“I don’t believe in ghosts. I don’t believe in ghosts.” Evers laughs at himself. In part because of how absurd it is to say that out loud. To feel compelled to remind himself he’s a rational person. Mostly though, he laughs because it calls to mind the Cowardly Lion’s timorous refrain: I do believe in spooks. I do believe in spooks. I do, I do, I do, I do, I do believe in spooks. “I don’t believe in spooks,” he says, trying on the impression. Then—as if to convince himself—he

This month’s issue is all about people helping people, so we wanted to take a look at a unique native species with some inspiring community dynamics: the Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)! QUICK FACTS • Scrub jays are Florida’s only endemic bird. • They are 10-12 inches long from beak to tail tip, with bright blue wings, tail, and head, and a soft gray back and belly. • They are non-migratory, staying in the same family territory year-round. • Scrub jays are super s

Thanks to Florida’s mild winters, many species begin their seasonal rituals well before their northern counterparts. Courtship can start as early as January or February, and by May, much of the wildlife activity has shifted to parenting, feeding, guarding, and teaching the next generation. While spring rains may not arrive until late May or even mid-June, the tempo of spring has been building for months. Let’s take a look at some of our seasonal wildlife happenings… Denning i

While February often conjures images of lovebirds and heart-shaped candies, not every species in Polk County has such romantic associations. Enter the vultures and buzzards: nature’s misunderstood cleanup crew. These fascinating scavengers—essential to the health of ecosystems in Polk County—may not win a popularity contest, but their vital role in keeping the environment clean and disease-free deserves a closer look. So, this Valentine’s Day, let’s skip the roses and candy h

Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all? I’m sitting around a fire pit with my family on an early summer evening when our conversation is halted by this echoing call. Two silent shadows plunge over our fire, pulling up to land on a branch just above my head. The pair of barred owls stares us down, their deep black eyes glowing with the light of the flames. Another form swoops up to the branch, landing clumsily and skipping along the bark to regain its balance. This owl is a

As our holiday seasons come to a close, Polk County residents and visitors are treated to a spectacular natural event: the arrival of American white pelicans. These majestic birds, easily distinguishable from their coastal cousin the brown pelican, are a remarkable sight as they gracefully navigate the skies above Polk County’s many lakes. UF/IFAS Photo by Eric Zamora These large water birds, protected under the Migratory Bird Act, are here for a winter respite and do not br

December is the perfect time to learn about the fascinating world of our cavity-nesting birds in Central Florida. These birds, including the enchanting Eastern screech owl, play a vital role in our ecosystem at both the local and regional scale. This holiday season, consider thinking about giving a gift to our local cavity-nesting bird species! UF/IFAS Photo by Cat Wofford (red-bellied woodpecker) Cat Wofford UNDERSTANDING CAVITY-NESTING BIRDS IN FLORIDA Cavity-nesting birds