Visitors

Zephyrhills, Florida  (high 75, low 54)

We finally got a little cool front and it brought the temps down from the low 80’s to the mid 70’s.  It’s nice to be able to turn off the a/c during the day, and the nights are nice and cool, and make for some really good sleeping.

We had company yesterday and enjoyed a nice visit with Margie, and Carolyn.  We had a nice visit, and enjoyed their company.  Baxter is very social and he really liked them both.  For some reason, I didn’t even think about taking any pictures.  Margie did though….of Baxter!  He was quite the ham for Margie’s camera.

Carolyn bought our little portable ice-maker that we had on Craig’s list.  Ten minutes after they left, someone emailed wanting to buy it.  Isn’t that the way it always works?

We’ve been busy around here, but nothing particularly fun or blog worthy.

Al made a short trip back to Georgia to get a load of stuff from our storage shed.  I stayed home and held down the fort.

We joined a local gym, called “The Local Gym.”  We got a two month membership, hoping to kick start us into getting into better shape.  We’ve enjoyed it a lot.  Al likes the bike,  and treadmill and I prefer the weight machines.   We’ll be heading over there this morning and then off to an eye appointment for me this afternoon.  Fun stuff, huh?  I am actually looking forward to the eye appointment though, because I’ve been having terrible eye strain and headaches lately.  My contacts (I wear one) and my reading glasses have both been bothering me lately when I use the computer.  I have been trying to limit my computer time, but it’s hard.  Hopefully a new prescription will solve the problem.

Interesting Wildlife Action Shots

Zephyrhills, Florida   (high 79, low 60)

We did a little exploring yesterday, or rather re-visiting some places we’ve been before. 

I got some interesting photos, I thought I’d share.

We went to Big Bend Power plant in Apollo Beach.

The power plant uses sea water which comes out very warm.  The warm water attracts Manatees in the winter months.

Many years ago the plant built a visitor center so that people could come to watch the manatee.  It has become extremely popular and we normally visit it every year.

Due to the unusually warm winter we’re having here in Florida, there weren't as many Manatee as usual.  I certainly didn’t get as good of photos as I have from the Florida springs.

There were lots of Tarpon swimming around under the boardwalk.

Lots of Mullet too.

Normally we’ve seen spotted leopard rays, but we didn’t see any this year.

However….we did see a dog that was left in a hot car. 

The windows and sunroof were down, but the dog was panting.  We notified a ranger there and by the time we drove back by, the owners were with the dog.  I don’t know what people are thinking.  It was 82 degrees yesterday and inside that car there was no breeze.  I know because I stuck my hand inside to feel how hot it was.

This is the second time we’ve seen this lately.  In the Keys we also reported a dog that was left in a car on a warm day.  If it’s 70 degrees outside, it’s too hot to leave a dog in a car.

When we reported the one in the Keys, we were told the dog would be removed from the car and taken into custody.  I assume they would break a window to remove the dog.  I wonder what the owners thought when they came out to find a broken window and a missing dog.  Sorry dog owners…but if you leave your dog in a hot car and I see it…I will report you.  There were signs all over the parking lot warning you not to leave valuables in your vehicle.  What is more valuable than your pet?

Okay…rant over….

I love this dead tree.

White Ibis

 

Osprey

 

I initially thought this was a pair of Osprey on their nest.  After watching a few minutes, they started calling and then a third Osprey came flying in.

 

He didn’t stay long.  I then assumed that this was a pair and one of them was a youngster they were raising.

I kept watching and snapping photos until this happened.

I guess I know what was going on now.

It was kind of interesting to be able to photograph.  Osprey porn!