An AI upscaled image(top) of a small sized photo(bottom) I took many years ago.
"Hot Leaf" - Bahamas AI upscaled image
©A. Derek Catalano
Showing posts with label Flora. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flora. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2026
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Clifton Heritage National Park: A Confluence of History and Nature
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.
Monday, April 27, 2026
Friday, April 24, 2026
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.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
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
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The Remarkable Pineapple: From Tropical Icon to Homegrown Treasure
"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.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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!
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
Saturday, April 11, 2026
The Mulberry Tree
Me an' da wife bin pickin' Mulberries. 🙂
"Mulberries on Branch" - ©A. Derek Catalano
"Mulberry Dish" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Friday, April 3, 2026
Sourbush a.k.a. Cure For All
Sourbush a.k.a. Cure For All - ©A. Derek Catalano
Used for various ailments
Download full size: 2688x2574
Related article: Bush Medicine in The Bahamas
Friday, March 27, 2026
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
"Native Touch - Bahamas Art & Craft" - AI Redo Photo
©A. Derek Catalano
Download full size: 1536x1024
©A. Derek Catalano
Download full size: 1536x1024
"Native Touch - Bahamas Art & Craft" - Original colored pencils
©A. Derek Catalano
©A. Derek Catalano
Monday, March 23, 2026
Friday, March 20, 2026
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.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
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
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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
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