Season greetings!

Happy holidays and I'll see you 2011.

Naturalist notes: Ferruginous Pygmy-owl

 Ferruginous Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium brasilianum

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is Trinidad’s smallest owl. It measures merely six inches in length. It can often be heard calling in the early morning or late evening. They feed primarily on birds and lizards.

In this photo you can clearly see the nictitating membrane, which is a transparent third eyelid that can be drawn across the eye for added protection when taking down prey. It also helps to moisten the eye while maintaining visibility.


This is an excellent bird to mimic when birding in the forest, as it can attract a number of other species of birds teaming up to chase this predator away.

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist notes: Trees

I have always had a passion for nature. It brings me a sense of calm, reason and wholeness. For the last fifteen years of my life, I have had the privilege of sharing my knowledge and love for the environment with others, which I believe in my heart of hearts to be one of my vocations.

Today I want to talk on behalf of the trees and plants. Some of you may have an area at home, which you have been trying to clean up for the longest time. You have good reasons why the bushes need to be removed - it is getting to tall, or it is too hard to maintain, or just simply there are too many leaves on the ground. Do you know that the trees and plants are responsible for keeping us alive? They help supply our daily needs.

Stop for a moment and take a deep breath. Where did the oxygen you just breathed come from? Do you think that it exist in the air naturally? Trees and plants make their own food through a process called photosynthesis, during which they take in carbon dioxide from the air, water and nutrients from the soil and release oxygen into the atmosphere. This process is powered by the energy of sunlight, which is trapped by chlorophyll, the green pigment in the leaves.

What did you have for breakfast this morning? What are you planning to have for lunch, or dinner tonight? Think of that juicy hamburger. How about that lovely slice of pizza? Or, as you know, we are a nation that “runs on KFC”! From where does most of our food originate? Have you figured it out as yet? Yes, it all traces right back to our green friends, the plants! For example, the burger patty is made from beef, beef comes from cows and cows eat grass.

You know how we love to look at television, or how we like to entertain our friends and family members in our homes. I know you may be thinking - so what does this have to do with the trees and plants? Well, how do we accommodate people in our homes? We must provide furniture e.g. couches, chair, tables, space savers and beds. As a matter of fact, some of our homes are made from the trees!

These names should ring a bell among some of you, if not, ask someone from the older generation - Vervine, Fever grass, Bois Canot, Shinning bush, Chandelier, Zeb a peak, Wonder of the world, Christmas bush. So what do these bushes all have in common? Each has some bit of medicinal value to it, for example, from healing an ear-ache, to reducing a swelling or a fever, to helping with coughs and colds, or simply making a good tea. I am sure some of you may have heard bush medicine stories from the good old days.

We are still in the rainy season and there are a number of areas that are prone to flooding. Trees can help to prevent flooding since trees help to absorb a lot of the water and their roots help prevent soil erosion.

Trees are the homes to countless species of animals, some of which are becoming extinct as we speak because their habitats are being destroyed.

So the next time you want to chop that tree or cut down the plants, please remember all the great things trees provide for us. Too often we are all guilty of taking things for granted, especially the simplest and most important things around us.  Hopefully one day we will learn to be thankful for everything since they all have special roles to play in the environment.   

Be good!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist notes: Leafcutter Ants

I love to focus on things that are easily overlooked. One of my favorite creatures of all time is the Leafcutter ant, locally known as Bachac. They are extremely intricate and the more I learn about them, the more I am fascinated!

I have seen some of their pathways on the ground the width of with can vary from five inches to over two feet. They are also known to travel great distances from their nest. To me, they look like they are parading in a carnival band as they busily going about their daily chores. They can climb the tallest of trees. They have a specific way in which they cut their leaves, starting from the outer portion of a leaf and working their way inwards, in the shape of a semi circle.

Indeed, they are fierce little creatures.

Did you know that 99% of the Bachacs that we see doing the hard work of harvesting and transporting vegetative materials are females? That is ‘woman power’ for you! A single ant can carry over fifty times her own body weight, and if you compare yourself to her you will have to carry around a vehicle! Who among you is that strong?

The Leafcutters nest can be found as much as twenty feet or more underground. Nests are known to accommodate as many as five million ants. Each colony usually has one Queen ant, which is about one and a half inches in length and can live for over thirty years.  The other ants in the colony are workers and soldiers and live an average of only three to five years. They are daughters of the Queen ant of that colony. 

Once or twice a year the Queen lays a specific set of eggs, which after maturing would be future winged males and Queens. They have only one nuptial flight where they both leave the colony. The Queen tries to mate with as many males as she can and then she is off to start her own new nest. Unfortunately for the mating males their duties are over and they die after an adult life span of just one day!

I’m sure you have seen ants transporting pieces of leaves, flowers or even fruits. These they take it to the nest where they are chewed up and regurgitated to form compost on which particular type of fungus grows. This fungus is thousands of years old and exists only in the nests of the Leafcutter ant.

The next time you spot a trial of ants, squat down and observe them carefully. You will eventually see a smaller ant riding on the piece of leaf transported by a worker ant.  Her role is to protect the one carrying the leaf from a parasitic wasp, which will attempt to lay an egg in worker. If it is successful a larva can hatch in the nest and eat out the colony of ants.

Leafcutters also have an import role to play in the environment, like everything else that exists in nature. Firstly, they help to prune trees and plants allowing for new growth. You could say they are the large cows or goats of the rainforest! Secondly, by taking pieces of leaves, flowers and fruits underground they are adding nutrients and enriching the quality of the soil. Thirdly, they build their homes underground, therefore creating tunnels to get in and out, and by so doing they aerate the soil. 


© Denise Etienne

Naturalist notes: Trinidad and Tobago

Kiddies Carnival, Arima

Our beautiful Trinidad and Tobago is known to be the southern most Caribbean islands, situated just of the coast of Venezuela. There is such a wonderful blend of many different cultures existing in harmony, Africans, Indians, Chinese, and much more. 

Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

People travel from around the world to visit our twin islands. They come for many different reasons, some for Carnival—which is know to be the greatest show on earth, it absolutely takes your breath away, the spectacular costumes, the camaraderie, the music, and you must experience it at least once in your lifetime! Our fantastic beaches are also known to draw quite an extensive crowd, especially after the mayhem Carnival! Not to mention our countless variety of tasty dishes like Doubles, Roti, Shark and Bake, Callaloo soup, Pelau, Crab and Dumplings, and Pastelles, all this talk on food sure makes one hungry! Others are simply are attracted to our flora and fauna, where a great biodiversity exists. The recorded numbers of species are quite significant for such a relatively small region, over 100 mammals, 460 birds, 600 butterflies, 50 reptiles and 25 amphibians.

What ever the reason for visiting our lovely islands, I am sure people always take away warm and wonderful memories of this tiny piece of paradise.

© Denise Etienne

Update on the store...

Today we added more items to our online store DBinspired, which features some of my poetry. I must say I'm learning so much more about the web than I'd ever imagine, its very interesting! Presently there are t'shirts, mugs, keepsake boxes and coaster tiles. These make great gifts for all seasons, especially Christmas! So when you get a chance please feel free to check it out. Do let me know your thoughts as well, thanks!
Be good!
D

Naturalist notes: The beginning…

I have always had a passion for nature. It brings me a sense of calm, reason and wholeness. For the last fifteen years of my life, I have had the privilege of sharing my knowledge and love for the environment with others, which I believe in my heart of hearts to be one of my vocations. My Naturalists notes will be geared towards all ages. I am influenced by the fact that I usually teach a variety of ages, hence my style of writing! I will be posting these on Wednesdays, and I look forward to your comments...

~ Denise Etienne

DBinspired Store

My artist friend Beatrice Bork and I decided to open up a store on Cafepress! It’s under the name DBinspired, between the two of us it took like almost 5 days to get it up and running! The website still needs a lot of work, but so far we have 4 mugs. I think it’s kinda cool, much to figure out still!  We intend to put lots more…

So check it out next time you’re online, http://www.cafepress.com/DBinspired

Be good!

D

The simplicity of Love…

Live for today, its all we have

Offer kindness and forgiveness

Value humility, integrity and tolerance

Empathy and equality for all

© Denise Etienne

What is it?

We all have some thing in nature which we adore
Be it animals, plants, or simply a sunrise or sunset.

Whatever it may be,

This brings you utmost joy.

One of my unseen pleasures,

Has the ability to calm my sometimes wandering soul.

When it touches my skin it has the gentleness of a feather,

But sometimes when angry is known to cause massive destructions!

What is it?

Thank you...

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who have supported me over these last few weeks in one way or another. You know who you are, because of you I am stronger today and will be tomorrow. To the kids, you have been my strength and have revitalized me when I was at my lowest, especially “my pumpkin”! Thank you.

Be good!

D

Golden Headed Manakin

http://beatriceborkartistblog.blogspot.com/

 Watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork,
Poem Denise Etiennehttp://beatriceborkartistblog.blogspot.com/

Life...

To love is to live

To live is to experience

To experience is to endure

To endure is to succeed

© Denise Etienne

Be good!

D

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow is a new day

Full of hopes, dreams and expectations

It knows no limitations

Only unfolding itself as a mystery

Be good!

D

Tranquility

Close your eyes and listen to the wind

As it dances through the leaves
Filling your heart with utmost joy, in its simplicity
Feel it caressing your skin
Comforting, counseling and healing your soul.

Be good!

D.

“Sexy Pink”

Heliconia Chartacea or Sexy Pink

This one of my favorite species of Heliconias, it is locally know as Sexy Pink, I think you can see why ;) The bright pink parts are modified leaves known as bracts, on the underside are found the flowers which are green in color and well hidden. Their pollinators are a group of Hummingbirds called Hermits, they have long and curved beaks which are well adapted for probing into the curved flowers.  Heliconias are related to Bananas. 

Retreat...

I attended an Introspective Retreat yesterday lead by Dr. Theodore Ferguson, which was held at Asa Wright Nature Center. It was my second in a series of retreats and I must say it has been very inspirational, self-revealing and extremely profound.

We all come from several different walks of life

Sharing many unique experiences

But what is the thread that ties us together?

What is the core of our humanity?

Be good,

D

Staff day...

Las Cuevas beach 

Yesterday the staff of Asa Wright Nature Center went to Las Cuevas beach for our staff day. It was just a perfect day, good food, good weather and great camaraderie!   

Be good,

D

Connections...

The sun warms my soul

The rain washes away my pain
The breeze soothes my racing mind
The flower adds essence to my very being
The touch heals my wounded heart

© Denise Etienne

Epiphany...

One place, one time, one moment,
Life now seems important.
I now feel, I now smile, I now live,
It’s the beginning of the end.
A new birth, a new life, a new joy, a new song,
I yearn to hold I long to see…
Time becomes eternity.

  © Denise Etienne

Discovery outside the kitchen!

Winston Rojas with Tigre snake

So today I decided not to take my camera to work, and of course there was an interesting find…

 There was a three foot long Tigre (Spilotes pullatus) snake outside the kitchen this morning, which definitely got our attention! Pictured is my brother-in-law, Winston Rojas (the known snake handler at work) holding him/her. The snake was mainly black above with white markings on the underside and through the face. It’s a non-venomous snake and is known to eat mainly small mammals and birds, like everything else it has an extremely important role to play in our environment. They help control our pest population, so we need to learn put our fears aside and show these creatures respect, for we are all sharing this earth. Live and let live!

Be good,

D. 

Above photo courtesy © Jobe Millington of Asa Wright Nature Center

Oilbirds

Oilbird feather

I have not blogged for quite sometime, I guess I’ve been preoccupied … but I’m back now! My Naturalist career started at the Asa Wright Nature Center (AWNC), Trinidad in 1995. I have always had a deep love for the environment, and was honored to be a part of this hidden paradise.

Today my colleague Caleb and I went on an adventure, because I share my time between Guiding and Outreach Teaching, I have not been on this trip in quite a while. As we got to the core of our destination, it brought back so many memories… that of friends past and present: Mr. Lambie, Sheldon, James and others as well. The task ahead of us? Counting Oilbirds, these are the only nocturnal birds in the world that has a diet of strictly fruits! There are other known colonies in the northern parts of our island and South America.

Gushing waters, slippery paths, musky odor, scenic views and screeching Oilbirds sums up our expedition.

White necked Jacobin Hummingbird

Watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

   Whilst on the wing

    Hovering over sixty beats a second    

    I glance for food
    Taking both nectar and insects
    Even sugar solution sometimes

    Nimble and swift am I
    Eventually sitting for a moment
    Checking out my surroundings
    Keen to defend my territory
    Even against my own kind
    Diving and displaying my immaculate feathers

    Justly, I am a site to behold
    Attracting most of the attention
    Certainly, the birders grasp at my magnificence
    Once this beautiful island was named after us
    By their fore fathers
    It was called “Iere”, Land of the  Hummingbirds
    Nowadays it is known as Trinidad, and we are still being revered 

     © Denise Etienne

 This is a sneak preview of our collaborative effort on our book which features the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as poetry.

Scarlet Ibis

Swamps are the habitats in which I live 
Crustaceans are what I eat 
Allowing me this brilliant 
Radiant red plumage
Long ago they would hunt and eat me
Expensively were my feathers sold
Today, I am a spectacular tourist attraction


Indeed the National Bird of this cosmopolitan island
By law in Trinidad
I am protected and considered endangered 
So take some time and go look for me in Caroni


© Denise Etienne


This is an acrostic poem that I wrote on the Scarlet Ibis, which is the National bird of Trinidad. I am working on a book with friend of mine, Beatrice Bork, a talented animal artist. The book will be a compilation of her watercolors and my poems.

So I’ve started on my journey to get healthy again! 


Be good!


D.

People...

People need people

From the richest to the poorest

It doesn’t matter who you are

There is always going to come a day

When you will need someone

Be it to listen to you, to cheer you up

Or to just stand by you!

Be good!

© Denise Etienne

The forest and I...

I have always loved the forest! 

It's full of tranquility and amazing beauty

Teeming with life in every direction,

Be it tiny ants, or the great big tree

All living together in harmony.

© Denise Etienne, 2010

She...

She is untamed, never been conquered

She rules her own world

She is the master of herself

She writes her own destiny

She is indeed a woman

© Denise Etienne, 2010

Arima Valley

"A view from the veranda this morning" 

There is something mystical about the forest in the mornings,

Inviting us to its unique and enchanting beauty.

It’s the core of our being,

Supplying our every breath.

Be good,

D.

© Denise Etienne

Crossroads

Have you ever been standing alone at the crossroads?

Wondering which direction holds your destiny,

What would happen if you choose the wrong path?

Will you be lost forever?

Or will your destiny be redirected?

This is me, this is where I am,

The world waits patiently, as I make my decisions…

Be good, even though it’s hard at times!

D.

Believe...

As the sun shines there is faith

As the wind blows there is peace
As the bird sings there is hope
As the baby smiles there is joy
As the people embrace there is love

Denise Etienne © 2010 

This is one of my favorite pieces, I was surprise at how quickly it came to me in just a matter of minutes!  It is something we all experience some time in our life...

Be good!


D

"Dolphins"

"Dolphins"

I have always loved using my hands, be it for gardening, painting or just simply admiring my rings : )

So, over the last few years I've been carving these "Dolphins", which comes from the seed capsule of the Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans). The capsules looks like tangerines, as it ripens it bursts open with an explosive sound and the seeds are scattered. You can find lots of them on the forest floor, I use my army knife to carefully cut out the excess matter in the middle, and then I put a hole at the top, which will be the eye. Next I use some sandpaper to get a smooth finish, finally I dip it in some varnish.

A thought for the day...

Everyone deserves to be happy
For we were all created equally
There are no favorites.
Mostly, we have a desire to be good
And do what we know is right.
Sometimes though, we become self righteous
Thinking that we are better than the next person
Judging as we see fit.
But what makes us better than our neighbors?
Don't we all have wrong doings?
Aren't we all guilty of something?
Because I may live my life differently from you
Does not mean that I am worth less.
We are all human beings
We are all called to love and be loved.

~Denise Etienne © 2010