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Peaceful Manatee

Peaceful manatee

grazing in Crystal River,

suckling your calf.

Friendly manatee,

Red Tide and boat propellers

are lurking dangers.

Playful manatee,

wintering in the hot springs,

hanging out with friends.

Threatened manatee

swimming in warm Gulf waters…

Keep away from harm!

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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West Indian Manatees, distant relatives of elephants, are found in the Southeastern United States. Antillian Manatees live in Central and South America. Another species is the African Manatee.

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“Fraidy” Old Lady

A “fraidy” old lady at the Pompano shore

was afraid to wade, but not anymore!

Her ankles tickled when the little fish nibbled.

Their bite was so light, the old lady giggled,

“Why didn’t I try this before?”

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals III,

an environmentally-themed book series for readers eight to twelve

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Copyright 2019© by Cheryl Batavia

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This limerick tells a true tale about an old lady…me. The fish bit hard enough that it almost hurt, but not quite! My sister treated me to a fish pedicure when I visited her. It was a very similar experience!

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Woodpecker

Woodpecker,

powerful bird…

pecks his lunch!

Does your head ache,

Woodpecker?

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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There are many pileated woodpeckers living in the woods near our home. Sometimes I can watch one from my window.

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Everglades Style

The style-conscious woman of long ago

wore Everglades fashions from head to toe:

egret feathers decorating her stylish hat,

alligator purse and alligator shoes to match.

Her taste in fashion was very fine,

but Everglades wildlife began to decline.

Egrets and alligators faced extinction,

and laws were passed for their protection.

No longer endangered, these species survive.

Habitat protection allows them to thrive.

With continued protection and conservation,

wildlife will delight future generations.

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals II

an environmentally themed book series for readers eight to twelve

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Copyright© 2018 by Cheryl Batavia

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Skunk, Tough Guy

The skunk is the tough guy

of the American woods.

Black and white fur is a

warning well-understood.

A skunk can spray about ten feet.

You can smell it for miles

driving down the street.

Intimidated by his stinky spray,

when he stomps and hisses,

even bears back away!

Except great horned owls,

skunks have little to fear.

Skunks eat ‘most anything

and live ‘most anywhere.

Insects, salamanders, moles

…their diet varies;

for desert, skunks love

sweet, juicy berries.

Immune to snake venom,

They eat rattlesnake meat.

With fur to protect them,

bees and wasps are a treat.

If you ever crowd a skunk,

don’t be surprised

if this tough guy sprays you,

and you’re ostracized.

Soap and tomato juice

won’t make ammends;

you’ll be kept at a distance

by all of your friends.

You’ll have time for your

smart phone, TV, and tunes.

No need to worry…

You’ll smell better soon!

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals III

an environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve

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Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia

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White Pelican Island

Everywhere in Florida

you see brown pelicans…

They are frequently-observed,

year-round residents .

The more reclusive white pelicans

appear in fall and winter

at White Pelican Island and other

secluded Florida locations!

During the winter season,

white pelicans migrate from

Louisiana to their second home,

White Pelican Island

in the Gasparilla Sound.

Why do white pelicans migrate to

Florida, brown pelican territority?

Maybe, like human”snowbirds,”

they just like the warmer weather!

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Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

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Caterpillar in a Hurry

While munching his vegetables,

While munching his vegetables,

is a caterpillar in a hurry

to be a butterfly?

Is he in a rush to drink

nectar from flowers

and give grown-up life a try?

Maybe he just wants to open

his brand new wings…and fly!

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Butterflies & Flowers

What’s more beautiful,

butterflies or the flowers

that give them nectar?

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals,

environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve

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Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia

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Burmese Python Owner Speaks

Cute little python,

she swallowed a mouse.

She swallowed a mouse

’cause she lives at my house.

Hungry python,

She swallowed a rat.

She swallowed a rat

and grew long and fat.

Exotic python,

never does any harm.

I walk along South Beach

with her hugging my arm.

Growing girl python,

she swallowed a rabbit.

She swallowed a rabbit

’cause it’s her new habit.

Big strong python,

she squeezes too tight.

I’ll let her go free

in the Everglades tonight.

Twenty-six-foot python

she swallowed a gator.

She swallowed a gator

and got hungrier later.

200-pound python,

she swallowed a deer.

She swallowed a deer

when it came too near.

Monster python,

She swallowed a car.

No, not a car–

I wouldn’t go that far.

But mama python

and her hundreds of babies

are causing extinction

of native species.

I’ll be very careful

choosing my next pet,

and never, ever

abandon it!

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals II,

an environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve

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Copyright© 20018 by Cheryl Batavia

The Burmese Python is an invasive species in the Florida Everglades that is decimating native animals such as alligators, deer, rabbits, and tropical birds. Every year, a hunt is conducted to try to eradicate them. One snake that was killed had consumed two deer–a doe and her fawn. The size of this animal and what it devours is not exaggerated in the poem, though I really think it does not have a taste for cars! Having a Burmese python as a pet is no longer legal in Florida.