YMCA

Jeff and I ran a program for our Bull Hill neighborhood called "Color Wars" just like in camp. The food committee had box lunches and the day ended with make your own sundaes. In between Jeff and I organized games like a marshmallow toss and had the guys put lipstick on each other while blindfolded. We had a trivia contest about Sun City and South Carolina and a mini scavenger hunt. It was lots of fun. Each person picked a colored bandana, that became the teams and they competed for medals, trophies and just to be silly and have fun.

In the top photo Jeff and our friend Laura Marks eat their lunch. Then the blue team performs their cheer. I am enjoying my three scoop sundae and Jeff sits at the judges table while they tally the scores.

A great time was had by all.

Smile

More critters in our back yard. Top is a large alligator who showed up last weekend. Then a blue heron who appears to be smiling and laughing. A group shot including a great white egret, juvenile ibis, wood stork and another egret. The bottom picture is a close up of a great white egret and the wood stork.

Suppertime

Our back yard has turned into an animal sanctuary. Although the lagoon is full of algae islands, the birds are coming and we just love watching them. This a great white egret and there have been up to nine of them along the lagoon all week. This lucky gal/guy caught a small garter snake in the last photo and enjoyed playing before eating it. I'll post some more photos with other wildlife in our yard.

Norwegian Wood

This is the end of our kayak trip. The same dead tree now has ibis on every branch. They are waiting for the tide to go out so they can look for dinner as there are oyster beds under the water. It is not Norwegian Wood, but that is such a great song.

When You Wish Upon A Star

Today I finally went kayaking and couldn't have wished for a more terrific day. My friend Carol Rosenberg (third photo) and I joined a small group led by Sue Chapman of the Swamp Girls and we paddled out by the Pinckney Wildlife Preserve. Right away we saw a group of dolphins leaping out of the water and joyfully playing. Next we came upon this dead tree with an osprey on the top and a great white egret sitting on a lower branch. We continued on and saw flocks of ibis flying over the fresh water ponds in the preserve. It was a lovely, sunny day and the water was smooth and I had a great time.

Ooh Baby, Baby

Jeff and I went for bike ride and saw this baby gator near the nature trail. At first I thought it was a snake, but it didn't move and was perfectly camouflaged amid the algae and fallen leaves.

Blackbird

This is a double crested cormorant, but the Beatles song says, "Spread Your Wings and Fly..." This bird hangs around the lagoon near the pickleball courts. On land it dries it wings and look at those beautiful blue eyes.