Most mornings, if time allows with Bruce's busy schedule, we walk around Lake Davis two times for both some exercise, and some bird watching. Most days something is going on and early last week was no exception. Figuring it was about time to return to the here and now after so many vacation posts, however, I've not forgotten about London because there are still some things to share. For now though, let's catch up with what's been going on since we returned from our trip to the mountains.
So we were walking around when we saw two ducklings in the water all by themselves. Not a good sign because they were quite small. The closer we got though, we saw their siblings coming in from behind, yet still no visible parents. Eventually they were reunited with their indifferent Mother while we stood watching, making their way back into the water once all were gathered. As to the pictured swan, we learned one of the cygnets was hit by a car and now there are but three. :(
Perhaps it was this fellow that is responsible for the fact that they have all disappeared?
Just behind our place, new aquatic plants have emerged with one of them flowering! I've learned that this is a Water Hyacinth and isn't it so pretty?
There was a slight delay in the workers getting started on the church columns, so we took advantage of our free time, heading South to Lake Kissimmee State Park in the middle of nowhere! The closest small city is Lake Wales, 15 miles away. Driving down SR 17, it was both empty and beautiful. Holy Cow, a little hill action. Rare for Florida, indeed.
Most of you know that the once thriving Florida citrus industry is in steep decline due to citrus canker that decimated thousands of orange trees. While we did see some beautiful groves on this drive, not nearly what once was to be found in the middle of the state. Below is what, we've later learned, an attempt by grove owners to stop the spread amongst new trees. Apparently, these fine mesh bags, which cost $8.50 each (thanks Google!), are left in place for at least the first two years of a tree's life. The good news is that there is good news---it seems to be helping!
And finally we arrive! The photo below is taken through the windshield which is stained by love bugs, and if you are from Florida, you know just what I mean.
We were there to check out their camping sites which are plentiful; driving through making notes on the best sights for a future trip as it is hard to choose just from a map. The park is filled with stately old oak trees with their branches touching the ground in some instances. I can't recall ever seeing an oak such as the one in the back in the photo below with branches clumped together on the ground. Must be old age which, as I am learning, is full of surprises!
Close observers will see a staircase in the distance which is where I was headed, climbing a three story observation tower/platform to see Lake Kissimmee, Florida's third largest lake. Not to be confused with the city of Kissimmee, much closer to home, where the big lakes there are called Lake Tohopekaligia, and East Lake Tohopekaligia.
Bruce did some dock fishing while I roamed around in the heat. Not August heat, but under sunny skies, still very warm. Eventually it was time to find some lunch, easier said than done when you are in cattle country!
Made all the more difficult because, you guessed it, no internet connection!! Sandwiches from a roadside market was the best we could do. Most all of the area is either ranches, or connected to fishing in one way or another as Lake Kissimmee is one of the top rated lakes in the country for catching bass.
On our way home, after managing to get back to SR 17, we passed what we are presuming is an old phosphate mine filled with this lovely shade of water.
A side note here....watching a Great Blue Heron flying by just now, as well as ducks swimming in the sparkling lake, shimmering in the early morning sunshine....quite the distraction for me!! Secondly, David and Michelle are going on a little trip to Charleston tomorrow morning, prompting me to search the blog for our visit to that beautiful city. Oh how I love having a blog and being able to go back in time, even if that post contained the information that we had bed bugs in our hotel! :)
The next day we visited a nearby park off Hiawassee Road, formerly called Turkey Lake Park, a place I passed many times while working out that way. I say formerly because the name has been changed to Bill Frederick Park after a former long term mayor of Orlando. So what was it like? Amazing! For one thing it is HUGE! There are birds,
and of course, the lake which sits adjacent to the Florida Turnpike on one side, and is not very far from Universal Studios theme park. Apparently it is also home to the Boone Braves crew team too. Boone High is where both of us went, all of our children, and is just across Michigan Street. On occasion we hear their football games it is so close!
How big is the park? 183 acres is how big! Again, a place we visited to check out their camping sites. I know, weird, right?
From what I read, those camping sites are a godsend for folks looking to vacation in Orlando, so near the theme parks, for the very reasonable rate of something like $25 a night! Quite the dock too!
Another day we lunched at Brio, maybe after our walk around Mead Gardens? See, if I don't get right to blogging I forget things! Anyway, seated at the bar, I happened to notice the mirror right in front of us, so why not? The soup and salad were just okay.
This time of year is prime bird watching primarily due to Fall migration patterns. I've heard before that Mead Gardens is a stopping ground, so let's go there, shall we? We walked waterside for a bit, then took the boardwalk through the wild part, although all I saw was but one Carolina Wren which isn't saying much. The thought of how much Florida has changed crossed my mind during this short walk through what our state must have once looked like. Filled with bugs too, which is not the most romantic thought.
Heart shape alert!!
Another thing I'd heard from folks is there are resident owls that nest yearly, however, I'd yet to see them on my infrequent visits. Well, now I have seen the female.
True birders are very protective of their finds, or cagey at best. In the parking lot a fellow was loading his car and, spying his binoculars, I inquired if he'd seen anything. Turns out this is the fellow who leads a weekly bird walk on Saturdays during the month of October, sponsored by Audubon. I think this must have been Thursday because he said no, hadn't seen much, and was a wee bit worried about Saturday. Asking him about the owl, he gave out very vague directions. Heading that way, scanning trees like mad, luckily another fellow, lugging a large tripod with two cameras hanging around his neck, was more specific, going so far as to take us there. Nice, right?
Closer to home, I've resumed working on the quilt I'd abandoned, this time moving into the dining room to avoid the distraction of the lake, a good decision because I got a lot done yesterday afternoon. Gloomy weather helped!
Two reasons for the photo below--one, the little quilt, such as it is, for the end of our bed is completed. Secondly, note the pile of clothes ready for folding.
For several weeks now I've been wanting to share my new found love of Marie Kondo and her method of folding clothes. While late to the party, I am a convert! After reading an article about her in a magazine, I searched out her charming series on Netflix, watching most episodes in succession. For years our drawers have been filled, sometimes to the brim, with rolled clothing which is good; her way is better. Both of us hate to use up our clothing now because we don't want to disturb the look.
Like a little bookshelf in your drawer! For the curious,
here's the link to her series. Before I considered myself tidy, now I know that there is always room for improvement. But that's like most things, don't you think?
Finally, here's a look at the scaffolding that went up last week, with work underway now to repair the capitals and columns.
Mr. Peck is there as I type, scraping paint alongside the restoration crew. :)
Local adventures are fun, however, I still miss those majestic mountains!
your friend,
Gail
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