The State Bird
The State of Florida is trying to decide on the official state bird. From songbirds to shorebirds, domestic birds to migratory snowbirds, the debate continues.
Perhaps our neighbors can help because it’s getting harder and harder to find a native, bird or human.
Leslie Haynes, Marine Project Manager, spoke to the Landings Fishing Club on January 8. She runs the Lee County Division of Natural Resources. A 2003 Graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, Leslie chose the aquatic life as her vocation. She swam, dove, waded, and hiked the waters of Southwest Florida. Even the scuba tank was her backpack. College work was never so much fun. Loving her work and excelling in each course she was offered her first job with the College to continue her chosen lifestyle.
Twenty+ years later Leslie is still on and in the water with tremendous responsibilities. Now she oversees the following:
1. Channel Marker and buoys maintenance and replacement – aquatic streetlights
2. Beach and inlet management – erosion problems
3. Derelict vessels – abandoned, sunk, or storm-tossed
4. Artificial reefs – offshore selection and placements
These four items are greatly magnified after a major storm. Storm-tossed markers and boats along with the beach erosion with moving sand and even artificial reefs are not the same.
A testimony to Leslie’s efforts place Lee County in the number one spot in Conservation throughout the State of Florida. You should not swim in red tide waters, but Leslie often has to swim. Often through the waters of Red TAPE in Tallahassee. Leslie came to Florida with her parents in 1980 from someplace up North. Such a young age to be called a “snowbird” but if she is then the “snowbird” is the best choice for the official migratory state bird for the State of Florida.
The Wizard of Odds
“There is no place like home!” says Dottie. The sky was dark and windy. Rain had fallen and so had the temperature. My pet was limping on a bad leg and missing. My head was spinning around so badly I lost focus. The weather worsened with 15 mph winds, temperatures at 45 degrees, and rain poured down.
“Where am I and what am I doing here?” There was a concrete floor, picnic tables hidden by black curtains and water everywhere. “We’re not in Florida anymore; it feels like Minnesota and I’m freezing,” she exclaimed. Suddenly bodies began to appear. All were dressed in funny clothing with fur and fuzzy collars. Even the shoes looked awkward with thick soles and fur linings. “We’re having a Shrimp Boil,” these munchkins proclaimed.
Dottie was told in order to go home she must walk the concrete floor to find the “Wizard of Odds.” Where would this lead her she thought? “Can you tell me where to find the Wizard? Dottie asked an intelligent but funny-dressed man? “I’m so cold I can’t think,” said he. Crossing the floor to several metal tubs with boiling water she asked again, “Where’s the Wizard? Can you help me?” Dottie had to help the man move to get him to speak. “No,” he said, “since I have no heart it’s my job to boil the Shrimp.”
Munchkins were everywhere putting gifts on a counter for Dottie’s trip home. A roar was heard by a tawny-clothed person. “Don’t cross the yellow tape, don’t touch the hot water tubs, I don’t have the courage to, to stop them.” By now the shrimp were being served to the ice station Munchkins.
Dottie was encouraged to ask the now-present Wizard of Odds how to get home. Smiling behind his reddish moustache and with a twinkle in his eye he motioned to Dottie that she always knew how to get home. Take your pet in your arms and think of home and that will lead you there.
The Munchkins bade farewell as they all departed for warmer places. The Landing Fishing Club completed another successful Shrimp Boil. The new Wizard George Maness took over for outgoing Wizard Tom Sheehan. Tom completed his 15th year and over 10,000 shrimp as the Wizard of Odds. Dottie, arm in arm with her pet was heard to say. “Where did I put that rainbow?”
