Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Beach Bums

The clouds around this bird look like bird wings to me, can you see this?


Shorts and t shirts are still my attire but that will change soon enough as I begin my journey north later this week.  I got lucky these last couple of weeks in  Florida it has been unseasonably warm with gentle breezes, temperatures in the low 80's. 
Shrimp Fleet FMB



I spent most of last week painting the exterior of my sisters new house, got to earn my keep somehow.  It really was easy painting since the house is single story.  I do not mind as I am able to get some exercise and be outdoors, a bit of trim left to do and I can head home with a clear conscious.

Christmas Decorations on FMB Noodle & Flip Flop Trees

A girlfriend from Boston arrived last Thursday and two girlfriends from St. Pete came down to spend the weekend, we had a ball.  With the beautiful weather beach cruising was a must and we went to one of my favorite old haunts Fort Meyers Beach on Saturday and Santibel & Captivia on Sunday where I was once a licensed landscaper.  In the early 90's I used to winter in Florida and worked for a couple of landscapers as well as independently.

We got chased off Fort Meyers Beach when this short intense storm popped up


As usual there were lots of interesting subjects to photograph.  Avian life still beats strong on the beaches despite the tourists and eco-risks.  As far as tourist traffic goes it was easy on/easy off both the islands, after Christmas that will be a different story when the snowbirds flock back south.


Me and the Girls

We went swimming in mother ocean, strolled for shells, ate some tasty fish tacos, swallowed crisp pinot, saw a rainbow and listened to three local bands all and all a lovely weekend.

Ibis feeding



A large flock of pelicans at Blind Pass between Santibel and Captivia Islands

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Cruising The Bay Bay




Florida has been great, warm sunny days, open window nights, lots of sit down family meals with nephew, new great nephew, wife/mother of nephews, sister and bro-in law, so nice not to be eating out of my lap or in the car.  Settling into a new  house and neighborhood I am going out looking for the public library in the morning a bit old fashioned but I still enjoy holding a book in my hands and find it makes a great sun shield while reading outside.


A quintessential Florida experience is a tour of the back bay in a small boat, you are guaranteed to see wildlife, suck in the sea air and might get lucky enough to see some dancing dolphins.  You can rent a large variety of vessels, captain yourself or pay for a tour with a local guide.  Up and down the coast nearly every marina provides these services making Florida's waterways accessible for all who desire.




We rented a 24' deck boat out of Monroe Marina on Pine Island, the new digs are only 10 minutes off Pine Island, after getting a bucket of grilled KFC , we hooked up with Florida nephew Ken and his wife Kate for a day of water touring.  The weatherman had predicted sunny skies with moderate wind but instead it was cool with a steady breeze of 10 to 12 knots gusting to 20.  With the wind blowing a steady chop  2' white caps were  prevalent on the intercoastal waterway.


Motoring out of the marina down the channel Kenny immediately spotted an osprey munching on a mullet perched high up on the branch of a swaying pine.  We aimed for Tween Waters and pushed through the rough and chilly intercoastal until  we could  slow down, cruising the channels eating chicken, gawking at mansions and animal watching.


It is really cool that you can intimately and easily engage with nature in many ways in Florida.