Spring Falls on a Monday

And so far, it has been a chilly day which I mention because so often folks don't remember that we can still have temperatures that require more than a tank top in mid-March. In fact, this morning, with a reading of 50 degrees, few folks showed up at 7AM. After having done so myself, I can't say as I blame them! Windy too, which wreaks a bit of havoc on my already tenuous skill set! Nevertheless we had fun followed by a quick trip to Sprouts for orange juice. Having poured the last of the bottle that came from Costco this morning, it was a must-do for me. We have discovered many bargains at Sprouts, so if you live near one, you might want to check out their selections. Just saying...

It's so hard to know where to start because so much has happened in the last few weeks. Several successful birding trips occurred with more than is strictly necessary picture taking occurring. Seriously, I share so few of what I actually take and of course, only the good stuff. Never the misses. Well, that's not entirely true because on occasion I do, but those occasions are few and far between! One thing that I do not do is set my camera to take multiple photos in succession, something that many folks do when photographing birds. My computer is so loaded as it is, the amount of work to delete everything just seems overwhelming to me. I suspect that these folks are in the rapid fire camp. 

Super fun picture, right? The above was taken on a visit to Blackpoint Drive on Merritt Island when we went in search of a large flock of White Pelicans. The water level in some areas was quite low, unsurprisingly because rain has been almost non-existent for the last few months. These ladies chose to ride their bicycles and most of the time they were ahead of us because I had Bruce stop so often! At one point when our paths crossed they told us we missed the big show, which we did in part, but still there were birds to be seen. 

I'd hopped out of the car in order to get as close as possible to this beautiful sight.

Aren't they so interesting? American Avocet is what you are seeing. Amazingly, I had just recently come across an issue of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology magazine Matt gave me a subscription to a few years ago and sure enough, two of these beauties were the cover models. A better photograph mind you, but still, I was stoked! The dark bits shown in the photograph below is the low water level I mentioned.

I'm including the photo below to give you a perspective on why I needed a better zoom lens!

Do you see the Avocets out in the water? Lots of cool ducks are out there too beyond the reach of even my new lens!

It was a marvelous day with an eagle sighting as well, But the star of the show were the White Pelicans and the Roseate Spoonbills that are gathered together behind the shield of a whole heck of a lot of American Coots.

That is some birds in action in that shot, right? 

Last Monday, according to the post I wrote, it rained.  So, I guess it has rained lately! See how much I need my blog to keep life all sorted out?

Before I move on, above I posted that I rarely show the crummy photographs but the one below is one of those exceptions because imagine how good it would have been had it been focused???

Back to the drive...one more wonderful shorebird....I think it is a Yellow Legs, but I can't tell you if it is Lesser or Greater. See what I mean...so many things to learn.

It has been our custom to stop before we go over the bridge to return home because there are all kinds of shorebirds along the river. Well, duh, of course they are on the shore! At any rate, they have closed some of the parking off, so I hopped out of the car in search and the best I could get were these little beauties.

Well shoot, I got ahead of myself. Lots of wildflowers blooming which in turn attracted lots of butterflies.

So that was a super fun trip. As to what else we have been doing, well you guessed it, pickleball. Plus Bruce had to have a crown. It was the strangest thing. One week he had an uneventful teeth cleaning. The next week his tooth was hurting and come to find out, there was a crack in it which required a crown. Lordy, lordy, the cost of dental work!! 

I'd chosen a whole series of photographs which are so totally spring, but before this gets way too long I do want to mention how excited I was one afternoon when I stopped by Lake Davis, say around 5:00, before DST began. To say that I was thrilled with finding a huge flock of Ring Necked Ducks is an understatement. If only they would have deemed to come closer. (male and females)

It won't be long, and I suspect it has already happened since I took the above photo, but anyway, they will depart Florida for Canada to breed.  Here's a link to what they look like in a close up. 

Speaking of breeding, I have come across my fair share of that lately, but specifically that same afternoon at Lake Davis, two of the geese seemed to begin their brief courtship like this.

Looks kind of sweet, right? Minutes later the male was practically drowning her!

Meantime the swan calmly passed by. Which reminds me, there is a nest there that I need to check out. In fact, I think I will as soon as I finish this! Cygnets are so very cute to watch.

Speaking of fun to watch. As you may recall I have been expecting a flock of White Pelicans to come to our lake and while that did not happen this year, on the morning that we were planning another trip to the Wetlands, Patti texted me to let me know that they were on the big lake. Instantly I had my shoes on and walked quickly along the shortest route, the canal that begins at the end of our building. Sure enough, there was a nice flock of, at that time, an uncounted number of them, along with about twice as many Cormorants. Woo hoo!! I watched until they went into a cove out of my viewing range and then headed back to the condo to regale Bruce with the good news. Soon thereafter, we were ready to go, but I asked if we might stop one more time at the lake to witness this once-a-year event. Sure honey!

It was good. We watched for a while as they floated en masse, mostly out of the range of our lenses, that is until a woman in a boat actually drove through the group!! That got them moving, in fact, they were coming right at us!

They came towards us and then away from us.

You can well imagine that I took countless photos of this exciting event and it kept getting better as they took to the skies while we watched. Swooping and flipping directions, it was magical, like acrobats in the sky.  One minute they looked like this:

and then like this:

A nature documentary in front of our eyes! Needless to say we got a late start which turned out to be just fine as the weather was just that, fine. Not too hot, nor too cold. In other words, perfect!

Matthew has returned home to London, safe and sound following his week in Dubai. Jonathan and Alissa had an amazing little backpacking trip into the Texas hill country. My favorite part, and the one that makes me jealous, is they spent a lot of time gazing at countless stars. Bill and David both work for a bank so the last week has been a bit stressful. In less than two weeks they will be 44, something I find hard to imagine. When we were their age we had four children ranging in age from 21-14. My how times have changed except for the fact that once a parent, always a parent, and their well being is your first instinct. But I don't need to tell you that, do I?

I think they probably feel the same towards us.....a bit bemused by our current life, but happy that we are generally healthy. They never worry that we are happy though, that goes without saying. Thank God!

your friend,

Gail

p.s. A friend's sister just died and of course it made me sad for her. I checked on Hank the day before the anniversary of Carol dying which I wrote about here.  He's doing pretty good these days but that day will never be one that doesn't sink his spirits. They were married a long time. :(

A Birthday Birding Trip and Celebration Too

When last we met, I mentioned that Michelle, who loves all things birthday, was doing her best to get me to celebrate mine. It worked. She, as is always the case, went all out bringing roses, a wrapped package,  other gifts and ordering enough pizza for a week. Lest I forget the cake...

Lemon, it was. Not only did it look wonderful, the taste was super yummy too. 

The reason I was so specific about a wrapped package is it is kind of a running joke around these parts because Mr. Peck is such a powerhouse when it comes to wrapping. Not a one of us can compete with his mad skills. Although I thought I'd photographed what is in the box I have not, so until I do, it will remain a mystery.

Actually, I made it easy on the family with gift suggestions. Bill and Fallon got me some new shoes for pickleball. I'd still not had the nerve to wear the new ones I'd fallen in, so as it was way past time to replace my old pair, I asked for these. Now that I've worn them a few times, eventually I imagine when these wear out I'll be long past my fear of the KSwiss I'd purchased only weeks before my original fall.

Before we could do any celebrating, the tree had to come down and I was very happy that Bruce did most of it.

He's still in his pickleball outfit because, you guessed it, that's what we did on the morning of December 31. Turns out we did the same as last year according to this post.  There are some interesting thoughts as to where we were in the pandemic in that post. My predictions were wildly incorrect to say the least!

The purpose of the photo above is not to brag about the open door and sunny day to those in colder climates, but to show off above the door. When Bruce was in the storage unit he found two remaining canvases of mine and darn if it didn't make me happy to re-live the joy of the moment when I saw this heart-shaped cloud. So happy, in fact, that I've put it right up there to enjoy every day.

Before Jonathan and Alissa left, they gave me a wonderful cup/mug from Seattle and some of the best tea made. Seriously, Harney & Sons for the win!

We had pizza, pizza and more pizza along with some premium adult beverages. I neglected to try the champagne, but the rotating door of the box was enough to convince me that I really missed something.

Of course the college football playoffs were on and to be honest, the games turned out to be pretty predictable. The Saturday slate was far more exciting. I wish I could report that we stayed up until midnight but we did not. I'm just not a late night gal. Wait, what should I be calling myself? Late night gal just sounds better than late night lady, or so I think, anyway.

The roses continue to evolve;  gosh they are pretty.

I may have been a little hasty in my concern over the tree because while it has dropped plenty of fronds, new ones are sprouting everywhere. Whew!

A birding trip is what I ask for as a birthday gift and while I thought we would go on my actual birthday, pickleball took precedence. Saturday the same, Sunday church, Monday we taught some friends from church how to play pickleball.

Finally, on Tuesday, we went birding. 

Bruce is such a great companion because he is so patient with me and although he is not as wildly enthusiastic about birds, he does love all things related to nature. Seriously, what's not to like, right? Anyway, he drove us over to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island, and it was a glorious day. 

Younger birders try to get to their destination before sunrise, however, we are no longer young and Bruce drives in the dark only if he has to!

The hot weather has abated for now, so with temperatures in the low 70's, it was super pleasant having the windows down as we drove slowly in order not to miss a thing. Before long before beauty found us.

While we are mostly there for the birds, it is hard not to be taken in by the beauty of the winter grasses. Creeping along we saw a car pulled over and I got out to see what he was seeing. With his scope he identified a group of Ring Necked ducks which he kindly pointed out to me.

Here's a closer look.

Aren't they cool? There is a little ring on their bill.

Mangroves line and dot the large, shallow ponds of water. With the gorgeous blue sky reflecting in the water...oh my!

Many of the bodies of water have no waterfowl but when you see this kind of thing, get ready to stop.

Oh my goodness, we hit the mother-load! 

Not only were there White Pelicans, but loads of other birds I rarely see. On every trip I am hoping we will see Roseate Spoonbills and I got my birthday wish!

Their color is so striking they stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. I'm hoping this means the pelicans will be arriving on our lake before long.

In the foreground there is an American Avecot, and a Reddish Egret. 

Only one more ok?

I lied!

Can you blame me for getting carried away? 

Reluctantly we carried on, coming to a spot where you can take a little walk to a tower for looking further afield. Because I always do on my birthday birding trips, I had Bruce take a photo of me. 

Yup, it was pretty windy. He did get one without the wind, but where's the story in that kind of photograph?

Exiting the drive after seeing very little, aside from a few gators, we next stopped at the park alongside the causeway where I was hoping to see more birds. Indeed.

Black Skimmers galore lined the shore and then....

Needless to say, it was thrilling.

Before leaving we had lunch at Dixie Crossroads, a Titusville mainstay, having been in business since 1983. It is a huge restaurant seating over 400 with a fairly dated decor, but excellent food. 

Canaveral Browns was what the server called the shrimp, fresh caught not far from where we were seated. The ladies restroom, well, about that dated decor.

At any rate, it is the food people come for not the decor! Black toilets anyone? 

Once home our friend Patti came over with my birthday present and while the present is fantastic, it was really the card she thought was perfect for me. 

She knows me pretty well, don't you think? :)

All in all, a very good birthday and birding!

your friend,

Gail

 

A Thursday Field Trip

You may recall  that we cut our December camping trip short as I was feeling a wee bit pressured to get my Christmas cards out, especially to our international loved ones. Well that was a misguided move as I've just heard from Matthew that the card I mailed on probably December 10th arrived today!!! At least it got there, right? 

 I heard from some of you who were happy with the new format and some who were not. It is very hard for me to judge because I always forget that others are not reading it on a computer screen. Here's what it looks like on mine, so no issues whatsoever with font size! 

As it turns out, Michelle tells me that you can adjust text size on your phone, so maybe that will help those who had trouble? I sure hope so! Nonetheless, I've enlarged it some, so let me know how that works.

In lieu of our canceled camping trip this week, we took a Thursday field trip over to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive near Titusville, about an hour away. I was hoping to see a lot of birds and my hopes were most definitely fulfilled! Oh my, there were a lot of birds to see. At first things were a bit slow as the water level is very low due to our almost completely dry January. Early on though, I did spot a Belted Kingfisher, a bird I'd seen out behind the house but could never get a shot of, as they move so quickly. Not this time as this female, according to this from the Cornell, was quite cooperative. Perching, diving, and up she comes with a fish!

As you can well imagine this was an excellent beginning!

It was a cold and windy day, so much so that as I walked to this bird blind while "you know who" took a little nap in the warm car,

I wondered if I could even keep the camera steady enough to take photographs! Let's just say there was a huge flock of birds, more so than I've ever seen at any one time. That is, of course, if you don't take into account the time we saw the Snow Geese in Canada. (link to post) It was a good thing that I had my super zoom lens as they were way out in the water although that camera is one that is really hard to hold steady in the best of conditions.

Even with the long zoom it was hard to make out what they were, but once they took off en masse, I realized that they were mostly shorebirds, including loads of sea gulls and terns.

One funny thing about this particular time is that a "birder" was leaving the blind and I asked in a friendly way, "what are they?", to which she grudgingly replied, "they are many things." Well, thank you very much!! Sometimes folks are just plain grumpy, aren't they? 

White Pelicans flew overhead as I scrambled back to the car.

These little guys were scurrying in the shallow water as I passed by.

As we drove along, the sheer number of birds out in the water was striking, most of them out too far for close ups though. It is so thrilling to watch them take off at once and you have to wonder why? Or at least that is what comes to my mind.

Finally I was able to get a photograph of the female Hooded Merganser. The mate to the handsome black/white/brown duck in our lake. She never comes close enough here, but because she was out in the full sun on this trip, I was able to get this shot showing you the differences.

I'm still hoping to get a shot of "ours", but for now this will suffice. Around another corner we saw some young Roseate Spoonbills feeding.

Around yet another corner, Mr. Eagle Eye spotted a huge gator sunning. Unlike the Lake Apopka Wildlife drive, here, alligator sightings are apparently few and far between. It had been far too long since last we visited, maybe even as long ago as my 66th birthday when we followed the drive with a stop over at Playalinda. We did the same and take a look at how crazy my hair looks in the strong winds.

Wearing the same shawl Matt made for me last Christmas, I had Bruce take my picture, followed by us hustling to the car to get out of the wind and blowing sand. 

Along the side of the road, what should we see but an Armadillo, digging in the sand. Now, I've photographed loads of creatures, but I do believe this is a first for me. Ugly and fascinating at the same time, we marveled at the symmetry of the tail. How do you feel about them? Do they creep you out. One thing is that they have crazy small eyes, hardly even visible they are so small. I wonder why that is? I always have so many questions and so little time to address them. Oh wait, I don't work...

That is if you don't count what Tom and Matt like to call our work....getting better at pickleball. 😀Actually, this morning neither of us played, with Bruce doing a project at  church, while I worked on some bathroom stuff. 

On our trip back across the bridge to Titusville, we pulled off at the riverside park where I was thrilled to find the darling sandpipers again. The strong wind caused white caps on the river with a few hardy windsurfers taking advantage of the conditions. These little guys are so fun to watch scurry back and forth as they search for food.

With my hair whipping in my face, it was back to the comfort of the car for me, followed by a  McDonalds search, a place I've not visited for at least a year. No one beats their french fries! If not for being the time of Covid, we might have visited this place with the very fun name.

Thinking about the coast, our friend Pam has moved over to Cape Canaveral, joining another couple who have moved away from Orlando in the last few years. According to her account, they are very much enjoying their beachfront condo, walking along the beach while observing the birds AND loads of dolphins playing in the surf.  Count me jealous on that front!

Making our way home on HWY 50, lo and behold I spotted some buffalo, or what I thought were buffalo as we traveled by at 60MPH. Bruce turned around so we could confirm my passing glance. Sure enough.

All in all, who could complain about this field trip? Not I, that's for sure.

Completely off topic, what made me think of Pam was the text I received early Friday morning, saying she'd seen this in the newspaper.

So few people I know read the Sentinel anymore, so I was surprised to hear from her. Our booster vaccine is this Friday and while I'm happy for that, I can't say that I'm not a little nervous after hearing the accounts from two people we are close to. It is a small price to pay though. One funny thing about the letter is that I rose from the kitchen table, went to my computer and just typed out that letter, hitting send immediately. Much later in the day, in addition to the usual stock thank you for writing email, I had one from a specific person asking where I was from in case they wanted to publish it. Well duh, I wrote back, I'm from Orlando and have been in the business of writing letters to the editor for a long time now and most definitely should know that they want to know your city. His reply was, I thought it was you after looking me up. I got a chuckle over that. Many years ago, when the paper was more widely circulated, I would receive a phone call saying they were going to publish my letter. As well, one year they had a big dinner for all those who had written what was then called a "My Word" piece. Now that was great fun. Oh how times have changed.

We've just gotten the quote for the new counter top which is the good news. The bad news is that Herbert will not be starting next Monday as planned, however, he will come this Friday to remove the wall of mirrors and the old countertop so it is not all bad.

It's starting to get real!

As always, I remain, your friend,

Gail