Page 10 - Jupiter West - October '21

Page 10, Jupiter West
Northern Notes

Owls – Silent And Effective such as the ability to They are silent predators. Both primary and secondary
feathers have comb-like structures at the edge of the feather that
rotate their heads 270
Predators degrees, ears that are are responsible for muffling the sound of the air going over the
offset on the sides of wing – this essentially makes an owl virtually silent in flight. In
By Katie Roundtree, their head in order addition, an owl’s feathers can separate from each other on the
Finance Director, Northern to pinpoint location same wing; therefore, the air flows over each of the individual
Palm Beach County of prey, the ability feathers and their comb-like structures, which maximizes how
Improvement District to control feathers silently owls fly.
Florida is home to five on their dish-shaped Most of these species of owls are fairly common, however,
resident species of owls, face to direct sounds the burrowing owl is Florida’s only state-designated threatened
including the barn owl, barred into their ears, and species of owl. Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus
owl, burrowing owl, eastern comb-like structures was designated as a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 and even
screech owl and great horned on their feathers to silence them in flight. though the campus has expanded, breeding pairs still exist on
owl. The largest of these owls Owls cannot move their eyes in their eye sockets like humans the grounds.
is the great horned owl, which and most other animals. Instead, they can rotate their heads up Next time you’re outside in wooded areas around dawn or
is generally 18 to 25 inches to 270 degrees (not 360 degrees like sometimes believed) in dusk, look up; or if you’re in an open area, watch your step and
tall, followed by the barred owl and barn owl. The eastern screech order to view their surroundings. The unusually high number keep an eye out for ground burrows. You may be lucky enough to
owl and burrowing owls are the smaller species and measure only of light-sensitive cells in their eyes, their large pupils, and a catch a glimpse of one of nature’s most accomplished predators.
about 6 to 10 inches tall. All but the burrowing owl prefer to live reflective layer behind the retina give them excellent nocturnal NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet waste is
high in trees, in either tree cavities or nesting boxes. Burrowing vision, useful when hunting at night or navigating dark forests. washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using up oxygen
owls live in areas with wide-open spaces and little vegetation Their ability to locate prey by sound alone is the most accurate and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and
and spend most of their time on the ground or in burrows. of any animal that has ever been tested. Owls can catch mice in ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet
Each of the species have their own distinctive characteristics, complete darkness in the lab, or find prey hidden by vegetation waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae
but they all have one thing in common, they are voracious or snow out in the real world. Their ears are placed unevenly on growth. Perhaps most importantly, it is considered a significant
eaters and can consume thousands of small rodents in a year. their head and point in slightly different directions, giving the source of pathogens like fecal coliform, a disease-causing
Because of this, they are a welcome addition in most farms and ability to hear where a sound is coming from without moving bacteria.
neighborhoods. Owls are mainly nocturnal creatures and have their heads. Owls can also funnel sound toward their ears by Source: Cornell University Cornell Lab of Ornithology
developed some amazing adaptations to be successful hunters, manipulating different types of feathers around the ears and face.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office

Taxpayers: senior exemption does not apply to other taxing authorities, Homesteaded property owners who add living quarters for a
Welcome fall! such as the school district and other municipalities. parent or grandparent can apply to have all or part of the value
The end of the 2021 tax $50,000 of this new construction deducted from the assessment.
year is fast approaching! Town of Haverhill Civilian Disability Exemptions
October is a busy month in Town of Loxahatchee Groves Full or partial exemptions are available for individuals with
my office as we certify the Village of Wellington the following disabilities:
ad valorem tax roll to the $25,000 •Quadriplegic
Palm Beach County Tax Palm Beach County • Paraplegic
Collector’s Office. The Tax City of Boynton Beach • Hemiplegic
Collector will mail the 2021 City of Lake Worth Beach • Legally Blind
tax bills on Nov. 1. Town of Lantana • Total and Permanent Disability, Confined to Wheelchair
This month, petition City of Palm Beach Gardens • Total and Permanent Disability, Not Confined to Wheelchair
hearings will begin for property owners who filed a petition Village of Palm Springs Some of these exemptions have income limitations.
because they disagree with their property assessment Town of Jupiter Visit our website for more information on these exemptions
or denied exemption. They are led by the Palm Beach $5,000 or to download and print forms. You can always call us at (561)
County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Value Village of Royal Palm Beach 355-2866 or email us at myexemption@pbcgov.org.
Adjustment Board (VAB). On average, the number of Widow/Widower Exemption
petitions filed in Palm Beach County is low, typically less Florida grants an additional $500 exemption to widows and Office Closed Due To Holiday
than 1 percent of the total parcels in the county. widowers. You will be asked to submit a copy of the deceased
As we move into the final months of the year, I’d like spouse’s death certificate. If the surviving spouse remarries, The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
to remind all property owners to review their homestead they are no longer eligible to receive the additional exemption. (including all of our service centers) will be closed on
exemption status to determine whether they might qualify Living Quarters Of Parents Or Grandparents Exemption Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 11. We will resume normal
for additional property tax saving benefits. There are several (also known at the Granny Flat Exemption) business hours on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 a.m.
other exemptions such as those for seniors, the disabled, and
members of the armed forces.
I hope you find this information helpful. Window Screens • Screen Doors
Respectfully,
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS,
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Additional Exemptions We Measure, Make

A property owner may be eligible for additional & Install For You!
exemptions. In order to qualify for the following additional
exemptions, you must have a homestead exemption on your
property.
Limited Income Senior Exemption
To qualify, you must be 65 or older and your adjusted
gross income must meet a maximum level that is adjusted
annually by Florida’s Department of Revenue. The income
limitation amount is available from my office in mid-January
of each year. The current income limit is $31,100. This does
not include tax-exempt bond interest or nontaxable social 561-208-8474
security income. You will be asked to provide a copy of your
Federal 1040 tax form or your Social Security 1099 form.
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