Last week I took a trip to West Palm Beach, Florida where we visited the Everglades. I couldn't believe the amount of wildlife we saw! With a small Boardwalk stretching from one end to the other you could take a quick tour of this beautiful ecosystem. What a remarkable experience! These gentle creatures were interacting in peculiar ways. It wasn't any more strange than the unusual lives we humans have constructed for ourselves but compared to the rest of the animal kingdom, odd no less.
I was mesmerized by their beauty, strength and wide array of movement choices. Witnessing a bird leap then glide 20 feet in distance to instantly capture food upon landing was impressive. With great intention and grace he found the results he set out to achieve, even if it was just to experience his flight. My first reaction was, "what a grand distance to leap for a single insect." Perhaps that is my New York City perspective with our Bodegas' on every street corner. These animals are eternally mesmerizing!
This wetland is so close to human living communities that it serves as an educational tool and a constant reminder that the earth is not only home to us but is shared by these extraordinary lifeforms. With knowledge of these environments, providing life to millions of creatures around the world, I find that we carry great responsibility and should continue to preserve these natural habitats. It is easy to assume we don't depend on the well being of these "bizarre" living quarters but we are a member of this community at large. Respecting and educating ourselves of this fact is not only to their benefit but also elevates the quality of life in our global environmental community.
We were fortunate to come across at least 12 different species in this one habitat. I wanted to share my experiences with the Enforced Arch community to not only share a glimpse of their life but also inspire you to seek reminders in your own community!