Watching the Tern's World

A few weeks ago Jean pulled our camper over to Anastasia state park to catch the Weezer show at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.  the show was outstanding but I am there for other things also.  Generally I have a few hours of each morning to roam and make pictures. . .

Of Course I attended the sunrise daily festival of light. This time coming near to the green flash.

but after the initial event I wandered over to the nesting bird protection area.

I didn't - and wouldn't go beyond the signs

 But the signs don't matter to the Tern families that get upset when their personal nesting space

 is intruded upon.

This is their turf.  I need to capture a few images and get out of here.

  hearts of a lion and a loud screaming din would confuse predator and passerby alike. 

 Fortunately, I have my little canon ultra-zoom camera that reaches about 600 mm lens power. (20X optical zoom)  The Terns nest in the open sand and are vulnerable.

I watch the little rhythm of activity and follow the birds over to the water where they are hunting for dinner.

The hunter hovers high watching the minnows below

 And dive bombs the shallow water 

 faster than a jet plane

 

 and splashes down -  hoping to get lucky

 fortunately I brought my lawn chair with me so I sat down and watched the show.

 Their skills are sharp and very evolved

 the setup of their habitat is amazing and productive

 but it wouldn't be possible without the protection area at the State park.

 a big sign up on the beach says NO DOGS.

 I will check back on them someday soon 

 Jean and I really enjoy all there is to do at Anastasia.

 maybe we will retire to St Aug.

Wait and see . .  like beach sand through he hourglass - as the Tern's World.

Springfest Every March

I've been to quite a few music festivals and some of the best like New Orleans JazzFest or the Hangout Festival or Floydfest.  But I like the laidback feel of Springfest and the venue at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.   It's mostly cenetered around bluegrass and Americana music so if you don't appreciate those sounds Springfest might not be your favorite.  I like the fact that there is room for everbody to camp onsite. but the best part about it is the laid back feeling.  That laid back atmosphere is prominently mentioned in every blog and article about Springfest.

The amphitheater early in the morning -  Tonight it will be happenin'.  The artist really like to play this stage.  there are 4 stages but this is where I hang the most.

Spirit Lake near the amphitheater is a great place to camp but it's crowded because it's so nice and it's close.  Primitive camping is free.

The best theme camps have been comin to Spirit of the Suwannee since the start.  This is the jam tent for Sloppry Land.

I camp at Peeptown with lots of good peeps 

We have a good time

and play music together

 And eat and play and sit around the fire and stay up till late or later with all my Peeps (2014 peepsters)

And wake in the morning and do it again dancing with the music

 The music park has a disc golf course and sponsors big tournaments

But since it is a venue for music festivals it's a little different.

 All in all its a beautiful place in the springtime and as you might guess I take lots of pictures

I get up with the sun and head down to the river for my morning dose of awe and gratitude

It's what I do and I share out of gratitude.

Every day is a big day. I have a great time and wear myself thin.  Then I get some good sleep in our little bungalow under the full moon.

my garden my life

My Dad and Mom always grew lots of plants and flowers.  My oldest memories contain various gardens, plants and trees.  How can I resist the urge to put something in the ground and watch it do its dance.

Her are my main beds.  the place where I will draw the line and pull all weeds.  the only place. Lots of Kale left over from winter. Kale chips anyone?  

Here also is Ziggy he is associated with the forces of garden destruction.  He is our new dog and he is mellowing out but about 300 ft. of drip irrigation is ruined at this point 

I allow lots of phlox to grow some years they are fuller than others.  I mow where I don't want them . How easy is that?  

Very easy to start - scatter roadside weeds in your yard.

Here is a garden view fro about three years ago,  pre- Ziggy.

this is Bubba , we miss him.

Here is one of my many hummingbird friends.

So I've shown you lots of flowers and not many veggies.  that's because after so many years the flowers have worked out to feed me just as much as the veggies.

I rely on lots of fruit trees too a have figs and blueberries and persimmons and grapes and peaches and pears to eat and they don't take much work at all. the bananas and avocadoes don't work very well here.

basically, I am a lazy but experienced gardener and I like what I like.

Withlacoochee River another magical time attracting moments

The Cooch is of my favorite rivers that I don't spend much time on.  Most of my journeys on the Cooch are at or near the mouth of the river where it dumps into the Gulf of Mexico.  Last month I took a short guided nature cruise with Jean as it was our 25th anniversary and we ate a a nice restaurant in Yankeetown.

Click on the pics to see a larger view

I take pictures in this area  quite often and wanted to bring Jean to show her.  Jean has been here before and paddled her too, but it has been a few years.

First we took a hike and climbed tthe observation tower at the Withlacoochee Gulf Pathways Preserve

 

Next I drove her around a little to show her the sights

Then we got to the Isaac Walton Lodge.  It's called Ike's Old Florida Kitchen Now .  and is somewhat cheaper now that it is not a 3 star restaurant.  the historic lodge burned down in 2000 but they have restored it  fairly accurately from what I understand .

we didn't eat yet because we had reserved a river cruise  with Osprey guides

the river was filled with life

Taking pictures was difficult from a moving boat on a cloudy day with no tripod 

but I managed to capture some worthy images.

Alas the sun was sinking and we were cold and hungry by this point

The cruise was nice we saw dolphins and gators and lots of birds and 

the most beautiful old cypress skeletons.

Hope you enjoyed