Nature and Animals

June On The Water Warm sunny days with calm seas followed by afternoon thunderstorms is our typical weather pattern for June as summer sets in. Although Southwest Florida is rapidly growing, you notice a big decline of boaters and anglers over the next several months. As far as fishing goes there will be good days […]

One of the prettiest plants that is grown throughout Verandah is the Bougainvillea. Bougainvilleas put on quite a display during the winter months with their colorful, cheery blooms. The “flowers” on these beauties are actually bracts or modified leaves that surround their small white flower. Bougainvillea, a tropical vining shrub, is native to several countries […]

The Swallow-Tailed Kite: A Graceful Visitor to Verandah’s Skies Spring in Verandah brings a welcome sight to bird lovers and nature enthusiasts—the return of the magnificent swallow-tailed kite. These striking raptors, with their bold black-and-white plumage and unmistakable forked tails, soar effortlessly through the sky, gliding and swooping with sheer elegance. Arriving in late March/early […]

MARY GALLAGHER IN HER “HAPPY PLACE” “Make My Happy Place Yours, Too!” Gulf Coast Humane Society is dedicated to being a safe haven for pets in need by providing medical care, promoting adoptions, and nurturing the bond between pets and people in SWFL. Verandah resident, Mary Gallagher, has been volunteering at the Humane Society for […]

“ScruffyCoopstock” was abandoned in the Everglades when he was a young dog, then rescued by a park ranger who brings strays to the nonprofit shelter in her yard. Today he’s 10 years old, the forever-treasured companion of Jane Cooper and Rollie Comstock. He appears to be a Dandie Dinmont Terrier from Scotland, distinguished by the […]

The Red-Shouldered Hawk: Verandah’s Watchful Predator Soaring over the golf course, perched on a branch overlooking the ponds, or even resting atop your lanai, the Red-shouldered Hawk is a common sight in Verandah. A piercing whistle often signals the presence of one of Verandah’s most striking raptors. With sharp eyes trained on the ponds and […]

In the January 28th, 2025, meeting of the VCA Board of Directors, President John Sample announced that a turf disease called Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) has been identified in three Verandah neighborhoods (Amblewind, Magnolia and Willow Bend). The Board has been working with the University of Florida and their turf experts to understand the disease, […]

The wetlands, waters, and woodlands of Southwest Florida are home to hundreds of bird species. Over the coming months, the Verandah View will feature some of the interesting native birds that nest alongside us right here in the ecosystems of Verandah. Whether you are an experienced bird watcher or simply someone who enjoys watching our […]

Among the ponds of Verandah, a unique bird may catch your eye—or your ear. The Limpkin, with its striking chocolate-brown body streaked with white, is a bird known for its loud cry. Their vocalizations are among the most distinctive in the bird world, ranging from piercing screams to softer calls that carry over long distances. […]

During the winter months as we enjoy the respite from heat and humidity, so do our plants. It is during this time that trees, shrubs and perennials slow their growth to conserve energy and prepare for the warmer months ahead when they will again become lush and vibrant. In South Florida, because temperatures remain warm […]