Coop d'etat

Chickens don't need a lot of space. Bantams even less, figure on 2 square feet per hen. They also aren't too choosy where they live. Lots has been published on this, so I'll just give the basics.

It is best to have a building you will be happy with. The best option is one you can move around the yard with. It should look nice, or your neighbors may narc on you. There are structures you can purchase online, but you better be ready to dole out some cash, most start at five hundred bucks.

Permanent structures have their benefits. They can be hidden from view. Well built ones are storm resistant too. I live in the subtropics, so air circulation is a must. It is mostly hardware cloth combined with tilt windows that cover the mesh at the topside of the coop. I guess a picture is worth a thousands words so see above. It is important that you can get in and out of it, 'cause you'll need to grab eggs daily (or chickens when you are hungry). Of course you could build a fancy draw door and grab them from the outside. You will also need to clean it on occasion, but the tropical weather in my hood makes decomposition quick and easy, and cleaning is kept to a minimum. I have no odor from my coop. Chickens roost near the rafters, and I have a shelf to collect their droppings, which I use as fertilizer for my plants. Opposite their perch is another shelf where I keep the nest boxes (that's where they lay the eggs). I have a big door in the front making it easy to access. I also put in a chicken run door, and built a simple run for them to play in during the day. Some days, I let them roam the yard. My yard is fenced with chain link, but the chickens don't go very far. They visit less than a quarter of my 10,000 sq feet. At night, they magically go inside. Be sure to lock them up at night, or you might find a possum got in and ate your beauties. So why chickens? (part 2 of 3)

Flock You

As per usual, our society often does silly things. We have allowed ourselves to lose more of our constitutional rights, many of which were done with open arms and closed minds. Specifically, I am refering to the prohibition of backyard poultry. Don't get me wrong, roosters suck. They crow at all times of the day, and are extremely noisy. They do have a lot of personality however, and are no worse than many of the parrots that are legally kept as pets. Hens, however, are a completely different story.

It is amazing just how easy it is to raise chickens in an urban or suburban setting. Unlike rural areas, urban settings have fewer wild predators. The romantic notion of country life for a chicken is a myth. Country life for a chicken aint easy, they don't just taste good to humans. Foxes, racoons, possums, hawks, and owls represent some of the common predators down here. In the city, some of the above can be witnessed, but usually in lower numbers. Rats can become a problem however, and it is essential that thier coop is secure at night.

Set up in the yard is easy, and more on that next time.

(Part 1 of 3)

Paper, Plastic, or "green" bag

Recently, there has been discussion about these supposedly "green" shopping bags that are appearing at every store across the nation. They consist of recycled plastic converted to a "reusable" cloth-like bag. Now the experts are saying that they aren't exactly helping out with waste reduction. I am not surprised. I haven't really bought into this whole not using free bags conveniently supplied by our shopping venues. I will say that it is annoying when the bag person uses a single plastic bag for one item, so that at the end of the grocery shopping I have way too many plastic bags to make useful. I usually send them on the wild goose chase after the once ubiquitous paper bags (now rarely used), which are local for folks in my area (from Florida & Georgia paper mills). Paper bags often contain recycled products, and are renewable. However, they are rare at the grocery store today, as for some reason people prefer the less useful, plastic bags.

Growing up with frugal parents (especially my father), we always re-used all the bags, but especially the paper bags (yes there was a time when there were no plastic bags). I would use them as book covers, for covering parcels before mailing, blotting oil from homemade fried fish or doughnuts, and of course as garbage bags. My father never bought garbage bags (he was the primary shopper in my family). Why would he, when the grocery store would give them to us at no extra charge. My father was an environmentalist without even knowing it, being frugal (a nice way of saying cheap), and I look upon his frugality with admiration.

But alas today, the green movement pays little attention to the three R's, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. I always laugh to myself when I see a customer who fills their "green bag" with a package of costly garbage bags; why buy something whose sole purpose is to be thrown away?

Reduce: This is a basic principle, reducing is easier than you think. Stop buying pre-packaged garbage bags. Use plastic bags to hold your purchased goods sparingly. Don't buy recycled "green" bags, which come all the way from China in most cases, and then you have the whole carbon footprint issue (how much fuel did it take for the product to reach me?). These solutions at worse cost no money and usually save you money. You won't be able to advertise as well to your fellow shoppers how "green" you are though. Don't be a sucker, the real green movement should focus on reduction, not consumerism.

Reuse: Why not reuse the original plastic bags, better yet, switch back to paper. Paper bags coming from farmed trees (and recycled paper) are a renewable resource, whereas plastic is a petroleum based product. It isn't any more inconvenient to bring in your paper bags and reuse them when shopping, than these new "green" bags. Use these paper bags also for garbage bags, gift wrap, and the other uses described above. Leftover plastic grocery bags can be used for wet garbage. Believe it or not they also make a great fire starter in wet conditions (like when camping); I have been told that they are used for this purpose by indigenous people in the rain forest. The reuse principle should be utilized as best as possible for all items which are normally tossed out.

Recycle: This is the last step, and if you are good, won't be needed. If you have too many bags, you are shopping inefficiently. But the plastic bags can accumulate, and perhaps your space at home is limited. Most grocery stores today have containers for recycling excessive paper and plastic bags.

Lost in my train of thought

This'll be a quickie. Four miles later, I make to my turn. The tracks continue onward, but I need to make a right down along the canal bank. Canals too are great places to find nature. Not as good a the wild stream or river perhaps, but plants persist, as is the gist of these articles. Within the narrow banks reside many submerged & emergent aquatics, likely planted, but who knows. I pass duck potato (Sagittaria lancifolia), Pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata), Cattails (Typha domingensis), the garlicky smelling algae Chara and some nasty weeds not indigineous to the area, Hydrilla verticillata and a new species of Rotala, probably brought in from the aquarium trade.

Occasionally, although not today, a manatee pokes its head above the water's surface. No obnoxious jet skiers today, who for some reason like to go back and forth along the canal on their mouthy meaningless machines. They aren't nearly as interesting or romantic as the trains which infrequently rattle on down.

My street is comin' up. Ice cold water and man's best friend await. What an adventure it is to live here. No it isn't shangra la, but it is fine, and unlike anywhere else in the world. It is the flavors that keep me here, and the longing to protect what's left. (Railroad 5 of 5)

An Altaring Experience

My community contains many underbellies unbeknown'st to the public at large. Immigrants brought many of their customs with them, one of which is publicly frowned upon by the seeming majority of their contemporaries. I wonder about this though as all around the city in the Latino communities are Botanicas, stores convenient to Santeria's practitioners. Santeria, is a religion with deep roots from Africa, and many of the deities are disguised as catholic saints.

One may enter one of these Botanicas, and purchase items necessary for religious practices. Behind the counter usually is someone dressed in all white, this all white garb is reserved for a priest or priestess who is well versed in the Santeria practices. Inside the glass counter are often jewelry to protect from the "evil eye", candles, incense, figurines, tarot cards, and other important religious artifacts. On the shelves and behind the counter or elsewhere in the store are herbs, books, cauldrons and potions, each one has its own special use. Convenient for the times, one can purchase an aerosol can of "evil away" potion, and there is one for "money", and of course, several "love potions". Just spray them in places of need, and "watch them work". Amongst it all are plenty of statues of various saints each representing thier own power. Some botanicas have a special section in the back where they harbor animals to be used for sacrifice. One may purchase pigeons, doves, rabbits, turtles, goats, and of course, chickens.

Apparently, railroads are important places for these sacrifices, and commune strong magic. A major deity is Chango' (or Shango). From what I have been told by a friend who is an ethnobotanist, he is strongly associated with iron, machines, and industrial works (hence the above artistic rendering of the guy grabbing hold of lightening). Crossroads between iron and asphalt are apparently popular places to request blessings from him.

This is most evident, as (and I kid you not) hundreds of chicken corpses (of varying degrees of decomposition) litter these tracks. Now remember, this is not in the boondocks of some remote place. This is in the middle of suburbia, a Starbucks is a block away. I happen upon an altar that contained several religious artifacts. There is a sculpted head made of concrete with cowry shells for eyes, nose, and mouth. A wooden hatchet, intricately decorated. Coins litter the ground. A few sacrificed animals, the ubiquitous chicken, and an unusual turtle with a candle sticking out of its shell. A long knife with a homemade handle in the center of it all. Not being a Santeria practioner, I have no idea what this means, and it fascinates me. I never think of myself a being superstitious, but today I will be respectful of other people's religious beliefs, so I don't disturb this spot.

Home is not far now, despite seemingly having entered another country, my turn is up ahead, I am ready for a cool drink. (Railroad 4 of 5)

Step up to the Bar

What ever happened to the once omnipresent bar of soap? Remember that rectangular block that sat on the edge of the sink? Most sinks even have that depression on the side so that it wouldn't slide off. In most houses, caked soap has now been relegated to fancy decor (never being used for its former primary purpose) in female dominated restrooms.



For the past two decades we've been buying liquid soap in plastic bottles usually costing $2.00. Sure, you can buy large refills at $7-$8 (in a plastic bottle of course), but it sure doesn't last long. Most bars of soap are less than $1.00 and are simply wrapped in paper or cardboard (made of trees or recycled cardboard, a renewable resource). Plus, soap in bar form lasts twice as long. I also think it does a better job. I recently replaced the fancy liquid bottles containing pictures of flowers or penguins and slapped down those handy soap cakes. The only draw back is the occasional slippage, or the soapy residue they leave, but those are minor nuisances. So if you want to go a little bit more economical/environmental and reduce waste, switch back, and step up to the bar (of soap).

(Sorry I was on hiatus, although unintentionally. I am just not as narcissistic as I thought I would be. Railroad will continue soon.)

Habitat Interupted

What the heck is this doing here? A critically imperiled ecosystem, grasping this linear tract of land that runs for miles between the tracks and the neighboring houses and expressways. Pine rockland, a habitat restricted to South Florida and the Bahamas, less than 1.5% left in Dade County (excluding the glades, which have another 11%).


A native woodland, dependant on fire for its survival, is dominated by the once prized Dade County pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) whose valuable wood was over harvested for building, being known for its termite resistance. Below the pines, almost endemic to Florida are two undervalued palms. Florida's state tree, the Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), whose hearts were once used (and still used in some areas) as a food source by early peoples; it is our state tree. Along with, is the red-headed stepchild of Florida palms, the Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), a fascinating palm whose habitats are rapidly declining, possessing trunks that radiate from the center along the forest floor appearing as a wagon wheel on its side.


Native grasses abound. Many have just started flowering, acting as a harbinger for the upcoming fall. Bluestems (Schizachyrium spp.), Broomsedges (Andropogon spp.), Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), and one of my favorites, Lopsided Indiangrass (Sorghastrum secundum), all showing off their temporary inflorescences (flower clusters) trying to cast & catch pollen in the wind.


Amid the grasses, colorful wildflowers make certain of their appearance. The scorpiontail shaped yellow inflorescences of Pineland heliotrope (Heliotropium polyphyllum) are scattered among the grasses to the delight of the bees and wasps. Along with other insects, they are grateful for this track side smorgasbord that allows them to live and eat, providing a safe place to travel to the other islands in the stream. Dancing amongst the heliotropes, Painted leaf (Poinsettia cyathophora) with its fiddle shaped leaves and striking red colored bracts reminescent of Christmas. Twining around the shrubs and palms are two vines in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae). Calling forth are the yellow trumpets of Pineland allamanda (Angadenia berteroi) and the white pinwheels of Devil's potato (Echites umbellata). Tall flowering stalks of Wand goldenrod (Solidago stricta), conduct their magic waving in the wind. Many, many more occur along this echo of a better vanished time; I counted over seventy species.


I smile, the heart pumps in exhilaration. These guys are still hanging on, despite no help from others. Across the fence along the expressway, the story was similar. But progress mandated that the wildflowers amidst the sod be removed, and a tall concrete barrier be put in place. New sod will surely be planted, only, it won't contain any of these jewels. I think to myself, maybe our railroad friends will hop the fence, and give that sod a run for its money.


No, the railroad company doesn't manage for these plants, at least, not intentionally. I am certain an occasional spark from a train rumbling on down the tracks creates nice, slow-burning little fires, which undoubtedly are extinguished all too soon. I am thankful for the railroad company's frugality, as I am sure they don't wish to spend a lot of money altering this patch of Eden, unlike too many government agencies who should know better.


I have visited it only once, but this place is already sacred to me. I am not alone, others visit all along these 4 miles of tracks, I have seen evidence since I started my journey from the shop. Scattered everywhere are chicken bones, there is the occasional wooden carving or carefully created altar....it appears that Chango' must live here too. (Railroad 3of 5)

Tracks revealed

I've always loved trains. Not to play with, but to hear the thumping along the tracks, and not to mention that good old whistle ablowin'. They remind me of the past, which is silly, since they are still useful, and we could do with a bit more of them considering how inefficient transporting cargo in motor vehicles is. But I digress, I am here to talk about the plant jewels of the tracks.

Last summer, I dropped my car off at the shop, about 4 miles from the house (my hobo life is occurs in my interests). The car shop is along some railroad tracks that run close to my house, so I decided to hike back home along them. I've always wanted to walk the lines, as I suspected much could be learned from these now "ancient" corridors, now reserved for the uncommon train that passes along them. So off I went.

The beginning of the journey was great. Being August, sweat was really pouring off of my brow, and the air was thick and heady. The first plant species were of less interest to me, being common weedy exotics, but even they have their stories, which I'll save for later.

Now remember, plants are everywhere (just about), and not all plants are, or continue to be useful. Conservationists tend to separate those species that are native, which do little harm to the environment they're a part of, from those species which have been introduced by people and cause havoc in our natural areas.

Don't get me wrong, all plants have uses. After all, one of the definitions of a weed is "a plant whose use has not been discovered" (and I'll add "or no longer utilized"). Today, as a people, few of us grow or harvest plants for direct personal need. Our energy and food come from elsewhere by and large. So these poor non-native (or exotic) plants fill up spaces being unutilized. As a result, they crowd out existing native plant species, and all other creatures that use them. This can happen in our natural areas, but often happens in empty unmanaged lots and remnant natural fragments, such as these along the railroad tracks.

Walking from railroad timber to railroad timber, the scene began to change. Remnant habitat popped up, and I saw what I knew to occur there, pine rockland species. (Railroad 2 of 5)

Islands in the Stream

Yeah, I live in the suburbs of the city. Yet it is a bizarre metropolis, one of the few places in the U.S. where I can consider myself an ethnic minority. I grew up here. Hell, its still the best place to eat a mango, which are ripening on the trees as I write this. The flavors are intense here, changing from year to year, and yet I still don't mind calling it home.

One may think being in the city is lonely for a botanist. They'd be wrong. Large tracks of unfettered land are nearby, and hardly visited. The Everglades. The Big Cypress. The Florida Keys. All are perfectly intact, and generally perfectly regulated. I visit them often. What separates the academics from the truly passionate ones, is whether they can see the outliers. What is left, amidst the supposed nothingness caused by development's destruction. But alas, that is the curse of those with the untrained eye. For floating in the seas of suburbia and the streams of streets, are islands of nature, delicately strewn across like the freckles on the chest of a Castillianita. These jigsaw puzzle pieces may be tattered and torn, or have faded almost beyond recognition. But, they are still there if you know where and how to look. I enjoy the hidden beauties. They all have stories to tell. So in this series, the hobo botanist shall elaborate on one of his favorites: the railroad tracks. (Railroad 1 of 5)

Early Ramble

Nature is never far. This is just give a glimpse of a botanist's life from his journal. Not the first watershed event, but the beginnings of a catalytic reaction. A blast from the past, it is hard to believe such youthful hubris, and no, drugs weren't involved.

12/09/96, 16:30

A very glorious day indeed. Roughly 62 deg F. At Tamiami Pineland along a fire road cutting N/S through the center of the pineland. I wish to reiterate the poignant fact that a sense of awareness can be very powerful! I can absorb my surroundings and become very understanding of them to the degree of knowing my place in the universe. Yes, gestalt is a very powerful notion enhanced by experience...thus pleasure. I am blessed by Natural Beauty in its tragic yet exhilarating form. Death to the pines is only temporary, a pause in the grand continuum.

Humanity's destruction of its surroundings only strengthens my appreciation for what is still left. I hope to possess knowledge to a higher degree in order to increase my sense of power in the Natural World.

Is it not time to heighten one's Sense of Awareness?