Glorious Spring

This will be my last post about the London lads' visit, but before I commence with that, let me just say that we have been having some glorious Spring weather. Seriously beautiful with bright blue skies and very little humidity allowing us to have the windows open! It is hard to explain how much I love having open windows, but I just love feeling the natural air rather than forced cold air, something we put up with for far more months than I would like. 

Also we are being terrorized by a screaming Limpkin out back, presumably looking for a mate. Even on the day or two that we have had to shut the house up, we could hear the plaintiff call. Make that screech! Right now it is going like mad in the tree outside my window.

What, pray tell are they photographing? Here is my shot.

We took a trip out to Kenansville to introduce the guys to an airboat ride at Wild Florida. Exiting the boat, I spotted the eagle and when that happens, of course everyone has to take a shot!

Because we took the thirty minute ride, we didn't go too far and mostly what we saw were gators, something our guide had a knack for finding. By now we are all seasoned gator watchers so I would have preferred more bird sightings, but you take what nature gives you. Some of you may be familiar with the Where's Waldo books where you have to find Waldo in a super crowded scene. Try that with this shot of baby gators!

If you can imagine there are, or so I recall, five of them, all of which are only about 10 inches long. If you are viewing this on a phone, good luck!

Following the airboat ride we roamed the animal park which I think is really well done. They also have a pretty intense gator show.

I'm trying to think of what the job description for this guy is....willing to stand insanely close to a huge alligator? You think? 

We learned that their gators come from various places where people have asked for the gators to be removed because they are what are called "nuisance gators". Just today someone asked if anyone had ever seen a gator in Lake Pineloch and the answer is no. Same goes for Lake Willisara, thank goodness. That said, and this story is a quick departure from our excursion----Matt and Tom decided to walk to Target and not far from our place they encountered Mary who was looking for help with a big turtle. I still cannot imagine it, but Matt actually picked it up. This, my friends was no ordinary turtle, instead it was an alligator snapping turtle!! We can't seem to get off this alligator subject, can we?

Anyway, in time, Henry, one of our fantastic maintenance guys, brought a box, scooping into said box and returned it to our lake. Yikes...it is so scary looking. 

And acting for that matter. Snapping at the towel Henry was waving over its head trying to get it to head into the water!

My sister Lisa is a big turtle fan, but I suspect even she would not want to see one of this type.

Okay, back to Wild Florida....

An aviary with feeding sticks is always a highlight.

Actually, I let Bruce do it while I take photographs! Matt was game too.

I absolutely loved the deer habitat, especially with all the new growth on the Cypress trees.

Bonus points for peacocks!

Woo hoo....my first time seeing an Eagle Owl.

By golly, here's a crazy story about one out of Norwich, England, a place we have visited. Let's just say that I am glad I am not that woman!

Who doesn't love a Lemur? This is not the typical one, but I can't seem to find what kind it is.

It was a good visit, that is after we arrived. Leaving the house with what we thought was enough time, the last miles were a bit fraught with anxiety that we were not going to make our boat time! In part this happened because I wanted to take the route through Lake Nona which was a bit of a mistake because, if you've not been out there in a while, is shocking in the amount of development along 15-A. When I was in x-ray school at Winter Park Hospital, I would take that road to 1-92 to see my folks every now and again. In those days there was absolutely nothing on that road. Nothing! I guess that is what happens if you live long enough, right?

Friday night we had a get together with everyone. In the photo below, David is regaling us with stories as only he knows how to tell.

And then it was Saturday, rainy and cool, but we did make a quick trip over to Winter Park for lunch and a stop at Rifle Paper Company. Returning home, Tom showed off his mad jigsaw puzzle skills by putting together about 150 pieces in short order! I stood amazed. Matt and I contributed, but that Tom, he's something else.

Airport time....and they are off.

If only that were the case. Their flight was delayed, however, eventually they were off and about twelve hours later, safely ensconced in their lovely London home with nary an alligator in sight!

Then the weather turned nice. And the new leaves popped out. Spring green, nothing like it!

There is a gorgeous Swallow Tail Kite perching above the courts here most days, a once-a-year treat. What a glorious bird!

In my last post, here, if you missed it, I mentioned taking my kayak on the lake to see the GBH nest which was elusive, but I knew was there. Well....

She's up there at the very tip-top of the pine tree!

We have been going to the courts at Dover Shores some days to play with new folks. Not that I don't love our folks herem but I'm trying to get over my fear of playing with strangers.

Some days I do a better job than others! That said, we have met some really nice pickleball enthusiasts so that's been good. In reality I should call them addicts!  

Back at the village, Sandy put together a party for Denny and Dunrey's birthday at the pool. 

So what, you say. 

I'll tell you what. 

Think back to one year ago, or even more so, two years ago at this time of the year. Fear, and in some cases panic. Thankfully things are beginning to return to normal, something to not only mention but celebrate, no matter the occasion.

If only that held true for Ukraine. My God, what a mess.

your friend,

Gail

Covid Delayed Visit, Part Two

We were meant to go to Cape Canaveral on Tuesday morning, however, the launch was postponed, leaving us with a day to come up with an alternate plan. We settled on Sanford for two reasons. It would be a new place to explore for them, along with seeing something in person that Bruce worked on before the pandemic. 

It was Tom that thought of it. 

Early in his retirement, his friend John asked if he wanted to join some other men as they restored a WW II aircraft for the Sanford airport. Lots of the work was completed before Bruce became involved, but he did contribute to the completion. You may recall all of that, but then again, it has been awhile ago. I remember the day when he went to watch as the crane operator lowered the plane into the building but, too, that was a good long while ago and he was watching from afar, so he had never seen it installed.

Being British, Tom is very schooled on all aspects of the war, in part because his father, Ray, has written several books about the role that Tom's hometown played in the air portion of the war. Thus, he thought of it and we were glad he did. Our Sanford visit began by going to the airport and we were darn impressed having just picked them up at OIA a few days earlier! With all the construction and changing lanes, driving to our airport makes for an anxious trip. We discovered that this place was like going to the mall and I mean that in a very good way. Parking the car, we moseyed in after asking a worker person about the plane.

Seriously, it is hard to miss.

There are excellent display cases detailing how important Sanford was to the war effort. As I said, it would be hard to miss. Photos taken and duly sent on to Ray. It's my guess that he was thrilled.

From there we drove into downtown and while Bruce was taking a phone call the three of us exited the vehicle, me heading to a restroom in a well-kept park across from the lake. Adjacent to there I saw my first Osprey nest.

Meanwhile Matt and Tom were moseying along the lakeshore.

Joining them we watched yet another nest.

What can I say except that it is an excellent time to be a birdwatcher with nesting season upon us!

Once Bruce finished his call, we made our way to Henry's Depot, a food court if you will, that we had heard about from Joseph Martens. Who, pray tell is he? For many years he was the entertainment at the market, setting up a stone's throw from my booth. Even then he hosted the radio show on Sunday morning called, you guessed it, Sunday Morning Coming Down.  A tremendous entertainer, he is equally as good on the radio which we listen to on our way to church. For months we've been hearing him pitch the place and when I finally got around to looking it up, I discovered that their were vegan options that I was hoping Matt and Tom would enjoy. (I went looking for a post with Joseph in it, and by golly, I found the one when it was his last day there--crazy!)  

The only negative thing we experienced was the fact that Bruce and I were nearly done with our food by the time theirs was ready. Aside from that hiccup, it was all good.

Parking the car a few streets away from the main drag you could see signs of gentrification everywhere. Sometimes all it takes is fresh paint and some red chairs!

Apparently on Tuesday quite a few of the shops are not open which was a shame, but we did find one super cute store to explore. Following our visit to the folk art gallery, we rounded the bend and discovered this fun mural.

Cute little bulldog heads were hidden amongst the riot of colors and one is encouraged to find them all. There is something more to it, but my memory bank is empty on that issue. 

Yours truly was photographed by her eldest son. Please note a photo of me in shorts because it will undoubtedly be a long time before this happens again. Seriously, I have no idea what I was thinking.

The blouse, one I made while in Vancouver, does fit right into the color scheme, I will say that much!

I'm thinking it was that same afternoon that Bruce helped me with my kayak, a first in way more than a year. My wrist held up just fine with the paddling motion, something that was not a guarantee. Whether it is the arthritis, or the remnants of the breaks, but my wrist does not behave in the manner for which it was designed. That said, I am making do, learning new ways of using it as is. Anyway, it was the last time that I saw the swan on our little backyard oasis.

Note the brown on the wings which indicates that it is still not a full-fledged adult. We are presuming it has gone looking for a mate. Seriously, it was very fun while it lasted! Another reason I wanted to take the boat out is because a neighbor who fishes the lake alerted me to the fact that there is a Great Blue Heron's nest in our favorite tree. Difficult to see in this shot, I assure you it is there.

Up bright and early Wednesday morning Bruce drove us over to Pam and Glenn's new condo in Cape Canaveral. Absolutely wonderful in every way, beginning with the building entryway.

Covid kept us from visiting before which is super crazy as we used to see one another several times a week. This blog space is filled with Pam stories along with Glen and others, one of whom now lives across the parking lot in the next building! Actually, Bill and Roxanne had a place there for years and know loads of folks who now know Pam and Glenn.  We have missed them all! Although Roxanne was out of town, Bill came right over and the guys played catch up on the roof while we waited for the lift-off.

Going up in the elevator, we met Alan Shepard's daughter who, following in her Father's footsteps, went into space, albeit not very far, on the Blue Origin. In a case of the truism, "it is not what you know, but who you know" that this could have ever happened! 

And it was off!

Surprisingly, the water was not nearly as cold as you would think.

My heart was happy seeing them enjoying Pam's company.

More indoor visiting including a trip across the parking lot to check out Bill and Roxanne's place, and it was time for lunch. We followed them over to the port area, enjoying a tasty waterside lunch together. 

While we were seated, this boat came along that, if I remember clearly (always a coin flip), that picks up remnants from launches. 

Thus the "X" on the boat for Space X. As Tesla drivers, they are on the Elon Musk train, speaking of which we discovered that the folks in Cape Canaveral are up in arms because the new Brightline train will not be stopping there, instead the first stop will be in West Palm Beach. No doubt people going on cruises from the port could have benefitted from a train straight from our airport. 

After a stop at Ron Jon's we began our drive home, in, at times, very stormy weather. Well, you know what they say, following the rain, if you get lucky, there is a rainbow. Indeed, a double one at that. Holy cow, here's a whole page of quotes on the subject!

It must be noted that for a few, mostly evenings and nights, we had some serious rain to the tune of FIVE inches one night, and four another night. As is always the case, I note this sort of information for future reference. I am as guilty as anyone of claiming the weather should or should not be a certain way, but going back in this space usually clears up the matter.

Heartbreaking news continues to pour forth from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While I don't watch any news, oftentimes I do look at the Associated Press photos from each day.  Seriously, there are no words.

your friend,

Gail

Well, That Was Fun

Indeed, it was a fun time while our London family was here for a much, and I stress much, anticipated visit. Following three previous cancelations due to Covid, it finally happened. You know how sometimes you wait and wait for something and then it lets you down? This was not one of those times. Except for the dismal weather on a bunch of days. Where did the rain come from after months of dry weather? Where were our brilliant blue skies? I sound greedy, don't I? To be fair, we did have some of that, but not nearly as much as I was hoping for given that they were in serious need of clear and sunny skies following a long, dreary London winter. 

Nevertheless we did some very fun activities including, but not limited to, introducing Matt and Tom to pickleball!! Matt joined our Saturday morning group to first see it in action, and then give it a go, which is when he took the photo below of his folks. An impressive outing given that he was still jet-lagged. 

Tom, on the other hand, remained at the condo in order to do some writing. His work on the novel continues and is best done in a quiet environment. As it turns out, we never got back to the courts for one reason or another which was a shame but, in the words of my late Mother, "we had other fish to fry."

When we weren't gallivanting, they spent part of each day doing ridiculously hard crossword puzzles.

Because on previous trips we have taken them to Lake Apopka, on Sunday we went to Orlando Wetlands Park instead. Since Jonathan and Alissa enjoyed it so much, I figured they would as well because they are both nature lovers, and champion walkers. Friends had posted pictures of the newly hatched Sandhill Cranes and it did not take long before we came across the beautiful birds and their "colts".

Had that been all that we saw, the trip would have been successful, but it was just the beginning. The birding loop is about 2 1/2 miles and much of it is wetland with birds in the distance, or hidden amongst the reeds. 

Sometimes I am shooting photos straight into the sun and can barely see what is in the frame as was the case with the photo below.

Nearly trashing it because it is not very good, all of a sudden I saw one duck that does not look like the others. What could it be?? By golly, I think the second duck on the top row (l) is a first time sighting for me. Pretty sure it is a Green-winged Teal.  News, no doubt, that only excites me.

Using their binoculars, Tom had fun tracking the birds and watching them land.

Moseying along, we made way for horse back riders who shared the trail with us. Actually we saw two sets of them on this day which is more than I've seen in countless trips there.

We had sun, we had a few drops of rain, and then we had some bright blue skies with birds flying overhead and an excellent cloud that I keep thinking looks like a Seahorse.

And we saw gators, more than Bruce or I have ever seen before at this location.  By now, having visited Florida many times, Tom is accustomed to alligators, although growing up in England it took his first trip here to see one for the first time in the wild. Some were in the water, while others were warming themselves in the sun on the banks.

Not far from here we were treated to a Great Blue Heron on her nest.

While it may seem ho-hum to some, I find it miraculous every time one encounters new life out and about!

Continuing our walk, Bruce, Matt and Tom had a discussion about the water levels in the park.

Returning to the corner where we began our walk, Matt was staring at a gator on the bank, thinking it was a prop to illustrate the sign, that is, until it sprang to life and crossed the road in front of us!!

Returning to the car, hot and sweaty as the humidity had risen with the cloud cover, we stopped for lunch at Mellow Mushroom on Colonial Drive near Alfaya Trail. Having never eaten there before, it was a nice surprise. Because they began in Atlanta, one of the places Matt has lived in the past, he was familiar with them and as it turns out, his suggestion was a good one.

Monday morning, per my suggestion we headed over to Leu Gardens for what I'd told them was free Monday. Unfortunately we discovered that was not the case, so instead of paying the $60 for a place we've been to many times before, we drove just down the road to Mead Gardens where I was hoping we could find the owls that have nested there in the past.

In spite of our best efforts, the closest we came to wildlife was seeing a whole scad of turtles sunning themselves. The exact number escapes me, but there were loads of them.

We made our way over to the vastly improved gardens. At one time they were kind of sad, but these days they are being lovingly cared for.

A super cool bromeliad in bloom.

If you've been there before you know that it is not all that big, but given the heat, that was just fine. Making our way on most of the paths, we came across this baby waterfall where Tom and I played a little game of throwing a stick over the bridge and seeing whose came out the other side first. According to him there is a special name for this game which he first read about in Winnie the Pooh. Have you heard of it? In our case neither stick was first.

Crossing paths under the bridge, they turned around from whence they came causing a tie between us.

Sometimes the back side of a plant is as interesting as the front, especially with the sun shining through it.

Lunch that day was P.F. Changs. Lack of servers along with a lack of supplies made that one of our least favorite stops for the week. 

If we did anything else that day, it has been forgotten by this blogger!

Switching to the big picture, what is unforgettable at the moment is the hideousness occurring in Ukraine.  While I am happily shooting photographs of birds and family, the Associated Press photographers are making these increasingly horrible images of war.  The bravery of the Ukrainian people is so to be admired, whether it is the women fleeing the country with their small children in tow, or the soldiers fighting. To think that President Zelensky is one year younger than Matt just blows my mind.

Please God, let this madness end! This is a wearying time in the world what with a pandemic winding down and then a madman killing innocent people....everyone could do with a break. :(

I almost feel guilty sharing our adventures, but expect another installment soon.

your friend,

Gail