We've been retired for about a hundred years and I've almost forgotten that let-down feeling of "after the holidays" because every day is sort of a vacation, especially here in Florida. But this year we got back to a few little snags at the Canal Cottage -- each one fixable, each one time-consuming -- especially for the other person in this small household. I just kind of wait around to help on an as-needed basis. But it feels like back to work after a couple of lovely Holiday getaways. I'm grateful we had the time off together and with friends and I'm especially grateful that we don't have to call for repair-persons to fix said snags. I'm also glad to have taken lots of pictures on our outings because home repairs don't make for good blogging material.
Pink Shell Beach December 31
The last sunset of 2018. It would be a better post if I'd gotten up early enough the next morning to see the first sunrise of the New Year. But the gently rocking boat is conducive to sleeping late. That and we did actually stay up to welcome in the New Year. There were fireworks on Fort Myers Beach at midnight! I did not take pictures of those either.
Great Egret
The birds on the beach at nearby Bowdich Point were the usual suspects, but that doesn't make them less interesting to watch.
Snowy Egret
Is he investigating this beach-goers belongings? Or maybe he just wishes they weren't there in his way to wherever he's going. (The beach was surprisingly uncrowded and there were acres of empty sand. So I think he was just curious.)
Snowy Egrets are also known as 'Yellow Slippers' and this one is apparently shaking the sand off of his.
Little Blue Heron
This heron was actually sharing space with us at the Pink Shell Boat dock. We saw him every morning patrolling the shallows opposite from where we were tied up.
Sandy scenes from a walk along the beach and some more of that fabulous sunset. I always enjoy seeing the Florida version of a snowman (sand-man?). I thought the beach grass hair was a cute touch.
How we got to Pink Shell Resort for our New Year getaway.
LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities. With thanks to the hosts.
NATURE NOTES; ALL SEASONS; OUR WORLD on Tuesday; MOSAIC MONDAY; GOOD RANDOM FUN; THROUGH MY LENS; WILD BIRD Wednesday; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING
What an awesome way to spend New Years! Love that snowy egret! I always marvel at how WHITE their feathers are! All the bird shots are beautiful. Fun to see the "sand man!" :-)
Posted by: Marie-OR | January 16, 2019 at 08:38 AM
Hello Sallie, I agree home repairs are no fun. But necessary. Your sunset photos are gorgeous. I love all the egrets and herons. They are all beautiful birds. Happy New Year to your and yours. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. I've been away and now catching up with my comments and blog visits. I appreciate your comment and visit to my blog. Have a happy day and week ahead.
Posted by: Eileen Wise | January 16, 2019 at 04:58 AM
Fabulous sunsets. I love the Heron and Egret images
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | January 15, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Wow ! what a beautiful sunset ! Our New Year was dry, but cold and dark, lol !
Posted by: Gattina | January 15, 2019 at 01:25 AM
Wow...I could use some sun and sand...beautiful...Happy New Year Sallie...hug..Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Banks | January 13, 2019 at 12:29 PM
lovely photos, specially the sunset and the snowy egret with its yellow shoes
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | January 13, 2019 at 11:53 AM
Love the beach scenery & your waterfowl!
And, my thanks goes out to you for sharing this all with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin this weekend.
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | January 13, 2019 at 06:45 AM
Excellent photos! Spectacular sunset and I love the egrets.
Posted by: Linda in Virginia | January 12, 2019 at 10:43 PM
That is a beautiful boat. It must be fun watching the birdlife. I love the sunset shots through the grass.
Posted by: diane | January 12, 2019 at 05:40 PM
You're so funny! 'Retired for a 100 years!'
This warms me, we are SO COLD!
Posted by: Jennifer Jilks | January 12, 2019 at 01:57 PM
That sure is a beautiful sunset...I seldom am out to take shots of sunsets. Even less of sunrises.
Nice captures of the egrets...I have never seen a Little Blue Heron except in blogs, so enjoy seeing them when I can.
Posted by: Rose | January 12, 2019 at 12:27 PM
Beautiful sunrise! Egrets and Herons are a favorite of mine. Nice shots!
Posted by: Betty Crow | January 12, 2019 at 06:38 AM
Hello. I enjoy watching these beautiful photos. Thank you.
Posted by: Anu | January 12, 2019 at 06:30 AM
I love to see your beach photos, although I am not a beach girl :) I was raised on a river, so rivers and lakes are more familiar to me. Have a good weekend.
Posted by: riitta k | January 11, 2019 at 05:50 AM
A beautiful sunset to end the year.
Posted by: thomas | January 11, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Beautiful pics
Posted by: rupam { xhobdo } | January 10, 2019 at 06:27 PM
I love seeing that Egret. Such graceful birds and those legs! Excellent! lol Thanks for linking up!
Posted by: Michelle | January 10, 2019 at 03:18 PM
The shot of Pink Shell Beach is absolutely stunning!!
Posted by: Peter B, | January 10, 2019 at 03:10 PM
What wonders you see on the beach and the sea!
Posted by: Magical Mystical Teacher | January 10, 2019 at 01:47 PM
Stunning Sunsets! I hope you are enjoying the start to the New Year. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kelly Anne Rothaermel | January 10, 2019 at 10:05 AM
Great photos! I especially enjoy seeing the birds.
We had to replace a light switch a few days ago. I acted as electrician's helper to my husband. My main job was holding a flashlight so he could see what he was doing. It is a very skilled job - sometimes the light needs to come from above, sometimes from the bottom or from the side!
Posted by: lea | January 10, 2019 at 07:32 AM
What great photos! Looks like a lovely place to stay!
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 09, 2019 at 07:00 PM
What a beautiful beach and sunset. I see mountain sunsets instead!
Posted by: Al | January 09, 2019 at 06:08 PM
Especially love the sunset
Posted by: KB | January 09, 2019 at 05:48 PM
Happy New Year. I love the sandy snow man! It occurs to me I might be more willing to ring the new year in with fireworks if I lived where the weather was warm. I am near Boston and it's just too cold for me to be out of doors at midnight.
Posted by: Kara | January 09, 2019 at 04:21 PM
What a beautiful sunset ! I get jealous when I see the sunshine in your photos, and I am sitting here in the cold and humid weather ! I am happy that all these festivities are over now and we are back to normal !!
Posted by: Gattina | January 09, 2019 at 01:27 AM
Dearest Sallie; Late Happy New Year to you, wishing you prosperous and happy 2019!
Breathtaking Sunset of 2018♪ Little Blue Heron really attracted me as our blue heron is different. Mosaic picture of Sandy Scenes from the Pink Shell Beach is fantastic, especially the snowman(♡^.^♡)
I really appreciate your sweet comments and so sorry for my absence.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid(Japan) | January 08, 2019 at 11:05 PM
What a lovely life you lead, Sallie, - I get great pleasure reading about your doings and your every days events. I have a good imagination!!
Posted by: Hildred Finch | January 08, 2019 at 08:33 PM
Hey, what happened, I was able to go directly to your blog, yeeee haaa. Really pretty pics, Sallie, am loving the sandy snowman. So you slept in the boat, that would rock you to sleep quite nicely as long as you don't get seasick and weren't robbed by pirates.
The sandy egret has a Hulk Hogan haircut. Your egrets are a lot prettier than the ones up here, why is that?
Posted by: Jeanna | January 08, 2019 at 06:10 PM
Aw, Sallie...you sure know how to punch my nostalgia button. We've spent so many wonderful days on Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel and Captiva and also Naples. We put miles on our bikes in each of these places, although it was more fun to ride Sanibel, Captiva, and Naples. Your photos are like memory candy and each one has a special flavor and taste and I'm very sad that I'm rapidly getting too old to travel and enjoy these places as we did just a few years ago.
Thanks for sharing and for your nice comments on our Ocala blog.
Posted by: Lowell | January 08, 2019 at 03:44 PM
The sunset is stunning and the sand snowman is very cool. Hope you have a wonderful 2019 with lots of new memories and fun times.
Posted by: bill burke | January 08, 2019 at 01:30 PM
Wow, to see this amazing sunset in such big size! Did you change your blog theme, or do you have one with several options? Totally understand you missed the fireworks. There are only so many hours in a day, and the older I become, the more okay it has become for me to pick and choose:) Fun, that the blue heron chose to patrol your boat dock! Have a happy and healthy 2019, Sally! That all desires for this year may come to fruition.
Enjoy your versatile posts for All Seasons so much!
Posted by: junieper/Jesh StG | January 08, 2019 at 12:28 PM
Beautiful place and wonderful photos ~ looks very inviting, Sally ^_^
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | January 08, 2019 at 12:22 PM
Beautiful photos of the sunset! ... And a funny Florida "snow-sandman". :-)
Posted by: Calendula | January 08, 2019 at 12:17 PM
...love the 'sandman.'
Posted by: tomthebackroadstraveller | January 08, 2019 at 10:56 AM
We are lucky, you and I, as our husbands are multi-talented. As for your photos! Stunning. Warm and lovely. And you are so right...home repairs don't make good blogging...but necessary to good living! :)
Posted by: Linda Brown | January 08, 2019 at 09:29 AM
your sunset is gorgeous!!! i watched the sunrise on new years eve - that's as close as i got to anything special!! and i LOVE the sand snowman/snowperson, that is right up my alley.
i always enjoy seeing your big birds!! your images are really amazing as you are able to get pretty close to them. snowed egrets, i have always referred to their footwear as "yellow goulashes", their feet are so funny!!!
Posted by: Debbie | January 08, 2019 at 07:54 AM
Love those sunset shots at the start - and of course the egrets.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | January 07, 2019 at 10:22 PM
I'm glad you could fix your snags and still go out on outings to bring us these wonderful photos!
Posted by: Lady Fi | January 07, 2019 at 10:14 PM
Stunning photos - happy 2019!
Posted by: riitta k | January 07, 2019 at 10:13 PM
A fun way to bring in the New Year - we didn't stay up either! Love the Sandman with grass hair. Hope all the repairs get done without too much difficulty.
Posted by: Lorrie | January 07, 2019 at 05:47 PM
A very fun way to spend New Yrs! I am getting more into sleeping in these days myself!!
Posted by: Sondra | January 07, 2019 at 04:11 PM
You got some great images in between being the "fix-it helper".
I well know about the things that can happen while we are away from our other homes. I always wonder what awaits when we return to our cabin in the spring.
Posted by: martha z | January 07, 2019 at 02:57 PM
The egret looks like quite a character.
Posted by: William Kendall | January 07, 2019 at 02:12 PM
Beautiful photos, the sunsets are stunning, sounds like a wonderful time despite the things causing a hiccup. Wonderful to have those beautiful birds around.
Posted by: Sue | January 07, 2019 at 01:43 PM
The name of the beach conjures up wonderful pictures. That sunset is gorgeous and what a great place to be to enjoy at its best.
Posted by: fun60 | January 07, 2019 at 12:58 PM
How wonderful to take a boat to your destination. Loved all these beautiful photographs. Never heard of the Snowy Egrets being called Yellow Slippers before. I think I remember seeing a Little Blue Heron frenziedly running around in the shallow water with its wings outstretched. It was such a cute spectacle we laughed and laughed and laughed. The little guy was fishing we were told. Lovely memory! Happy New Year Sallie :)
Posted by: DeniseinVA | January 07, 2019 at 12:43 PM
The pictures of the Snowy Egret are especially appealing, Sallie. You have really captured the essence of the bird. In terms of fixing things around the house, I have veered off in the opposite direction. If something needs doing (unless it is pretty minor) I have someone come and do it. I was never one of those men who enjoyed doing household repairs and renovations and when I did it was because I could barely afford tradesmen. Now I am happy to put my time to good use in ways that I enjoy!
Posted by: David Gascoigne | January 07, 2019 at 12:41 PM
Nice luv the wsy the egrets strut. We have them here. Happy New Year
Thanks for dropping by my blog
Much🎉love
Posted by: gillena | January 07, 2019 at 11:47 AM
I love your boat! Wish I was 'on your way' so you could pick me up! heehee! LOVE that snowman made of sand. Would make the cutest Christmas card! Enjoy your week and this fabulous weather! Hugs from just a little ways away! Diane
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | January 07, 2019 at 11:39 AM
I love your sunsets. It's been awhile since I've seen golden sunsets. Ours have been reddish, which are pretty, but they seem so ominous to me. The photo of the Snowy Egret shaking off sandy cracks me up. I think the egret I glimpsed at the edge of the highway the other day was a Snowy Egret. It looked big so I wondered if it was pregnant. A Joyful 2019 to you, Betty!
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | January 07, 2019 at 10:21 AM
Happy New Year, Sallie! Good health and prosperity in 2019!
I took a mini blog break in December to enjoy Christmas and now it is nice to be back in a quieter month. I see you are back in Florida to enjoy the warmer weather there. So sorry you had some mechanical problems and hope they are all resolved.
Your sunset photo is stunningly beautiful! Wow! I love the beach abd bird photos too--always so pretty.
Posted by: Pat | January 07, 2019 at 10:02 AM
Sallie, that last sunset of 2018 is so glorious. I'm glad you captured it. Ugh...repairs and improvements. Seems they never really go away when we own things. Love all the bird shots and your mosaic/collage with that great sandman! Hope all the repairs go well and you are back to leisure.
Posted by: ellen b. | January 07, 2019 at 09:58 AM
Great photos and I really love the sunset. Keep well Diane
Posted by: Diane | January 07, 2019 at 09:03 AM
Your photos as usual are wonderful. Love the egrets and mosaics. Hope your snags are fixed quickly! #mosaicmonday
Posted by: Carol | January 07, 2019 at 07:29 AM
What a life you lead. I love the snow santa. I relate to your first few sentences but still feel a holiday let down and wonder what my life is all about.
Posted by: Colleen LOOSELEAFNOTES | January 07, 2019 at 07:00 AM
I just love your egret pictures. Beautiful! I have been retired for a little over a year and hubby just retired last week. So nice not to have that back-to-work feeling after New Year's isn't it?!?!
Posted by: Laurie | January 07, 2019 at 04:57 AM
Happy first MosaicMonday in 2019...
...Hope for springtime!
Wish you a very good New Year with health and lucky moments.
Posted by: Heidrun Stallwanger | January 07, 2019 at 12:25 AM
Sallie - "home repairs don't make for good blogging material" - LOL! I appreciate you subbed in these glorious birds, especially the high-stepping snowy egret. Your mosaic is beautiful - I admire how you positioned the sunrise/sunset in the opposite corners … Happy New Year, and thanks for linking up to Mosaic Monday!
Posted by: Angie | January 06, 2019 at 08:28 PM
magnificent sunset sky colors and the birds are beautiful. - always well worth watching. Hope you can get the house 'snags' fixed without too much extra time and effort.
Posted by: mick | January 06, 2019 at 07:01 PM
I love that sunset and the first shot looks like a pirate ship. I do remember how well I slept to the gentle rocking on a boat. Much warmer building sandpeople than snow people. Great way to greet the new year.
Posted by: Gaelyn | January 06, 2019 at 06:54 PM
I am kind of pondering retirement this year so I am really interested in how retired people spend their days.
I love your sunrise shot, it is perfect all by itself.
I had never seen a sand snowman before and I love the concept and the hair.
Posted by: Alan Bates | January 06, 2019 at 05:14 PM
Oh, oh ... grammar check on my comment. I should have said "there" not "their".
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | January 06, 2019 at 04:25 PM
What a gorgeous sunset, Pink Shell Beach is as beautiful as its name! The sand/snowman is a delight and creative thinking by folks making good use of the seaside sandbox. I wonder if they made sand angels somewhere their too. :))
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | January 06, 2019 at 04:17 PM