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.