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Zeebra Designs & Destinations

Tag Archives: climate change

An Appreciation for Nature

22 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in NATURE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

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Tags

climate change, Earth Day, extinctions

P2070025 yes yes yes variable seedeaters

“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
― Jane Goodall

P2060815 variable seedeater male yay

Male Variable Seedeater

“Nature doesn’t need people – people need nature; nature would survive the extinction of the human being and go on just fine, but human culture, human beings, cannot survive without nature.”  Harrison Ford

P1500580 FEMALE VARIABLE SEEDEATER EATING SEEDS

‘Seeds! Yum, yum!” – Female Variable Seedeater

“Hundreds of species are facing extinction due to human impacts on the environment.” – Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

Poza Honda Ecuador

“Yum Yum!

“If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save us.” –David Suzuki

0 2018 may 21 seedeaters eating tainted seeds P1910658 AN ARC OF SEEDEATERS

2018 – Variable Seedeaters

“Humans regard animals as worthy of protection only when they are on the verge of extinction.” – Paul Craig Roberts

0 2018 may 21 seedeaters eating tainted seeds P1910651
“This seedeater is a common to abundant bird in lowlands and foothills up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) altitude in semi-open areas such as forest edges, roadsides, low scrub and gardens. It also flocks with other species of seedeaters in pasture, weedy fields and other grassland…This species feeds mainly on grass seeds but also takes other seeds, berries and some insects.”  Wilkipedia

Poza Honda Ecuador – Last year while participating in the bird census for Global Big Day, friends and I noted the strong aroma of 2,4-D pesticide that had recently been sprayed on the pasture by the road.  The aroma lingered for months, and sensitive broad-leaved plants continued to die or curl for several more months.  The young balsa trees showed lingering effects half a year later.

I’m not sure when I noted the Variable Seedeaters’ absence, but their numbers declined rapidly – and have been almost absent until recently.   It’s been sobering to note the perfect seed heads on the pasture grasses, and to listen for the birds’ sweet songs but find there were none.

P2510981 which seedeater grassquit

Yay! A March 2019 sighting of a Grassquit!

I rationalized: “Perhaps they are nesting.  Perhaps they went elsewhere for seeds.  Or they are molting.”

Month after month, I rarely spotted a seedeater or grassquit.

The cutting of trees, bamboo, the fire that morphed into a larger one – surely all played into the disappearance of those precious little birds.    I wondered if the hotter climate pushed them to cooler areas.  We’ve not had as many cool days/nights as the year before.

I began actively searching for the missing birds, but no. They remained MIA.  Month after month after month I hoped for their return; I was thrilled to spot one or two.

Sometimes it takes a while to notice what’s absent from the normal scene.  Another species was often missing: the Ecuadorian Ground Doves. (featured below and in the header image.) Continue reading →

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How Long Can You Hold Your Breath?

28 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in NATURE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 51 Comments

Tags

climate change, Earth Day, earth week, march for science, peoples climate march

 

 

P1190008 swim email

‘If you really think the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.’ – Dr. Guy McPherson

Manabi Ecuador –  About eight years ago the climate on Ecuador’s coast seemed to be almost perfect.  I could work outside for hours and never feel over heated, yet the sun would burn my skin quite fast.    Many times in the night we needed long sleeves and/or jackets.

P8020012 night shrimp harvest

Now it seems that the cloud forest, which I remembered being much cooler,  has the ideal temperatures, and the coastal weather – on a cloudless day – is stifling!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

June Solstice 2016

Today I asked an older lady if she thought the coastal climate was warmer than in earlier years.   “Yes,” she said, “It is much hotter now.”

“Why do you think it has changed?”  I asked. Continue reading →

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Honoring our Planet

22 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in INSPIRATION, NATURE, TRAVEL: LATIN AMERICA

≈ 42 Comments

Tags

climate change, earth day 2017

The El Lechero Tree – Sacred Site overlooking Lago San Pablo, Ecuador

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” – Rachel Carson

When the health of our planet suffers, we suffer as well.   May we all take time to appreciate our natural resources and work together to be guardians of Mother Earth. She will might survive without us, but how much longer can we survive if the delicate balance is tipped too far?

Join me via cyber visit to check on some of my favorite locations.

Vicunas near Chimborazo

Chimborazo – Brrrrrrrr!

Between Otavalo and Volcano Imbabura (Ecuador)

Quinoa – near Otavalo Ecuador.

Lago San Pablo 0 Near Otavalo Ecuador

Shrimp pond – Jama Ecuador

Amtrack – somewhere between New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta…

Continue reading →

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Weather, Extinctions and Round-the-World Deforestations

02 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by Playamart - Zeebra Designs in INSPIRATION, PEOPLE

≈ 36 Comments

Tags

climate change, deforestation, endangered species, eulogy for a planet, extinctions, reforestation, silent spring rachel carson, what can one person do

 

Ecuador's Powerful Woodpecker closely resembles North America's lost Ivorybill. Will mankind learn that preserving and restoring the habitat has reached critical importance?

Ecuador’s Powerful Woodpecker (Campephilus pollens) resembles North America’s possibly-extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker.  What will it take to awaken mankind that preserving and restoring the habitat has reached critical importance?

” The ivory-bill is so iconic: big, beautiful, mysterious—a symbol of everything that’s gone wrong with our relationship to the environment. I thought if someone could just locate an ivory-bill, could prove that this remarkable species still exists, it would be the most hopeful event imaginable. We would have one final chance to save this bird and the bottomland swamp forests it needs to survive.”  From Surfbirds.com – interview with Tim Gallagher, author of The Grail Bird.

While working, I noted a new bird sound and was rewarded by seeing this magnificent woodpecker!

While working, I  was rewarded by first hearing and then seeing this magnificent Powerful Woodpecker!

“Earth’s population of wild vertebrates — all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish — declined 58 percent from 1970 to 2012. (That’s up from 52 percent in the 2014 report, which spanned 1970 to 2010.) In other words, the total number of wild animals with backbones has fallen by more than half within one human lifetime.”   Russell McClendon – Mother Nature Network (Oct 27/2016)

Mindo Ecuador –   Something happened last month that had a profound effect on me.  I’ve been trying to figure out how to approach it, how to share it with you – with those who might be interested – but even more for those who are not. Continue reading →

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