Morning Walk

The weather is beautiful here! It is getting a bit too warm for an afternoon walk so I'm trying to get out earlier in the day.

Snail Kite

I was sitting out in the screen room today and saw a large bird on the roof across the street. It had a red beak and red legs which I found unusual so I came in to grab the camera and of course while I was inside it flew away. I came back in and grabbed my bird book and think it had to be a Snail Kite. I told John what I'd seen and said he'd seen a pair of large black birds earlier.

It came back and this time I had the camera handy but he really didn't want his picture taken. This was the best I could get.

The Snail Kite is on the Federal Endangered Species list so I am pleased to see them here. I don't know if they are attracted to the golf ponds or the Econlockhatchee River. Perhaps they'll be back tomorrow.

Painting and Hammering

Yesterday I was in the front room painting the kitchen cupboard doors.

What? Doesn't everyone have a bed frame to paint on in their front room? I figure guests might as well see what they're in for the minute they walk through the door!
(Actually, when we tore the guest room apart we had to put the bed someplace. The boards are from the built in bookcase that was torn out. I thought it was sheer genius on my part to lay them out so that I could paint 12 doors at a time.)

Anyhoo, I'm sitting there painting and I hear hammering just outside the window. I looked out and there was a woodpecker just going to town on the palm tree. He's been a fairly regular visitor but very camera shy. I ran for the camera anyway and he actually stuck around!

Yeah - my life hasn't been too exciting of late but I'm not complaining! The weather has been perfect and I'm quite content to stay here and work until it gets warm in Snowville.

What's that? You want to see how the kitchen is coming? Here's a peek. I'll put up before and after pics when it's done. I'm waiting on new hardware and the trim is taking me forever. (You'll just have to pretend that I was able to crop the floor out. That's a project I'm saving for the fall.)

1984 Twin, Homes of Merit

Florida Sandhill Cranes

The golf course here has many water hazards and the largest of these is home to some Florida Sandhill Cranes. They stand about 3 1/2 feet tall and will let people get fairly close. They are something to see walking down the street. I have seen them fly but usually they seem to just stroll along and occasionally stop traffic. They are in no hurry and seem to know that they have the right of way!

 

Stump Removal

I've wanted to have the stump out front removed since we moved in but didn't want to pay for it. I am thrilled that it is being removed for free!

We first saw this pileated woodpecker last year. He sat on the stump for a few minutes and was then gone. He returned a couple of weeks ago and found the stump much more to his liking.

Being stuck on the couch he provides a bit of entertainment for me. Pictures taken through the screen aren't that clear.

I'm not the only one that has been enjoying watching him. My next door neighbor got this picture a couple of days ago. It's hard to judge his size from the pictures but he's huge!

John got this shot of the stump. The big hole wasn't there this morning! Hopefully he'll keep working and entertaining me.