By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University While exploring the ponds around Starkey Wilderness Park at sunset, I noticed a flock of wonderful Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. I’ve seen them fly…
The Great Florida Outdoors – The Pileated Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are a worldwide phenomenon and a delight for bird enthusiasts. More than two hundred species practice their formidable woodworking skills across the globe, except in a few places. To me, woodpeckers…
The Great Florida Outdoors:The Cardinal
By Dr. Robert Norman The Northern Cardinal is one of Florida’s small red birds with a prominent crest. The males have bright red plumage almost throughout the body. Exceptions are the black…
The Great Florida Outdoors Fox Squirrel February 2024
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University I was biking through J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park along a stretch of longleaf pines recently and saw a fast moving…
The Great Florida Outdoors: The Timucuan Indians
During this time of giving thanks, we must look to our past and honor those who have come before us. Before I set off on any walk in Florida nature, I say…
The Great Florida Outdoors December 2023 Bird Migration 2
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University One of the great long distance migrating birds is the red knot. It is a medium size shorebird that sports rusty, red…
The Great Florida Outdoors: Dragonflies
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University While reading the book An Immense World by Ed Yong I came to a part about dragonflies and vision. I have an…
12 Skin Cancer Myths and What You Need to Know Part 2
Dr. Robert Norman Last month we began our discussion on twelve skin cancer myths. This guide is to separate fallacy from reality and help you choose the right course of action. Let’s…
12 Skin Cancer Myths and What You Need to Know, Part 1
Dr. Robert Norman Is skin cancer contagious? Is a SPF 100 double the protection of a SPF 50 in preventing skin cancer? Can having a biopsy spread skin cancer? Have you ever…
Dr. Robert Norman’s Book Reading the Florida Landscape is Available through Amazon
Dr. Robert Norman is a man of many talents. Not only is he a board-certified dermatologist with over 35 years of experience helping his patients, he is also a published author of…
The Great Florida Outdoors: The Florida Scrub Jay
Do you want to learn about an amazing bird that you can go out and observe? I have had the good fortune of seeing the marvelous Florida Scrub Jay (aphelocoma coerulescens) at…
The Great Florida Outdoors Nature Journal
Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park 3-5-23 8001 Double Branch Rd, Tampa, FL 33635 Participants Ed Shindle and Dr. Rob Norman Time 10am to 1pm “The Upper Tampa Bay Park is a Hillsborough…
The Great Florida Outdoors: Nature and Writing, Part Two
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University Writing can be compared to the three major forms of natural interactions: mutualism commensalism, and parasitism. In writing, mutualism represents the combination…
The Great Florida Outdoors: God, Nature and Writing
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University John Muir wrote about the spiritual and transcendent connection we find in nature: Everything is flowing, going somewhere, animals and so-called lifeless…
The Great Florida Outdoors-Owls
Do you know now many types of owls are in Florida? We are fortunate to have eight species of owls to look out for in Florida, two of which are rare in…
The Great Florida Outdoors: Bees
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University I attended a recent talk and walk for the Florida Native Plant Society, led by park founder Joel Jackson at the Lettuce…
The Great Florida Outdoors – Love Trees
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir We took the grandkids to RE Olds Park…
The Great Florida Outdoors Lower Green Swamp Trail Dedication
By Dr. Robert Norman, Certified Dermatologist In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir On the morning of Saturday, September 17, 2022, I was honored to…
The Great Florida Outdoors
By Dr. Robert Norman, clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University The garden surrounding the pavilion is VISTA’s Native Plant Landscape, designed in 2020 by Bruce Turley, to model a landscape suitable for…
The Great Florida Outdoors: The Sensitive Plants
By Dr. Robert Norman, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Nova Southeastern University While biking recently on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, I stopped for a rest before heading back over the bridge and to my…