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Yes, the seasons really do change in South Florida. I’ve said it before and, of course, that won’t stop me from saying it again: many seasonal differences here are subtle and incremental. Tourists notice the rainy season to dry season shift, and the rise or drop in temperature and humidity. But much more than that goes on during a transitional period such as autumn. Each day, almost imperceptibly, we can feel the slow clearing away of summer’s heat. The sky shows through with more blue. The breeze wafts past with a fresher feel. It’s a good time to be in this area of the country.
Part of the noticeable change that happens in this season is, well, for the birds. Literally. Something in the environment makes the native species behave differently. I’ve especially seen this in the past week or so with the ibis that hang around my condo building. Ibis are relatively compact white birds on the ground, though their wing span is large and impressive. In flight, they’re beautiful. On foot, they’re comical.
Armed with a long, curved beak, they strut along the grass on their tall legs in a walk that always reminds me of Groucho Marx. I even call them “Groucho birds.” It’s as if their wings are behind their backs, like Groucho’s arms, as they stalk the ground intently looking for insects. When they find one, they poke their beak into the soil and yank it out for lunch. Or whatever. Lately, the ibis have been congregating in larger numbers around the pond below my patio, sometimes more than a dozen at once. A few days ago, I counted something like 15 or so flying in formation over my building, as two others stood like sentries on a pair of rooftops across the pond. Then they landed -- and did their Groucho strut. I’m told this activity is, indeed, seasonal for some reason. I’m not sure if they’re hungrier as the heat diminishes or they’re preparing for a long flight or what. But it’s pretty to watch, if nothing else. And it’s a harbinger of the refreshing, pleasant weather that is coming, slowly day by day, back to Fort Lauderdale.
Part of the noticeable change that happens in this season is, well, for the birds. Literally. Something in the environment makes the native species behave differently. I’ve especially seen this in the past week or so with the ibis that hang around my condo building. Ibis are relatively compact white birds on the ground, though their wing span is large and impressive. In flight, they’re beautiful. On foot, they’re comical.
Armed with a long, curved beak, they strut along the grass on their tall legs in a walk that always reminds me of Groucho Marx. I even call them “Groucho birds.” It’s as if their wings are behind their backs, like Groucho’s arms, as they stalk the ground intently looking for insects. When they find one, they poke their beak into the soil and yank it out for lunch. Or whatever. Lately, the ibis have been congregating in larger numbers around the pond below my patio, sometimes more than a dozen at once. A few days ago, I counted something like 15 or so flying in formation over my building, as two others stood like sentries on a pair of rooftops across the pond. Then they landed -- and did their Groucho strut. I’m told this activity is, indeed, seasonal for some reason. I’m not sure if they’re hungrier as the heat diminishes or they’re preparing for a long flight or what. But it’s pretty to watch, if nothing else. And it’s a harbinger of the refreshing, pleasant weather that is coming, slowly day by day, back to Fort Lauderdale.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 3:22 PM
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