Features by Freddy!

Another reason why we need to conserve our sharks.

2012-02-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

EVEN SHARKS MAKE FRIENDS

They have a reputation for being ruthless, solitary predators, but the opposite may be closer to the truth.

Sharks have a reputation for being ruthless, solitary predators, but evidence is mounting that certain species enjoy complex social lives that include longstanding relationships and teamwork.

A new study, published in the latest Animal Behaviour, documents how one population of blacktip reef sharks is actually organized into four communities and two subcommunities. The research shows for the first time that adults of a reef-associated shark species form stable, long-term social bonds.

The image contrasts with usual reports on this species, which mistakenly sinks its sharp teeth into surfers and swimmers from time to time.

Lead author Johann Mourier told Discovery News that "other species, such as grey reef sharks and scalloped hammerheads form polarized groups where individuals have a specific place, and such species may also have complex social organization."

Mourier, a scientist at the Center for Island Research and Environmental Study (CNRS-EPHE), and colleagues Julie Vercelloni and Serge Planes conducted the study at Moorea Island in the Society archipelago, French Polynesia. A total of seven sites were surveyed on a regular basis along just over 6 miles of the north shore of Moorea. The surveys included nearly hour-long dives at a depth close to 50 feet, with the diver photographing nearby sharks.

Analysis of the gathered data determined that the sharks were not within non-random collections, but rather had organized themselves into meaningful social groups.

“The four main communities are mixed-sex communities that use a specific home range, however, within these communities individuals tend to associate more often with others of the same sex and length,” Mourier said.

In a prior study, he determined that length is proportional to a shark’s age, with male blacktip reef sharks being mature at about the age of 7 and measuring around 3.6 feet long. Females are slightly larger than males.

Mourier suspects the sharks join together in communities for protection and to avoid aggression with each other. He and his colleagues also observed a remarkable feat, “when a group of about four or five blacktip reef sharks herded a school of fishes around a coral structure.” This suggests they can cooperate with each other to hunt as a team.

Yet another perk to organizing could be that each shark becomes a comforting landmark for others in the group. As Mourier said, “Using a home range and knowing all individuals may help individuals to have a better knowledge of their environment.”

NEWS: First Hybrid Shark Found

The researchers point out that sharks’ relative brain mass-body ratios have been found to be comparable to those of mammals, indicating that they are capable of complex social behaviors on par with those demonstrated in birds and mammals.

It could just be that the highly mobile nature of sharks, combined with the difficulty of following individuals in the open sea, has kept their social interactions hidden away from human eyes until recent years.

In another study, led by Demian Chapman, researchers showed that lemon sharks at the Bimini islands, Bahamas, tended to stay near their coastal birthplace for many years.

"We were very surprised to see that many lemon sharks lingered for years around the island where they were born -- often more than half of their development to adulthood,” said Chapman, a shark scientist with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University.

In both studies, age therefore seems to help shape a shark’s social life. Family ties may also be important to sharks, a possibility that Mourier and his colleagues are investigating now.

The scientists clipped the fins of 70 percent of the sharks involved in this latest study and are analyzing the bits for DNA.

He said, “This will soon reveal if they tend to group with relatives, as is the case in other social animals, such as for some mammals.”

Recycled pallets: Green for Small Spaces

2012-02-07T06:18:00.000-08:00

DIY Pallet Garden from Life on the Balcony

APRIL 14, 2011

I love Life on the Balcony. When all we had was a tiny front apartment porch, it provided so much inspiration. And even now that we have a sizable yard, LotB is still packed with helpful articles and beautiful container gardens. When I saw this space saving, upcycled pallet garden, I couldn’t wait to share it! What a perfect idea for porch gardens or as a focal point for a patio space. A perfect and inexpensive way to add some vertical color.

DIY Project

2012-01-31T16:55:00.001-08:00

DIY PROJECT: RECYCLED PALLET VERTICAL GARDEN

Summer is waning, and since I am a diehard autumnal girl, I’d usually be very excited by now. But I have to be honest — this lush and vibrant pallet vertical garden is making me want to stay in summer for another month or two. There have been many pallet projects and many vertical garden projects, but none combine the two elements as well as this tutorial developed by Fern Richardson of Life on the Balcony and recreated by Steph of the local spoon. I like this so much, I might have to squeeze it in before I focus entirely on fall projects. — Kate

Have a DIY project you’d like to share? Shoot me an email with your images right here! (Low res, under 500k per image, please.)

There is nothing more adorable than little baby succulents. I happened to have a teeny porch desperately in need of love that didn’t get a lot of sun, so succulents were the perfect low-water, low-light choice. I also loved the idea of making something out of a pallet, one of those items you see everywhere — you have to wonder what happens to all of them, and I was excited to give one a purpose and home on my neglected porch. It transformed the space and was easy and lots of fun to make (the best part of all might have been my trip to the nursery where I could buy adorable baby succulents to my heart’s content). — Stephanie

Materials

a pallet (I found mine for free at a local garden store — mine measured 25 x 38 inches)
roll of landscaping paper (this can be quite expensive, but you don’t need as much as comes in a typical landscaping roll, so you might be able to find someone’s excess on Craigslist or at a local garden shop)
sandpaper
staple gun and staples
hammer and nails
potting soil (I used 2.5 cubic feet for the 25 x 38 pallet)
adorable succulents or other plants of choice

Instructions

1. Sand down any rough spots on your pallet. If the back of your pallet doesn’t have much support (mine was basically open on the back), find some scrap wood, roughly 3 to 4 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick (or the thickness of the rest of your supports) and cut it down to the width of your pallet. Using two nails on each side, add supports so they are roughly even down the back of your pallet.

2. Double or triple up your landscaping fabric and begin the stapling fun. Staple fabric along the back, bottom and sides of the pallet, taking care at the corners to fold in the fabric so no soil will spill out. (See photos for details on folding corners.)

3. Lay the pallet flat and pour potting soil through slats, pressing soil down firmly. Leave enough room to begin planting your succulents.

4. Begin planting, starting at the bottom of the pallet and ending at the top. Make sure soil is firmly packed in each layer as you move up. Add more soil as needed so that plants are tightly packed at the end.

5. Water your wall garden thoroughly and let it remain horizontal for 1 to 2 weeks to allow plants to take root. After 1 to 2 weeks, you can set it upright.

Note: Remember when you water to start at the top and water each subsequent section a little less, as your water will naturally seep through to the bottom-most plants.

Enjoy!

Plastic bottles pile up as mountains of waste

2012-01-24T16:06:00.000-08:00

The biggest growth in bottled beverages isn't beer or soft drinks or juices. It's tasteless, colorless and sugarless water. And while that can mean fewer cavities and slimmer waistlines, it irritates Patricia Franklin to no end.

The director of a nonprofit group that promotes recycling, she spends her workday thinking about the bottles, cans and other container waste that most Americans take for granted.

The boom in plastic water bottles has her especially frazzled because while the recycling rate is extremely low, the demand from recyclers is actually quite high.

Franklin, who runs the Container Recycling Institute, doesn't blame individuals as much as what she feels is a recycling system that hasn't kept up with consumption patterns — especially when it comes to water.

Bottled water is the single largest growth area among all beverages, that includes alcohol, juices and soft drinks. Per capita consumption has more than doubled over the last decade, from 10.5 gallons in 1993 to 22.6 in 2003, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation.

The growth has been even more impressive in terms of water bottles sold: from 3.3 billion in 1997 to 15 billion in 2002.

But most bottled water is consumed away from home, usually at a park, in an office or even while driving — areas where there's usually no recycling.

"The opportunities for recycling outside the home are minimal," Franklin says, "and therein lies the problem."

Bottles by the numbers
Only about 12 percent of "custom" plastic bottles, a category dominated by water, were recycled in 2003, according to industry consultant R.W. Beck, Inc. That's 40 million bottles a day that went into the trash or became litter. In contrast, the recycling rate for plastic soft drink bottles is around 30 percent.

The low water bottle recycling rate also impacts the overall recycling rate of all recyclable plastic containers. That's fallen from 53 percent in 1994 to 19 percent in 2003.

Plastics should be recycled so that less petroleum — a finite commodity — is consumed, Franklin says."The environmental impacts are in the drilling of the oil," she adds, noting that burning fossil fuel also releases gases that many scientists tie to global warming.

A second reason for recycling, Franklin says, is the litter factor. While plastic water bottles are not a significant percentage of overall waste, the empties are certainly all around us visually.

Thirdly, she says, is the fact that the domestic plastics recycling industry faces a shortage because so much is being exported to China for recycling there. That shortage has also led to fears that some companies will go bankrupt.

"There is a means to reclaim these bottles and use them to make new bottles and other products at home," Franklin says, "but they (recyclers) simply can't get enough of the containers to do it."

Strategies The Container Recycling Institute thinks a nationwide bottle deposit law would create the incentive to recycle, especially when it comes to plastic bottles, and ease the burden on taxpayers, who pay for cleaning up litter.

The purpose - where I start - is the idea of use. It is not recycling, it's reuse.
Issey Miyake

Bahamas on top 10 environment protection list!

2012-01-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

Top 10 ethical destinations in the developing world

Every year, Ethical Traveler reviews the policies and practices of the world's developing nations, then selects the ten that are doing the best job of preserving their environment, promoting human rights and creating a sustainable, community-based tourism industry. By visiting these destinations, we use our economic power—our travel dollars—to support these countries.

In alphabetical order, the 2012 list:

Argentina
The Bahamas
Chile
Costa Rica
Dominica
Latvia
Mauritius
Palau
Serbia
Uruguay

How were these countries chosen? A research team first identifies the "best" tourism destinations, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Next, using publicly available data, these countries are rated. (For more on the methodology, download the full report.) As Ethical Traveler researcher Natalie Lefevre points out, "None of these countries are perfect, but they deserve their spots—thanks to their effort to ensure that tourism has a positive impact on their country and their people."

Ethical Traveler notes some surprises in 2012. According to executive director Jeff Greenwald, "The steady trend we're seeing toward green practices and support for sustainable tourism—by governments and travelers alike—is a fantastic development, and shows a real coming-of-age in the international tourism community."

Top 5 Places Your Car isn't Welcome

2012-01-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

If you were fortunate enough to receive a car for Christmas, please take note not to bring it here: (see below)
(It will now become evident to you that I'm back on my anti-vehicular traffic kick:)

As much as we all moan and groan about traffic jams and highway pile-ups, most Americans would be lost without their wheels. Can you imagine The Beatles singing, "Baby, you can't drive my car ... " ?

But for those who prefer hoofing to steering, here's a list of the top 5 places in America where wheels aren't welcome:

Monhegan Island, Maine: There are no cars allowed on this island off the coast of Maine, but you probably wouldn't need it anyway -- wee Monhegan Island is barely one-mile square. There are, however, 12 miles of "steep and strenuous" trails if you get restless. The island is well-known as a prime fishing spot and has been a popular getaway for artists for decades.

Governors Island, New York: The only wheels allowed on this island are the ones powered by human legs. You can bring your own via the free ferry, or rent a fancy QuadCycle once you arrive. The island was closed to the public until 2003, when the U.S. graciously sold it back to New York ... for a dollar.

Hike Inn, Georgia: They're not kidding around - to get to there, deep in the Amicalola Falls State Park, you actually have to "hike in." Two to four hours, to be exact. The Inn boasts clean linens, hot showers and home-cooked meals, but tech heads beware: There are no electrical outlets in the"'bunkrooms" and guests are requested "not to bring cell phones, beepers, pagers, laptops or other electronic devices."

Catalina Island, California: Just a ferry ride away from car-congested L.A., Catalina is paradise for those who prefer extremely "alternate" modes of transportation. Visitors can kayak, boat, zipline, parasail, helicopter, SNUBA, SCUBA, etc. -- anything but drive. Unless it's a golf cart, which are allowed in the main town of Avalon, but nowhere else.

Tangier Island, Virginia: On this island in Chesapeake Bay, three things are not allowed: cars, credit cards and alcohol. But before you cancel your reservations, there's boating, crabbing, biking, buggy tours, white sand beaches and more. Still not convinced? OK, you can rent golf carts here, too, if you really feel the need for speed.

Global Warming isn't just about warming!

2011-12-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

Taken from an article by:

Matt Miller

Director of communications for the Conservancy’s Idaho program.

As I traveled around the islands of Micronesia, I repeatedly heard people voice the same words: Moving is not an option.

The often-tiny islands of Micronesia—and other other Pacific chains—are populated by people with diverse cultures, cultures shaped by the land and water over the centuries and even millennia.

Today, with ocean levels rising and fish stocks disappearing, they are facing the most serious threat to their cultures, their traditions and, indeed, their lives. And moving is not an option.

Water Is Rising

I visited two islands in the Federated States of Micronesia, Yap and Pohnpei. On Yap, large stone “money”—huge limestone disks larger than I am—are still used for ceremonial transactions. Village life remains the central part of Yapese culture, and they still rely on reefs for their livelihood and sustenance.

On Pohnpei, I hiked around huge ruins—rivaling what I saw at more famous sites like Machu Picchu and Tikal—built on top of artificially constructed islands that extend a mile onto the reef. Nan Madol, as this area is known, began construction in 500 BC. Today, Pohnpeians practice a rich and traditional form of agriculture that incorporates seamlessly into the forest.

Thousands of islands in the Pacific are still home to thriving human communities. People have worked out ways to balance the reef and the forest. But forces beyond their communities could shape the future of these islands.

There’s an old cliché that there are no atheists in foxholes. In that same spirit, perhaps it could be said that there are no climate change deniers on islands.

As people in the United States seem intent on arguing whether or not climate change is real, islanders are seeing sea levels rise and land disappear.

A group of performing artists from Pacific Island nations recently toured the United States with their show, Water is Rising, telling stories of climate change as faced by their communities.

But the threats to islands don’t end with climate change: Coral reefs put fish on the plate for millions of people. But around Micronesia and other islands, fish stocks are being depleted.

No food. No land. No place to go.

The islanders deserve better.

Traditional Knowledge, Cutting-Edge Science

Fortunately, many communities are leading efforts to ensure that they will continue to have fish on their plates, viable jobs and places to live.

They value self-sufficiency. Willy Kostka, director of the Micronesia Conservation Trust, put it this way: “If I can keep the food relief agencies out of this region, then I’ve succeeded. If the Red Cross is here, we’ve lost. To me, conservationists are in the front line of self-sufficiency.”

Communities recognize the importance of protecting marine areas to sustain fisheries. A locally-led initiative called theMicronesia Challenge–which includes the five governments, local communities, and local and global organizations (including the Conservancy)—has a goal to protect to protect 30 percent of the near-shore marine resources across Micronesia by 2020.

These are the reefs that keep fish on the table.

Such local efforts are complemented by cutting-edge science, such as sophisticated models of climate change impacts that can direct conservation efforts and help communities plan for the future.

“We don’t take our islands for granted,” says Kostka. “Every day I feel so lucky I was born here on Pohnpei. I feel very privileged to live here.”

The people of Micronesia are hopeful. They believe they can shape their own future.

A difficult truth is that some factors—climate change, depletion of fisheries—are generated by countries far from the Pacific islands. The Micronesians are doing their part. Can we do ours?

There is much hope, but the water is rising. And moving is not an option.

(Image: Villagers on the Pacific island of Yap perform the stick dance. Image credit: ©Matt Miller.)

Sykes Monkeys Photo Update

2011-12-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

Two out of three were kind enough to take a break from snacking on some bananas to allow me to take their picture!

Ardastra- A Proud Sponsor of Bahamas Speedweek Revival!

2011-12-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

The original Nassau Speed Weeks took place from 1954 to 1966 and featured many of the great racing drivers of the period. Following a gruelling European season they took the opportunity to combine racing and relaxation in the sun. With today’s historic racers following the same pattern isn’t it time we went back ?

Iconic race cars such as Ferrari GTO, Birdcage Maserati, Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, Chaparral, AC Cobra and Ford GT40 were driven by stars including Roger Penske, Dan Gurney, Bruce McLaren, Innes Ireland, Ricardo Rodriguez, Mark Donohue and Stirling Moss.

Evoking the era of the world famous Nassau Speed Weeks in the 1950s and 60s, the 2011 Bahamas Speed Week is a totally new and unique event offering luxurious experiences, exclusive hospitality and endless opportunities to have fun in the sun while the northern hemisphere is in the depths of winter.

With the support of the local Bahamian Ministry of Tourism, the BSWR team have put together a package for two people which includes: the shipping of your car, airport transfers, all accommodation, all lunches, evening buffets and dinners – including the amazing Graycliff, Lyford Cay and Charity Gala Ball, entry to the Fort Charlotte Hillclimb and Arawak Cay Sprint, all passes and VIP paddock hospitality plus a special 007 island tour and Heritage Nassau Car Licence Plate.

Entry is open to Sports and GT cars of the period capable of running in a Tour Auto type road event plus classic road cars from 1954 to the present day and modern-day supercars. All will participate in the competitive sections of the event with timing being optional for the latter two categories. One of the unique elements of this week-long event is that it provides owners the opportunity to drive their race cars on public roads without fear of prosecution, as the local government is arranging for them to be temporarily road-registered whilst on the island and is providing special heritage number plates to mark the event. Plate number 007 will be signed by racing legend Sir Stirling Moss and none other than 007 himself, Sir Sean Connery and will be auctioned for charity at the event’s Gala Banquet.

Some Energy Education

2011-11-14T15:51:00.000-08:00

What exactly are these carbon footprints that I hear and read so much about recently?

Whether you are making a cup of coffee, driving to the grocery store, mowing the yard, taking a shower or even opening the refrigerator door, you are leaving a trail that tells a lot about your life.
Just about all activities that use energy to almost any degree are creating individual carbon footprints.

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere as people go about their daily activities.

By making small and seemingly insignificant changes in their daily routines people can not only reduce the size of their carbon footprint, but also realize significant savings in their energy costs.

There are a number of web sites that have calculators that enable people to determine how much energy they consume and suggestions on how to reduce the size of their carbon footprint. Some suggestions involve significant lifestyle changes ranging from trading in an SUV for a hybrid or riding a bicycle to work. Others are more practical and simple such as turning the home thermostat down a degree or two.

Easy to follow tips that most people can follow without too much effort include:

Air conditioning and heating: By simply turning the air conditioning up a couple of degrees in the summer and the heating systems down in the winter, a consumer can save several hundred dollars.
Clothes dryer, oven and dishwasher: Wait until the sun goes down in the summer months to run these appliances so they don’t put more strain on the air conditioner. In the winter months, run them when the house is the coolest.
Shower: Install a low flow shower head and take shorter showers to reduce the amount of water used. Taking a shower instead of a bath saves considerable amounts of water.
Refrigerator: Place the refrigerator in a cool place and always let hot food cool off before placing it inside. For greater efficiency keep coils clean and defrost it on a regular basis if necessary.
Electronic devices: Unplug those that aren’t being used such as cell phone chargers, hair dryers, coffee pots, computers, etc. as they use electricity just by being plugged in.
Hot water heater: Reducing the temperature of a hot water heater from 140 degrees F to 120 degrees F not only saves money but may prevent scalding. Insulate the hot water heater to save even more.

Clothes washer: Wash clothes in cold water. Many detergents are designed for this purpose. Hot water is only necessary for extremely dirty or greasy items.

Before you call me a Tree Hugger-

2011-11-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
Those who know me well understand that I am all about peace and love and getting along with our neighbours, and the general societal rules you will find posted in any kindergarten classroom. But far be it from me to suggest that I am a Hippie by any stretch of the imagination, I think that the requisite attraction to patchouli scent bypassed me, but who am I to judge? Having said all of this, I am a lover of trees.

I've never actually hugged a tree, hence my initial invective, as I can already hear you taunting me with the obvious nickname.I love my trees here in the Gardens. I often like to sit and reflect upon life under the Lignum Vitae. I even have a favourite tree that I roost in, which I will not disclose for security purposes.

But I stand on terra firma on this matter friends, here's why:

Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.
Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.
Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.
The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about 8 years!
A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years.
Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.
Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.
Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding,
Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control.
The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.

Here's a quote from the man I agree to disagree with (who told us that ketchup counted as a vegetable in the 80s).:

A tree's a tree. How many more do you need to look at?
Ronald Reagan

Garbage to Gold (or Green at least)

2011-11-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here at Ardastra, we like to recycle as much as possible! Composting, using old containers as pots for seedlings, we even use old branches as perches for parrots! But for you kind folk at home, here's an idea of what to do with your yard waste.

Quick Facts...

Composting yard waste recycles nutrients back into the yard and saves landfill space.
Composting reduces yard waste volume by 50 to 75 percent.
Compost made with manure is questionable for use in food Gardens due to newer strains of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses.
The microorganisms that break down plant wastes require favorable temperatures, moisture and oxygen.
Compost can be used as a soil amendment and a mulch.

All yards produce waste from pruning, lawn mowing and other routine plant care activities. Composting is a way to reduce the volume of organic wastes and return them to the soil to benefit growing plants.

Organic matter improves the drainage and aeration of clay soil. Compost can be thought of as a separator that "shoulders apart" tightly packed clay particles to allow water and air to enter. Composting helps sandy soil hold water and nutrients. Compost holds moisture "like a sponge" and releases fertilizer nutrients slowly. It also increases the activity of earthworms and other natural soil organisms that are beneficial to plant growth. Note: Compost is a soil amendment, not a fertilizer. It contains limited plant nutrients.

Making Compost

To make traditional compost, alternate different types of shredded plant materials in 6- to 8-inch layers. Layering helps compost reach the correct nitrogen balance. Use equal parts by volume of dry and green plant materials in the overall mix. Use caution when you add layers of fine green plant wastes such as grass clippings. Grass mats easily and prevents water from moving through the mass. Use 2-inch layers of fine materials or process them through a machine shredder. Alternate fine materials with woody plant prunings to prevent clogging the machine and to create an equal balance of dry and green materials.

Traditional composting includes soil as one of the layers. While soil can serve as a source of microbes to "inoculate" plant wastes, research has found that the microorganisms that break down plants also are present on the surface of the leaves and stems. It's natural for some soil to cling to pulled weeds and uprooted vegetable and flower plants. When you add large amounts of soil, you increase the weight, which makes composting difficult and less efficient. Large amounts of soil also can suffocate microorganisms. Soilless composting is often practiced.

Add water to the compost after every few layers of material. If the plant materials are dry and no green material is available, add a small quantity of blood meal or a commercial nitrogen fertilizer free of weed killers. One-half cup of ammonium sulfate per bushel of material is sufficient. Livestock manure also can be added and supplies some nitrogen. Like soil, manure adds weight and bulk. The space devoted to manure could be used to compost yard wastes.

There is no advantage in adding compost starters or inoculum to the compost. The microbes that cause decomposition multiply just as rapidly from those that are naturally found on the plant waste.

Figure 1: Many materials can be composted.

Materials to Use and Avoid

A variety of materials can be composted, but most Gardeners want to recycle collected yard waste. Plants lose between 50 and 75 percent of their volume in composting, so a lot of plant material can be processed effectively.

Composting can be effective on most yard wastes such as leaves, vegetable and flower plant parts, straw, and a limited amount of woody prunings, grass clippings and weeds. Woody twigs and branches that are greater than 1/4 inch in diameter should first be put through a shredder-chipper. Avoid highly resinous wood and leaf prunings from plants such as junipers, pine, spruce and arborvitae. The resins protect these materials from decomposition and extend the time needed for composting in comparison with other plant materials. High tannin-containing leaves (oak and cottonwood) have similar problems but can be used in small quantities if chopped well and mixed with other materials. The easiest way to handle grass clippings is to leave them on the lawn. Research shows that they return valuable nutrients back to the soil. Some grass clippings can be used for compost if other green plant material isn't available.

Many, but not all, plant disease organisms are killed if the compost reaches 122 degrees F. Temperatures will vary throughout the compost. Outer layers stay cooler than the center and cause uneven kill of disease organisms. If a plant is severely diseased, it is better to dispose of it in the trash.

In general, avoid plants treated with weed killers. Small amounts of herbicide-treated plants may be mixed in the pile as long as you allow for thorough decomposition. Weed killers and other pesticides break down at various rates. If you use treated grass clippings, the breakdown of these chemicals should be at least as fast as breakdown in the soil. Plants killed with weed killers that are soil inactive (glyphosate products such as Roundup or Kleenup) should present no problem when composted in small quantities.

In addition to yard wastes, many people compost kitchen wastes, such as vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells. These materials compost well and usually are not produced in large enough quantities to displace yard wastes. Animal wastes (meat, bones, grease, whole eggs and dairy products) may cause odors and attract rodents; they are not recommended. Human, cat or dog feces may transmit diseases and should not be used. Some animal products that can be used as organic sources of nitrogen include blood and steamed bone meal and livestock manures from plant-eating animals (cows, sheep, rabbits and chickens).

Manures may contain new strains of E. coli and other bacteria that cause human illness. The use of manures added directly to the food Garden is questionable, although use on ornamental plantings is still recommended. Research shows that 2 to 10 percent of bacterial pathogens survive the composting process. If manure is composted for food Gardens, a two- to four-month curing process following composting is necessary to reduce pathogens. Favorable moisture and temperature conditions during curing allow microorganisms to develop and outcompete the pathogens. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables and peel according to safe food handling practices to minimize the possibility of bacteria-contaminated soil being carried into food prepared for human consumption.

Black and white newsprint is best recycled through recycling collection operations rather than converted to compost. If paper is composted due to a shortage of dry materials, add no more than 10 percent of the total weight of the material being composted. Do not use wood ashes or lime for composting in Colorado. Both increase salt and alkalinity, which leads to a loss of nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas.

Catching and bagging grass clippings is not worth the effort when they are easily recycled right on the lawn. For details, see fact sheet 7.007, Eliminate Grass Clipping Collection. If clippings are too long to leave on a lawn, composting is a better alternative than disposal in the trash. Some weeds can be composted, particularly if they are pulled before they produce seed. Compost mainly serves to reduce the volume of yard wastes and convert plant materials into a usable soil amendment. Adding excessive amounts of other materials, such as animal manures, defeats the purpose.

Figure 2: Wood slat and wire mesh composting bins.

Figure 3: Three-bin and plastic composters.

Location and Structures

Choose a composting site carefully. Partial shade avoids baking and drying in summer but provides some solar heat to start the composting action. A site protected from drying winds prevents too much moisture loss. Another consideration is convenience for moving volumes of plant materials in and out of the area. Choose a site close to where material will be used, but not highly visible or that interferes with yard activities.

Structures aren't necessary for composting but do prevent wind and marauding animals from carrying away plant wastes. Open compost piles can be used in less-populated rural locales, but structures are a near-must in urban areas. Many composting structures can be purchased or built (Figure 2). They vary in how well they can be managed to meet the requirements for effective decomposition under Colorado environmental conditions. Many people cover their compost with plastic to prevent the outer layers from drying too much. Remove the covers periodically to add more water and plant material and to aerate the mass.

In-ground pit composting presents problems with turning or aerating the plant material and also can pool water, which leads to undesirable low oxygen conditions.

A minimum volume of material is necessary to build up the heat necessary for efficient composting. This volume is generally around 36 inches by 36 inches by 36 inches. Well-insulated wood or plastic structures can be smaller and still hold enough heat to compost well. Wastes should heat up within two days if the compost is put together correctly.

Structures built of wire also may have drying problems. This depends on how many sides are exposed and whether exposure is on the windward side. Plastic covers or tarps often must be used with wire bins. Wood structures do not dry as much but are generally more expensive to purchase or build. An efficient wood structure is the three-chambered bin system that allows plant material to be aerated by turning it from one bin to the next as it decomposes (Figure 3).

Compact plastic composters are available through Garden centers and catalogs (Figure 3). They work well for small yards that produce few plant wastes. Some of these use a vertical composting system where fresh materials are added to the top and finished compost is removed from a drawer in the bottom. This system requires an aeration tool to reach in and stir plant materials on a regular basis. If you use metal barrels for composting, drill holes to allow air to enter. Turn the barrel on its side and roll it to mix and aerate the compost.

Requirements for Effective Composting

The breakdown of organic yard wastes is a biological process dependent on microorganism activity. Like most living things, these microbes require favorable temperatures, moisture, oxygen and nutrients. (See Table 1.)

Temperature. Plant-digesting microbes operate in a temperature range of 70 to 140 degrees, but breakdown occurs slowly at the lower temperatures. Well-managed compost rapidly breaks down in summer when compost temperatures quickly reach 120 to 130 degrees. If summer heat plus the heat produced by active microorganisms causes the temperature of the plant mass to exceed 160 degrees, the microbes will die. Colorado winter temperatures cool compost and greatly extend the time required to produce a finished product.

Moisture and oxygen. Moisture and oxygen are essential to microbial activity. In a region of limited rainfall such as Colorado, add moisture regularly to maintain composting. If parts of the composting material dry out, many microorganisms in the dry areas die. Even when moisture is added, the microbes that remain require time to multiply and resume plant digestion. The net result is slower composting. However, excess moisture displaces air and slows breakdown. Surplus water creates low oxygen conditions where certain microbes multiply and produce foul odors. The best description of the proper moisture level is moist or damp but not soggy. The entire mass of plant wastes should be moistened uniformly to the point where only a few drops of water can be squeezed from a fistful of plant material.

The size of plant particles that go into the compost also affects aeration. Large particles allow a lot of air to circulate around the plant chunks, but breakdown is slow because microbes can act only on the outside, not on the inside of the large chunks. Particles chopped into smaller chunks increase the surface area for microbes to operate. Particles chopped too small will compact and restrict air flow. Moderate-sized plant pieces of 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches are the best size to use and can be produced by hand or machine shredding. Chop woody materials into a smaller size. Leave soft plant parts in larger pieces for effective composting. Fluff or turn the material with a pitchfork or aerator tool at regular intervals to provide additional aeration and distribute microbes throughout the compost.

Nutrients. The microbes that break down plants use the plants for food. Nitrogen is the most important food nutrient, because a nitrogen shortage drastically slows the composting process. Woody and dried plant materials tend to contain little nitrogen in comparison to the total mass of the material. Green plant material, however, contains a high percentage of nitrogen. A mix of equal parts by volume of green and dry plant material generally gives the best nitrogen balance. Add a plant fertilizer high in nitrogen when green materials are scarce.

Maintenance

If compost is properly mixed and maintained, a final product may be obtained in one to two months under optimum summer conditions. It should be about half its original size with an earthy smell.
Proper moisture and air levels are especially important. Dry plant wastes quickly stop composting. Plant materials often dry on the outside while the center remains moist.
Water consistently to keep compost uniformly moist but not wet.
Use an aeration tool to reach into the compost to lift and move plant materials. Turn the entire mass occasionally to provide uniform aeration.
Small amounts of fresh materials may be added to compost, particularly if a vertical composting system is used.
In other systems, too much fresh material results in a mixture of fully-decomposed and fresh materials.
If enough material is available, make a new pile instead of combining fresh materials with nearly finished compost.

Compost as Soil Amendment and Mulch

Mix soil amendments well with the soil to separate clay particles or hold water in sand. For this reason, prepare soil before planting lawns or trees. Areas planted every year, such as vegetable or annual flower Gardens, can accept frequent applications of compost. Indoor potted plants and outdoor container plants benefit from compost as an ingredient in potting soils. As with peat-based mixes, potting soils that use compost require a material such as perlite to avoid waterlogging. Some weed seeds can survive composting, but weed plants can be easily pulled.

Mulches suppress Garden weeds, cool soil, conserve moisture and reduce soil erosion. To mulch, apply a 4- to 5-inch layer of organic material on top of the soil instead of mixing it into the soil as with amendments.

Compost can be used as a mulch. It has the disadvantage of being light and easily blown away in the wind, unlike bark or rock mulch that stays in place. Like any organic mulch, compost supports weed growth, which can cause problems if weed seeds blow into the area. While mulches eventually become incorporated into the soil, amending the soil directly with compost is a better solution where soil conditions limit plant growth.

Symptom	Cause	Solution
Table 1: A troubleshooting guide for effective composting.
Compost has a bad odor.	Lack of air.	Turn or use a tool to aerate it.
The center of the mass is dry.	Lack of water, not watering regularly.	Moisten materials while stirring or turning the pile.
The outside couple of inches are dry.	Dry Colorado air.	Water regularly or cover with a plastic sheet or tarp.
The center is damp and warm.	Too small a plant mass overall.	Collect more plant materials; mix with the old to form a new mass.
Outside is cool and slightly dry. Plant wastes are damp and sweet smelling but mass will not heat up.	Lack of nitrogen.	Mix in a nitrogen source: fresh grass, granular fertilizer, bloodmeal or manure.

Happy Halloween Ghouls and Boogeymen!

2011-10-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of happy haunting, I would like to share with you some friends from the animal kingdom who may have a frightening appearance but are actually as harmless as a...well, basking shark?

Basking Shark

Goliath Birdeater

Gharial

Milksnake

Giant African Millipede

Vulture

Manta Ray, or Devilfish (how apropos!)

Giant Arachnid

and last but certainly not least, the Aye Aye from Madagascar.

For further reading about these creative looking creatures,

go to:http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/10-scary-animals-that-are-totally-harmless/related-photos

Safe and Happy Haunting to you all.

2011-10-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

Something shocking has come to my attention lovies. Now brace yourself, especially if you are used to the maddening traffic of Nassau.
There are places, not so secret, not even magical places, in this world that are....wait for it....Car Free.

That's right dears, you're eyes deceive you not.

On the island of Zlarin, Croatia, only service vehicles and tractors are allowed, along with approximately 20 electrically powered golf carts. This island: 8.19 km, population 276.

Entire town centres all over Europe; car free zones. Children and Peacocks may run free.
In Buenos Aires, an area called Tren de la Costa has dedicated a unique suburban modern leisure tramway artery that stretches for 15 kilometres by the River Plate from Olivos to the village of Tigre, each of its eleven "turn of the century" picturesque stations have a charm of its own with its plazas, cafes, antique shops, movie theatres, boutiques, restaurants and regional product markets. You can get on and off during the day as many times as you wish. Oh yes and by the way the population here is 12.4 million. That is nothing to shake a tailfeather at.

The list goes on.

The Bahamas has another election coming up soon. My vote will be given to the political party who can solve- or at least help alleviate - our desperate and growing traffic problem. The jitneys emit foul smoke on a daily basis. Some days I overhear people saying it takes them an hour and a half to drive 6 miles. At night time on less windy days, as I hop up onto my favourite tree to roost at sunset, I recall my acting days in Los Angeles as I gaze at the band of yellow smog hovering over Paradise Island. We need not reinvent the wheel, lets take a page from the book of our bold nations who recognize the beauty of less vehicular traffic.
Dare to dream my children, dare to dream.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_car-free_places

Lending Library

2011-10-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

We are still collecting books for our Lending Library my friends. Please drop off your gently used books at our front gate between 9am and 5pm. I realize most of you have a kindle or some such device with which to read by, however some of us prefer the old school method of "holding the book and turning the page".

"To waste, to destroy, our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them."

— Theodore Roosevelt

2011-09-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hello my dears,

I learned the most interesting thing today. I was taking my usual morning stroll through the petting zoo, and doing my usual close, general inspection when I noticed the most curious thing in the goat pen. You see, I thought the goats had donned their Halloween costumes early, costumes featuring those special frightful contact lenses that the kids wear nowadays to look extra spooky, but they weren't wearing any costume at all! Or contact lenses for that matter, you see, unlike most creatures, goats have rectangular pupils

We all imagine pupils to be round – as they are the type we see most often (on humans) – but goats (and most other animals with hooves) have horizontal slits which are nearly rectangular when dilated. This gives goats vision covering 320 – 340 degrees; this means they can see virtually all around them without having to move (humans have vision covering 160 – 210 degrees). Consequently, animals with rectangular eyes can see better at night due to having larger pupils that can be closed more tightly during the day to restrict light. Interestingly, octopuses also have rectangular pupils.

Now my only question is, what will the goats be for Halloween?

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. William Shakespeare

Ever seen a plant that was frightened of a thunderstorm?

2011-09-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Of course not sillies, but I have seen a plant that needed proper nutrients. And here is something I learned that I thought I'd share with you:
Did you know that lightning keeps plants alive? The intense heat of lightning forces nitrogen in the air to mix with oxygen, forming nitrogen oxides that are soluble in water and fall to the ground in rain. Plants need nitrates to survive, so without lightning, plants could not live. Just trying to keep you, my dear friends enlightened.
Love,

Freddy

"Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations."

— Jean Paul Richter

Excuse me, what time is it?

2011-09-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

That's right my dears, it is almost here again, it is very nearly time for......wait for it......its almost time for the Ardastra Farmers Markets to resume! Watch this space so you can mark on your calendar when we announce the date and schedule.

In the meantime, here's why you shouldn't miss it:

Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables. They probably get jet-lagged, just like people. ~Elizabeth Berry

Ten reasons to Buy Local Food

1. Locally grown food tastes better.

Food grown in your own community was probably picked within the past day or two. It's crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. Produce flown or trucked in from California, Florida, Chile or Holland is, quite understandably, much older. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. In a week-long (or more) delay from harvest to dinner table, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality.

2. Local produce is better for you.

A recent study showed that fresh produce loses nutrients quickly. Food that is frozen or canned soon after harvest is actually more nutritious than some "fresh" produce that has been on the truck or supermarket shelf for a week. Locally grown food, purchased soon after harvest, retains its nutrients.

3. Local food preserves genetic diversity.

In the modern industrial agricultural system, varieties are chosen for their ability to ripen simultaneously and withstand harvesting equipment; for a tough skin that can survive packing and shipping; and for an ability to have a long shelf life in the store. Only a handful of hybrid varieties of each fruit and vegetable meet those rigorous demands, so there is little genetic diversity in the plants grown. Local farms, in contrast, grow a huge number of varieties to provide a long season of harvest, an array of eye-catching colors, and the best flavors. Many varieties are heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation, because they taste good. These old varieties contain genetic material from hundreds or even thousands of years of human selection; they may someday provide the genes needed to create varieties that will thrive in a changing climate.

4. Local food is GMO-free.

Although biotechnology companies have been trying to commercialize genetically modified fruits and vegetables, they are currently licensing them only to large factory-style farms. Local farmers don't have access to genetically modified seed, and most of them wouldn't use it even if they could. A June 2001 survey by ABC News showed that 93% of Americans want labels on genetically modified food - most so that they can avoid it. If you are opposed to eating bioengineered food, you can rest assured that locally grown produce was bred the old-fashioned way, as nature intended.

5. Local food supports local farm families.

With fewer than 1 million Americans now claiming farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed. And no wonder - commodity prices are at historic lows, often below the cost of production. The farmer now gets less than 10 cents of the retail food dollar. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middleman and get full retail price for their food - which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love.

6. Local food builds community.

When you buy direct from the farmer, you are re-establishing a time-honored connection between the eater and the grower. Knowing the farmers gives you insight into the seasons, the weather, and the miracle of raising food. In many cases, it gives you access to a farm where your children and grandchildren can go to learn about nature and agriculture. Relationships built on understanding and trust can thrive.

7. Local food preserves open space.

As the value of direct-marketed fruits and vegetables increases, selling farmland for development becomes less likely. You have probably enjoyed driving out into the country and appreciated the lush fields of crops, the meadows full of wildflowers, the picturesque red barns. That landscape will survive only as long as farms are financially viable. When you buy locally grown food, you are doing something proactive about preserving the agricultural landscape.

8. Local food keeps your taxes in check.

Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services, whereas suburban development costs more than it generates in taxes, according to several studies. On average, for every $1 in revenue raised by residential development, governments must spend $1.17 on services, thus requiring higher taxes of all taxpayers. For each dollar of revenue raised by farm, forest, or open space, governments spend 34 cents on services.

9. Local food supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife.

A well-managed family farm is a place where the resources of fertile soil and clean water are valued. Good stewards of the land grow cover crops to prevent erosion and replace nutrients used by their crops. Cover crops also capture carbon emissions and help combat global warming. According to some estimates, farmers who practice conservation tillage could sequester 12-14% of the carbon emitted by vehicles and industry. In addition, the habitat of a farm - the patchwork of fields, meadows, woods, ponds and buildings - is the perfect environment for many beloved species of wildlife, including bluebirds, killdeer, herons, bats, and rabbits.

10. Local food is about the future.

By supporting local farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food.

We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons. ~Alfred E. Newman

Special Guests

2011-09-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

We are very pleased to be hosting some Sykes Monkeys. They are visiting us all the way from Amsterdam.

They are awaiting transfer to their permanent home upon completion of their new exhibit. The Sykes Monkeys are old world primates from Sub-Saharan Africa and like all primates are very social. These monkeys are sharing their new spacious exhibit with our bachelor Schmidt’s Guenon, who although is a different species, belongs to the same Genus. Stop by and say hello!

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

As you all may have heard, the Bahama Islands were in the path of Hurricane Irene last week.

We were saddened to lose some of our old, tall trees in the strong winds but thankfully we creatures great and small all held tight and there weren't any casualties.

Here are few pictures depicting some of the damage but also the cleanup process and getting back on our feet.

The main driveway after the hurricane.

The Lory Parrot Exhibit

The Iguana Exhibit

Some of our friends helping with the clean up

The main driveway after...c'est magnifique!

The gardens are still beautiful...

and lush....

...and blooming again.

Our Big Baby.

2011-08-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go friends? You simply must see our baby before her feathers turn pink if they haven't already!

“Zoo animals are ambassadors for their cousins in the wild.” -Jack Hanna

Photo Studies

2011-08-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank in particular the Lory Parrot for holding still long enough. Toby's aunt and uncle were kind enough to pose for me and the goats always enjoy having their picture taken. I'm not sure if I shall use the Meerkats as subjects again as whenever I asked them to smile they smirked and told me my lens cap was still on when it certainly was not. Pranksters. As for this last character, he was a bit of odd fellow. I'm not sure how he even got through the gate.

Should you be looking for new subjects for your photos, or for a photography class, or you have purchased a new camera and would like to learn its capabilities, I must say, our grounds are the perfect location. I've even seen people sitting on the benches doing sketches. Lovely.

No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden.
Thomas Jefferson

How do you do the Flamingo?

2011-07-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

If you have ever seen our highly entertaining flamingo show, then you will know that towards the end, a select few members from the audience may enter the arena and have their pictures taken with Freida and Florence and everyone. I have noticed that many people like to have their moment in time captured standing on one leg, on what I like to refer to as the classic flamingo pose, akin to first position if you are familiar with the Ballet. However I would like to point out that there is actually an array of poses to choose from should you so desire. Please see below. I suspect there might even be some sort of Yoga going on here in which case it must be bikram because it has been rather hot lately. I prefer Ashtanga myself as I may have mentioned before. Otherwise, if I ever get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the feeling subsides.

Here is Florence. She makes it look so easy.

An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.

-Martin Buber

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-07-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

My Fellow Bahamians, many of us take pride in our gardens, whether we have acres of greenery or a small planter of herbs used for cooking your favourite recipes. Well here in the Bahamas especially, we have easy access for ways of giving our gardens the best fertilizer on earth- and it comes from the ocean every day-for FREE.

That's right; Seaweed!

Seaweed, which originates from the ocean's garden, is one of the best materials for an earth garden. For one thing, kelp helps stimulates soil bacteria. This, in turn increases fertility of the soil by humus formation (which feeds on the bacteria), aeration and moisture retention. Let's look at some other ways that kelp helps:

Seed germination is improved
Fruits and vegetable have a greater nutritional value
Plants develop more extensive root systems, which means healthier foliage, flowers and fruit
Plants have a greater resistance to nematodes, disease and pests.

How to apply seaweed

You can apply fresh kelp directly to the soil (some people suggest rinsing it to remove the sea salt, but for the past 20 years I've never found it necessary). Arrange it as a 2 to 4-inch mulch layer or include it in the compost pile. Seaweed decays quickly because it contains little cellulose. What's nice too, is that you don't introduce weed seeds with seaweed mulch.
You can also apply kelp as a liquid fertilizer at the base of plants to reach the root zone, add it to a drip irrigation system or as a dilute foliar spray. In recent tests at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, soil sprayed with a seaweed solution had 67 percent to 175 percent more roots than untreated soil.

To make your own liquid kelp, add a couple handfuls of seaweed to a 5-gallon bucket of water. Stir the concoction daily for a few days, then strain and dilute it using the ratio of 1 part kelp liquid to 2 parts water.

Any sprayer or mister will work, from hand-trigger units to backpack models. The best times to spray are early morning and early evening, when the liquids will be absorbed most quickly. Spray the tops and bottoms of leaves until the liquid drips off the leaves.

As people become more sensitive to environmental issues, the need for organic gardening methods plays a critical role in our health and the health of the planet. The use of kelp--a natural, renewable gift from the ocean--helps us with our efforts in the garden.

Happy gardening my friends!

Love,

Freddy.

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children".

-Native American Proverb.

Madagascar

2011-07-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

My dear friends, I have a confession to make. When zoo camp was in session, there was a movie hour where the campers watched a computer graphically animated show called Madagascar. I thought it was going to be a film about the region, and having never been there myself, I thought it might be interesting, so I managed to quietly find a perch out of the way and watch. It was more of a cartoon about some funny characters learning valuable life lessons amidst comical chaos. And my confession is that I found it quite amusing! There was an eccentric ring tailed lemur, a hippopotamus, a zebra, a giraffe, several penguins and a misplaced lion.

Here at Ardastra, next to the Secret Garden, there are Ring tailed Lemurs, and after watching this film I decided that I must make more of an effort to get to know my fellow residents. Here are some interesting things I picked up in my research:

If you were to check in one morning on a group of ring-tailed lemurs, you'd likely see them sitting on the ground, facing the sun with their arms outspread. Sort of sun worshipping. Ring-tailed lemurs often spend hours in this position, soaking up the warmth of the sun. And they do it in a group, since they're social animals.

In a troop, or group, of ring-tailed lemurs, which typically numbers between 15 and 20 individuals, females rule. If a squabble breaks out between a male and a female, the female lemur always wins the argument.

The scientific name for the ring-tailed lemur is Lemur catta.

Ring-tailed lemurs spend more time on the ground (and less in the trees) than any other species of lemur.

Lemurs are primates and are related to monkeys and apes.

Lemurs are endangered, mainly due to habitat destruction caused by people who clear land for farming and logging.

One of the lemur's main predators is the catlike fossa, the largest carnivore in Madagascar.

Lemurs are primates and are related to monkeys and apes.

Lemurs are endangered, mainly due to habitat destruction caused by people who clear land for farming and logging.

One of the lemur's main predators is the catlike fossa, the largest carnivore in Madagascar.

Until next week my friends, be well.

"Listen up, you couch potatoes: each recycled beer can saves enough electricity to run a television for three hours."
~ Denis Hayes

The Cat's Out of the Bag!

2011-07-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

Oooh, sorry! Didn't mean to frighten; metaphorically of course my dears.

I'm talking about The Secret Garden.

At long last, it is no longer a secret!

It is really a stunning space, open yet intimate, and simple yet elegant enough to suit a wide array of events. At the far side of the garden is a two step podium which is also wheelchair accessible, for the focus of your ceremony or event.

Don't know where to host your son's wedding? What about your niece's baby shower? Just want to have tea with the ladies? Does your yoga group need a change of venue? ( I might join in on the yoga, Ashtanga changed my life ).

Please visit our website for more information about this special place.

http://www.ardastra.com/

Be well my friends.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. ~John Muir

2011-06-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

Good day my friends. I am back to update you despite the lack of repose. (Note the dark circles around my eyes. Thank you, I know I can pull off this look). But here is a random sampling of my schedule as of late.

First, I check in on our Baby Flamingo.

Napping. All is well.

Then I make sure that baby peacock is studying the grounds. (This little one has big shoes to fill). Note to self, teach her the difference between flowers on the mural and real ones.

It is never too early to educate them on the finer things in life. Look at this display.

I've asked the Flamingos repeatedly to take on some of the workload supervising the grounds, but they feel they are above that, on account of being 'actors' in the flamingo show.Well. I asked Florence if she prefers the Stanislavsky technique, or method, and if she attended Juilliard School but she harumphed at me and said she is a stand up comedienne, so there goes any assistance from them.

Of course on my route I encounter a few stragglers, this chap was on his way to Zoo Camp and got distracted by the Wishing Well.

And apropos the Zoo Campers; they pop up in the most unexpected places!

Please do not fret. Once the zoo campers have fulfilled their fun quota here with us, I shall dedicate myself to my regular blog posting schedule. Wish I could find time to meditate like this guy.

Everything in life is speaking in spite of its apparent silence.
— Hazrat Inayat Khan

Its been Wilder than ever!

2011-06-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I am sorry I was not here to post on my regular day.
And I shall tell you why.
It starts with a Z and ends with OO CAMP!.

They are everywhere these Zoo Campers! A peacock needs his rest, but they have infiltrated the grounds! From playing games in the Secret Garden (so much for that being a Secret), to Water Activities out back, Stories under the Pavilion, and the general laughter and learning going on, not only am I exhausted from all the supervising along with my human counterparts, I have fallen behind in my beauty rest. Where am I to nap? Therefore my apologies my fine followers. I have been extremely busy, but if I may confess, I've been having lots of fun just watching those kids have a such a good time. They are really quite amusing.

I'll post pictures of Zoo Camp in action in the next day or two. Florence Flamingo has been borrowing my camera to capture the growth of our baby peacock. Look how big he's getting! A fine specimen if I do say so myself.
And so my friends, I am off to investigate the flamingo arena, I hear lots of excitement over there which I would never forgive myself for missing. And so I bid you adieu, and leave you with this parting thought from my latest literary musings:

Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and
understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other.
— Dr. Louis J. Camuti

What are you reading right now my feathered friends?

2011-06-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Are you a thriller enthusiast? Do you like Historical fiction, autobiographies? Have you been there done that with Dickens, Wilde and Thoreau?

Well here is something new you can add to your repertoire. My friends and I at the zoo are starting to gather new or used books to start a lending library. In particular, anything and everything to do with wildlife, plants, animals, conservation, recycling, gardening, and saving the planet in general. Ever wondered about the life cycle of the red-eyed tree frog? How to take care of a spider plant? Need cool ideas about how to give items around your house a new life? Pretty soon, you'll be able to make Ardastra your source for literature on everything wild and being green. (One of my favourite colours FYI).

If you would like to donate your books to the Lending Library, you can drop them off with one of our staff at the front gate (don't give them to the Ring Tailed Lemurs even if they try to convince you). Hey you can give yourself a gold star for dropping off used books; thats recycling!

Bonus points if you bring them on your bike.

Hey There Wild Ones!

2011-06-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Zoo Camp is filling up fast! Have you signed up yet? Whether you'll be in Critter Club, or be a Zoo Trooper, an Ardastra Explorer, or getting your Art Ed-zoo-cation, you are leaps and bounds to have a wild adventure with us! So register online today, its easy! See you soon.

There's a new sound...

2011-05-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
If you haven't heard, there is a new buzzword going around. And its this: ZOOCAMP!
There will be something for everyone, from 3.5 to 11 years old, there's Critter Club, Zoo Troop, Ardastra Explorers, and Art Ed-Zoo-cation. There is a 3 day camp and a 5 day camp, but only a limited amount of space so sign up soon. We'll be introducing the kids to all sorts of fantastic stuff, like veterinary health, ecology, animal arts and crafts, even music and photography! Get your passport stamped as you explore creatures from all corners of the globe... there is so much going on, take a peek for yourself at our website:http://www.ardastra.com/
See you there in June!

Proud Peacock Announcement

2011-05-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

Drumroll please....

Its official! We have a new baby Flamingo! Just got word from Florence. Here's what she said happened:

The baby started to hatch on Thursday May 12^th. She was born on lucky Friday May 13^th and stayed with her Mom and Dad in the nest she hatched in for the weekend. On Monday, the animal caregivers realized that she was not in the nest and apparently had fallen out. The baby was with her parents who were desperately trying to find her a new nest because their existing nest is so high. For the first half of the day, they huddled against the enclosure on the ground. Then the parents tried to take over another nest that was lower to the ground for the baby to rest in. This started a fierce disagreement with the owner of that nest, but they finally seemed to reach some sort of agreement, and the family were able move into the new nest. Since then the baby has matured nicely, and at about one week, she started to climb out of the nest and walk around, with Mom and Dad getting very flustered and trying to push her back up into the nest. Plenty of time to stretch your legs and horizons soon, little babe!

But what is that redness around her beak you ask?

Well let me tell you. The redness is called "Crop-Milk". Whats a crop anyway? A crop is an expanded, muscular pouch near the gullet or throat in a birds' digestive system. It is a part of the digestive tract, essentially an enlarged part of the esophagus. (Thats the tube that goes from your mouth to your stomach, kids).

So, the crop is used to temporarily store food. Not all birds have a crop.

The crop milk is a secretion (oozy substance) from the lining of the crop of the mom and dad birds that is regurgitated to young birds as really nutritious food. Hey, whatever works, you know? This crop milking ability is found among all pigeons, doves, flamingos and some penguins. Pretty cool huh?

Here is another picture of her. I love this one.

Today, she spent a lot of time playing and frolicking in the mud! She was having such a blast. We are so relieved that she is doing so well and that Mom and Dad are fine too.

We do still need to name her though so send in your ideas to our Facebook page and if your name suggestion is chosen, you can win 2 passes to the zoo!

Here is our link to Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ardastra-Gardens-Zoo-and-Conservation-Centre/153515658030637

Baby Pictures!

2011-05-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

You think they are cute here on this blog? You should see them in bird! I mean, in person!

Florence is still holding out on the baby Flamingo pictures, but don't worry, I'm on it. I'll post them right here as soon as I can.

The Babies are Here!

2011-05-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

Hooray!
We are overjoyed at the arrival of peacock babies and some baby ducklings over the weekend. Photos are on their way soon, so until those are up, please enjoy another picture of me, Freddy. (My left side is better).

Welcome!

2011-05-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome to our new blogspot. My name is Freddy and I am the resident Peacock in Charge of the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre here in Nassau, Bahamas.

I am very excited to tell you that there is so much going on at the zoo that I created this Blog so that you can get weekly updates and all the latest information at Ardastra.

I can tell you that as I am writing this first blog post, everyone here is hopping, flapping, and climbing the walls with excitement because any day now we are expecting two new flamingo babies!. I don't think names are being divulged yet but as soon as they hatch, Florence here will pass the word along, and I'll be sure to update the blog.

Don't forget you can also stay updated with us on facebook and twitter, and in the meantime, why don't you shake a tail feather and come visit us. Bring your camera so you can post your own pics!

See you soon,