For the Birds

Hello Everyone -

Hope you are all doing well. We have not have too many adventures lately - Glenn has been working and traveling way too much, and the weather has not been cooperative for adventures.

Yesterday we got several inches of rain and were forced to stay in all day. Today, this is what our backyard looks like.

Oh well. At least it was sunny and warm today, although I think it will be months before this all dries up again.

Anyhow, let's see. Last weekend we went to Clearwater Beach on Saturday...apparently we are in the high tourist season again because the traffic was terrible. But we had a nice evening to see the sunset from Jimmy's rooftop bar. They are building a new hotel in front of Jimmy's which is already impairing the view.

I actually really like this pic with the crane.

During the week, I continue to take pics during my lunch break as I walk around nearby Lake Carillon. I always see some friendly Anhingas...

And lots of egrets, like this guy...

But recently I've witnessed a few rarer scenes. Like this heron catching and eating a fish.

Gulp...

...gulp...

Mmm.

I thought that was a pretty cool thing to see, until I saw an egret that was trying to eat a snake.

The snake kept wriggling away, and when the egret finally got a decent grasp of it, the snake was rather brilliant.

Snake: "Hard to eat me with your beak tied shut, eh?"  Egret: "Aw nuts!"

I watched these two fight for a long time before I had to leave. If I had to bet, I would guess the snake eventually got away.

In other news, turtles apparently like yoga.

Stretch those legs!

Sorry, the quality of these pics aren't all that great, but I still thought they were kind of cool.

So anyway, today, Glenn and I went to Weedon Island Nature Preserve. We had kayaked there last summer, but this time we went to hike the trails through the mangroves. It was very pretty.

Finally, saving the best for last, Glenn and I were walking the beagles through our plan the other day when we noticed that there was a new neighborhood watch in place.

Yep, your eyes are not deceiving you. A bald eagle on a light pole.

We got very close to him and he was huge. Very exciting. Gotta love Florida!

Anyway, that's all that's new here. Hope you are all doing well and staying warm. Love to you all!