A local Loquat tree.

I am going to go "out on a limb" here and identify this tree as Eriobotrya japonica , commonly known as the Japanese plum or Japanese medlar.  

The Loquat tree is indigenous to South East China and was originally eaten by the Chinese royalty. Over several centuries the size and range of the Loquat trees and fruit has increased. There are approximately eight hundred sub-types in China and Japan and it varies in size and shape all over the world. While it apparently has the ability to self pollinate in a local area, it is typically pollinated by bees 

and other insects attracted to it's blooms.

It may grow in subtropical to mild-temperate climates preferring an altitude of 3000 to 7000 feet in it's native China. 

It has been successfully introduced to Hawaii and the continental United States as both a fruit producing tree and as an ornamental tree. It is claimed by some that it also has medicinal uses from both it's leaves and fruit.

The Loquat fruit may be used for cooking pastries, pies and other desserts. 

WOOD STORK STALK

While driving along the shore of Lake Howard in Winter Haven, Fl. I spotted these two large white birds sitting on a dock at a public park. I pulled into the parking area and began my stalk. I am not an Ornithologist, but, I think that these birds are commonly called Woods Ibis, Woods Stork or Mycteria americana. Because of the feathers on the neck, I think that these may be immature storks. If I am correct in my identification these are the only storks that live and breed in the United States.

My poor little point and shoot Kodak camera was hard pressed to get this picture. It is a four Mega Pixel CX4730 that is well used and abused.

While this picture was kind of a oops picture, it serves to show that the legs are mostly black or dark gray. Wikipedia say this about these beautiful birds.

My stalk ended this way. I wish that I could have gotten more and better pictures before this happened.

Purple Gallinule photos

I was at Lake Howard in Winter Haven, Florida taking pictures of Birds

and these Purple Galinules kept parading back and forth in front of me. 

As you can see, this one seems to be asking why I haven't taken it's picture yet.

Then they paraded over here, where one bolted.

This one gave me one more photo opportunity.

I missed the lift off and the little speedster was just GONE. 

I am not an Ornithologist, but I think that 

this bird is a Sandhill Crane. 

The taxonomic name is  Grus canadensis

Unfortunately this particular Bird is in need

of a Veterinarian due to a severely broken leg.

I hope it survives. 

PURPLE GALLINULES AT LAKE HOWARD

I was taking pictures in Winter Haven, Fl. at Lake

Howard’s Boat Ramp on January 31, 2011 when I got these images of several different Purple Gallinules (Porphyrio martinica). 

 This bird may also be known as a mud hen, purple mud hen,  purple swamp hen or yellow-legged gallinule. 

Adult Purple Gallinules are a medium-sized bird, with stunning purple-blue plumage. The upper wings are a glossy turquoise-blue with the main body varying from glossy green to a glossy bluish-violet. 

 The under tail has a white triangular shaped covert. The eyes are red with a black pupil. The legs are yellow with long toes to make it easy for the bird to walk on aquatic plants. 

Hey!! Na-Nook of the North!! Check out Florida In January.

While I am Horticulturally challenged and can not 

  

   tell you which sub-species of clover this is;                                 

 I will bet that you do not have it growing outside of 

a greenhouse or hothouse where you are. 

I will also bet that you can not go to 

your favorite local lake and do this.

I will bet that you think that your local sunsets

are as beautiful as this.

LOOKING FOR A FOUR LEAF CLOVER?

Trifolium or clover comes in approximately three hundred varieties

and belongs to the leguminous pea family Fabaceae.

They can be small annual, biennial, or short-lived

perennial herbaceous plants.

The scientific name is Latin for tres,

"three", and folium,

leaf" or three leaf.

Clover and other flowers may be a food staple for honey bees.

  

OH, for Drakes Sake

I think that it is time for some nearly useless information on Drake Mallards and other stuff.

Stuff with at least vague connections like: 

Entertainment by Drake

Drake on MySpace

Drake's education

Drakes decoyed

Maybe it is time to have some fun with the mallard side:

Mallard on Wikipedia 

Educated Mallard

Hand made Mallard

Learning Mallard

Mallard Storage 

Photogenic  Mallard

I hope that you enjoyed perusing these questionable links as much as I did finding them.