Folly Ruins

A crumbling testament to the power of pursuing a dream,

“Folly Ruins” on the northeast coast of Jamaica, stirs the imagination.

This derelict-mansion-house on a private peninsula adjacent to Port Antonia,

still draws visitors to the quiet corner of the island.

From wealthy American explorers to dance hall artists,

the history of 'Folly Mansion' is a Jamaican legend.

In 1904, Folly Point was a quiet, unspoilt outcrop on this far-flung British colony. The uninterupted views of the Caribbean Sea are captivating ~ and the lush Blue Mountains dominate the skyline. The local Titchfield Hotel was the place to be seen for wealthy visitors seeking a bit of winter sun. One, in particular, Alfred Mitchell from Connecticut, was so encaptured by the location that he chose to build a winter home for himself and his wife, Anne (member of the Tiffany family from Salem, Connecticut).

The costly undertaking resulted in the magnificent mansion house

with an indoor salt-water pool...a private power station...

and copula room for admiring the view.

The grounds were cultivated as a tropical garden which thrived in what is the wettish parish in Jamaica.

However, Mitchell died just 6 years after its completion ~ and his wife sold it and left 2 years later.The new owners didn't stay long either ~ and the property ended up abandoned only 12 years after it was built. There was a brief amount of relief when the famous actor, Errol Flynn considered buying the house. However, the Jamaican Government had taken over the property by then ~ and only offered a lease. The slow decline into ruin began under government management. As so many of the older grand houses of Jamaica, neglect and looting accelerated Mother Nature's work. By 1935, the roof had fallen in as a consequence of the supporting structure being looted and the wooden floors were long gone.

Local legend has it, that the use of 'salt water' in the concrete

was the cause of the building's ruin.

There is no evidence of this; in fact, the concrete portion of the structure

is the only part that remains.

Folly Ruins offer an atmospheric reminder of times gone by. Fenced off for safety reasons, it is still possible to visit the site ~ and marvel at what must have been a magnificent property.

Folly Ruins have been attributed to a foolish and prideful man...hoping to impress his bride...

built by an American as a gift to his betrothed.

In his rush to construct the mansion, he foolishly had the cement mixed with salt water

for the sake of expediency which weakened the structural

and rusted the steel infrastructural.

When the rich American carried his new wife across the threshold, she saw that it was already falling apart and explained, “What a Folly!” She left Jamaica ~ and never returned.

And the rich man left “Folly Mansion” to crumble ~

like their love ~ back into the sand.

Writer's Comment: Having read this true-life story, reminded me of one of my several visits to vacation in Jamaica... friends drove me by this historic dilemma... symbolic of love and life.

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 22, 2019

To respond: mbairdkerr@bell.net

Growth is Painful...Change is Painful

but, nothing is as painful as staying stuck

where you don't want to be, wrote N.R. Narayana Murthy.

“Without 'continual growth and progress,

such words as improvement, achievement, and success

have no meaning,” (Benjamin Franklin)

Progressive Path: How We Can Help Grow Hamilton's Biodiversity

With a photo by Cathy Coward of 2 men and a dog 'canoeing in Cootes Paradise',

it is among the ways nature-oriented citizens can experience biodiversity.

Carolyn Zanchetta, (stewardship and education co-ordinator for the Hamilton Naturalists Club, wrote:

“Our little nook in Southern Ontario, is a biodiversity hot-spot. It is easy to forget how naturally diverse Hamilton truly is ~ and how much opportunity we have to immerse ourselves in nature and appreciate where we are. Cradled by the rocky Niagara Escarpment and at the edge of Lake Ontario, the variety of habitat is a unique benefit of living here!

“In one day you can hike along the mountain's edge on the Bruce Trail...

touring the many waterfalls...before taking a bike ride along the Waterfront Trail...and grabbing an ice cream by the beach...then meander through the meadows of the Dofasco 2000 Trail with outstretched hands greeting the numerous wildflowers.

“We live in the warm climate of the Carolinian life zone ~ a hotspot of biodiversity in Canada.

Nearly 400 different species of birds have been spotted here. Around 200 species stick around over the summer to rear their young.

Peregrine falcons nest on top of skyscrapers...a plethora of ducks dabble and wade around the harbour

and migrating warblers flit through the forest in bursts of yellow. Butterflies of 100 species like the 'giant swallow-tail'...and estimates of around 350 bee species following the flowers from garden to garden, finding their favourite plants. Dragonflies and damselflies fly low over the marsh, metallic colours glinting in the sunlight. At the northern limit of the Carolinian zone, Hamilton hosts a surprisingly large diversity of plants from sassafras and tulip trees to bellflower and yellow hyssop.

Follow the waterfalls down to Cootes Paradise and hear the frogs

calling in the spring evenings, identifying themselves by their croaks.

See basking turtles, as still as the logs they occupy.

“With 32 species of reptiles and amphibians in Hamilton, life is all around ~ and often hidden under rocks and logs along the forest floor. Get in a canoe to spot some of the 87 species of fish spawning and feeding throughout the creeks, marshes and lake. Among the the 43 mammal species in our city,

deer delight us as they make their way through the hydro corridor...opossums and raccoons waddle across the road in the night ~ and mice look for warmth and shelter from hunting owls.

Nature is all around and within our city!

Help to increase the biodiversity, by planting native wildflowers to attract pollinators!”

Progressive Improvement: Volunteers Collect 37,052 Cigarette Butts

The 'Butt Blitz' (a single day event) removed as much cigarette butt litter as possible from the environment. Most of the butts were picked up in the downtown BIA and on Kenilworth. Earlier, the city launched a 'litter prevention program' to remind smokers that cigarette butts should be disposed of in an ashtray or a receptacle.

In reply to this notice, Andy, from Ancaster, commented:

Personally, I've never smoked or even wanted to ~ especially when reading: “Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals such as arsenic and formaldehyde.” The norm has always been to throw the butts out of a car window while driving down the highway. This is disconcerting at night when a spark bounces off the road in front of you. Also, walking downtown, I see collections of butts in the curb outside restaurants and other establishments. A 'smoke-break' is part of a person's routines, but it doesn't need to be a 'litter break'!

Progressive Learning: Lessons Learned from University Students

“My advice to first year students is to be prepared for a huge transition. Try your best to develop good study habits in high school. Lower your expectations from high school to university. Try your best and aim for 'better next time'.Get involved and work hard ~ and have fun with all the new people.” (Sarah)

Mohamed advises: “University gives you the chance to get out of your comfort zone and meet new wonderful people. As an introvert, it was hard for me to keep a conversation, let alone start one! I challenged myself to speak to everone in my class. From then on, I gained many new friends and I was voted as a 'first year representative'. I recommend that you guys get out of your comfort zones.

“It's harder than high school. Don't procrastinate...never skip classes. Make good friends...and make the most of this experience,” stated Alsha from McMaster.

Vanessa from Trent University proclaims: Get involved! Join clubs and teams. Volunteer your time and get to know as many persons as possible. Really, immerse yourself in your University community because that's where you're going to make all your memories and do most of your learning.

Progressive Health: Eat Green!

Avocados are a good source of mono-unsaturated fat ~

the same type found in nuts, olive and canola oils.

Native avocado trees in South America had to compete with larger trees for sunshine. The larger pit supplied extra nutrients needed by a seeding to reach a height where it could be nourished by the sun.

One of the most popular varieties is the Hass avocado ~ named for a California mailman, Rudolph Hass who planted a seedling in his yard ~ giving it his last name.

Biologically, avocados are fruits ~ or more specifically, single seeded berries,

says the Hass Avocado Board.

Nutritionally, however, they are classified as healthful sources of fat ~

because they are a good source of monounsaturated fat.

Avocados are also deemed nutrient dense which means

they supply a boatload of nutrients for the calories we invest in them.

One third of a medium avocado supplies 80 calories...numerous vitamins...potassium...

magnesium... and dietary fibre.

Placing it in the refrigerator, it should last 2 to 3 days.

When saving the rest for another day, sprinkle the cut avocado with lemon or lime juice;

and store in the fridge in an air-tight container or covered with wrap to prevent 'browning.'

Ronald Reagen stated,

“There are no great limits to growth

because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination and views.

Writer: Merle Baird-Kerr...May 4, 2019

Your views welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net

Reflections of Nature

REFLECTIONS of NATURE

Canadian Conservation Corps ~ launched in 2018

by the Prime Minister as part of the Government of Canada's Service Corps,

Canadian Wildlife Federation's Conservation Corps (CCC)

is a program designed to engage adults in our natural and cultural

programs achieving wildlife conservation.

My January, 2019 calendar illustrates the Wood Duck from a 2018 Nature Photo contest.

From a winter snow in the sky and on the ground, this duck is considered by many to be the most beautiful duck in North America ~ if not in the world. The male's multi-coloured breeding plumage, worn from October though June, is unexcelled among ducks.

The female plumage is less showy, although still beautiful ~

and more colourful than other female ducks.

February's 28 days features a dramatic photo in ivories, corals and oranges

of cold water sponges, corals and anemones,

an important part of Canada's marine diversity.

Slow growth rates...longevity...and habitat-limiting factors

make corals and sponges particularly sensitive

to physical impacts

and are adversely affected by a range of human activities

including fishing, oil and gas exploration ~ submarine cable ~

and pipeline installation.

(To me, this photo is a dramatic mural of underwater sealife.)

In March, is the American Marten ~ What a cutie!

A small predator, it is a member of the weasel family.

It is active about 16 hours a day during the spring and summer.

Although an agile climber, it takes almost all of its prey on the ground.

The American Marten exemplifies the curiosity

and lightning-fast reflexes of the weasel family.

April's Common Loon chick can swim within hours after hatching ~

but spends some time on its parents' backs to rest ...conserve heat...and avoid predators.

Perhaps, one of the most fascinating things about the common loon

is its haunting and variable voice.

It has four distinct calls,which it uses

in varying combinations to communicate

with its family and other loons.

In May, we see a Gray Treefrog, although in the full page photo

it is olive-greenish with dark brown markings ~ its eye pupil is black.

Growing up to 6 centimetres in length, the female is usually larger than the male.

Depending on light and temperature conditions, 

the Gray Treefrog can change its colouration to become lighter or darker. 

Author: Merle Baird-Kerr...March 26, 2019

Respond to: mbairdkerr@bell.net

Threatened Wildlife Across Ontario

“Of Great Concern is the Potential Loss of

Endangered Species Act

which could spell extinction for 'threatened wildlife'

across Ontario”, wrote Dr. Anne Bell and Ron Corkum.

“We are now in the throes of the largest mass extinction

since the disappearance of the dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago.

Let that sink in!

“In Ontario alone, there are 243 species currently listed as at risk. The Carolinian region in southern Ontario, is home to the highest concentration of of endangered species in Canada. For many of these animals and plants, their decline is due to 'habitat loss' and 'degradation'. Rampant development in the area has left these species without a home ~ and has driven their populations into serious decline!

“Examples of endangered species in our region are: The Jefferson Salamander which depends on breeding ponds in woodlands for survival and the Redside Dace, a minnow of cold water streams.

Unfortunately, these species are on the path to extinction

if they do not receive adequate protection ~ and they are not alone!

“The most important legal tool protecting our at risk species is Ontario's Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). The ESA's purpose is to protect and support recovery of at-risk-species and their habitats.

But, is it on the chopping block?

“In January 2019, the Ontario government's Ministry of Environment...Conservation and Parks (MECP) announced that it would review the Endangered Species Act. After assessing the government's

discussion paper about the upcoming review, it is obvious that the changes under consideration are not for the good of Ontario's species.

In fact: They are going in the opposite direction

marked with a big green light for industry and developers!

Both writers, Dr. Anne Bell and Ron Corkum advise everyone:

Tell Ontario government that Endangered Species are not Red Tape!

“Lead Use by Hunters and Anglers Should be Banned!”

Says University of Guelph Biology Expert,Vernon Thomas

who says there are some regulations to protect wildlife from lead,

but they don't go far enough!

As Professor emeritus, he states: All the lead shot that has been shot out

into the environment over the last 200 years is very much still there!

Published by The Hamilton Spectator, February 19, 2019,

Mark McNeil illustrates with a photo of “a distressed juvenile bald eagle”,

discovered in late January in Cootes Paradise ~ and rescued by the wildlife service.

The eagle died after the rescue.

Tests are being done to determine the cause of death,

but it is believed to be a result of lead poisoning.

“After a series of apparent 'lead poisonings' of swans and juvenile bald eagles in and around the Hamilton Harbour, government scientists and others are trying to figure out if Hamilton Harbour may have 'hot spots' for lead, possibly from lead used by anglers.Vernon Thomas, who has researched lead and wildlife issues for 20 years ~ says it is not surprising that a popular fishing area, where lead sinkers and jigs are used by anglers, will produce cases of 'lead poisonings' in scavenging bird species.

When asked, “How many years does lead in the environment pose a threat,

Vernon Thomas stated, “It lingers a very long time. In environments with neutral alkaline waters like we have in southern Ontario, lead pieces of shot and sinkers will persist for 300 to 500 years before they corrode...and dissolve...and break down into powders. For more acidic waters, as on the Canadian Shield in northern and central Ontario, that could be shortened by 100 to 200 years.”

When asked, “What is known about the extent of lead poisoning in wildlife in Ontario?,

Vernon Thomas stated, “It's a big concern! We know, with loons that 25 to 30 percent of the known deaths are due to lead ingestion. Certainly, the rate of loss of lead weights by conventional anglers is quite high. The swans and juvenile eagles fly over a wide area, so they would have picked up the lead elsewhere ~ maybe from a lead-killed carcass of a deer or similar animal. What happens, is that hunters will shoot a deer and gut it ~ and think they are doing wildlife a favour by leaving the guts. But the guts contain broken bits of bullets that scavenger birds can take in and digest.

What do you think should be done?

I think we should take a federal approach to use regulations under the Canada Environment Protection Act, We used those regulations for banning leaded gasoline. We could use those same regulations for 'banning lead fishing weights and bullets and shot in all hunting. This would put hunting and fishing on a more sustainable basis. And it would remove the problem of lead ingestion.

A Wild Goose Chase ... for A Wild Turkey!

Jon Wells, intrepid reporter from The Hamilton Spectaor, goes on a turkey trot

and finds a fiery bird of a different feather!

The office was quiet. Too quiet. The case crossed my desk, jolting me from my languid lassitude.

The unruffled bearing...slender feet...unblinking stare...the smooth head.

She was quite the bird! No wonder, everyone in Hamilton seemed to be tweeting about her, like she was a mythical creature that appeared and vanished at her pleasure. She was a turkey ~ a wild one.

From the photos of at least one 'wild turkey' seen around the town, it was a female. She was spotted twice last week and several times in the past few months: Near Main Street and King, City Hall and around Charlton Avenue West. Your Assignment, should you choose to accept it, said my editor,

is to find the wild turkey.

I fired up my Challenger and rumbled east. First stop: for obvious reasons: City Hall. I happened across birds of another feather, the yellow-vested variety; a gaggle of protesters carrying Canadian flags, and signs including one about the Prime Minister. Next stop: Main and King. Tracks in the fresh snow in Gage Park; boots, shoes, bicycle tires. No Wild Turkey! I clomped in my damp leather shoes across King into a watering hole called 'Faces Cafe and Bar'. But the bartender hadn't seen or heard of turkeys. I hit the Durand neighbourhood where there was a siting 3 days earlier. Parking on Charlton, I watched small birds zipping in and out of a hedge. At the West Town Bar & Grill, Joe, behind the bar said, 'Folks see the turkey around here regularly. One of the servers there showed me a photo on her phone, she'd snapped. Joe then further mentioned, “People around here have seen her walking down the middle of the street. Wild turkeys, he said, usually walk in pairs, but this one was alone. Strolling back to my car, I saw it! Someone had written a note on a big piece of paper and slapped it on my windshield: “ You are parked in front of my driveway!” I headed back to the office...time to put this caper to bed! The bird who walks alone clearly had flown!

(the foregoing are excerpts from his writing)

Author: Merle Baird-Kerr...written March 5, 2019

To respond: mbairdkerr@bell.net

BA and BOON

Animals should not require our permission to live on Earth.

Animals were given the right to to be here ~ long before we arrived.

(Douglas Williams)

They tremble in fear...they revel in joy...they recoil from pain.

They deserve compassion ~ (akin to human-kind.)

(Unknown author)

In the midst of creating novel writings about Animals, the Baboon is an 'animal of interest'.

It's enlightening to recognize personality traits between the Baboon and Human.

On Culture, Tosin Thomson states: Baboons who share personality traits, stick together.

Using a black and white photo (a head and shoulder profile of a Chacma Baboon atop a rock in Africa's Kruger National Park), Tosin writes: We think we are unique ~ and probably we are ~ we're smart, really smart. But what makes us doubly special is: 'Our Ability to Reason.'

In 1698, Edward Tyson, an English anatomist,

dissected a chimpanzee (his Pygmy) and found its vocal chords were comparable to those of humans. Tyson couldn't understand why it was ~ that apes with all the necessary machinery, couldn't speak!

REASON isn't something that can be bodily found ~ it's a spiritual essence. Reason, in some ways

reinforces the status of humans as the reasoning and speaking creature. Because of this 'status' humans have developed an arrogant attitude. We feel 'different' from the rest as though our 'branch from the tree of evolution' has been cut off: it's them or us!

.

New research by the University of Cambridge and the Zoological Society of London, shows that within large 'troops' (male and female) Chacma Baboons spend more time grooming those with similar characteristics to themselves.. associating those with similar age, dominance, social rank...even those with similar personality types. This type of behaviour is known as homophily or 'love of the same.'

The research team tracked the same 2 'baboon troops'

from dawn until dusk across Namibia's Tsaobis Nature Park over several months each year between 2009 and 2014 to monitor 'Social Network Structures.”

Dr. Alecia Carter of Department of Zoology says: Chacma baboon males will often commit intanticide, killing the babes of rivals. Female baboons try to get around this by being 'promiscuous' as possible to confuse the paternal identity ~ so males find it harder to tell if they are killing a rival's offspring ~ or their own. Dr Carter added, Baboons also try to form bonds with particular males...in the hope they will protect their offspring...and let the babies forage in good places with them. But it's believed (Carter said) that the males tend to be fairly lazy.

And Boon tells us: “It's up to the babies to follow the males.”

Baboons who fail to exhibit moral behaviour ~ do not survive.

They wind up as 'meat' for the leopards.

Dr. Carter's Advice: “With strong connections to other humans:

explore new ideas...increase your knowledge...discover new opportunities!”

“Chief executives, who themselves, own shares of their own

have no more feeling to the average stockholder company

than they do for baboons in Africa.” (C. T. Boone Pikers)

History and Hierarchy

Ancient Egyptians venerated Baboons, regarding them as 'gods. But baboons are considered primates that are closely related to us in their stress-inducing-environment. Robert Sapolsky, believes they are so similar to humans because they have almost no natural predators.

“Low hierarchy individuals suffer the most elevated levels

of physical and psychological stress manifested by high blood pressure...suppression of immune systems...and high levels of stress hormones. It's also for baboons to decipher between a real menace (like a defying rival) and a neutral factor (like one baboon sleeping in an upper branch)

Ba,when questioned says, “The healthiest and most sociable are those of us who from birth, build up social and effective links which are strong and long-lasting. Our decisions depend upon our genetics.

.

“Hierarchy is established by Power, Size and sharpness of the Fangs, Weight, Muscle Mass and also by Aggressiveness.. and the ability to form Alliances,” also stated Ba.

“And to know when to stab a companion in the back.”

First Encounter

Several years ago, we drove in our family car to African Lion Safari in the Flamborough, Cambridge area. We read the signs: Stay in All Vehicles and Keep All Windows Up! Immediately inside the gates we were bombarded by what appeared to be 'a whole troop of baboons' with excited and low-pitch squeals...they were funny...they were crazy...they playfully cavorted (did these grey creatures) as they peered through the windshield (looking for hand-outs, I'm sure). One jumped my moon- roof...sitting like a statue...throughout our slow drive. (Since then, I”ve concluded: he was no doubt the dominate! In the cool air, the others kept their bums warm from engine heat...awaiting the next vehicle for treats.

The African Lion Safari

is a Canadian owned business created in the name of conservation

by the late Colonel G.F. Dailey.

The park opened its gates to the public on August 22, 1969 with 40 lions in 3 reserves; today the park houses in excess of 1,000 animals comprised of over 100 species. Our manner of exhibiting animals is completely different from the traditional approach; that is the visitor is caged in the car...and the animals roam in 2 to 20 hectare (5 to 50-acre) reserves. The park has been successful in breeding 30 species that are considered endangered and 20 species considered threatened. The original idea of maintaining self-sustaining populations in decline, still remains Africa Lion Safari's priority!

The fallen of the Baboon into the river,

'tis the risen joy of the crocodile.

Though the crocodile becomes happy, he conceals his joy

until deploying the necessary deft and strength to capture of the Baboon.

(Ernest Agyemang Yeboah)

The foregoing assembled by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 30, 2018

To respond: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

HI BIS! CUS ~ IT'S SPRING

Since my previous writing of “Hibiscus Saga” 5 months ago

I now pay tribute to the Hibiscus Bush

that has immensely pleasured me.

“I know you have a strong, emotional longing and desire
to be transferred to the balcony where the breezes blow.

No more snow! No more shivery, freezing rain!

I perceive that you miss the 'Mother of Nature' ~

her daily golden sun... blue skies... and floating, billowy clouds.

“Yes! We moved you inside, end of November

when the 'temps' were about the same

so you could favourably adjust.

(like a child at the beauty salon having her long hair trimmed).

We had to obtain a little saw ~ your sturdy limbs to clip.

“Producing over 100 blooms of rich coral,

you needed rest ~ your strength to renew for next season.

“You had the best of attention and care

parked between windows of balcony door and living room.

Every 3 or 4 days, I watered you ~ giving your pot a half-turn.

Daily, I spoke to you while you silently succumbed to your winter home.

You've been a delight to have indoors

where sunny rays from mid-afternoon to setting sun

lushed your body for a few hours.

By late December, tiny wee leaves began to sprout

on your severed limbs;

and week by week, they were nature-green

in preparation for your outdoor life.

“Last summer, neither Blackie or Grey ~ arrived for visits

(squirrels ~ our nemesis)

who had eaten and destroyed my balcony flowers ~

although one built a nest in a hanging basket of fleurs

and there, tried to feed and raise her babe.

(But that's another story to relate!)

Dear Bis: You have beautifully grown with lushy green leaves

and your strong limbs can barely be seen

through the thickness of your leafy green gown.

And when, at April's end...or early May

when the 'temps' are ideal ~

we'll move you to your Balcony Home.

When summer arrives, together we'll spend much time.

With coffee or tea ~ lemonade or a glass of vino

or entertaining a friend with lunch,

we'll hear the tweet of birdies or seeing them soaring the sky

or study a busy spider, spinning his delicate web.

Together, Dear Bis

we'll view the sunsets. orangy-red

and on a clear night ~ with the rising moon,

Vega,we'll see and 'sparkling stars' within her constellation

located many, many miles away in the north-western sky.

I Laud you ~ my favourite flowering beauty

for your love and gorgeous, massive coral blooms

that you bestow upon me.

Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...April 17, 2019

To respond: mbairdkerr@bell.net