A Full-time Life

CLOUDS TWO WAYS

Gazing up at the clouds  with SKYWATCH FRIDAY participants and then down at some different ones with WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.   

 

 

This is  a typical late afternoon sky  on a warm January day in Southwest Florida.  Morning skies are often bright blue, without a cloud to be seen.   Afternoons are more interesting.  (And I still don't know what kind of clouds any of these are.)

  

 

Another upside down sky from Six Mile Cypress.  The tiny floating water plants looked like green stars in the reflected sky.  

 

Thank you to the SkyWatch Friday host team and to James for WR

WHITE IBIS

 

Lovely weather at Six Mile Cypress Slough ...

 Good day just to float around...

 

... Or to go fishing.

 

 

I know it's down there.

GOT IT!

 

That was good!

 

FOR STEWART'S WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY!  Thank you!

 

UPSIDE DOWN, DOWNSIDE UP

 I've posted reflections from Six Mile Cypress Slough at least once every year since we've been coming to Fort Myers, but walking there -- and taking pictures -- is something we look forward to every year.  So here are the first reflections from the current season:  

 

 

Sometimes at the Slough, up and down kind of blend together.   The two pictures below are the same image.  I was thinking about sky reflections when I was looking at the download and rotated this image  just for fun -- and now I'm honestly not real sure which is  straight out of the camera and which is the flipped one.  

  

 

And of course all of these reflections are shared with the blogging communities at Weekend Reflections hosted by James and SCENIC WEEKENDS by Gemma.

"THE UNCOMMON APPEAL OF CLOUDS"

I've just finished reading Alexander McCall Smith's lovely novel by the same name as the title of this post and am sharing a few words of dialog from it with other cloud-gazers at SKYWATCH FRIDAY.  "Clouds.." is the ninth in McCall-Smith's Isabel Dalhousie series.   Nothing wildly out of the ordinary ever really happens in the Isabel books, but she has a rich inner life as well as a mostly happy outer one!    

So probably it is no wonder that she is a cloud-gazer (and I'm guessing M-Smith, one of my favorite authors, is too!).

 

 

 ...It made her dizzy to look at clouds when they were moving, as these were, and Isabel reached for Jamie's arm so that they might stop for a moment. 

 

 

"Look at those clouds" she said.  "They're very high.  Cirrus, I think."  

 

Jamie looked up too.  "I don't know the names.  Does it help if you know the names?"

She shrugged.  "In the same way as it helps to know the names of trees.  Or flowers.  People tend to know about trees and flowers, but not about clouds.  Strange isn't it?"

Maybe it's because they're always there," said Jamie.  "We take for granted things that are always there."

 

 And, like the rest of us SKYWATCHERS, Isabel goes on to think about how important it is not to take for granted things that are always there.  She doesn't either!  (And nor do I ever take for granted the work of the Skywatch Friday hosts.  Thank you!)

LISTEN TO THE TREES

 

Good advice seen a couple of days ago at Six Mile Cypress Slough, one of our favorite places to walk here in Fort Myers:

 

 

Wherever there is a good spot to get off the walkway  at Six Mile Cypress, there are posted words with even more food for thought.  

Someone has done a wonderful job of choosing  quotes for the  signs.  And I'm sharing this one with other lovers of this form of the printed word at over at Lesley's SIGNS SIGNS (thank you!)

BIRDING THE SWAMP

 

A few of the usual suspects  as seen on a recent weekend walk  -- for Stuart's Wild Bird Wednesday.  

 

  

 Our first woodstork photo op of the season.  There's an ibis hiding out on the back branch as well.

  

 

A pretty little mockingbird enjoying the warm day.

 

Even in bad light, the cormorant is easy to recognize.    (I don't know which kind of cormorant it was though.) 

 

 

The turkey vulture looks like he's wondering where his next meal is coming from.

 

 Not the greatest birding  -- but a lovely day nonetheless.  It was warm and dry enough to go for a walk in the swampy woods.   Everything else is a bonus!

 

 

For great virtual birding, visit Stuart's site and click the links.  

IT'S ALL ABOUT WHERE TO FIND DINNER

 

The Okaloacoochee Slough Forest, where we walked last weekend, was a nice day-trip for us.    It was a peaceful quiet forested area,  mostly made up of slash pine trees.

We didn't see another soul the whole time we walked.    The abundance of tall trees in that quiet place caused me to wonder out loud why the  pair of bald eagles who nest  near us on Bayshore Road picked such a busy location for their pine tree home instead of a quiet spot like this .   

 Of course I love being able to see the eagles on a regular basis (in real life as well as on the video cam), but it seems like they'd rather have a more private place to live.

 

 

 But then Bill pointed out that  there wasn't very much water in this forest ....it certainly  wasn't arid, but the waters were shallow and ... well, slough-like.... bugs, probably snakes, maybe alligators (not the day we were there) but no big fish.

On the other hand, the Caloosahatchie River is the perfect place for eagles (and others) to look for food:

 

Since their nest on  Bayshore  is only about a mile from the River (as the eagle flies) it makes perfect sense that they'd pick that spot of real estate for their winter home, in spite of the noisy road.   Our neighbor here is fishing from his dock at the end of our Canal, looking out toward the River.  The eagles can sometimes be seen  fishing  in the same place.   

For all of us, it's all about finding the nearest source of food.

 

FOR:  OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY  (hosted by the team of Sandy, Sylvia, Arija, Gattina, and Lady Fi)  and Michelle's NATURE NOTES.  Thank you lovely people! 

A TOUCH OF YELLOW

 A recent day-trip took us through the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest (now that's a name you've got to love!).  Mostly we saw blue skies and Nature's beautiful shades of green -- not a lot of wildlife or birds on that particular day, but it was warm and peaceful and we enjoyed the drive.  

All the green was punctuated by occasional bursts of yellow from this magnolia-like plant growing along the road.   I have no idea what it is (and I hope it is meant to be out there and isn't an accidental or invasive.)  

 

 

The busy bees loved it!

 

 

We are as happy as the bees to see  greens and blues and blooming flowers in January!   

 

 

Linking to the blogging communities a TODAY'S FLOWERS, hosted by Denice and MOSAIC MONDAY, by Mary.   Many thanks!

CRATER LAKE REVISITED

 

 This is  a Friday Flashback to our 2009 summer Roadtrip.  The post is linked to Gemma's SCENIC WEEKENDS  -- because I think Oregon's beautiful Crater Lake   qualifies as spectacular scenery!      

 We had visited Crater Lake in earlier years because we used to live  in Oregon.

But this was the first since we retired in 1997 and sold our home.  When we go back to Oregon to visit we usually don't travel on a route that takes us through the southeastern part of the State.  We were glad we did that time!  

 

Here's the link to the 2009 post about the Lake.  

 

I think next summer it will be about time for another visit!

 

Thank you Gemma.  Scenery junkies love SCENIC WEEKENDS.   (Visit and click -- and why not link your own favorite scenery too.)

FOOD FOR THE SOUL

 

It was just meant to be a short walk around the RV Park before dinner.  And then, almost at our door, I glanced across the street to see this:   

 

 There wasn't a chance that  I was going into the house right then!

 

 

 The sky behind the wetlands just kept getting prettier and prettier.

 

 

Dinner was a little late  -- but it was worth it!

 

Thank you to the hosting team at SKYWATCH FRIDAY, where this post is linked.

and to ED at SUNDAY STILLS where 'big skies' is this week's challenge theme.

MAMA EAGLE ON HER NEST

 

 This is the beautiful Harriet, half of the pair of bald eagles nesting about three miles from us on Bayshore Road here in Fort Myers Florida.

 

She's watching her two babies and you can see them by clicking here -- a 24/7 video camera installed by the owners of the property where Ozzie and Harriet have nested in this slash-pine for seven years.  (The eaglets hatched on January 1 and 3.)

The video camera is quite visible.  It was installed before the birds returned to their nest in the Fall and  they don't seem to pay any attention to it.

Ozzie didn't show up when I stopped to take pictures yesterday morning -- undoubtedly he was out fishing for the next family meal.  One of our neighbors, whose house faces the Caloosahatchie River, looked out his window early one morning  to see Ozzie catch a  mullet.  He went to his computer to watch the live video-cam and a few seconds later watched dad deliver the morning's meal to his mate and kiddies.

It's been fun watching the eaglets hatch and grow. And it's certainly the first and only  time I've ever been addicted to reality TV!

 

 

This post is linked to  WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.  Thanks to Stuart for hosting.  Click on the links for some great virtual birding.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER ... LUNCH ... OR BREAKFAST

 

 Fresh vegetables and fruit are in full season here in Southwest Florida. 

Sometimes it's hard for us to remember that it is actually mid-winter!

Local Farm Market, January 2013

 

The vegetables look much like what we bought at  farm markets and produce stands in Oregon last summer.  

There are local strawberries there too...but of course not the citrus fruit.

 

 

Local citrus and berries, January 2013

 

It all looks so delicious I have to remind myself not to buy some of everything in the market.  It'll all still be there on next week's shopping day! 

  By June, the growing season here will be over   -- just when it is getting started in the Pacific Northwest.   We know how lucky we are to be here now and there then!

 

Linking to MOSAIC MONDAY (thank you Mary) and to OUR WORLD TUESDAY, with gratitude to the wonderful hosting team.  

PARK POINT

Linked to Scenic Weekends** 

Serving up  some weekend leftovers with this picture from last summer's roadtrip.    

 

The picture was taken near the top of Park Point, in Mesa Verde National Park.  There were better views of the wide vistas, and those were what I posted last summer.   But both times we walked up to this highest spot in the Park,  we stopped here a while (to rest) and to marvel at this view through the veil of the ghost-like trees.  

 

Click here and on the blue above for more Mesa Verde Views .

 

**  SCENIC WEEKENDS  is THE new hangout for scenery junkies.   Thanks to  GEMMA for hosting.  Vist or better yet, add your own link!!

GOOD ADVICE FOR BOATERS?

 This  sign is hanging behind the counter at the Fort Myers Yacht Basin (the City Marina).

 

 

Since we've been boating here in Florida, I've gotten pretty good at following these directions.   Screaming and shouting came naturally (lots of previous practice), but believe me, running in circles isn't easy on a 23-foot boat!   However, I try to do my part.

Linking to Lesley's SIGNS SIGNS.   Click the links  for the smiles!

##

 Here are the real "Rules of the Road at Sea" .   The verses were written as a memory aid for ship captains by Thomas Gray, when he was assistant secretary of the Maritime Department of the British Board of Trade.   He served as its Secretary from 1869 to 1890.  

 Two Steam Ships meeting:
When both side-lights you see ahead —
Port your helm and show your RED.

 Two Steam Ships passing:
GREEN to GREEN — or, RED to RED —
Perfect safety — go ahead!

 Two Steam Ships crossing:
 If to your starboard RED appear,

It is your duty to keep clear;

To act as judgment says is proper;
To Port — or Starboard — Back — or Stop her!

Both in safety and in doubt

Always keep a good look-out;
In danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her, Stop her, Go astern.

—Thomas Gray, Rule of the Road at Sea, 1867

 

 

AN ELEGANT TERN OF EVENTS

Thanks to  Stuart for hosting:      WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.  

 

A pair of Elegant Terns parade along the beach, showing off for a crowd of Gulls (Franklin, I think.)  I hope I'm right in my Tern ID...if I'm not,  just make that capital "E" a lower case one!  (And please let me know.)

 

 

Don't know what the one in front is doing wrong exactly, but he sure is getting a lecture!

 

This one reminds me of a picture puzzle from an old child's magazine...  "Draw a circle around the two birds that are different from all the others."

FINE DINING ISLAND STYLE

 The place:   The Village of Matlacha on Pine Island, not too far down the road. 

 

 The food:  Baked Grouper Salad.  Delicious and nutritious.    

 

The wine:  California, but appropriate for the island. 

 

The ambience:  We're "dining" at a table inside a fish market. 

 

We're wearing: Cutoffs and sandals.   

In January.  

And the super-casual life-style is definitely part of  OUR WORLD.

**** 

Visit the link on the top line of this post to see more about Matlacha.  Here is the link to Andy's Island Seafood.   

Thank you to the hosts of OUR WORLD .  You are appreciated!

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN FORT MYERS

We took our boat to downtown Fort Myers on New Year's Eve.   The Yacht Basin (the city dock and marina) is in the middle of the newly renovated river district and  within easy walking distance of old-town.    It was a fun place to be for the Holiday. The City sponsored an all-ages First-night celebration; great people watching.  There are good restaurants downtown....we saw a play first and had a nice dinner.  

 

That's the Fort Myers New Year's Eve ball on a crane -- not very high.  It isn't Times Square, but hey it was nice and warm!  We'll take it.

 

 Quite a few boats at the Marina were decorated for the Holidays.    This picture is when we got back to the dock.   Bill was making some adjustments to the lines before we hopped on board for the rest of the night.   Ours...the boat in the foreground right corner ... is  quite a little smaller than that other blue and white one behind him.    That one wouldn't even fit into our canal!      

 

Linked to MOSAIC MONDAY.  

ONE EVENING AT THE END OF THE YEAR

 

A late December evening for SKYWATCH FRIDAY

No traveling required for these views .... just an evening walk right here at Upriver

Skies were blue ... and pink .... and golden

And the moon was pure magic:

 

Full moon December 2012

 

 Thanks to the SWF team!

SIGNS of WINTER (Florida style)

 

 Just in case there's any doubt about where we're spending the winter  ....

....  these pictures from a December day-trip will let you know.   Because really this collection of silly and delicious signs could only be from warm and sunny Southwest Florida.

 

 

Happy New Year to all ...

 

 

and  special thanks

  to Lesley who hosts SIGNS SIGNS.  

RUDDY TURNSTONE

 

A Ruddy Turnstone enjoys a clam dinner on the beach at Fort DeSoto State Park:  

 

 

The mass of beach detritus (in the picture below) was jumping around as if there were an earthquake under it.  It took a few minutes before I saw the birds that were making it move.  Three or  four Turnstones had dug under the sticks and were tossing the material up and down as they burrowed under it for more to eat.

 

From Audubon Society Field Guide. Eastern Region:    Turnstones are named from their method of feeding, in which they walk along the beach, deftly roling small stones and pebbles and seizing the animals hiding underneath.  They also dig holes in the sand, often larger than themselves, in pursuit of burrowing crustaceans.  

 

It was shells and twigs that they were turning over here, but whatever they're working on, the beach is a real buffet for these little guys.  (They're about 8 inches long.)

 

Looks like he's had enough to eat for now!

 

This post is linked to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.  Thank you Stuart.  And if you haven't already seen yesterday's post on our eagle neighbors, you may want to scroll back to it.  (It isn't often that I have enough birding experiences to post twice in one week and I'm excited about it!)