My Favorite Things

Ziggy taking a stroll in the back yard and some young alligators stretching on the opposite bank.

Over the Rainbow

These tiny little bluebirds live near our house and each spring they set up a nest in our bluebird house to lay their eggs. We have two couples fighting (literally) over this domocile. One couple seems to have won the rights and they sit on top of the box and rule over the nearby feeder. The male is gorgeous and the female is duller, but pretty. They are nasty birds, but we enjoy their antics and love to watch them build the nest and later feed the babies. Last year there was loud chirping and the parents were very busy flying in and out with food.

I'll Fly Away

We saw so many beautiful birds on our manatee trip. The brown pelican had been injured and was the greeter at the marina. Next we saw the heron and the osprey nest. The kingfisher and ibis were hanging around the boats while we pulled on our wet suits and prepared to board the pontoon boat. The pelican was guarding the speed limit sign. The beautiful manatees glide through the water and mostly rest on the bottom. This mother and calf swam under our boat as we were anchored. They swim out to the ocean, about a mile, to feed. Last photo is Jeff, happily out of his wet suit and drying off.

Surfin' Safari

A few fun filled days in Florida. We visited cousins Terry and Marilyn in The Villages near Ocala, FL. Rick was there too and we had lots of laughing, eating and good conversations. Jeff and I took a trip to the Crystal River to swim with the manatees. They are such gentle giants and we had such a good time. We went out on a pontoon boat and then floated on noodles watching the manatees rest on the floor of the river. When they came up for air we got to pet them. Not much interaction, but great fun. I got a waterproof case for my iPhone and took these photos. We saw many birds also and enjoyed the day.

Back at The Villages we visited and went to one of the town centers to have dinner and walk around a craft fair. An opportunity to use our new RV and we really love all the space and comfort.

Imagine

Our first day visiting cousins Terry & Marilyn in The Villages. The gals took a trip to Mount Dora to do a little shopping and sightseeing. I met a statue of John Lennon. The gals on a downtown street. The first cousins pose for a picture.