Raccoon Clam Diggers

Wildlife Adventure in the Backyard

Today after our usual walks, we had a wildlife adventure right on the property where we are staying. Margarethe came over to tell us about a bobcat that was stalking the bunny cage behind their house. She had a great picture on the digital camera and invited us to the house to see for ourselves. The bobcat was hiding in the brush and came out several times as we watched and made pictures. Exciting to see a bobcat this closeup.

PS: Bunnies Dotty and Spotty are safe in their cage.

Lazy, Hazy Day

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Sunday, we took an early morning drive through DDWR. It was low tide so we saw a lot of birds feeding-mostly willets, ibis, white pelicans, blue herons, egrets and other herons. See Green Heron in picture. Saw and heard several red-bellied woodpeckers. Watched 2 raccoons digging and eating clams.

Too cloudy in the afternoon to go to the beach.
For dinner we made garlic shrimp with pasta and an improvised broccoli salad because we had no lettuce.

Hot Time at the Bailey Tract

Friday was on the cool side. High was only 65 but that is better than 6 degrees. We went to Bailey Tract for a walk but the area was closed. They did a controled burn there on Thursday but it looks as if the fire may have gotten out of control! Most of the tract including palm trees appeared charred. DDWR is closed on Friday so we checked out an eagle's nest near us but lighting was not conducive for photographing. We did spot a hawk who made a good subject for this photo.

Cooked in Friday night. Menu was broiled lamb chops with balsamic reduction sauce, Caesar salad and rice pilaf(my recipe). Yum yum!

Saturday night: Decided to go to Lazy Flamingo for an early dinner. Arrived there at 5:30...tables all full and people waiting but the bar was empty. So we sat in our "spot" at the bar. Started with cold oysters on the half shell and cold beers. Al ordered Caesar salad with blackened shrimp skewers (half order). I had seasoned hot peel n eat shrimp and half order fies. Finished with Key Lime pie.

Sun, Sand and Surf ....No Snow!

Waves upon the warm, white sand
foam breaking on the shore
Waves coming from a distant land
stir seashells, spiral pure.
The distant cries of seagulls mix
with the ocean's peaceful roar.
Sun glinting off water, as it licks
upon the sandy shore.
So peaceful in the morning
before the crowds have come.
So beautiful, the seashore
beneath the summer sun.

Written by Sarah Terzo.

Lazy Flamingo is Not a Bird

The "Cheer, Cheer" of a cardinal awoke me this morning followed by the songs of a warbler. Good to be in Florida! Sunny day! More beach time and a ride through DDWR too.

For dinner we decided to go to Lazy Flamingo, a neighborhood bar and grill just across the pass. What a fun place....was very busy....very small....only 4 people working the place....the cook, 2 girls taking orders, and another guy who worked all over. Can serve about 60. One of those places where "everyone knows your name". Was a long wait (45-60 min) for a table so we sat at the bar. Busier than usual? They do not have waiters to serve the tables...customers order at the bar and then pick up drinks and food when their name is shouted for order. Quite a show to watch....orders are attached to a clip and then sent to the kitchen by flying on a high wire to the cook. Better duck if you are working in its path behind the bar.
Al ordered mesquite grilled rack of back ribs that fell off the bone. Served with fries and slaw. I had fried grouper basket...crunchy and hot...with fries. Panko crust??
Food is great! You can bring your seafood catch here and they will cook for you. Ready to go back and try more of the menu. Best place to sit is at the bar.

Captiva Sunset

The picture above is of our sunset on Tuesday evening. It was a windy evening but actually the nicest sundown we have seen since our arrival. Most evenings have been cloudy or with heavy fog.We think nicer weather has finally arrived with warmer temperatures.

Just Another Day at the Beach

Beautiful sunny day. Al took his daily walk. Coffee and pastries afterwards. Lunch of ham sandwiches and chips. Spent afternoon at beach....lot of birds...saw new bird....Forster's Tern along with the Common Tern and Royal Terns. Many Willets here too. Lot of boats including the one that sprays out so much water....some kind of tourist boat. We went to Matzaluna for dinner....so busy...30 minute wait and that was with a call ahead. Al had Veal Saltimbocca (not on menu anymore but they made anyway) served with smashed potatoes and sauteed mixed vegetables. I had Eggplant Parmesan served with penne pasta with pomodoro sauce.

Pictures From Sunday DDWR

Today is President's Day...lot of traffic on the island. Drove in to Sanibel to buy couple of new books and see art exhibits at Big Arts. Stopped at Timbers to buy some peel n eat shrimp for lunch and a strip steak for dinner. Sunny but on cool side. Went out to beach about 3:00 but too windy to stay very long. The Royal and Common Terns are now on the beach.

Another Foggy Day in Captiva Town

Another foggy day. I say that literally, the fog rolled in, in waves. Thin whispy strands of cotton pulling off a solid roll in the background.(Watch video) Last night's weather man called it "spooky fog", his partner called it "pea fog".
Whatever you call it, it was not what we were here for.
As we entered the bird sanctuary the fog seemed to lift, the sun came out, and we had 2 hours of 80-90 degrees with plenty of sunshine. Took a few shots of some resting Roseates, and a huge flock of Willets (maybe 200 birds) sitting in the sand on the edge of a small island, all facing the same direction, as if they were all waiting for the same thing.
Monday is "supposed" to clear off, then a cool front comes thru, and 70's and 80's for the weekend.
We may ride down to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary this week to see what birds we can find there.
Al