Before I delve into more fascinating things that I saw while on the camping trip, the beginning of which is documented here should you have missed it, while going through the whole broken wrist saga, more often than not, it was hard to concentrate on reading. As such, I'm making up for lost time! Before leaving home I finished a very, very difficult novel called Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron about the genocide in Rwanda. Told through the eyes of a young man who wants to become an Olympic runner, it is painfully eye opening. Perhaps that is why I read the very entertaining and uplifting The Lost Manuscript by Cathy Bonidan in one sitting at the campsite. An epistolatory novel, I just loved it. I began 500 Miles from You by Jenny Colgan the following day, finishing it up at home. That too was a very fun read with maybe just a bit of a rushed ending. Nevertheless, I highly recommend all three.
With that out of the way, how about this Banana spider to catch your attention?
When I wasn't reading, roaming the property in search of nature was how I spent my time and with this guy I sure found it, right? The web was huge!
On the first evening I did my initial roam, coming across this while I was walking on a, what I considered, unusual spot for a boardwalk. I say that because it ran alongside the adjacent forest on one side and it seemed to just ring the edge of the parking lot on the other.
How wrong I was as the trees were filled with bird song and although most of them I could not see, the sound was heavenly. Returning to this spot the next morning who should I see in an opening through the trees but my darling Bruce in golden light.
As it turns out, our campsite afforded us very quick access to this dock through an opening in the fence. I show you because I spent time here birdwatching as well as reading while the cool breeze caused gentle ripples on the lake later in the morning.
It was while standing there that I noticed a GBH on one of the tiny islands in the lake which is actually a reservoir which explains the unusual outcroppings of little trees here and there.
Generally seeing a Great Blue Heron is not so unusual here in Florida, however, although there were tons of songbirds, big birds were almost nonexistent, that is if you don't count my next exciting sighting! Woo hoo, as I watched the heron, turning my eyes in the other direction, I thought I was seeing a bird atop a small tree in the water. Using my zoom lens, which in this instance I wish had far more reach, I was delighted to see two eagles! Sure I've seen one eagle a few times while roaming, but to watch two eating, albeit from afar, was a super treat.
Eventually my little honey came into sight and I asked him to get a little closer in the boat.
By this time one had flown off into the trees, but I thought he'd get a kick out of seeing it much closer than I. Well, that he did, but unfortunately this was our last sighting because they never once returned in spite of my wishful thinking and constant checking!
I've seen loads of photos of cardinals in snowy trees before which is what this scene reminded me of.
There were loads of Catbirds both in the trees and on the ground.
Speaking of the ground I'm glad I didn't step on this pretty green dragonfly.
Loads of butterflies were flitting here and there including our state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing visiting our campsite.
Our state bird, the Mockingbird also made an appearance.
The lone GBH leaving the dock for another little island oasis.
First thing every morning I would slip through the fence opening, well that is following my trip to the bath house, and watch the sunrise. While pretty, with the absence of clouds it was just that. Of course I love nearly any sunrise because it marks the beginning of a new day full of possibility, unlike a sunset that might mark a day of disappointment. But that's just me. Anyway, on our last day the sunrise was mostly the same, but what was really amazing was, once the sun rose, the glow that it gave to the trees along the shoreline. Oh my!
At the campsite we began dismantling our home away from home,
when I notice that what looked like fog was coming in. Sure enough, this was happening on the lake about two hours after sunrise.
Amazing, right? Maybe it was a sign that things can change in an instant because not too much later, with the car fully packed, the boat on top, the bike secured on the back, we got into the car to leave and by golly, the car would not start! Fortunately we had a phone connection which is not always the case in campgrounds, and put a call into AAA for a jump. Of course first we had to get through the phone system that wanted us to put in a request via text which is often another hurdle when you are out in the forest. The friendly voice Bruce connected with said it would be within two hours. Great.
Apparently all our luck had not run out because actually a very nice man arrived within about 45 minutes to provide the jump start.
Discussing the cause with Bruce, because seriously this car is not very old and the battery should still be plenty sufficient, we learned that although his action of turning off all of the interior lights in order to not draw power when we leave the back open, it is not enough. And while he was happy to sell us a new battery he suggested that since it was still under warranty that we just not turn the car off on our drive home. Seriously? Well that is just what we did which was weird but effective. This past Monday, first thing in the morning, Bruce made a trip to the dealer and we now have a brand new battery. Thanks to our good friend Google, we now know that others have experienced the same and are not happy about the design that allows this to happen on a vehicle supposedly meant for the outdoor life.
And that my friends is why I titled my last post, "That's Why It is Called an Adventure," because the best laid plans often go awry. The same with every day life, right?
your friend,
Gail
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