Got Fries?

 

 

 

©A. Derek Catalano

 

Bahamas Wildfire

 

The Silent Blaze: Wildfires in The Bahamas

 

Introduction

 

When the global public visualizes The Bahamas, the prevailing imagery is one of pristine turquoise waters, low-lying coral islands, and luxury tourism. Rarely do images of towering smoke columns or charred forest floors enter the collective consciousness. Yet, behind the coastal postcard lies a complex terrestrial reality: The Bahamas is home to vast, fire-dependent forest ecosystems that are increasingly caught in a volatile tug-of-war between natural evolutionary processes and human-induced climate pressures. In recent years, most notably during intense dry-season heatwaves, the phrase "The Bahamas is burning" shifted from a metaphorical warning to a literal crisis. Understanding the dynamics, impacts, and management of wildfires in this archipelagic nation is critical to safeguarding both its rich biodiversity and its human populations.

Shadows on the Limestone: The Ecology, Evolution, and Impact of the Bahamian Giant Centipede

 

Centipede on Wall - ©A. Derek Catalano

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Shadows on the Limestone: The Ecology, Evolution, and Impact of the Bahamian Giant Centipede

Centipedes are among the oldest and most successful terrestrial predators on Earth, having stalked the undergrowth for over 400 million years. In the tropical and subtropical climate of The Bahamas, these multi-legged arthropods find an ideal environment.

While the archipelago is home to several smaller, inconspicuous species, it is the giant scolopendrid centipedes that capture local attention. Whether found under a limestone rock in the pine barrens or startling a homeowner in Nassau, the Bahamian centipede is a creature of remarkable evolutionary design, ecological importance, and formidable defensive capability.

Hummingbird Murals

Elizabeth Ave., Nassau, Bahamas 

 

Hummingbird Mural by Marco 2026

 

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Hummingbirds Mural by Marco 2026

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Photo images: ©A. Derek Catalano

The Decline of Land Crabs in the Caribbean and The Bahamas

 

"Mangrove Crab" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Decline of Land Crabs in the Caribbean and The Bahamas

 

For centuries, the rhythmic, mass migrations of land crabs have been a defining ecological and cultural hallmark of the Caribbean and the Bahamian archipelago. During the summer rainy seasons, millions of these terrestrial crustaceans emerge from the safety of the inland forests, moving in vast, shifting carpets toward the coastlines to release their eggs into the sea.

Yet, this ancient ecological spectacle is quietly fading. Across the region, local crabbers and marine scientists are sounding the alarm: land crab populations are in a severe, multi-decade decline. This loss represents far more than the reduction of a single wildlife species. Land crabs are vital "ecosystem engineers" that sustain regional biodiversity, and they are deeply woven into the economic, culinary, and cultural fabric of island communities. Addressing their decline requires unpacking a complex web of habitat destruction, overharvesting, climate pressures, and introduced predators. (MDPI) (ResearchGate)

Parrot Sea - PC Wallpaper

 

"Parrot Sea" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

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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 in Flight" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Sentinels of the Archipelago: An In-Depth Study of Seagulls in The Bahamas

The Bahamian archipelago, a sprawling collection of over 700 islands and cays scattered across the lucent Atlantic, serves as a vital ecological theater for a diverse array of avian life. Among the most ubiquitous yet frequently misunderstood actors in this environment are the seagulls. Often dismissed as mere scavengers or "beach chickens," the seagulls of The Bahamas represent a complex intersection of evolutionary adaptation, ecological necessity, and cultural symbolism. This essay explores the taxonomy, behavioral ecology, and environmental significance of these birds, with a focused lens on their life within the unique Bahamian seascape.

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

2026 Summer Internship Opportunity with Friends of the Environment!

 

2026 Summer Internship Opportunity with Friends of the Environment!

Friends of the Environment is looking for Summer Interns to assist with our Summer Camp Program!

We’re seeking someone who:
- Is 18 years or older
- Is a Bahamian citizen
- Is a proficient swimmer
- Loves working with children and being outdoors

This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about the environment, education, and making a positive impact in the community.

Internship runs from June 15th - July 17th

Location: Friends of the Environment Campus, Marsh Harbour, Abaco

If this sounds like you or someone you know, get in touch with us today!

A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush

 

 "Young Ground Dove" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush

I.
Within the palm, a pulse is felt, a warmth of life and gold,
A tiny thing of feather-weight, but certain in the hold.
It does not sing the grandest song, nor boast a plumage rare,
But it is here, beneath the thumb, while others dwell in air.
The morning mist is thick and grey upon the tangled thorn,
Where silhouettes of phantom wings are on the breezes borne.
Two shadows flit behind the leaf, two melodies entwine,
They promise more than what is held, they shimmer and they shine.

II.
The mind is such a restless thing, a merchant of the "more,"
That paces through the present room to peer outside the door.
It weighs the heavy, humble grain against the sacks of spice,
And whispers that the certain thing is never worth the price.
"Why keep the spark?" the ego asks, "When wildfires might ignite?
Why settle for the candle-wick when stars are in your sight?
Release the grip, relax the hand, the bush is close at hand,
Where better prizes wait for those with courage to demand."

III.
So many eyes have turned away from bread upon the plate,
To hunger for a banquet-hall behind a locked-up gate.
The traveler leaves the steady path for marsh-light in the fen,
And trades the coin he earned today for dreams of making ten.
We see it in the lover’s gaze, who seeks a perfect ghost,
And leaves the one who stayed through storms, the heart that loved them most.
We see it in the seeker’s toil, who digs a hundred wells,
But never tastes the water clear where deeper spirit dwells.

 

Bonefish Pond National Park - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Bonefish Pond National Park: The Green Lung of Southern New Providence

 

Introduction

Situated on the southern coast of New Providence Island in The Bahamas, Bonefish Pond National Park (BPNP) stands as a testament to environmental resilience and community-driven conservation. Spanning approximately 1,235 acres (5 km²), it protects the last remaining intact tidal mangrove ecosystem on the island’s southern shore. Established in 2002 and managed by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), the park serves a dual purpose: acting as a critical "nursery" for the nation’s marine life and providing a vital buffer for the capital city against the increasing threats of climate change and storm surges.

Flamingo Morning - AI Redo

A piece I did back in 1995 when I first started using computers. Done with Microsoft Paint(bottom). Redone with AI as a photograph(top).

 

 

 "Flamingo Morning" - AI Redo Photo
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
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"Flamingo Morning" - Pixel Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

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Cuban Pewee: 'Nature's Least Scary Tyrant'

 

Cuban Pewee

 

The small bird featured here is a CUBAN PEWEE Contopus caribaeus bahamensis (sometimes called the Crescent-eyed Pewee - see image for why this is so). It is without a doubt a tyrant. At barely 6" long, it is the smallest tyrant you are likely to encounter in the Bahamas or indeed anywhere else. However it does happen to be a member of the family Tyranidae. These are the flycatchers, and on Abaco they include the larger LA SAGRA'S FLYCATCHER, the still larger LOGGERHEAD KINGBIRD and (a summer visitor only) the GRAY KINGBIRD (this last link explains the difference between the two kingbirds). Read more>>

Heron Morn - PC Wallpaper

 

"Heron Morn" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

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"Heron Morn" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 

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WRY ‘CUDA . Abaco Bahamas

 

WRY ‘CUDA

By Rolling Harbour, Abaco 

 

There’s no doubt about it, barracudas have a particularly unwelcoming look to them. They exude menace. There’s something about the torpedo shape, the primitive head, and the uncomfortably snaggle-toothed grin-with-underbite that suggests a creature not to be underestimated. Read more>>

Blue Marlin, The Cerulean King

 

 "Leaping Blue Marlin" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 The Cerulean King

An Ode to the Blue Marlin, National Fish of The Bahamas

In the kingdom where the sapphire tide meets the burning gold of day,
Where the coral gardens blossom in the salt-flecked, turquoise spray,
There dwells a monarch robed in light, of muscle, speed, and grace,
The swiftest ghost of Lucayan seas, the master of the chase.
With a spear of bone and a heart of fire, through the rolling deep he runs,
A living shard of the ocean’s soul, beneath the tropical suns.

I. The Form of Majesty

His flank is etched in cobalt ink, with silvered stripes that glow,
A shifting neon symphony as he prowls the depths below.
A dorsal fin like a jagged sail, a crescent tail of steel,
He moves with the silent thunder that the trembling currents feel.
The Makaira nigricans, in shadows dark and dim,
No creature of the seven seas can ever match with him.
Ten hundred pounds of leaping power, a lightning bolt in blue,
He pierces through the glassy swell to start his life anew.

II. The Dance of the Deep

When the hook is set and the line is taut, the battle-cry is heard,
He breaks the surface, soaring high, as graceful as a bird.
He "walks the water" on his tail, a greyhound of the brine,
Against the angler’s straining reel and the singing nylon line.
In somersaults and silver arcs, he defies the heavy air,
A warrior of the indigo, with a wild and regal flare.
To see him rise is to behold a wonder fierce and grand,
The pride of every island shore and every sun-drenched sand.

Sunrise Crab - Phone Wallpaper

 

"Sunrise Crab" - Bahamas AI Photo

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

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Flamingo Moon - PC Wallpaper

 

"Flamingo Moon" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

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Friends of the Environment Movie Night - Abaco

 

Friends of the Environment

Movie Night at The Learning Centre!

Join us for a special screening of Seafood Nation, a Perry Institute for Marine Science production, exploring how seafood connects to our oceans, communities, and future.

 

At  Friends of the Environment - The Learning Centre, Abaco

Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Admission is free - bring a friend!