Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Quail Run Wildlife

 

Wesley Chapel, Florida @ Quail Run Rv Park  (high 88, low 71)

 

The days have been hot and sticky, so we spend our days mostly inside except for early morning bike rides.  We heard about a nice bike trail near the campground, so that is our new favorite place to ride. 

We haven’t seen much wildlife on the trail, and I guess we need to get an earlier start.

We did see this handsome fellow though. 

Evidently he sees a lot of people, because he went about his business, despite me snapping pictures of him.  They usually move off it they see people.

gopher tortoise

He/she is a gopher tortoise.  Look at that smile.

gopher tortoise

gopher tortoise

We are wearing helmets on our bike rides now, despite arguments from Al.

IMG_5947

We are still trying to get chores completed.  When we are in the Keys, we feel like we’re “on vacation” and when we’re in the mountains, we feel like we’re “on vacation” too, so we end up procrastinating until the projects mount up. Of course, we’re not killing ourselves.  Between happy hour at 6 and nappy hour after lunch, we’re checking things off the list slowly.  We work better under pressure!

Today and Friday we have to take Mom to some doctor appointments, so that pretty much shoots those days.

We had a dry spell for about a week with no afternoon showers, but they started up again the past few afternoons.  We lost power twice yesterday and the sky looked pretty scary for a little while.  Fortunately, the storm veered around us, so we didn’t get anything real severe.  The local weatherman reported that there were 16,000+ bolts of lightning in the area during that storm.  I’m not sure how they know that, but that’s a lot of lightning. 

Florida is the lightning capitol of the world, and more people get struck by lightning here than anywhere else.  It still amazes me how many people go outside when lightning is nearby.  You can get struck by lightning if it’s within 14 miles of your location, and that is why you hear about people getting hit by lightning on a clear blue day.  That happens frequently here in the Tampa area.

Do you have the Weatherbug app on your phone?   Do you know the app has a “spark alert” that tells you how far the nearest lightning is from your location?  

Do you go outside when lightning is nearby?

Two days ago a bolt of lightning struck an apartment complex nearby  and started a huge fire.  Unfortunately, its a common occurrence here in the bay area.

 

We saw a pretty double rainbow after the storm passed.

double rainbow

We have deer and turkey behind our site, but no otters or fox like we did last year.

There are two separate batches of young turkeys.   Last night they were on our lot until they saw me come out with my camera and they flew off.  I was surprised they could fly so young.

turkey

This is our view in our back “yard” looking left.

turkey

turkey

turkey

and the usual birds…

cardinal

cardinal

 

I couldn’t resist this opportunity of Pat and Murphy napping.

Pat and Murphy

10 comments:

  1. Helmets is a good thing, no matter what people say, One small tumble can end your life.

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  2. We just had a wicked t-storm here over the lake. It shakes the RV so hard things fall off the wall! It makes me nervous, being in this metal box on wheels when the lightening is visible across the water. Good idea wearing the helmet. Ours are in the basement, unworn since we've had bikes. We need to get them out and wear them!

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  3. Great pics! Sure sounded like a lot of lightning bolts! Glad you missed most of it.

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  4. Al looks real smart in his helmet. Love the double rainbows. I have a very healthy respect for lightning since being at an Herb Festival in Maryland in a park and it started to rain. Everyone went into the little chapel there. A lightning bolt came in the window and killed a man sitting on the steps up to the altar holding his son. It sent electric shocks into anyone who was sitting next to the wall. Very scary.

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  5. We've been having some horrible storms lately in our area. In fact, early Sunday morning a tornado touched down not far from our home. So ready for this weather to move on.
    No, I don't go outside when it is lightning!!

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  6. It is so easy to procrastinate when you live this type of lifestyle. I know we did it many a time!

    Interesting facts about lightning. I never go out when it is lightning. Paul does and says it is beautiful to watch. I tell him he is nuts and one of these days....

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  7. Quail Run is looking good. Grace would love to see Murphy.
    Tell Pat we have decided to get a smaller car but thanks for remembering.

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  8. The humidity has let up a bit for us. It has taken a bit getting used to. I have never seen any baby turkeys. But I'm sure we will one of these days.

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  9. I love the tortoise pictures too. Happy to read that you are wearing helmets. I't s important to protect your "top knot".

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