"Yellow Elder Spill" - Video
©A. Derek Catalano
Download video
Related poem: The Yellow Elder: An Ode to Bahamian Gold
Showing posts with label Photos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photos. Show all posts
Friday, November 7, 2025
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Fort Montagu: Nassau's Oldest Coastal Sentinel
Fort Montagu, Nassau, Bahamas. - ©A. Derek Catalano
Fort Montagu: Nassau's Oldest Coastal Sentinel
Perched gracefully on the eastern shore of New Providence Island, Fort Montagu might be the smallest of Nassau's remaining historical fortifications, but its significance is arguably the greatest. As the oldest fort still standing in the Bahamas' capital city, this limestone bulwark is a testament to the island’s turbulent colonial past, playing a critical role in battles and diplomatic chess games that spanned two major conflicts.
If you’re seeking a slice of history paired with stunning coastal views, Fort Montagu is an essential stop on your Bahamian journey.
Monday, November 3, 2025
Yellow Elder - National Flower of The Bahamas
"Yellow Elder" - ©A. Derek Catalano
The Yellow Elder: An Ode to Bahamian Gold
Upon the arid limestone, where the spray
Of ocean kisses coral every day,
There stands a bloom, a bush, a sunlit tree,
The heart of all the bright Bahamian sea.
The Yellow Elder, or the Ginger-Thomas,
Whose glorious gold no shadow can embarrass.
Tecoma stans, the name the botanist knows,
But to the islands, it’s the light that glows.
It wears the crown, the emblem finely spun,
The chosen symbol of a nation's sun.
No fragile bloom that seeks the humid shade,
But one in tropic glory fiercely made.
From Bimini's shore to Inagua's south,
A golden trumpet at the summer's mouth,
A sturdy sentinel of vivid green,
The brightest standard ever to be seen.
The petals cup a sunshine soft and deep,
Where nature's purest, richest pigments sleep.
A bell-shaped treasure, trumpet-like and proud,
It clusters thickly, lifting past the cloud
Of darker foliage, saw-toothed, serrated bright,
A canvas painted in the day's full light.
A hundred suns upon a single spray,
To chase the slightest gloom of doubt away.
Of ocean kisses coral every day,
There stands a bloom, a bush, a sunlit tree,
The heart of all the bright Bahamian sea.
The Yellow Elder, or the Ginger-Thomas,
Whose glorious gold no shadow can embarrass.
Tecoma stans, the name the botanist knows,
But to the islands, it’s the light that glows.
It wears the crown, the emblem finely spun,
The chosen symbol of a nation's sun.
No fragile bloom that seeks the humid shade,
But one in tropic glory fiercely made.
From Bimini's shore to Inagua's south,
A golden trumpet at the summer's mouth,
A sturdy sentinel of vivid green,
The brightest standard ever to be seen.
The petals cup a sunshine soft and deep,
Where nature's purest, richest pigments sleep.
A bell-shaped treasure, trumpet-like and proud,
It clusters thickly, lifting past the cloud
Of darker foliage, saw-toothed, serrated bright,
A canvas painted in the day's full light.
A hundred suns upon a single spray,
To chase the slightest gloom of doubt away.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Bush Medicine Pot
"Bush Medicine Pot" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Bro-in-law preparing to boil another batch of bush medicine to drink.
We have a tradition of using homeopathic remedies in The Bahamas and Caribbean.
Using these leaves:
Moringa
Guava
Avacado
Soursop
Moringa
Guava
Avacado
Soursop
After boiling, pour in a cup and drink it down.
Good for various ailments and keeps you in good health.
Download full size: 2652x2766
Related pic: Bush Prep
Related article: Bush Medicine in The Bahamas
Monday, October 6, 2025
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Hibiscus Sea - Wallpaper
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Friday, September 26, 2025
The Justice System of The Bahamas
"Bahamas Supreme Court" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Bank Lane, Nassau, Bahamas
The Justice System of The Bahamas
Introduction
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an archipelagic state of more than 700 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, operates under a justice system shaped by its colonial history, constitutional framework, and evolving social and political needs. Rooted in English common law, the Bahamian legal system reflects both its British heritage and its adaptation to a sovereign democratic state. This essay examines the structure, principles, institutions, and challenges of the justice system of The Bahamas, highlighting how it balances tradition and modernity in the pursuit of fairness, order, and the protection of rights.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Treasury Flora
"Treasury Bougainvillea" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Download full size: 3948x2904
"Treasury Golden Trumpet" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Download full size: 3024x4032
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Monday, September 22, 2025
The Water Tower on Bennet's Hill, Nassau, Bahamas
"The Water Tower on Bennet's Hill" - ©A. Derek Catalano
The Water Tower on Bennet's Hill, Nassau, Bahamas
Introduction
The Water Tower on Bennet’s Hill is one of Nassau’s most prominent landmarks, combining utility, history, architecture, and tourism. Rising above the city from one of its highest points, the tower has come to symbolize both the physical height and historical depth of Nassau. As a structure, it has served vital municipal functions, but it also plays a key role in heritage, identity, and public space in the Bahamas.
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Pablo's Coconuts
"Pablo's Coconuts" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Fort Fincastle area, Nassau, Bahamas
Download full size: 4032x2786
Friday, September 19, 2025
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Queen's Staircase aka The 66 Steps
The Queen’s Staircase in Nassau: History, Architecture, and Travel Guide
When you step into Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, you’re surrounded by colorful streets, colonial architecture, and turquoise waters. But tucked away from the busy harbor and tourist markets is one of the city’s most striking landmarks: the Queen’s Staircase, a 66-step limestone staircase carved by hand in the late 18th century. It’s not just a beautiful historic site—it’s a story in stone, shaped by enslaved laborers, tied to the island’s military history, and later dedicated to a monarch who ruled over half the globe.
This guide explores the history, significance, architecture, and visitor experience of the Queen’s Staircase, so you’ll know exactly why it’s worth the stop when you’re in Nassau.
Sunday, August 31, 2025
The Benefits of Sitting by the Sea and Breathing in Salt Sea Air
"Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island" - ©A. Derek Catalano
The Benefits of Sitting by the Sea and Breathing in Salt Sea Air
Sitting by the sea and breathing in the salt-rich air offers a variety of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. This is a practice that has been recognized for centuries, and many of the reported benefits are supported by a growing body of scientific research.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Dive Into The Bahamas
"Dive Into The Bahamas" - Bay St., Nassau
©A. Derek Catalano
Download full size: 4032x3024
"Dive Into The Bahamas" - Bay St., Nassau
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Woodes Rogers Wharf
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Bahamas World Famous Straw Market
"Bahamas World Famous Straw Market" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Download full size images - 4043x3024
"Bahamas World Famous Straw Market" - ©A. Derek Catalano
"Woodes Rogers Walk" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Download video
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)