Fringy, science-stuff, maybe fact or fiction?

The iguana and the muscovy duck are not native to South Florida. All these pictures were taken all the way at the end of my back yard. I'm blessed with a fairly nice yard, okay in size but full of diverse wild life.

At times, there are over  40 iguanas, some reaching over five feet in length, hanging out in my yard. My house's yard has something called the Coral Gables Canal cutting through it.  For you fisherman out there, there are largemouth, peacock bass, and a multitude of game fish swiming around the canal. I've even spotted snook and sea cows, from time to time. I use to have fruit trees back here, but lost them. I lost my grapefruit tress and Key lime to citrus cankre, and my papaya, banana, avocado, mango and sugar apple trees to Hurricanes Wilma and Katrina.

We have been invaded by non native species such as the Oscar and blue talapia (fishes.) All these non native species are wrecking our own native biosystems. I do not fish anymore, but when I did, I caught up to 11 lb. fish right here in my backyard. Artificial lures, such as surface plugs or popers seem to work best. Shiners tend to be quite lethal for largemouth.

Unfortunately, I would not take the chance of eating anything caught back here. It seems the mercury content in the fishes' tissues are to high. Pollution from farming run-off, used to harvest sugarcane.

Posted by: NeutronNorman at 23:43 | link | comments (4)

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#1  13 August 2006 - 03:49

 

great view! if i had 40 of those iguanas in the backyard i would scream my heart out.
here in texas i have only seen the little lizards and night geckos.

too bad about the trees but at least you have a house and your life.

faaraa

#2  13 August 2006 - 04:44

 

dugongs even? manatees? :) lovely view. i wonder why you're iguana central...

barkalot

#3  13 August 2006 - 12:24

 

Barkalot:

I think that many of the non natives species were released by owners that couldn't handle or take care of their pets after awhile.

Sometimes it gets chilly down here in Miami. Last winter, I remember a cold front brought our temperature down to the upper forties. I was getting into my truck when I saw an iguana, that had fallen doen from a tree on to the sidewalk.
I cautiosly picked up the critter and he was still alive, but in shock. I took the thing and put it in my laundry room, on top of my clothes dryer. When I got back from campus, I opened the door and it was quite alive. Had a hard time holding it. Very strong. I have a picture of it and me holding it. If I find it, I'll scan it and I'll post it (also you can see what a hunk I am , jezz, will say barkalot, that and brains too ;)....)

Another species that seems to be thriving in urban areas down here is the Indian Mynah bird. They are all over.

Forrestry specialists are having problems trying to figure out how to get rid of Burmese pythons, that grow quite huge, from The Everglades, which are ~15 miles west from where I live.

I've seen iguanas, about 5 and half to six feet long on the other side of my canal. The canal is ~25-30 feet wide and maybe 15-18 feet deep, in the middle.

Now, it's quite hot here in Miami, so I haven't spotted the real big iguanas in about a week. They seek brush cover.

NeutronNorman

#4  14 August 2006 - 14:17

 

Beautiful pics, Norman!

I want to be a snowbird this year!

jennybird

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