March 17, 2012-Saint Patrick’s Day in The Fakahatchee Strand

Harmon Lake/Swallowtail Kite

 

This is a photo of stacked rocks at Harmon Lake just inside the entrance to the Fakahatchee Strand.  In the upper right hand corner you can see a black spot that looks like a plane coming in to land.  It is actually a swallowtail kite, which is only accasionally seen this far south in Florida.  We actually saw two of them today.

Anyway, back to the beginning.  Mom wanted to do a day trip with LuAnn and Lorie so we decided to go to the Fakahatchee Strand.  Their flight to Ft Myers was an evening flight so we didn’t get started until after 10:00 AM on Saturday morning.  Lorie rode up front with me (she was looking for her first alligator in the wild.)  Mom, Vicki and LuAnn sat 3 people in 2 seats in the backseats and Ken sat in a tippy lawn chair in the way back.

We headed to and through Immokalee again , like last week and we were keeping a sharp eye out for the cara cara but we did not see it.  At one point I pulled over to the left so Lorie could look in the deep canal for an alligator.  No alligators, but there was an otter.

Otter

This was the best shot.  I probably have only seen otters in the wild 4 or 5 times in the 25 years I have lived in Florida.

 

Lunch at Oil Well Park

 

We stopped for an early lunch at Oil Well Park.

 

The Oil Rig

 

 

Fakahatchee Entrance Sign

 

We made it to the entrance about 12:30 and began our trip into the unknown.  (This was a quickly planned trip and I did not know if the drive was a loop, if the drive was a dead-end/turnaround or if the drive was a drive through/come out somewhere else.)

 

Deer Again!

 

We were driving along and I spotted, almost missed, this lone deer feeding.  It seemed to be unconcerned that we were there and actully walked closer to us as we sat there watching.  I have actually seen deer two days in a row!

We finally continued along the road and around a corner.  The vehicle approaching us turned out to be a Ranger and he said, “Did you see the deer cross the road behind you?”  As I was about to tell him no, they were in the dried up canal just along the side of the road.  Three of them just stood there, looking at us, moving back and forth.  These deer were close as the photos below will show.

 

Two Bucks

 

Did I mention that they were close?

 

We probably watched them for 10 minutes before we reluctantly moved on.  We are driving along the potholed, dirt road and Lorie yell’s “ALLIGATOR!” Almost drownded out by LuAnn yelling the same thing.  The next photo is Lorie photoing her first gator.

 

Lorie's first wild Gator

 

We have been driving along the “scenic drive” for 2 1/2 hours and I for one am wondering where we will end up.   I am thinking to myself that we might want to turn around  because it will take us at least 2 hours to get out if we do and who knows how long it wil take if we do not.  The majority vote in the van is that we go forward.  The swampy area has given way to higher drained areas with a grid of widely spaced roads.  Most of the side roads are blocked off or they are two tracks or at least in worse condition than the one we are on so we proceed.   We see a red shouldered hawk in a dead tree and a lone wild turkey that runs directly away from us as tight as he can go.  (No photo, laughing to hard at the turkey.)

 

Red shouldered hawk.

 

We stop at a cross roads and I take the final 3 pictures to show you what we are facing.  The first photo is facing west but it looks exactly the same behind us.  The second photo faces north but the south view is also the same.    The road in all four directions seem to disappear into the horizon.  All of that thinking was making Ken hungry so he broke out the olives.  Someone called dibs on the last piece of apple pie.  After we stretched our legs a bit, we continued forward, (west.)  I know that home is north and west.  About 3 miles further we meet a jeep and I asked the driver how we get to civilization.  He directs us forward to the stop sign, turn right, eight miles to the next stop sign, turn right, left at the next stop sign, then left at the next stop.  He says that they have been out in the woods all day and haven’t seen a thing.  Then he expresses surprise that we came through from 29, he heard that the road we had taken had been closed.  We motored on home and got there about 5:30 pm, another great day.

 

Crossroads East/West

 

Crossroads North/South

 

Never make a decision on an empty stomach.

 

[Right click on the photographs to enlarge, except for the swallowtail Kite.  That is an internet photo]

 

 

 

March 16, 2012-Airport Run

Airtran

 

We left early to get to the airport because we knew we would hit traffic and we did.  Mom spent her time checking the fields for deer.  (I have never seen a deer on the way to the airport, never saw a deer in Fort Myers, actually I have only seen deer from the road 3 times in the 25 years I have been in Florida.)  We knew their flight was early and we arrrived 20 minutes before they arrived.  Perfect.

 

Mom's Kid

 

Lorie and Ken Hug

 

Never say Never

 

I still have never seen a deer on the way to the airport, but today we saw 8 of the on the way back from the airport.  There were 5 in the first group and 3 around the corner behind a berm.  We stopped and watched for a few minutes.

Sunset on Daniels Road.

 

Beautiful sunset on Daniels road, heading home from the airport.

March 10, 2012-Loop Road Trip.

Satellite view of Loop Road

 

Early this week I was “playing” on Google Earth , which most of you know is satellite photos of the whole earth that you can “fly” to and zoom in on.  I was flying over the Everglades and saw a group of photograph icons that lead me to believe that there was a fairly long road in the Everglades that I had previously been unaware of.  As I zoomed in it was obvious that I was correct so I did a little research and found that this was an early alternative route for US-41 or Alligator Alley that was bypassed when the actual road was built.  It is 26 miles long and loops into the Everglades from US-41 and then curves back out to 41 as it heads east.   They claimed that the first 16 miles were unpaved, plain old shell road but they were making “improvements” so it was more like 23 miles of shell and 3 of Pavement.  Anyway, I checked with Mom and Vicki to see if they were interested in a road trip and of course they reluctant to leave the comforts of home to head into the wilderness so I had to convince them that it would be a fun day (NOT!)

So, Saturday morning, at 7 AM, the four of us piled into Mom’s van and headed to the Everglades.  I said, “We could get on 75 and rush down to the Marco Island exit to get to Alligator Alley which would take us to Loop Road, or we could head to the interior of the state a bit, avoiding the super highway, go through Immokalee and take State Road 29 down to US-41.  None of us had been on 29 south of Immokalee before (Vicki, Ken and I had been as far as Immokalee to go the Indian Casino there) so we decided to take that route.  The next picture shows what we found.

Fog Again!!!!!!

This was the condition of our travel for about 20 minutes after we had gotten away from the coast.  We got through Immokalee and the fog lifted when on the west side of the road appeared a very large bird.  It was just standing there with the early morning sun shining on it and glowing.  I immediately thought that must be a Golden Eagle, but I had never heard of one in Florida.  What I said was, ‘What was That??????” , hit the brake and turned around hoping to get a better look and maybe a picture.   As we approached from the south it got nervous and flew away but along the roadway, so we followed.  It landed on the East side this time and I was careful not to approach so closely.  I tried to snap a photo again and it flew.  I wasn’t sure that I had gotten anything until I checked later (Not while driving,)  The photo is below.

Cara Cara

AS you can see from the caption, our description and this photograph were enough to identify the bird as a Cara Cara, which is a bird listed as “endangered in Florida”.  It is a type of Falcon.  We spoke to several park rangers before guessing that this might be a cara cara.  One of the rangers said she was jealous if we had actually seen a Cara Cara.

Shortly after we reached 41 and turned east we came to the worlds smallest post office, in Ochopee, Florida (O-chop’-ee)  The original post office burned down in 1953 and this packing shed was used as the replacement.   It is a working post office, open 6 days a week.

Post Office, Ochopee, Florida

Further on down the road we saw a large flock of Black-headed Vultures and figured they were eating a big gator or something.  The next picture is graphic so if you are squeamish “Don’t look. Ethel.”

Vulture Feast

Finally, we got to Monroe Station, a closed down gas station and grocery that marks the entrance to Loop Road on the West end.  A short way down the road we saw the sign in the next picture.

Fair Warning

There are also a few houses on Loop Road.  The first building had a sign in the yard that said something like, “Prayer is the best way to get with God.  Trespassing is the quickest.”  Sorry, I did not get a photo of that.

Following is a series of photographs of some of the things that we saw along the Road

Road Gator

There were Alligators EVERYWHERE.  I would guess that between 40 and 50 culverts allowed water to flow under the road and the gators were easier to see at the culverts because it was more open there.  We could also see gators through the bushes as we traveled along.  This one was about 3 feet off the road and did not flinch when we pulled up and stopped.  Several were more jumpy and a couple even startled us by jumping in the water when we got too close but we didn’t even realize they were there.

Zebra Longwing

There were a lot of butterflies along the road but photographing them is difficult as they move often and erratically.

Blossoming bromeliad

The cypress trees were full of different types of bromeliads, this variety was in bloom.  Pineapples are the most familiar type of bromeliad.

Stand of bald Cypress trees

You can see the bromeliads on the Cypress trees, trees just now putting out their spring foliage.

Little Blue Heron

Most of the birds were wary if not skittish.  They would move away as soon as you came close.  We were able to get a couple of good pictures.

White Ibis

Great White Heron

Cottonmouth

This cottonmouth was no more than 2 feet from the side of the van when we stopped to see a gator.  I wonder how many we missed and how close they were???

Gator Siblings

There were actually 9 gators here, all about 3 feet long.  I had read that the nest mates often stay together for a while until they can fend for themselves, (safety in numbers).  I once saw 13 together on the Peace River.   We watched this ibis attempt to walk past the gators, get nervous, turn around twice and finally rush past.  The gators were obviously interested as they were laying head down before the ibis appeared.

Liguus Tree Snail

At one point along the road there was a 1/2 mile path through the Everglades, a lollipop loop, called The Snail Trail.  One of the signs explained what to do if you saw a panther while on the trail.  We walked the trail anyway.   It was said that if you looked carefully, you might see an endangered Liguus Tree Snail that lives on the smooth barked trees there.  The one in the photo above, we walked past on the way in but I spotted it on the way out.  We only saw the one.  The trail was no more than a path with poison Ivy reaching out to grab you from both sides.  Along the path was what we were told was the remnants of an old still.  Just a pile of rocks that was probably the fire pit.  I wouldn’t have known it was a still if I hadn’t researched the trail before we went.   We all had a couple of mosquito bites when we got back to the van.

Finally we reached the other side, the paved side and got back on 41 (but not before the park ranger pulled us over for having the van doors open.  We were only traveling 5 miles an hour and had our seat belts on.)  It took us 5 hours to drive the 26 miles of Loop Road.  We stopped at the Oasis on 41 for a pit stop and talked to the rangers.  That is where we got the Cara Cara lead.  We continued seeing alligators all along US 41 and even on 29.  We returned home at 5 PM, 10 hours from leaving.

 

Alligators in the Everglades

February 25, 2012-Burrowing Owl Festival

Burrowing Owl above it's burrow.

Saturday past, Mom and Vicki went to the Burrowing Owl Festival in Cape Coral.  They actually spent 2 1/2 hours there as there were a lot of other birds to see as well.  Because I wasn’t actually there I am posting photos that we took at the burrowing owls that live just 2 blocks from Vicki’s house.  These owls live for 9 or 10 years and live in dry grassland in Florida and a good deal of the western states as well as Central and South America.

 

 

 

 

Today is actually Thursday, March 1 and Vicki and Mom are going to St. Georges Island today to spend 4 or 5 days with Linda and Terry.  I think Bob and Tina and the girls (with Jeremy?) will be there tomorrow.  They should have a good time.

February 18, 2012-Brandi and Dwayne Farmer Wedding

 

 

 

The Couple

 

 

We arrived on the shores of the Peace River in Punta Gorda, Florida at about 10:30 am this Saturday.  Last minute preparations were made and the wedding began precisely at 11:17.  There was a small gathering of friends and family.  The wedding was followed by a potluck.

 

One last photo of Brandi MILLER

 

It looks like Tina Bunker came down just for the wedding!  (Actually, it was just the minister.)

 

Vicki talking with Aunt Debbie and her husband.

 

That is Paul Miller’s wife, Linda in the background.   Valerie Grandy looks on.

 

Mom and Dwayne

 

The Vows

 

The Guests

 

Vicki, Mom and Ken

 

The Cake

 

 

Feeding the Groom

 

Mom talking to her new Grandson.

 

 

Ken guards the van.

 

Mom at the James DiGiorgio sculpture.

 

Sunday morning, Mom and I took a walk to the sculpture at the Alliance for the Arts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday February 4, 2012-The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

 

 

We saw some of the strangest creatures while we were there.

 

 

We were up before the sun and left Vicki’s house at 6:45.  We wanted to be there when the doors opened at 9:30.    Arrival time was 9:25 with a quick breakfast/pit stop in Sarasota.   Click on any photo to enlarge it.  I’ll let the photos tell the rest of the story.

 

 

Stingray touch tank.

 

Attack of the Otters.

 

Roseate Spoonbill

 

They were not afraid.

 

Guess whose fingers were in the second touch tank.

 

Animal, not vegetable.

 

 

This is a Leafy Dragon, a form of seahorse that lives in Australia.

 

Leafy Dragon Tank.

 

Bioluminescent Jelly Fish

 

Red Shrimp

 

 

At the large tank.

 

A tasty Morsel.

 

After a complete tour of the aquarium, we headed to Ikea for some lunch and quick shopping.  On the way home we spotted some Roseate Spoonbills in the wild.  They were more pink than the ones in the aquarium.

 

Roseate Spoonbills in the wild.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday January 31, 2012-Bonefish Grill

Mom at Bonefish Grill

 

 

Tuesday night we headed to Bonefish Grill for dinner.  We have to go at least once each season.  Ken opted for the Tilapia with Pan Asian, Mom had Bang-Bang Shrimp.  Vicki also had Bang-Bang Shrimp while I had a house salad and Bang-Bang Shrimp.  The Bang-Bang Shrimp comes highly recommended.

 

Outside Bonefish

January 28, 2012-Manatee Park

Manatee Family

 

On the way home from the farm market, we decided to stop at Manatee Park.  The manatees in the river migrate here to the outflow of the power plant, when the area water gets too cold for them. Ken snapped a photo of this mother and her calf.

 

Coming up for air.

 

We probably saw 8 or 10 different manatees today.  If the water is colder there are a great deal more.

 

Walking to the water.

 

Resurrection Fern

 

It had rained the day before and the Resurrection fern was very happy.

 

Ken "sits in" on the butterfly lecture.

 

 

Mating Manatees

 

This photo is from last year on Captiva.  I happened upon a group of about 7 manatees during their courtship ritual.  We watched for a good 20 minutes as they rolled about in the water.

January 28, 2012-US31 Produce

World's largest Strawberry Man (on the left)

Today, the four Musketeers went to a doin’s at US-31 Produce.  There was a small flea market, several food vendors, some old time tractors and a few animals.  I didn’t expect too much as it was just at a roadside produce stand but we had a good time.

Miniature Burros

Close-up

Old Time Tractor

Another Old Tractor

Mom feeds the Alpaca

Ken feeds the Alpaca

Vicki feeds the Alpaca

A light Lunch

Each of us made our way through a helping of strawberry shortcake before heading out.

January 24, 2012-Dinner on San Carlos Island

Dinner at the homestead.

Vicki, Ken and I went to Mom’s for dinner.  We had roll up stuffed with taco meat mixed with cream cheese and black olives.  I think this was Jennifer’s Mom’s recipe.  Good Stuff.  Home made potatoe salad on the side.

Ken is preparing for a role in The Exonerated  where he plays the part of an organic farmer who was falsely accused of killing his parents .

Sunset from Mom's Deck

Sliver of a Moon

The moon was catching rain.  Three days later it rained!