Month: May 2021

'scene' along the way, adventure, boats, bucket list, finding my way, Florida landmarks, friends, making memories, perseverance, photography, sky, weather

Day trippin’…

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The point of the trip was never the Sanibel lighthouse. No, I noticed the lighthouse when we drove to Sanibel Island from Cape Coral after photographing the burrowing owls. Since we were so close we decided to drive to the lighthouse and pier, and so did everyone else in the vicinity. Memorial Day weekend wasn’t the best timing for this trip, and the hopeless traffic jam caused us to give up and go back one the bridge for a more long distance view of the lighthouse. I wasn’t the driver and I’m exhausted, too tired to sort through all my owl pictures tonight. I’ll start on them fresh tomorrow. Today was a lot of fun, I wonder where we’ll go tomorrow…

And then it was time to head for home. With two hours of driving ahead we weren’t happy to see this sky developing, but we did stay mostly dry all the way home.

'scene' along the way, birds, blessings, boats, brainstorms, food, friends, fun, life goes on, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography

Miss Vicki’s

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Miss Vicki’s is a hidden gem you can find on Baillie’s Branch Road just past Anclote River Park. My son took me there the first time, but when I attempted to find it again I had to search. It looks like you are heading into a marina, but look for it, you’ll be glad you did.

Sitting on a bench by the water with a beer is a pretty nice way to spend the time while you wait for a table. The time passed quickly.
There were kids wading just a little ways away.
There were even commercial breaks…
And some not so serene boaters speeding by.

Normally I might be inclined to take a picture of my food when it came, but I was hungry and dug right in. The fish and chips were recommended by the waitress and it proved to be a good choice. It was a nice finale to a day of shooting, but we were too tired to wait around for the sunset. Maybe next time…

'scene' along the way, adventure, birds, egrets, exploring new places, Florida wildlife, friends, Just do it, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, Tricolored heron

A new favorite rookery…

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There’s a new rookery in town. Or, more correctly, a rookery that I’ve been hearing about but it’s taken me too long to try and find it. But the other day we went looking and discovered a lovely spot with easy access, and, best of all, we didn’t have to shoot over a fence to see the birds. The babies are mostly grown now, so I have made a mental note to go back in the spring to see the babies at their cutest.

Judging by the feathers on his head this is a young tricolor heron.
Woodstorks were providing the most action.
It gives new meaning to the term ‘bad hair day’.
Young egret siblings were feeling their oats.
This tricolor was sounding off the whole time we were there.
Really, he was!
I think he was playing king of the hill.
This nest had the most action going on, but we couldn’t see what was happening.

It’s always fun to find a new place to go take pictures, and this one is close enough to be able to drop in to see what’s happening when the timing is better. In the meantime there are lots more places for us to go and find new and different things to see.

'scene' along the way, a second look, butterflies, flowers, gardens, Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, perseverance, photography

Model trains…

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Not too long ago I was at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden when the model train was running. The conductor said that his grandchildren were coming soon so he had to hurry up and finish his work on the train village. I think he did a great job. And the last time I was at the botanical garden the shrubs had just been cut back, so there were very few flowers and not so many butterflies. My how things have changed in a few weeks.

The village is next to the waterfall these days.
And this little house along side the waterfall looks inviting.
I love the church garden.
The flowers are lovely.
And so are the butterflies.
Cactus buds reaching for the sky.
This one is past it’s prime.
A natural bouquet.
I must be drawn to pink flowers.
And lastly a zebra butterfly, there were many of them.
connections, coping, courage, death, faith, family, grief, healing, saying goodbye

My sister…

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She was a kind and generous soul. She went the extra mile for her friends and family. Her daughter and grandchildren were the loves of her life. She is gone now, quite unexpectedly, despite a long history of health issues. She was my sister. I was in NH visiting when it happened, so I was grateful to be able to be with my niece and her family as this new reality set in. I’m back home now and settling back into my routines isn’t coming easily. It seems I just needed to say a simple goodbye to a sweet soul who asked little and gave much. She is at peace now…

'scene' along the way, adventure, antiques, connections, following the rules, food, friends, fun, perseverance, photography

Old classics…

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Do I have a clue what I’m looking at when I go to a car show? No, not at all. I just know what catches my eye for one reason or another. This was the first little local car show of the year and the organizer was hoping for maybe 10 cars or so. Forty or more showed up and he’s already planning to use the side parking lot for the one next week.

I think a Willys Jeepster caught my eye at the last car show I went to also.
Shiny red paint jobs and funny license plates will catch my eye also.
Okay, a car I probably saw in my childhood.
And in the back seat a possible survivor of one of my road trips.
I think the judging panel just arrived.
I have a friend who always notices the details, I’m channeling her here.
And here.
Kathy’s daughter designed some tee shirts for the organizer and people wanted to buy them. I think she should take the hint.
I hope he is telling this guy to park anywhere he wants to. If this car was a bug it would have a stinger!
An entry from the local auto body shop.
This was another blast from the past as it arrived.
I have been saying that if VW starts selling their California model camper van in the US I’m going to buy one. This one doesn’t have the bells and whistles, and I confess that I’m a bells and whistles kind of gal these days.
Sign in the back window dates this to 1949, so I might have ridden in it, and without a car seat. Funny how some men will lavish money and attention on an old classic, but when it comes to women they want them shiny and new.
Just because.
Dueling T-birds. I like the red one…

This was a fun event only minutes from home and at fun restaurant where we had dinner. Another nice day here in my adopted home state of New Hampshire.