Spring Training 2010

A couple of weeks ago Linda and I decided to buy a Wii. Target had the console in its weekly circular. I hopped in the car early Sunday morning, only to find the shelf bare. When I got home, Linda asked where it was. After I told her of the empty shelf, she said, "lets go to the Super Target in Clearwater."

After picking up the Wii, we headed for Dunedin to to catch a spring training game, the spring home of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays were playing the Tigers on a beautiful late winter day.

We used to go see the Rays, but they moved out of their home in downtown St. Petersburg for Port Charlotte. From what I see on TV, it's ugly. The Field in St. Pete was down on the water, next to a small airport. You would sit and watch the game, the planes, and the boats. Then there was the heritage. As you walked into the stadium, you spotted plaques of Babe Ruth, DiMaggio, and etc. I'm digressing back to the Jays and Tigers.

The first inning the Jays were slaughtering the Tigers. The Tigers did get runs in the second to make the game interesting.

Johnny Damon is now a Tiger. He didn't get a hit in the first, but in the fourth he did.

We didn't stay past the fifth inning. The shadow had moved over our seats, and goose bumps began to develop on our arms. We weren't alone freezing. You could easily determine which people lived in Florida from those that didn't. Those from the northern states were eating ice cream in the shade.

Sandhill Cranes

I was on my way into the office after break, when KD met me at the entrance. "There are Sandhill Cranes out front." I think that's what she said. I only slept a few hours last night, and I had to have KD repeat herself. Yes, I had my camera, for the first time all week. We had to make a dash for the office to grab it.

On the way down the hall, we passed Cathy. She informed us that she had to shoo Sandhill Cranes away from the front door. They were pecking on the glass. She also told us what direction they had gone, but of course I didn't hear. I was too intent on grabbing a picture. I've seen them in captivity, but never in the wild.

I get to my desk, and Katie informs me that she told KD, "she always has her camera."

KD and I arrive in the lobby to only to hear Cindy say, "they're gone." Cathy had done a very good job in ridding them from the font door. I think KD was ready to give up, but I was ready to go forward. And hidden in the tall grass there they were. I kept snapping pictures in hopes I would get some movement out of them, but these guys didn't flinch at my presence. I think someone along the lake has been feeding them.

It wasn't until I was napping in my truck at lunch, that I realized that the camera was still set for my moon shots. Whoops. A little over exposed.

It Stinks Out There

We has some very cold weather a few weeks ago. My Bird of Paradise had just bloomed, and now it's brown. The neighbor had a beautiful palm that I hopes recovers in the spring. But the worst are the fish in Lake Seminole. The wind blows off the lake and all you can smell are the dead fish.

Christmas Ornaments

For Christmas this year Mom sent us some home made ornaments. The wood is cherry, a tree Harvey cut down, milled and waited for the wood to dry.

It's Been Too Long

I'm in trouble with my Mom. I haven't posted any of her pictures. I'm her official blogger.

When I first stepped out the door, I noticed two large birds in the pine tree on the next block. My eyes aren't what they used to be, but I knew they weren't the usual crows. I went into the sun room to look for binoculars, and couldn't find them. (It takes awhile for the cobwebs to clear out of my mind in the morning. I then thought of my camera.) It was the neighborhood hawk and friend. Only got one picture of the two of them together.

A few weeks ago, I saw the dragonfly on the clothesline. I liked the dew on the wings. I just needed another excuse to take a picture of a draggon fly.

The clothesline offers all kinds of wild life. I see Blue Jays, Mockingbirds, Woodpeckers, and this lizard on it. There are a few of my friends that won't appreciate the picture of the lizard.

I know most aren't going to like the snake. I was in the bedroom watching TV one morning, when Charlie started barking. I looked out the window and see an snake looking right at me. Good thing Linda wasn't home. She would have freaked.

OK, so you've had it with the reptiles. I end this post with a female cardinal.

Hawkeye Linda

When we drove across the country, Linda didn't see a thing. I always kid her about not seeing anything. I guess I'll have to stop that. Tonight I arrived home from work, and as I got out of the truck, I heard Linda say, "come back here."

I thought to myself, "what's happened in the back yard, now?"

As I approached the fence, Linda pointed to the power pole and said, "look at the bird." There was the neighborhood hawk.

I quickly made my way to the house for the camera. This guy didn't seem to be to pestered by me getting close. He also didn't seem too annoyed by the daring little Mockingbird at first. The little one would swoop down, and the Hawk just gave a a glance that said, "get real."

The Mockingbird would sit on a wire for a little while to gather her wits, nerve, or strength and have another go at the Hawk. She got a little too close and caused the Hawk to ruffle his feathers.

I just stood below the two of them, enjoying their show. Linda finally understood why I'm late for work in the mornings. I told her I see stuff like this all the time, but the lighting stinks. Then the Mockingbird got a little too close to the Hawk, and they moved their show further down the road. Yes, that crazy Mockingbird followed the Hawk.

Mornings in the Backyard

Mornings aren't always the best time to take pictures. It seems the wild life has a habit of being in front of the sun, or the sun is just coming up. To sum it all up, it just means bad lighting.

Sometimes it's amazing that I make it to work. I sit outside and watch the birds and squirrels. The day I took the picture of the hawk, I was surprised that the birds didn't go into hiding. The jays were dive bombing him, and the Mockingbird was harassing a squirrel.

This morning a wood pecker decided to sit on the power line. The one of the backyard Mockingbirds didn't like it, and tried to pick a fight.

Speaking of Mockingbirds, there is a campaign to replace them as state bird with the Osprey. I like Osprey, but I think the Mockingbird should stay. One will get up in the elderberry tree and imitate the frogs. I've also seen a pair dive bomb a cat that got to close to their nest.