Clifton Sunset - ©A. Derek Catalano

Clifton Heritage National Park: A Confluence of History and Nature

Situated on the southwestern tip of New Providence in the Bahamas, the Clifton Heritage National Park and Wetlands represents one of the most culturally significant and ecologically diverse landscapes in the Caribbean. Spanning approximately 208 acres, the park is not merely a nature preserve but a "sacred space" where the narratives of three distinct civilizations—the Lucayans, the Loyalists, and the Enslaved Africans—intersect. Established in 2004 and opened to the public in 2009, the park serves as a monument to the Bahamian spirit, born from a grassroots movement to protect the land from commercial development.

Seagulls Flowers Beach - PC Wallpaper

 

"Seagulls Flowers Beach" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

The Marvelous Morning Glory

 

 "Morning Glory Three" - ©A. Derek Catalano 

 

 

 The Marvelous Morning Glory

When Dawn first brushes back the veil of night,
And spills her pail of soft and pearly light,
Before the robin finds his morning song,
Or shadows of the oak grow lean and long,
There stirs a wonder near the garden wall,
A silent climber, elegant and tall,
Who waits to drink the nectar of the sky—
The Morning Glory, capturing the eye.

O, see the vines like emerald rivers flow,
In twisting tides that ever upward grow!
With leafy hearts that pulse in shades of jade,
They seek the sun and scorn the heavy shade.
Like nimble fingers, tendrils reach and coil,
To lift their beauty far above the soil,
They wind around the trellis and the wire,
Driven by a quiet, green desire.

And then, the buds! Like silken umbrellas furled,
The tightest secrets in the floral world.
They spiral tight in striped and waxy cones,
In hushed and meditative, velvet tones.
But as the golden orb begins to rise,
A miracle unfolds before our eyes;
The torsion yields, the pleats begin to spread,
In hues of royal blue and wine-red.

Happy Earth Day

 

Happy Earth Day from Native Stew

 

Related article: Litter, Littering, and Illegal Dumping in The Bahamas

Related article: Derelict Vehicles and Roadside Mechanics in The Bahamas

Related article: Plastics and Microplastics: A Focus on The Bahamas

 

"Pineapple in Outdoor Pot"

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Remarkable Pineapple: From Tropical Icon to Homegrown Treasure

The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical perennial plant that stands as one of the most visually and culinarily distinct fruits in the world. Originally native to South America, it was named by European explorers who thought its exterior resembled a pine cone and its interior possessed the sweetness of an apple. Beyond its iconic crown of spiky leaves and tough, hexagonal-patterned skin, the pineapple is unique because it is a "multiple fruit." This means it formed from a cluster of individual flowers that fused together around a central core, with each "scale" on the rind representing an individual fruitlet.

Nutritially and culturally, the pineapple is much more than a sweet snack. It is famously rich in vitamin C, manganese, and bromelain—a unique enzyme known for its protein-digesting properties and anti-inflammatory benefits. Historically, because of the difficulty and expense of transporting them from the tropics to colder climates, pineapples became a symbol of extreme wealth and hospitality in 17th-century Europe. Today, they remain a global symbol of welcome, appearing in architecture and home decor while serving as a versatile ingredient in everything from savory stir-fries and pizzas to refreshing desserts and juices.

How to Grow a Pineapple at Home in a Pot

Growing a pineapple at home is a rewarding, low-maintenance project. You don't need seeds; you simply need a healthy, fresh pineapple from the grocery store.

Pink Orchids - PC Wallpaper

 

"Pink Orchids" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size" 5376x3072

National Parks Day

 

Celebrate nature, culture, and community this National Parks Day with Bahamas National Trust at the beautiful Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve!

Join us Saturday April 18th from 8:00AM –3:00PM for a day filled with fun for the whole family: art, music, birding, bush tea, kids activities, and more.

FREE ENTRY

National Parks Day Schedule:
Yoga - 10:00am
Kids Corner - 10:00am to 2:30pm
Kirtland Warbler Science Fair - 11:00am to 12:30pm
Guided Nature Walks - 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Bush Tea Station: 11:00am (while Supplies Last)

Don’t miss this chance to connect with the natural beauty of The Bahamas!

#BNT #NationalParksDay 

Tropical Garden - PC Wallpaper

 

"Tropical Garden" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

The Mulberry Tree

 Me an' da wife bin pickin' Mulberries. 🙂

 

 "Mulberries on Branch" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 

 

"Mulberry Dish" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Sourbush a.k.a. Cure For All

 

Sourbush a.k.a. Cure For All - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 More info

Used for various ailments 

 

 Download full size: 2688x2574

 

Related article: Bush Medicine in The Bahamas

Native Touch - Bahamas Art & Craft

Something I drew with colored pencils in 1998(bottom). Redone by AI as a photograph(top,center).

"Native Touch  - Bahamas Art & Craft" - AI Redo Photo

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1536x1024

"Native Touch  - Bahamas Art & Craft" - AI Redo Photo
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1536x1024

 

"Native Touch  - Bahamas Art & Craft" - Original colored pencils
 ©A. Derek Catalano

Nature Space - PC Wallpaper

 

"Nature Space" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 5376x3072

Art in Bloom Returns to The Bahamas This Saturday

 

Art in Bloom Returns to The Bahamas This Saturday

The “Art in Bloom” festival is set to transform the lush grounds of the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve in Eleuthera, Bahamas, into a vibrant gallery of culture and color this Saturday, March 21. Originally known as “Art in the Park,” this annual spring fundraiser is hosted by The Bahamas National Trust and serves as a premier showcase for the island’s unique intersection of natural beauty and human creativity. Visitors can expect to wander through 25 acres of indigenous flora while discovering a diverse array of works from local painters, sculptors, and craftspeople.

Tropic Treehouse - PC Wallpaper

 

"Tropic Treehouse" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

"Tropic Treehouse" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

Morning Glory Three

 

"Morning Glory Three" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 2551x3024

Tropic Cove - PC Wallpaper

 

"Tropic Cove" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

Download full size: 5376x3072

Morning Glory Fence Post

 

"Morning Glory Fence Post"

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3024x4032

Acklins Cascarilla Festival

 

The 5th Annual

 

Acklins Cascarilla Festival

 

June11th-14th, 2026

 

Spring Point, Acklins

 

The Acklins Cascarilla Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration held annually on the island of Acklins in The Bahamas. The festival honors the island’s rich heritage and highlights the historical importance of the cascarilla tree.

 

Related article: Cascarilla: Nature, Uses, and Value

The Many Faces of Love Flower Show in Grand Bahama

 

The Many Faces of Love Flower Show

 

March 7, 2026

1-5PM

 

Wallace Groves Auditorium

Freeport, Grand Bahama

 

Entry fee: $5

 

Presented by

The Freeport Garden Club 

Gold Coconuts

Loaded Gold Coconut tree in Nassau.

 

 "Gold Coconuts" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3024x4032