  Typically, two eggs are laid.  Thirty days later, precocial chicks are born—eyes open, covered in down, and able to leave the nest in twenty-four hours.  The older often intimidates the younger and parents must intervene.  The small family group can be observed foraging and roaming—often stopping traffic.  In approximately ten months, a chick is independent.  After two years, it might find a mate; such a pair is monogamous and sometimes mated for life.

Photo - Brett Pigon

Photo - Charlie Corbeil

The Ralph M. Williams, Jr. Elementary School recently held a photo contest for the sandhill crane, their mascot and campus resident.  Hopefully, these students will continue to respect and enjoy wildlife throughout their lives.  They are perfect candidates for the local Charlie Corbeil Conservation Awards. 

Danielle Haddox, third grade, won honorable mention for Cutest Baby Crane.  For the past three years, this nature photographer observed a pair of sandhill cranes nesting along the Viera Golf Course waterway behind her house.  She documented a chick from hatchling to toddler, using her father’s Canon camera.  Perseverance!

Kudos to the winners (and all who participated):  Anthony

                      Elena Kailani Juarez

                      Owen Kaufman

                      Andy Fernandez

                      Ronnie Peters

                      Danielle Haddox

                      Angelina Dominguez-Smith