Breaking for Turtles

I'm turning into a Floridian. I noticed people driving on the shoulder of the road. Then I noticed the big oval thing in the middle of the road. No one was behind me; so I stopped, turned on the hazard blinkers, and jumped out of the truck, on a mission to save a turtle. Sorry no pictures. By the time I got the, 12", algae covered common cotter to the side of the road, I had people behind the truck.

Florida Wild Life in the Parking Lot

As the weather get hotter, I will start parking in the back parking lot, because there are more trees. I park the Ranger under a tree, and set my lawn chair up in the bed, under my beach umbrella. (I use an umbrella, because a squirrel pooped on my head one time.) It's quite pleasant way of spending my 40 minute lunch.

Yesterday, a critter showed up by the area I usually park. As one person put it, this guy is probably the most photographed gator in Pinellas County. I would say he's between 5 and 6 feet long. It's hard to tell exactly how long he is. I'm not about to walk up to him and measure.

Juanita asked me what I would have done if he charged. I said, "I would have pushed Debbie towards him, and ran the other way."

I've heard there are a few co-workers that wanted an escort to their cars. He wasn't bothering anyone. Just seemed to like the sun.

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.