A Full-time Life

SIGNS SKIES AND SCARY CRITTERS (Weekend Randomosity)

 

(Almost) nothing but blue skies lately ... and we like it that way.

 

 

Ospreys build their nests on pretty much any reasonably flat surface as long as it is near the water.   It looks as if this one is enforcing the speed zone (out on the River -- from the boat.  The other blue skies are from our trip to Lakeland.

 

 

 

 What would you do if you saw this smiling creature ahead of you on the path?  

 

 

 

 

  Yep, me too -- and I wouldn't really need this sign to tell me to turn around.

(I do like seeing them from a safe distance.)

 

 

The sign was at the beginning of one of the trails at Circle B -- and we didn't see any alligators at all there.  But I  just had to share the sign.  Both alligator pictures are from the archives.  The first from this year's trip to the Everglades and this one from years ago near the Texas Gulf Coast.  This smiling gator was one of the very first we ever saw.

 

 

Linking to:  SIGNS SIGNS;   SKYWATCH FRIDAY;   AND SATURDAY CRITTERS.     Thank you to the hosts as always!!

MORE FROM CIRCLE B

We visited Circle B Bar Preserve near Lakeland a couple of weeks ago.   

 

 

Many beautiful old moss-covered trees provided lovely shade on a warm Spring day.

We enjoyed the walk, just for the sake of walking ...

 

 

... but besides that, this park is wonderful for birding.

Above are a few of the ones we saw:   Great Blue Heron, Great Egret (in beautiful green-face breeding colors); a glossy Ibis (or two); Wood Stork; and Tri-Colored Heron

 

 

Common Gallinules (and they really were common sights on this  visit)

 

 There was so much duckweed in places you couldn't even see the water, but the Gallinules just motored right through it -- they'd shake their legs delicately when they stepped out.

 

 

 

Sharing the road-trip birding with  OUR WORLD  (thank you to Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy, Gattina, Arija, and Jenn);  NATURE NOTES (thanks Michelle);  TREES AND BUSHES (thank you Monica);   WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (thank you Stewart);  WEDNESDAY WATERS (thanks to Gemma) and SEASONS (thanks to Jesh)

 

MEANWHILE BACK IN OUR HAPPY SPACE ...

 

 

 

The sky will be blue, the sun will shine ...

 

 

 the birds will sing ...

 

 

and  the flowers will bloom.

 

 

 

HAPPY EASTER to all who celebrate and HAPPY SPRING (to those on this half of the earth.)

 

I always love and appreciate all commenters   -- but special thanks to all who left the thoughtful,  encouraging, and hopeful comments on the previous post.   

 

And as always special thanks to the hosts of the following sharing opportunities where this post is linked:

 

SKYWATCH FRIDAY;   TODAY'S FLOWERS;  SCENIC WEEKENDS; SATURDAY CRITTERS;  RATHER B' BIRDING; and MOSAIC MONDAY

WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS (a guest post)

Full-Time Life is almost always a blog about our happy space.    Each time I write a post (and each time Bill proofreads and adds the important facts that I've forgotten), we're reminded of how many things we have to be grateful for.   But lately because of what is happening politically here in our beautiful country, I've had a hard time focusing on 'happy, happy'.  At this point, when I'm so worried, it almost seems dishonest to keep posting only happy stuff, especially to OUR WORLD.  

My blog friend Penny, who blogs at Life on The Cutoff, usually writes about family, books, flowers, gardening, travel ....some of  the same kinds of things I do (only she does it better).   Then,  a couple of weeks ago, I read her post called 'We Are Better Than This.'   It was beautiful writing (as hers always is), but even better it made me feel good to know  I wasn't the only blogger who feels the way I do.    

Because I can't express my thoughts anywhere near as well, I wrote to ask Penny if I could re-blog her post and she graciously agreed.   It's not my "regular programming"  but it tells you pretty much exactly how I'm feeling here in Our World these days!  

 

    Here are Penny's words:

 

 We are better than this

Saturday, March 5, 2016 by lifeonthecutoff

I needed to clear my head. Hours in front of the computer screen, working on several projects with impending deadlines, too much caffeine and campaign noise were holding me captive, wearing me down. I needed to chew on some thoughts and digest them. I headed out into the crisp, sunny afternoon, a list of errands penciled every-which-way on the back of an envelope.

With piles of books just about everywhere, I really did not need another, however, when it comes to books, want has always trumped need and there was one book I wanted which was on a shelf of the Thomas Ford Library in Western Springs. A quick internet check of my inter-libary loan catalogue showed the book at this library, which was on my route. This Western Springs Library is a lovely, Lannon stone structure with an exemplary staff. It sits on a busy corner, surrounded by trees and embodies all a public library should be.

I parked my car a block away, had a nice stroll to the heavy wooden door, found the book, perused the sale cart (but did not succumb), and headed back out the door towards my car. Something caught my eye.

A feather and a Q.

I have endeavored, in the 6 1/2 years of rambles here on the Cutoff, to write of nature, books, family, friends, good deeds, bits and bobs of life. I have purposefully stayed away from political positing and views. In the course of time, you, dear reader, have come to visit me here. You come from near and from far. You are family and friends I have known for a very long time, and friends I am just now meeting. You are from Down Under and Across the Big Pond, and so many places in between –  and you all matter to me.

All Americans are not what you see in the news these days. If some of the political rhetoric you are seeing and hearing is troubling to you, it should be. It is to me as well. Discourse is healthy and part and parcel where free speech is championed. What I, and perhaps you, are hearing these days is something different.

Rhetoric of hate and blame has been used before in history. The stirring up of crowds who are unsatisfied for whatever reason and willing to blame”others” has led us down some of our darkest hours in history.

 

 

A political candidate, whose opening salvo is to immediately forge a wall between neighboring nations and brand a culture as rapists and murderers, shows a glimpse into the character of that candidate. Demeaning comments about women is not a trait I seek in a presidential candidate. From locker room language profanity, to base innuendoes of genitals, this is not the mark of a statesman. Threats and innuendoes of how things will be done, who will cow-tow down to his orders, is not what I look for when I cast my vote and it is not what I hope for my children and grandchildren, my country, and for yours.

Campaign rallies have always been raucous events and a place for protestors, but the outlandish, dangerous taunting that is meant to incite from the podium by a presidential candidate leaves me fearful and alarmed for our common good.

In a place in time when we are working to halt bullying in our young, how do we explain to our children this man, a contender for the office of the President of the United States, who has bullied workers, businesses, war heroes, reporters, women, and the men and woman he has been running against, that bullying is not allowed. How do we make a country safe when such a candidate shouts from the podium for security to go ahead and beat up a protester and that he, himself, will pay their legal fees – or even proclaim he would like to punch someone in the mouth?

It was seeing the feather and the Q that brought me to this point where I need to say what I need to say. I am embarrassed and I am appalled. We are better than this. American is better than this. Our political parties are better than this.

The letter Q and the quill have long symbolized mankind’s ability to write.  It is fitting to be on a public library, where we can freely read what is written. I thought of this, of the freedoms we have, of the power of the pen and of a candidate whose security staff bowled down a photographer. Other photographers and journalists were right there, recording it in their varied professions.  This candidate has implied, in what I deem a loosely veiled threat, that if he is president, he will change all this – and more.

I think not. I wasn’t trumped when I went looking for a book, and I pray we will not be trumped by a bully.

Birds will keep flying and quills will fall  – and we are better than this.

 *****

 Thank you again Penny for allowing me to post this.   For all of you, here is the link again to LIFE ON THE CUTOFF.    It is always worth visiting!!

Sharing my reblog of Penny's thoughtful post  with OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY (hosted by Lady Fi,  Gattina, Arija, Sandy, Sylvia, and Jenn.)  Thank you as always.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIMPKIN BALLET

 

Starring the Lovely Limpkins of Circle B Bar Reserve

Polk County Florida

 

 

 

 

The Closeup for the publicity stills

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Warm-Up

 

 

 

 

The Dance

 

 

 

 The Final Bow

 

 The well-deserved escargot banquet after the performance

 

LINKING LIMPKINS with SATURDAY CRITTERS (thank you Eileen); RATHER B' BIRDING (thanks Annie); MOSAIC MONDAY (thank you Judith);  MACRO MONDAY (thanks to MMT and Gemma);  SEASONS (thank you Jesh);  and WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY  (thanks Stewart)

STORY OF THE EAGLES' NEST - 2016 chapter

 

There have been lots of interesting happenings at the North Fort Myers eagle nest -- at the very end of last season and so far this year.    The main thing we have all been reminded of  is that, like all birds, the Eagles don't really exist to make people happy.  They exist to survive and procreate -- to bring more bald eagles into the world.

(Some of you may be following the adventures at the nest on Facebook or the WebCam, so this will be old news.    If you do, you've seen better pictures too -- but these are my very own.  It's fun to visit the nest occasionally and fun to share the pictures, so even if you know all this already, I hope you won't mind seeing the story again here.)

 

HARRIET, MARCH 2016

 

I wrote, around this time last season, about the injury to Ozzie, the male Eagle at the nest.  He was found hurt (probably hit by a train) and taken to CROW, our local Animal Rehab facility.       When I posted then, he was recovering from his injuries.    Harriet continued to nourish and raise her two nestlings alone and both fledged successfully.     During that time, several young adult and sub-adult eagles attempted to visit the nest.  Harriet chased most of them off, but eventually she began to encourage one who became known as FV  (for "Frequent Visitor").    

Ozzie recovered from his injuries and was released near the nest, but instead of the happy reunion many hoped for, a few days later he got into a fight with FV and was killed.    Fort Myers mourned!  This sign was posted at the pasture:   

(I admit to being slightly obsessed with the Eagles and stop briefly when I can,  but there are quite a few people who apparently sit and watch the nest all day, every day.  I assume they are the ones who put up the memorial.)

 

When this season began Harriet and FV returned together to the nest.   Even those who were heartbroken about Ozzie now seem to accept that Harriet's purpose in life is  to raise more healthy Eagles and the excitement of watching the nest began again with the new Dad-to-be.  Since he has moved in permanently,  FV is now known as M-15 for Male 2015.   I think the people in charge of the WebCam have decided not to name the Eagles from now on. Since the webcam's second season, the Eaglets too are now just known by numbers.    I think this is an effort to keep people from anthropomorphizing the birds.   (It is really hard not to do so.  Some people are now using "FV" to refer to human beings we know.  ;>)))

 

SCENES AT THE "EAGLE'S PASTURE"

 

 Two eaglets hatched on  January 26 and 27  and as of now the nestlings are doing well.  But last month, the younger and smaller of the two got his leg tangled in fish line,  brought in with one day's fish dinner.  He couldn't move.  CROW personnel climbed the tree and rescued the Eaglet, taking him to the Rehab Center for a few days until he fully recovered.    

They brought him back to the nest and he was warmly welcomed back by the rest of the family.  It was interesting that the parents accepted him back after an absence of a few days.  

 

   

 

It was also interesting to hear the explanation of why Animal Rehab could get involved in rescuing the Eaglet from the fish line while they will not get involved with 'rescuing" one of the nestlings when it is bullied by the other (as has happened in past seasons and a little bit this one).   In the first instance, the injury is caused by humans.  The second, although the  'bullying' behavior made many people think that the weaker bird should be rescued, that would be unethical (and actually illegal) because it is part of the normal cycle of Eagle life.  

 

 

 

 

On the day last week when I took all of these pictures, Harriet flew off the nest while I was watching, made a circle around the pasture and flew back to land on the branch above the nest (the first picture above).

 

She didn't bring any food -- I was hoping to catch a feeding or better yet get a picture of "Dad".  But no luck on either count.   Apparently M15 usually flies off early in the morning and does not return with food until later in the afternoon.   Harriet is having to work extra hard as she trains her new mate!  

 

 

 

 

Here are both the babies -- not the greatest picture, but at least they are both poking their heads up out of the nest at the same time.

 

 

 

 

When I posted a picture of the nest last week, some of you expressed surprise that we could easily visit it on our way to shopping and errands.  This area of Fort Myers is more rural than you might think,  but farms and undeveloped lands are often surrounded by developments.  

 

The Eagle's tree is in this large horse pasture which lies directly across the street from a major supermarket and strip mall.    The picture on the bottom left is taken from the store's parking lot looking across the street ... you can see the Eagle gates across the street between the two palm trees.  

The church lot where I usually park when I stop is next door to the pasture and the gates are about a long City block down the sidewalk into the other side of the pasture.  (The owners, who are the ones who put up and maintain the webcam, allow people in there during the nest season and there is even some parking on their property.)

 

 

LINKING  this post to SATURDAY CRITTERS; RATHER B' BIRDING;  SEASONS;  MOSAIC MONDAY; OUR WORLD TUESDAY; NATURE NOTES;  TREES&BUSHES; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; SIGNS SIGNS;  and GOOD FENCES.   

Thank you to all of the hosts of these great sharing opportunities.

 

 

 

AN ORDINARY MORNING

Come with me on an ordinary walk around the neighborhood.

 

 

Morning arrived with  a sudden blaze of gold.

 

  

 

There were a few robins on the golf course lawn, the same area where the Sandhill Cranes (here) hung out in January.  The Cranes have gone on to other places.  And although the robins probably  seem more ordinary to almost all of you, the Sandhills are actually a more usual bird around here.  In fact, this is the very first time that we have seen Robins  in Florida.  (Now, if  daffodils would somehow suddenly start to bloom here, it would seem like a real Spring here in the land of endless summer.)

 

 

As always, Mockingbirds are everywhere.  This time of year, their varied songs often serve as our morning wake up call.  It's a nice way to start the day.

 

 

Almost home from the walk, I stopped to talk with  our cross-street neighbor.  His house backs up onto wetlands (where ours backs on to the Canal).  There's a nest of Turkey Vultures just behind his yard.   He is worried because his  adorable calico cat likes to explore a little and  sleep (a lot) in the yard.  (She is on a long leash).  Now he is afraid to let her outside unless he is sitting right there.  I think the Vultures can probably distinguish between a sleeping cat and one that is no longer alive.    But I'm not positive.

 

 Random walk-by shots on an ordinary morning.

 

 

Sharing with: OUR WORLD on Tuesday (thank you to Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy, Arija, and Gattina ; MOSAIC MONDAY (thanks to Judith) ; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (thank you to Stewart); NATURE NOTES (thank you Michelle); and SEASONS (thank you to Jesh)

 

 

POSTCARDS TO WISH YOU A HAPPY WEEKEND

 

    Postcards from Florida -- to wish you a Happy Weekend.

(Subtitled:   A collection of miscellaneous pictures for the weekend memes.)

  

 

 

Ocean Dreams

 

 

 

 

Nap time for shorebirds

 

  

 

Pictures last longer than the real thing!

 

 

 

 

(This beautiful florist's bouquet wasn't even mine --

it was sent to a friend and neighbor as a thank you and I shamelessly stole a few pictures.)

 

 

 

 

 A Brown Pelican guarding his harbor under blue skies.

 

 (People or pelicans -- we are all happy to have our great Florida weather back again.)

 

 

 LINKING TO SKYWATCH FRIDAY (thanks to Yogi, Sylvia, and Sandy); to TODAY'S FLOWERS (thank you Denise);  to SCENIC WEEKENDS (thank you Gemma) to SATURDAY CRITTERS (thanks Eileen); to RATHER B'BIRDING (thank you Anni); and to MACRO MONDAY (thanks again  Gemma)