Roosting

While doing dishes, a little movement caught my eye.  The turkey finding her roost for the night.  You have to click on the pictures to enlarge them. I am still amazed that something so very big, can be hidden so very well.

Feeder Friday

First shots were from a week ago.  A small group of five went to attention as a flock of seventeen appeared on the other side of the stonewall.  I think the five were being chastised for leaving the main body.

  This past week, we have had one hen return to the feeders every day.  She is all by herself and comes morning and late afternoon.....every day.  After warm temperatures and melting, we had a light snowfall Monday.  Spring in New England!

View From the Swamp: SPRING!!

 The ice is leaving the swamp!

March 7th

March 19th

You have to click to enlarge these photos.  Canada Geese and a pair of ducks....I won't try to id them.  The next shot you also have to enlarge to see another goose pair as well as a duck - Wood Duck or Hooded Merganser perhaps??  Even enlarged it is difficult to see.  It never ceases to amaze me how well camouflaged they are!

As my husband and I were about to leave the swamp Saturday, we took a final look down the far end of the swamp.  When we first arrived, the heron nests were empty but as we were about to leave, we spotted a heron flying and were just thrilled to see it land in the newest nest.   A second arrived within minutes and as we passed the binoculars between us, well.....spring has arrived!  We'll be looking forward to seeing the nest full and we'll do our best to keep you posted.

Glimpses of February...sigh

Feeding rays at the Florida Oceanographic Society Coastal Center.

Portuguese Man of War

Leaving Florida, we visited our son in Virginia and ended up spending two nights on Chincoteague Island.  Very off season, but just a delight to be off the beaten path.  We spent a day hiking around the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.  Definitely a place to return.  On the trip to Florida, we just ended up there by chance, following a sign on the highway looking for a place to spend the night.  When the sun came up the next morning, we realized where we were and knew we had to try and hit it on the way home.  Did we see any wild ponies?  No, lots and LOTS of manure but no actual sightings. We did come face to face with a white-tailed deer, and we think the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel, as well as lots and lots of waterfowl; it must be incredible during peak migrations.  We did drive out to the beach on the island and ventured out of the car.  The wind was just unbelievable!  

Time Flies......

Six weeks!  Hubby and I took a six week sabbatical from life....arriving in Florida to celebrate my mom's 85th birthday.   It was hard leaving the grand baby but not at all difficult saying good-bye to snow and more snow!  My sister and her husband were spending January and March next door to my folks but that left February open...since hubby is on redeployment leave (not to mention currently unemployed), we "sacrificed" to spend the month helping my folks continue their recovery.  It has been such a shock to see how heart surgery can fundamentally change a person.  My mom has always been a pillar of strength, stoic and solid but since this valve replacement she is fragile, vulnerable, emotional, and lacking in self-confidence.  We saw some improvement before we left, and I am optimistic she will be better when she returns home but not at all sure that she will be her old self.
  My hubby and I would take a walk almost every morning, four to six miles.  The first few weeks, we walked in the edge of the surf.  The last few weeks, we put on sneakers and hit the sidewalk, walking over a bridge and back with just gorgeous birds all about and water everywhere.  He'd then play about two hours of volleyball followed by lunch with my folks.
  Four o'clock coffee overlooking the ocean and bocce a few afternoons a week were just what the doctors ordered.  It was great to see how tenderly and patient he was with my mom especially.  He would walk with her on the beach, keeping her pace slow so she could go a little further each time.  He was her grocery shopping partner, going at a snail's pace and assuring her that was all that had to be done that day and they could take as long as they needed.  His calm, no pressure, unhurriedness was just what she needed.  He might just have to go back in April.