"Nebular Tropic Beach" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Visit my Tropic Gallery
Monday, June 30, 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Be Thankful for the Small Things
"Thankful for Small Things" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Be Thankful for the Small Things
The sun's first kiss upon your sleepy face,
A gentle warmth, a whisper of grace.
The morning coffee, steaming, dark, and deep,
A quiet moment, secrets it will keep.
Be thankful for the small things, soft and true,
The everyday wonders, waiting just for you.
The bird's sweet song, a melody so clear,
Dispelling shadows, banishing all fear.
The rustling leaves, a whisper in the breeze,
The ancient language of the towering trees.
Be thankful for the small things, freely given,
Little blessings, sent to us from heaven.
A friendly smile, a nod from passing by,
A shared connection 'neath a boundless sky.
The warmth of touch, a hand within your own,
A seed of kindness, beautifully sown.
Be thankful for the small things, light and fleet,
The simple moments, wonderfully sweet.
Day Break at Potters Cay
Day Break at Potters Cay - Video - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Day Break at Potters Cay 1 - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Day Break at Potters Cay 1 HD Wallpaper - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Day Break at Potters Cay 2 - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Day Break at Potters Cay 2 HD Wallpaper - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Saturday, June 28, 2025
Shop the Sea - Creativity and Culture Event at Montague Beach
Me, Chris and Caleb - ©A. Derek Catalano
Me, my son Chris and my grandson Caleb attended the Shop the Sea - Creativity and Culture Event, Sat. June 28th, 2025 at Montague Beach and Park, Nassau, Bahamas. Chris was working the event shooting photos and invited me to come along. Caleb and I had a real fun time together exploring and enjoying it all. It was a good excuse for me go outside too. 😊
Friday, June 27, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Think Before You Act
"Face Off" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Think Before You Act
The world it spins, a rapid pace,
With choices given, time and space.
A hurried word, a swift retort,
Can leave a wound, or cut things short.
For impulse often takes the lead,
And plants a most unwelcome seed.
A thought unexamined, sharp and quick,
Can cause a sorrow, make you sick.
Consider well, before you leap,
The promises you sow and reap.
Each action taken, small or grand,
Leaves footprints on the shifting sand.
Will kindness bloom, or anger flare?
Will bridges mend, or rip and tear?
The power's yours, a potent key,
To shape the person you will be.
When tempers rise, and passions burn,
A moment's pause, a vital turn.
Breathe deep, allow the heat to cool,
Before you break a sacred rule.
For words once spoken, deeds once done,
Cannot be easily outrun.
They linger long, a whispered trace,
And etch themselves upon your face.
Antique Tropic Seascape Oil Paintings
"Antique Tropic Seascape Oil Painting" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
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"Antique Tropic Seascape Oil Painting" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
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©A. Derek Catalano
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Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Crown Land in The Bahamas: A Comprehensive Report
"Beachfront Property" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Crown Land in The Bahamas: A Comprehensive Report
Crown Land, often referred to as public land, represents a significant portion of the landmass in The Bahamas. It is a territorial area owned by the state (the government) and held in trust for the beneficial interest of the Bahamian people. Its management and distribution have long been central to the nation's economic, social, and political landscape.
Poinciana Lighthouse - PC Wallpaper
"Poinciana Lighthouse" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
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Related article: Lighthouses of the Bahamas
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Everything Has Its Place
"The Cosmos" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Everything Has Its Place
The cosmos spins, a grand design,
Where every star and planet shine,
In orbits vast, a silent grace,
Affirming, "Everything has its place."
From quark to quasar, atom's hum,
To galaxies where light has come,
Each particle, a tiny trace,
All fitted in its proper space.
The mountain range, a rugged might,
Holds strata deep, from ancient light,
Each layer tells a timeless tale,
Of forces strong, that never fail.
The river carves its winding line,
Through canyon walls, a grand design,
And in its current, cool and deep,
The pebbles rest, the secrets sleep.
Monday, June 23, 2025
The Stray Dog Problem in the Bahamas
"Stray Potcake" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Stray Dog Problem in the Bahamas
1. Scope & Scale
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Estimated numbers: On New Providence alone, there are roughly 20,000 stray dogs, with a comparable number of cats. BHS notes as many as 30,000 dogs are present on the island.
2. Breed Focus – The Potcake Dog
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“Potcake” dogs: A mixed-breed indigenous to the region, named after leftovers from local meals. They range widely in appearance due to years of mixed ancestry.
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Students and tourists frequently encounter them – one report said 45 % of tourists see roaming dogs, with a small percentage feeling unsafe.
3. Root Causes
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Unregulated breeding and backyard operations: Owner neglect, backyard breeding, and abandonment contribute heavily.
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Cultural/financial barriers: Misconceptions around neutering (e.g., “taking away pleasure”) deter many.
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Impact of disasters: Events like Hurricane Dorian displaced many dogs; owners fell on hard times due to the storm and COVID‑19, contributing to increased stray populations.
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Insufficient enforcement: Although cruelty laws exist, lack of enforcement and resources means arrests/citations are rare .
Shower of Gold
Shower of Gold Tree - Video
©A. Derek Catalano
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Shower of Gold Flowers - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Saturday, June 21, 2025
Most Advanced Country in Military Power and Why
"USA Military Power" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Most Advanced Country in Military Power and Why
The United States is widely regarded as the most advanced country in military power. Here’s why:
1. Technological Superiority
- Advanced Weaponry: The U.S. military possesses state-of-the-art weapons systems, including hypersonic missiles, advanced fighter jets (e.g., F-35 Lightning II), stealth bombers (e.g., B-2 Spirit), and nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Pentagon heavily invests in AI for autonomous drones, decision-making systems, and cybersecurity.
- Space Dominance: Through the U.S. Space Force, it secures superiority in satellite technology and space-based defense systems.
- Cybersecurity: Advanced capabilities in cyber warfare and defense, managed by U.S. Cyber Command.
Learn to Love Yourself
"Love Yourself" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Learn to Love Yourself
The mirror shows a stranger's eyes,
Reflecting back what you despise.
A whispered doubt, a silent plea,
For someone else you wish to be.
The world, a stage of judging stares,
Compares your worth, and plants its snares.
Each flaw magnified, each virtue lost,
A silent battle, counting cost.
But listen close, a gentle hum,
A truth within, about to come.
Before the world can truly see,
The brilliance that resides in thee,
You must unearth, with tender hand,
The treasure buried in this land—
Your very self, flawed, grand, and deep,
The promises your spirit keeps.
For self-love isn't vanity's gleam,
Nor ego's loud, demanding dream.
It's quiet strength, a steady grace,
Accepting every time and place,
The curves, the lines, the scars you wear,
The burdens that your heart can bear.
It's knowing worth, beyond the gaze,
Through sunlit days and misty haze.
Friday, June 20, 2025
Orange Poinciana
Orange Poinciana - Video - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Orange Poinciana - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Thursday, June 19, 2025
Get a Good Education
"Get a Good Education" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Get a Good Education
From sun-kissed shores, where turquoise waters gleam,
A future beckons, bright as any dream.
The Bahamas calls, its promise true and bold,
For tales of progress, waiting to unfold.
But how shall we build, this nation we hold dear?
With minds awakened, conquering every fear.
Get a good education, let this be our cry,
Reach for the knowledge, reaching for the sky.
The schoolhouse stands, a beacon in the day,
Where eager minds can truly find their way.
Each lesson learned, a stepping stone to climb,
To master subjects, conquering space and time.
The teacher's voice, a guide so clear and strong,
Unlocks the wisdom, where we all belong.
From mathematics, to history's grand sweep,
The seeds of greatness, in our young minds sleep.
So lean in close, absorb each whispered word,
Let every concept, truly be heard.
For good grades earned, are more than simple score,
They show the effort, that you've striven for.
A discipline built, a will to see it through,
The careful study, proving what you can do.
They open doors, to pathways yet unseen,
To higher learning, vibrant and serene.
A university's halls, a scholar's keen pursuit,
Bearing the promise, of bountiful, learned fruit.
So shun distraction, focus on the task,
Good grades in hand, behind no learned mask.
Bougainvillea Display
"Bougainvillea Display" - ©A. Derek Catalano
"Bougainvillea Display" - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Wednesday, June 18, 2025
The Scientific Inquiry into the Existence of Ghosts: An Empirical Review
"Is That You?" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Scientific Inquiry into the Existence of Ghosts: An Empirical Review
Executive Summary
This report critically examines the scientific and empirical evidence for the existence of ghosts. Despite widespread belief and centuries of anecdotal accounts, the overwhelming consensus within the mainstream scientific community is that there is no verifiable proof of ghosts. Claims of paranormal phenomena, including ghosts, consistently fail to meet the rigorous standards of scientific inquiry, particularly concerning falsifiability, repeatability, and control. Instead, experiences often attributed to ghosts are largely explained by natural phenomena, psychological factors, neurological conditions, or misinterpretations of sensory input. Parapsychology, the field dedicated to studying such phenomena, is widely considered a pseudoscience due to its inability to produce reproducible evidence and its methodological shortcomings.
Floppy Hibiscus
"Floppy Hibiscus" - ©A. Derek Catalano
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"Floppy Hibiscus" - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Tuesday, June 17, 2025
The Dangers and Damaging Effects of Plastics and Microplastics: A Focus on The Bahamas
"Plastic Bag Reef" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Dangers and Damaging Effects of Plastics and Microplastics: A Focus on The Bahamas
Executive Summary
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues worldwide, but its impact is especially acute in island nations like The Bahamas. With an economy rooted in tourism and fishing, The Bahamas faces a dual threat: ecological degradation and economic vulnerability. This report outlines the sources, pathways, and effects of plastics and microplastics, highlighting the specific challenges and consequences in the Bahamian context.
Plumbago Flowers
Plumbago Flowers - Video
©A. Derek Catalano
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Plumbago Flowers - ©A. Derek Catalano
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Monday, June 16, 2025
World Sea Turtle Day
"Hawksbill Sea Turtle" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
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Today is World Sea Turtle Day, used to honor and highlight the importance of sea turtles. More info.
Turn Your Life Around
"Turn Your Life Around" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Turn Your Life Around
From shadows deep where darkness thrives,
A plea resounds, for changing lives.
To you who walk in paths astray,
Who sow the seeds of disarray,
Whose hands are stained, whose hearts are cold,
A different story can unfold.
The path you tread, it leads to pain,
A bitter harvest, naught to gain
But isolation, fear, and dread,
A life unfulfilled, a spirit dead.
Behold the tears your actions sow,
The innocent who suffer woe.
The broken trust, the shattered peace,
The fear that knows no sweet release.
Is this the legacy you crave?
A name remembered for the grave
Of decency, of hope, of light?
To dwell forever in the night?
But hear, a whisper, soft and clear,
A chance awaits, dispel all fear.
A dawn can break, a sun can rise,
Reflected in awakened eyes.
Turn your life around, the moment's now,
Before the final, solemn bow.
Cast off the chains of vice and greed,
Plant different, purer, noble seed.
A plea resounds, for changing lives.
To you who walk in paths astray,
Who sow the seeds of disarray,
Whose hands are stained, whose hearts are cold,
A different story can unfold.
The path you tread, it leads to pain,
A bitter harvest, naught to gain
But isolation, fear, and dread,
A life unfulfilled, a spirit dead.
Behold the tears your actions sow,
The innocent who suffer woe.
The broken trust, the shattered peace,
The fear that knows no sweet release.
Is this the legacy you crave?
A name remembered for the grave
Of decency, of hope, of light?
To dwell forever in the night?
But hear, a whisper, soft and clear,
A chance awaits, dispel all fear.
A dawn can break, a sun can rise,
Reflected in awakened eyes.
Turn your life around, the moment's now,
Before the final, solemn bow.
Cast off the chains of vice and greed,
Plant different, purer, noble seed.
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Father's Day Drumbeat
Father's Day Drumbeat
Me playing around with the goatskin junkanoo drum on Father's Day back in 2019. Tryin' a new rake 'n' scrape beat. My cousin Claudia joined in with a shake dance. lol. We all jus' havin' fun.😊 Nassau, Bahamas. View video.
Saturday, June 14, 2025
The World Is Changing: The Rise of Tech, Collapse of Trust, and the Edge of Chaos
"New World Chaos" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
An examination of the state of the world, its technological upheaval, the societal breakdown we’re witnessing, and where this all might be heading.
The World Is Changing: The Rise of Tech, Collapse of Trust, and the Edge of Chaos
I. Introduction: The Spiral
We live in an age of acceleration. The pace of change is no longer linear—it's exponential. Technology has reshaped how we communicate, think, work, live, and even define reality. It’s connecting billions while also dividing them. The same networks that empower citizens also enable corporations, states, and bad actors to monitor, manipulate, and control. We're surrounded by noise, bombarded by content, and pushed to extremes by systems designed to hijack our attention.
Meanwhile, the very fabric of society—trust, truth, family, law, health, morality, economy, environment—is fraying. Every part of modern life seems under stress. Some call it transformation. Others call it collapse.
Let’s dig into what’s happening, why it matters, and where it may go.
Friday, June 13, 2025
Make Love, Not War
" Make Love, Not War" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Make Love, Not War
The world, a canvas, stained with crimson hue,
Where brother fights with brother, old wounds made new.
From distant lands, the echoes reach our ears,
Of cannons roaring, silencing our fears.
Missiles carve the sky, a fiery, fleeting arc,
While bombs descend, leaving their brutal mark.
The gun's harsh bark, a symphony of dread,
As lives are shattered, and the innocent are dead.
A whispered rumor, then a deafening roar,
New wars ignite, consuming evermore.
Yet in this darkness, hope's a fragile flame,
A quiet yearning, whispering a name.
Not conquest, power, nor the victor's pride,
But love and understanding, side by side.
To shed the armor, lay the weapons down,
To build a bridge where walls have held a town.
To seek the common ground, the shared desire,
And quell the embers of destructive fire.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Beginning of the End: The Funk Pioneers of The Bahamas
The Beginning of the End - Funky Nassau album cover 1971
The Beginning of the End: The Funk Pioneers of The Bahamas
Introduction
In the pantheon of Caribbean music, reggae, calypso, and soca have long held dominant positions. However, nestled within the sonic shores of The Bahamas, a unique blend of soul, funk, and island rhythm gave rise to a sound that captivated both local and international audiences in the 1970s. At the heart of this innovation stood The Beginning of the End, a Bahamian funk band formed in 1969, whose energetic grooves and powerful instrumentation brought them a brief but impactful prominence in the global music scene. With their breakout hit "Funky Nassau", they not only carved a space for themselves in music history but also contributed to expanding the possibilities of Caribbean musical identity. This essay provides an in-depth, factual, and comprehensive look at The Beginning of the End—their origins, music, influence, and legacy.
Island Home - PC Wallpaper
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Always Plan Ahead
"Unexpected Weather" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Always Plan Ahead
The morning sun, a painter's golden stroke,
Awakens slumber, whispers, gently spoke.
A brand new day, a canvas fresh and wide,
But how you paint it, where your steps will glide,
Depends not just on whims of present light,
But seeds you've sown throughout the fading night.
For life's a journey, winding, steep, and long,
And he who plans, will always be made strong.
The farmer knows this truth, with calloused hand,
He doesn't wait for sprouts across the land.
He tests the soil, predicts the coming rain,
Prepares the furrows, eases every pain
Of barren earth, before the seed is cast,
Knowing full well, the season flies so fast.
He measures, calculates, with practiced eye,
And trusts the future, ripening 'neath the sky.
So too must we, with foresight clear and deep,
Before the promises we sow, we reap.
Consider journeys, far beyond the shore,
A captain charting seas unseen before.
No vessel sails on hope alone, adrift,
Without a compass, or a timely gift
Of plotted course, of currents understood,
Of shelters found, for when the tempest brewed.
He checks the charts, the tide, the shifting breeze,
Avoiding reefs, and treacherous, dark seas.
The port he seeks, is anchored in his mind,
A destination, carefully defined.
And so, we navigate our earthly way,
By plans laid out, for every coming day.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
An Alarming Crisis: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors in The Bahamas Driven by Maternal Involvement
"Exploitation" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
An Alarming Crisis: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors in The Bahamas Driven by Maternal Involvement
Officials in The Bahamas have expressed grave concern over an "alarming increase" in the commercial sexual exploitation of minors, particularly highlighting the deeply disturbing trend of mothers prostituting their own female children to meet financial obligations. This report will expound on this critical issue, exploring its complex underlying causes, devastating impacts, and potential strategies for mitigation.
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