Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Reconciliation of Earnings/(Loss) and the Weighted Average Number of Shares (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 10, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Earnings/(Loss) and the Weighted Average Number of Shares [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations											$ 384,506		$ 288,454		$ 178,002
Gain on sale of operating properties, net of tax											389		1,432		4,299
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests											(11,879)		(5,072)		(14,202)
Discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests											2,117		(7,930)		4,661
Preferred stock redemption costs	(15,500)	(6,200)													(21,703)
Preferred stock dividends											(58,294)		(58,294)		(71,697)
Income from continuing operations available to the common shareholders											316,839		218,590		79,360
Earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares											(1,749)		(1,360)		(1,221)
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders											315,090		217,230		78,139
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the Company											48,868		(40,603)		93,313
Net income attributable to the Company’s common shareholders for basic earnings per share											363,958		176,627		171,452
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)											409,088		407,631		405,997
Income from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)											$ 0.77		$ 0.53		$ 0.19
Income(loss) from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)											$ 0.12		$ (0.10)		$ 0.23
Net income (in Dollars per share)			$ 0.09	$ 0.44	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.11	$ 0.10	$ 0.09	$ 0.13	$ 0.89		$ 0.43		$ 0.42
Income from continuing operations attributable to common Shareholders											315,090		217,230		78,139
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the Company											48,868		(40,603)		93,313
Net income attributable to the Company’s common shareholders for diluted earnings per share											$ 363,958		$ 176,627		$ 171,452
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (in Shares)											409,088		407,631		405,997
Equity awards (in Shares)											1,950	[1]	983	[1]	692	[1]
Shares for diluted earnings per common share (in Shares)											411,038		408,614		406,689
Income from continuing operations (in Dollars per share)											$ 0.77		$ 0.53		$ 0.19
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)											$ 0.12		$ (0.10)		$ 0.23
Net income (in Dollars per share)			$ 0.09	$ 0.44	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.11	$ 0.10	$ 0.09	$ 0.13	$ 0.89		$ 0.43		$ 0.42

[1] The effect of the assumed conversion of certain convertible units had an anti-dilutive effect upon the calculation of Income from continuing operations per share. Accordingly, the impact of such conversions has not been included in the determination of diluted earnings per share calculations. Additionally, there were 7,137,120, 10,950,388 and 11,159,160, stock options that were not dilutive as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.