Happy Thanksgiving

 

"Happy Thanksgiving from The Bahamas" - Bahamas AI Art

  ©A. Derek Catalano

Mosaic Hawksbill - PC Wallpaper

 "Mosaic Hawksbill" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

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

Friends of the Environment October E-News

 

Friends of the Environment October E-News

Preserving the environment of Abaco through education, conservation, and research facilitation.

Learn More

Dear Readers, It's hard to reflect on October without mentioning the impacts of Hurricane Melissa which affected the southern Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and especially Jamaica. We know all too well the struggles being faced by our Caribbean neighbours, and all those to come. I am heartened by the response and hope that all the lessons learned through Hurricane Dorian are working to improve the response after Hurricane Melissa. At home, while Hurricane Dorian is six years in the past, we can still see the effects on our island. The great news is that recovery is happening! The more we can do to strengthen and preserve our ecosystems, the better protected we are. Since Dorian, over 560,000 mangroves have been planted in Abaco and Grand Bahama by partners of the Bahamas Mangrove Alliance along with many bonefish guides, community service organizations, and other volunteers. We are continuing to work to build capacities within our communities to grow and plant more, and to increase public understanding of the value of mangroves. Would you like to learn more about mangroves? Check out the resources in our newsletter below. Olivia Patterson Maura Executive Director

Flamingo Wallpapers

 

"Morning Sunshine Pink Flamingo" - PC Wallpaper

Bahamas AI Art - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

"Pink Flamingo Sunshine" - Phone Wallpaper
Bahamas AI Art - ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 3072x5376

Friends of the Environment September E-News

 

Friends of the Environment September E-News

Preserving the environment of Abaco through education, conservation, and research facilitation.

Learn More

Dear Reader, I’ve been reminded a lot lately of the power and worth of community action. We all have our strengths and talents, and when we bring them together wonderful things can happen! How can you bring your passion and concern for the environment into your day to day interactions? At FRIENDS, this is something we aim to integrate into all of our programs and encourage our students to take initiative in. By repeating positive actions they become routine, our impacts cumulative, and others take notice and expand on these efforts. If you’re looking for a way to make a bigger impact in Abaco, please reach out to us. Your support and partnership are key to a sustainable future for our island community. Olivia Patterson Maura Executive Director

 

 "Flamingo Lift Off" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Pink Flamingo: The Bahamas’ Iconic Bird

 

Introduction

The pink flamingo, often called the Caribbean Flamingo or American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), is one of the most recognizable and celebrated birds in the Western Hemisphere. With its vibrant plumage, elegant posture, and striking presence, the flamingo is not only a symbol of tropical beauty but also a vital part of The Bahamas’ natural heritage. While flamingos can be found across the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, and the Galápagos, The Bahamas has a unique role in their history, conservation, and cultural significance.

Tropic Garden Flamingos - PC Desktop Wallpaper

 

"Tropic Garden Flamingos" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 2816x1536

Tropical Garden Peacocks - PC Desktop Wallpaper

 

"Tropical Garden Peacocks" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5120x2880

Parrot Stop - PC Desktop Wallpaper

 

"Parrot Stop" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 2816x1536

SHOCKING Bahamas Food Tour!!

 

 SHOCKING Bahamas Food Tour!! A visit to Andros.

 

Visit my Native Stew YouTube Channel for much more.

Friends of the Environment August E-News

 

Friends of the Environment August E-News

Preserving the environment of Abaco through education, conservation, and research facilitation.

Learn More

Dear Reader, Where are we now—six years after the worst storm of our lives? A quick glance at social media memories can still bring back the time-stamped trauma of those days, filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Yet even in the midst of that difficult time, there were glimmers of hope: helping hands from outside, updates on the safety of loved ones, and encouragement from you—our members and partners. Your support carried us through those dark days, and for that we remain eternally grateful. With your help, we not only survived the disaster, but found a new trajectory for success—allowing us to support our community and continue the work we are known for. Since Dorian, we have rebuilt from the ground up, embarking on a $2.2 million capital project to construct the Learning Centre. This facility now supports not only our operations, but also serves as a hub for three other organizations. Our staff has grown from five to seven, and together we’ve expanded programs and spaces that strengthen community ties, raise environmental awareness, and inspire environmental stewardship. We’ve learned to adapt and built resiliency into our operations through renewable energy systems, infrastructure redundancy, and the creation of a disaster response command centre in partnership with the Abaco Emergency Response Unit. We continue to seek partnerships that expand our capacity and create opportunities for conservation and education throughout Abaco. So where are we going? We are working to increase meaningful interactions with local students and their communities, strengthen support for sustainable development and natural resource management, and encourage livelihoods that sustain both Bahamian people and the environment. This journey is only possible with you. Your continued support—whether through membership, donations, or simply sharing our mission—ensures we can keep building a stronger, more resilient Abaco for the future. Together, we can carry forward the lessons of the past six years and turn them into lasting progress for our community and environment. Olivia Patterson Maura Executive Director

Sunset Beach - PC Desktop Wallpaper

 

"Sunset Beach" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 2048x1168

SunSplash Rooster

 

"SunSplash Rooster" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Visit my Tropic Gallery

Jumpin' Gaulin

 

"Jumpin' Gaulin" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 1024x1024 

 

Related topic: The Green Heron in The Bahamas: Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation

Related photo: Green Heron-Poor Joe-Gaulin

Seagull, Fly Free

 

 "Seagull, Fly Free" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Seagull, Fly Free

 

 Seagull, fly free, fly high in the sky, over the sea,
Where the ocean's vast canvas meets eternity.
With wings of pure white, against the aquamarine so deep,
A silent observer while the world is asleep.

From the cliffs, a grand launch, a leap into air,
No tether, no burden, no earthly despair.
You dance on the currents, a master of breeze,
Weaving through sunbeams, above the green trees.
Your keen eye surveys the tumultuous foam,
A glimmering fish, a true taste of home.
Then a swift, graceful dive, a splash and a dart,
Nature's own hunter, a work of fine art.

You soar past the yachts, with their sails crisp and white,
Past the fishing boats, bathed in morning's first light.
A sentinel present, on buoy and on mast,
Watching the tides, as they ebb and flow fast.
Your call, a wild echo, a cry sharp and clear,
Carried on whispers, for all souls to hear.
A voice of the wild, untamed and so grand,
A symbol of freedom, across sea and land.

Aztec Sage

 

"Aztec Sage" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Visit my Tropic Gallery

Butterfly Meadow - PC Desktop Wallpaper

 

"Butterfly Meadow" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size - 5376x3072

King Moctezuma - PC Desktop Wallpaper

 

"King Moctezuma" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5120x2880

The Night the Crabs Attacked

 

 "Killer Bat-Crab" _ Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Night the Crabs Attacked

 

Prelude

 

The creeks and ponds of Andros island in The Bahamas are the habitats of the land crabs that live there, which are caught and sold as a source of income for many of the Adrosian islanders.

 

But toxic fluids from experiments at a secret US Military Investigation Laboratory Base, had unknowingly been leaking into the creeks and ponds and the crabs were drinking it.

Abandoned Hummingbird Nest

 

"Abandoned Hummingbird Nest" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 3416x2604

"Abandoned Hummingbird Nest" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3024x4032