Econfina River

Float down the Econfina River to the Gulf and enjoy the 75 degree temperature in Dec.

Life can't get any better.
This Little Blue Heron was high above the water watching us.
Or more likely watching for fish.

We saw an empty eagle nest and then a few minutes later a soaring eagle.

Terry almost got lost in the saltmarsh grass.

One clump looks just like another.

This cormorant wasn't lost.

He was getting ready to stop over at the cormorant hotel.

Woodland birds in our yard

Goldfinch

Bluebird

Pileated Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Tufted Titmouse

Titmouse & Chickadee

Cardinal

Flood of the Century in FL Panhandle

We got over 15 inches of rain in 30 hours in north Jefferson County, FL

from Tropical Storm Fay.

There was flooding in the low spots between our house and the neighbor's. He said he's lived in northern FL all his life, and it's the most rain he's seen at one time in 80 years.

Our ditch through the back yard carried most of the water off safely. At the high water point it was over the culvert and 3 feet deep in the ditch that has been dry all summer.


Power was out for 12 hours, but the power company and the county did a good job of getting it back on and clearing fallen trees over the road.

The water's already receding by late afternoon on Sat.

We fired up the generator and enjoyed our flood party safe and comfortable

August 19 Happy Birthday Marc

Marc came to visit.

Looks like the trip tired him out or he stared at too many slot machines.

We went to Biloxi, MS to try out the casinos & resorts.

Not bad, but we didn't win the 13 mil up for grabs on the Wheel of Fourtune slots.

We tried out 4 of about 10 down by the beach.

Great food!!!

Back to St Mark's Wildlife Preserve

I caught a baby shark! We were told to try about a mile east of the lighthouse off the sandbars to catch the redfish, but all Terry got was speckled trout.
We paddled a long way putting in from the beach at the lighthouse which is off this photo on the middle right to beyond the two groups of trees on the left, which are the shore line. This photo is from the bird watching platform at the lighthouse. The 2 pools of water you see in the forefront are where the large shore birds feed. The ocean is at the horizon. Click for an enlargement.

Water was calm and beautiful as we headed east.

Most of the shoreline is sawgrass, but there are small beaches.

The Cormorants and Anhinga rested on the old pilings near the lighthouse.

The Royal Tern was hunting for lunch on a sandbar.

Fishing in the Gulf

Here comes Terry.

You can click on the picture to enlarge it and see him.

We wanted to try some ocean fishing from our kayaks and chose St Mark's National Wildlife Preserve which is close by. We set out from the boat ramp near the lighthouse.

It was a beautiful, calm day. Someone marked the way so I wasn't worried about getting lost as we went out past the sawgrass islands.

Terry's friend Bruce was our guide for the day. You can see from how well his kayak is set up he's been out before. As a matter of fact he caught a nice, big trout.

It was so easy paddling and drifting that Bruce and I were way out there while Terry was getting his poles ready. Yes, that group of 3 palm trees is where the truck is parked.

There's another fisherman. Looks like he's catching them so Terry and I went out there. Terry caught a big Ladyfish and a couple of catfish. None of which are worth keeping, but fun.

I headed back in for some birdwatching. Several people had walked over from the lighthouse and were crabing. This is a great place to learn to kayak. The water's only a couple of feet deep and you can see the bottom.

I caught a picture of this huge Tri Colored Heron fishing in the grass.

Look at that neck!

I got too close and scared him up in the grass.

This is a Laughing Gull watching us pull out to go home after a great day.

Thomasville, GA Rose Festival

The roses are beautiful in Thomasville the last weekend in April.

The Rose Festival includes cut specimens, arrangements, outdoor gardens, an orchid show, arts and crafts and an antique car show. Lots of fun!

Our favorite is this bright red climber.

This one is named Senior Prom and is growing at home in my new rose bed.

Our Tropicana is Terry's favorite.

Artic Flame is really doing well in my FL garden.

Couldn't resist adding a shot of my Dutch Iris

The Thomasville Orchid Show inspired me to photograph a couple of my own.
This is my giant white phaleanopsis.

And a smaller, deep pink phaleanopsis

I didn't have anything as spectacular as this oncidium though

so I just had to buy it from one of the orchid club members who was displaying at the show.

Here we are right at home outside on our patio.

Terry built this orchid bench for me. My job is to fill it up.

It won't take long at the rate I'm going.