By the Sea

We're just sitting here, baking under the hot Florida sun. Can you guess which one is the crab and which is the turtle?

Another month has gone by, and we're no closer to home...............it's a long, long way from nz to aa.

Beach Babes

Is this heron the most beautiful creature on the planet? You just can't take your eyes off her as she patiently stands her ground and disdainfully ignores the fans who are hoping to get an action shot.

But then, this guy catches a big shiny silver fish and she swoops in for the interception. Four times. He was a heck of a fisherman, reeling in one big fish after the other, but he really (could be a pun. think about it.) had to work at getting the hook out before Henrietta gulped down the hapless victim - in one swallow. She had to stretch her neck way out, and you could see the fish flopping around, trying to escape. Yikes. Kerplop! Kerplop! Kerplop! Kerplop! One-two-three-four. How could there possibly be enough room down there for so many fishes?

The poor egret had to catch her own lunch. Unfortunately, those fish were too large for this little missy. It's not every sea bird on the beach who is lucky enough to have her own fish monger.

And where's my lunch?

Swimmin' in the Indoor Pool

When it rains...........you can't go the beach. Well, you can, but it's not generally a good idea during the thunder storms that typically pop up.

Also not a good idea to play with the Pool Shark after you've had wine with lunch and he has not.

Just wondering..........is my lucky pool cue still in AA?

No Hello for Dolly

Lucky for us..........Dolly's on the other side of the Gulf and our hurricane supplies will remain on the shelf. Glad we're not dealing with power outages because it sure is hot. If you are at the beach, you want to be in the water or under an umbrella - at the same time, if possible.

Shall We Dance?

The challengers:


The champions:

The competition:

The winners:

Oops! Is it ever a good idea to row out on the water in your cute little kayak while the dolphins are frolickin' and feedin'? Just asking. Not that anyone is frightened of the graceful giants, but they just might want to swim over and ask for the next dance. Although, I have seen them toss a big fish up in the air and bite it in two. (Not a pretty sight.......you know, the blood and all.) No doubt about it.........you probably want to keep your oars out of the water when these guys are gyrating. You heard about that sting ray who jumped into a boat. Do I have to keep reminding you just how dangerous life can be here in Paradise?

Stormy Weather

Supposedly it never rains in California. Of course, those poor devils are currently suffering through a plethora of horrendous forest fires (been there) so we consider ourselves fortunate to be here on the rainy west coast of Florida. Sometimes the lightning gets overly ostentatious, and the thunder might be rather raucous; nevertheless, the evenings are almost perfect after all that humidity has been wrung out of the air.

That Was Then

2007

2008

Here we are and there we were - mid-July on the coast of New Zealand and mid-July on the coast of Florida. I know, I know.......it looks as though I've trimmed up my sweater into a swimsuit. Not quite the same pattern, but I've definitely got that blue thing going on. And speaking of blue..............could the Pacific O make the Gulf of Mexico look any more anemic?

Note the beach goers who have their umbrella positioned like a ferris wheel. Who knows...........we could be at a carnival. I've heard rumors that too much time in the sun can be disorienting.

Fireworks

Some people came to the fireworks display in their sailboats. In fact, hundreds of boats cruised down the river, dropped anchor, and watched the celebration. We don't know how many boaters came up the river since the city pier where the event was to take place is just a little ways down the river from us. And those whose yachts were in the shop arrived by car, by limo, on bikes, on foot. Nobody came by pony.


The day was julyesquely hot and gorgeous; and it was a SRO situation at the pool, interrupted by the usual afternoon downpour(s) and a rainbow, followed by a spectacular sunset. What holiday could be better? Oh, yeah......maybe that one with the presents.

The sun went down, the tiniest sliver of a new moon appeared in the sky, and independent fireworks went off everywhere - all up and down the river banks. Absolutely fabulous. You didn't know where to look, fearing you might miss the really good ones.

Fireworks are illegal in Florida. As one newspaper noted, "The rules are simple. If it flies or explodes, you can't have it."

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/fireworks_9113___article.html/don_nicholson.html

Well, evidently thousands of Floridians are scofflaws.

These are the big guns. Wish you had been here to see them. It's so difficult getting a photo with my not-quite-high-tech-enough camera. The darn things just won't stand still to have their picture taken.........rather like the WCG.

http://tech.msn.com/howto/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=8314900&GT1=40000

OK. Where was this info when I needed it? Fireworks anyone?