Through My Lens - Anatomy of a Sunset

Finding Entertainment in the Keys

This is the first year we have stayed a full three months in the Florida Keys. Guess that makes us official snow birds now.  While there are not a lot of shopping malls, large theaters, fancy restaurants, there is still plenty to keep you occupied.

Every night the sunset is celebrated. In our complex people gather together at the club house or at the picnic tables along the shore and watch for the green flash or the afterglow which can be quite spectacular when the clouds light up in the sky with all sorts of bright colors.

Add to that the pelicans that are always entertaining, the occasional dolphin pack that passes by, the manatees and all the critters you can discover in the small tidal pools along the shore.

In addition to all of that are some unique shopping opportunities. I like the Pink Junktique store for its originality. Then there's Shell World where you can get most any kind of shell and plenty of other stuff to take home should you feel the need for souvenirs. On our morning walks we pass by a custom golf cart place that has all sorts of original designs for golf carts. Bob's favorite is the Rolls Royce version.

Restaurants are very casual. It's the Keys! Sandals, flip flops and shorts are the norm. And while they may not be the fanciest of places the food offerings are really great.

We have enjoyed the almost weekly fairs and festivals. The annual nautical flea market was amazing as was the arts and crafts market at one of the churches. There is a snow crab festival that backs up traffic for miles because it is so popular.

This year we also took in an wonderful production of Shrek, The Musical, by The Keys Players community theater. And the First Baptist Church of Key Largo had a group that performed one night with music, martial arts and an amazing motor cross bike demonstration.

Time is running out for our stay here but we'll be entertained to the end.

Failte Ireland!

There is not an Irish gene in my body but Ireland has always been part of me. You see, I’m a St. Patrick’s Day baby! Yes, every year growing up Mom and I would try to think of some treat to take to school that wasn’t so green the kids wouldn’t eat it. When my co-travel addict, my husband, decided Ireland was the next place on the bucket list to visit, there was no argument from me.

We started in Dublin and traveled clockwise around the whole island ending back in Dublin. Along the way we feasted on Irish delicacies, visited ancient sites, roamed quaint streets, watched the ocean crash into huge stone cliffs, heard tales of giants and leprechauns, drank in the purpled fields of heather, and marveled at the numbers of sheep we met in the middle of the road. A month on the road stopping for a night or two in places like Waterford, Cobh, Kinsale, Killarney, Galway, Dingle, Potrush, Londonderry, and Belfast passed by quickly as we sampled Irish hospitality all along the way. It all sounds so romantic. And looking back now, it was.

We came home with over 1500 digital pictures. But the things that I value most from the trip are the impressions of people and places that will enrich my characters and settings in novels yet to come. For example, we had heard that in order to preserve the original Gaelic language, there were pockets in some communities where only Gaelic was spoken.  In one little town where we stopped for tea and scones, an elderly gentleman started past our outdoor table on his way in to the bakery. The gentleman, weathered and bent from years of perhaps shepherding or farming, tipped his hat to us and rattled off a greeting in Gaelic, none of which we understood. We smiled and nodded and he continued to speak to us never halting to see if we would answer. I have no idea what he said but it appeared to be friendly from the expression on his face. With a wink, he disappeared through the door leaving us to wonder what we had missed with no translation. Somewhere he will fit into a story, I’m sure.

Towns and cities were representative of their struggles of the past. The playfulness in the colors of Kinsale’s homes and businesses reflected the release of restrictions from British laws that required more “proper” decoration and were a stark contrast to the intense murals of Belfast that mark the period called the Troubles. So much history shapes the country and the people of the Emerald Island as it does all countries and peoples. Whether as a writer, one gets to travel the world or only their own community, there is a wealth of material on which to build characters and settings. The key is to observe, tuck the images in your mind, and look for what makes them so unique.

I also learned that the Irish are great storytellers. There is a story behind most everything you see in Ireland. The Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland is a prime example. The natural wonder was said to be made by two fighting giants, one from Scotland and one from Ireland. Through a very clever trick of the Irish giant’s wife, he won the battle without even fighting.

Thinking back to all those great Irish storytellers we heard along the way—well, maybe I do have a bit o’the Irish in me after all. 

For a look at our Ireland trip use the Ireland Posts Page. 

Wordless Wednesday

Manatee Madness

Kayaking on the Florida Bay has been one of the joys of our time here in the winter. We have found places to spot iguana, manatees and even a crocodile. It seems like there is always something new to discover.

On one outing we paddled down to the marina where we usually see the manatees. We weren't disappointed. There were three there floating around and snorting. Sometimes I think they are actually sunning themselves. They love the marina because when people wash the salt water off their boats, the fresh water is available to them. We've seem them actually come up to the back of the boat and suck on the scuppers (the drains) to get the fresh water. Otherwise they get their freshwater from eating the sea grass or finding a freshwater spring that empties into the salt water. They can go a long time though without the fresh water.

After a time of watching and muddling around the docks to see the manatees there we headed off for the lagoon where we have seen the crocodile and usually see lots of iguanas. We paddled through the channel and out into the lagoon and headed for the smaller end where the croc usually is.

Halfway across we noticed quite a commotion in the water. At first I thought it might be a feeding frenzy of some sort but when we realized it was a group of manatees, we knew that wasn't what was happening. As a matter of fact. . .yep. . .it became obvious. There were several males and one female. The female would break away once in a while and then the males would scramble after her. She gave them a merry chase and then they would all end up in a pile together churning up the water.

I tried to get Bob to video the action with his phone but he didn't want to invade their privacy. Such a thoughtful guy. And we certainly didn't want to get too close to take still shots. I have never seen manatees expend so much energy or move so fast.

The good news is that sometime next year, right around this time, we may get to see a baby manatee. Gestation is twelve months.

Wouldn't it be neat to see it born?

Pelican Patience

This year I broke down and bought a Florida fishing license. I bought a non-resident-three-day for when our grandson visited but ended up committing to a year long license a few weeks later. It will be good for our return next year and I am enjoying the peace and quiet that sitting and watching a bobber brings on a warm calm day.

Now I've had plenty of fishing buddies in the past. Growing up there was my dad, my mom, my brother, the kid next door and my grandfather. I've even fished with the guy who hates fishing, Bob. He goes once in a while as a concession to me. Of course the next generation, my grands, are fishing some too. Our Florida grandson especially and he was no slouch when it came to hooking fish. By the end of our fishing time together he was even taking them off the hook by himself.

Fishing on the dock here in Florida is a bit crowded at times though. You see when the pelicans spot a fishing pole, they flock to the dock and wait. The first time we were surrounded by a half dozen. The more that came, the more they closed in on us and started grunting. The grunting was to tell another pelican to back off. We tried not to feed them our catch but unfortunately several didn't make it back into the water soon enough and were scooped up which only made the pelicans more determined. So much so that one got tangled in my line. I was about to cut it when all of a sudden he shook it off. I think he'd had some experience.

This morning I was out fishing on my own. The Florida grandson is back home. I thought it would be a little lonely but sure enough, a pelican that was flying by spotted my pole and the bobber in the water and made a u-turn. He settled in the water about 20 feet away from the bobber and watched it with me. There seemed a glint of optimism in his eye. Certainly he was being quite patient. But then that's the sign of a good fisherman: patience sprinkled with optimism. It paid off for one of us.

When Is An Osprey Not An Osprey?

Several years ago we rented our first condo in Florida and it happened to be near an osprey nest. It was fascinating watching the comings and goings of the inhabitants. The nests are huge and are all over the Florida Keys. Many of them are actually on tall posts that have been specifically placed for the osprey to nest on. I'm guessing it's to encourage them not to use the lamp posts on the highways.

The osprey is also called the fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk or fish hawk and by its other names you can tell that its main diet is fish. We watched one day as the osprey carried a wiggling fish to its nest to feed on. I'm guessing there might have been some little ones in there to feed as well.

This year we have met a fellow from Quebec who is an avid photographer and osprey watcher. He pointed us to a nest he'd discovered where we were at least eye level with it. On our way north to pick up our granddaughter, we pulled off the exit ramp of the Overseas Highway to check it out and sure enough, there was an osprey on the nest. Our friend said that there are several young ones in the nest but we couldn't see them. I think mama osprey was shielding them.

Another spot we were directed to was at a local hotel that has three stories and at the end of one of the buildings is an osprey nest. This one begs the question: when is an osprey not an osprey? Answer: when the nest has been taken over by an owl. According to reports the owl fought valiantly to take over the nest and won. The hotel personnel we spoke with says they expect to see offspring soon.

Nature provides abundant entertainment in the Keys.

Theater Of The Sea

One of the favorite places our grandkids like to visit is the Theater Of The Sea in Islamorada just south of Key Largo. It was requested again this year by one of our granddaughters when she came to spend her time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Actually, I like it better than Sea World. It is a lot more intimate and you get closer to the marine animals so you can actually see them. The dolphin show of course is my favorite. We watch it twice each time we go.

Let me explain. The show schedule is set up so that you go from one venue to the next and can jump in at any spot on the schedule and follow through all the shows. It takes about three or four hours to see it all (including the extra show we took in).


There is also a beach where you can catch some rays, snorkel, or just sit and relax. Opportunities to swim with the dolphins and now feed the sharks cost extra but everything else, the bird show, the dolphin show, the sea lion show, the short boat ride through the lagoon accompanied by dolphins, and the ponds that hold all sorts of other marine animals are all included.




The two dolphin shows were just a little different. I suspect it was due to the time of day, the attitude of the dolphins and the change in trainers in the water with them.






Still, it is fascinating to watch these magnificent animals with their grace and power in the water and the gentleness that they exhibit when it comes to getting kissed by a dolphin. I was kissed a few years ago when we dove with them in the Bahamas. When all the kissing was done this time, our granddaughter touched her cheek and said, "I'm never washing that cheek again."

Wordless Wednesday

Through My Lens - Florida Orchids

Books For The Road - Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

As I was browsing through possible books for reading, I came across Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee and realized I hadn't put that on my reading list yet. I downloaded it to my Kindle and then was surprised to hear that the next day Harper Lee had passed away. I have read Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee by Charles Shields and knew that To Kill A Mockingbird was the one novel that she'd written and published. A while later the Watchman book came out.

It is said that Watchmen is possibly a rough draft of the Mockingbird or one that was written first and then discarded for the Mockingbird. It is a lot more caustic as far as the racial overtones go. There is still a lot of the old lovable Scout there but she is all grown up now and upon her return home is horrified to discover that Atticus is not the man she had built him up to be.

The last half of the book is quite a look into some of the attitudes of the South as they were learning to adjust to the new freedoms of the black population. I think it's set in the very early sixties and just before or just as the marches were beginning and integration was a hard reality for a culture that had been separated for so long by the color of a person's skin.

Nothing is solved really in the book as far as racial attitudes go but then nothing is really solved today although I would hope we are a little further along.  Scout's Uncle Jack tells her, "Every man's watchman is his conscience." Like Jean Louise, I too don't understand. Why do we still have those racial lines?

A book for the road? Yes, if you want to be challenged a bit. Be aware, you may be a bit offended as well but Lee does a decent job of presenting the opinions of the times. I'm really glad though that it evolved into the Mockingbird story. I like the showing of the story better than the telling.

Mrs. Noah's Cruise - Part III

For the Noahs, this was a real Do-It-Yourself cruise. How many of you have ever gone camping with the family or taken one of those vacations where you rent a condo for the week? If you are like most wives and mothers, you packed, you cooked, you picked up after everyone, and you may have even had to clean and do the laundry. Can we imagine it was any different for Mrs. Noah?

First there was all the rain. That at least floated the boat but there wasn’t much opportunity for lounging in the sun on the deck. And incidentally, all those passengers needed looking after. What do you do with a seasick elephant?—give him lots of room. And what about those rabbits that seemed to be mathematically precocious? Where was she going to put them all?

Yes, it was a real adventure and I’m sure Mrs. Noah was happy to see the top of Mt. Ararat appear in the distance as the sun broke through once again. Incidentally, the forty night cruise turned into 150 days before they set foot on dry land. That’s an around the world cruise today!

I’ll bet she was glad to see the cruise end but at the same time, what an amazing journey—an adventure unlike any other. Something to tell her grandchildren about for years to come—As a matter of fact the story is still being told. It was truly an adventure of faith.

If you were to ask Mrs. Noah, she’d tell you:

Adventures of a spiritual nature often come in unusual and unique ways.

Remember, as you sail on in your spiritual adventure, to ask Jesus to calm the storms.

Know that God is there wherever your journey may take you. 

Blessed travels!

Mrs. Noah's Cruise Part I
Mrs. Noah's Cruise Part II

Mrs. Noah's Cruise - Part II

Noah and his wife finally put the finishing touches on the ship, oiled all the teak, and were ready to begin embarkation. Mrs. Noah got all her cruise wardrobe packed and set the suitcases out for the porters to take on board. She happened to see the porters as they picked them up and she wasn’t happy with the way they handled the luggage. The only way to describe them was: they were gorillas.

She boarded the ship and took her welcome aboard drink from the server who was decked out in bright feathers and kept squawking “hello.” Something seemed odd about this cruise already but she just couldn’t put her finger on it.

The cabin was a bit small but comfortable and with a window. She’d wanted a balcony but Noah had insisted it wouldn’t be necessary. When her luggage arrived in the room, she tucked away all the clothes in the bureaus and closet and then went up on deck to watch the other passengers board the ship. 

She was appalled! They were real animals! Some were hairy and loud. Some were rather large and clumsy. Others, well, it was just not the kind of company she’d expected to have dinner with in the dining room.

Mrs. Noah sighed and took out the book she brought to read, found a deck chair and then slathered on her sun block. She sat back and closed her eyes to enjoy a few rays of sun only to be interrupted by her husband.

           “What are you doing?” he asked.

           “I’m relaxing a bit,” she told him. “I think I’ve earned a little rest and relaxation after all this ship building.”

           “I think you’ll want to get your rain gear out,” he told her.

           “Rain gear? What are you talking about? The sun’s out. I want to get a tan.”

           Noah took her to the side railing. “Honey, take a look out there. Do you see any water?”

Mrs. Noah looked out on a dry sandy soil. There wasn’t even a backyard creek running through the yard. Now she realized what had been bothering her. How do you cruise on a ship when there’s no water? 

           “What kind of a ship is this if there’s no water to cruise on?” she asked Noah.

           “It’s an ark. God’s gonna provide all the water we need and we’re going to save all the animals of the world and have a wonderful cruise as well. You did remember to bring your sense of adventure, right?”

[Now when anyone tells you to bring your sense of adventure on a trip, you know you’re in for an unusual adventure. Trust me on this. That’s what our cruise company told us when we were going to China. It truly was a unique adventure. ]

Mrs. Noah's Cruise - Part I
Mrs. Noah's Cruise - Part III

Mrs. Noah's Cruise - Part I

How many of you have ever said, “I’m waiting for my ship to come in?” I used to hear that term a lot when I was growing up. Every time my dad was dreaming of getting something big or doing something he’d always dreamed of, he would say he had to wait for his ship to come in.

Have you ever wondered what that ship would look like? Perhaps a big yacht? Or an oil freighter? Or maybe a cruise ship?

I think Noah’s wife was thinking cruise ship when Noah started talking about his ship coming in. Mrs. Noah, was probably very excited when she heard her husband talking about a cruise—a forty day cruise no less! I can see her sitting at her kitchen table, sipping coffee and turning pages of the latest cruise brochure.  Dreaming of exotic ports of call, warm sandy beaches, chilled fruit smoothies.

And then Noah handed her a hammer and said he needed her help building the ship.

Well, wives are pretty resilient. And I’m sure Mrs. Noah after a bit of negotiating with Noah, decided it was better to help build the ship than to not get to cruise at all. The ship began to take shape and of course, then she had to endure all the gossip about what was going on in their backyard. She took to telling people in the grocery store that her ship had come in—it was just in pieces and they had to put it together.

[Thankful I've never had to build my own cruise ship. But wait! The story gets even better.]

Mrs. Noah's Cruise - Part II
Mrs. Noah's Cruise - Part III

Wordless Wednesday

Destination: Tokyo

Several times Tokyo has been our destination. While it may seem intimidating because of the language difficulty, we have had the privilege of being guided by our daughter-in-law who is Japanese. Not having to worry about the language eased our anxiety the first time when we all went as a family for the wedding our our son and his wife. We spent several days in Tokyo before going on to Sapporo where we were privileged to attend a traditional Shinto wedding ceremony and the big reception that followed.

Our son and his family have moved to Tokyo for a few years and it gave us the opportunity to visit again. It is an amazing city and, we discovered, the language difference is not such a big deal. People are for the most part very helpful and with some sign language, pointing to maps, etc., you can usually find your way all right. With a little pre-study, you can decipher the train system and easily find your destination with a good guide book.

Recently I learned that there is also a Tokyo Free Guide service with English speaking guides who will design a tour for you according to your interests and guide you around the city. You only need to pay for food and transportation.

Tokyo is a city made up of many districts and each has a unique flavor not only in their foods but in the architecture, shops, and entertainment opportunities. For instance, Yokohama is on the water and home to the Cup of Noodle museum. It has a beautiful boardwalk and lovely shops and restaurants. Then there is the electronics section, Akibara, that is not to be missed if you are at all interested in those things. One afternoon, we visited the Chinatown of Tokyo and found an excellent restaurant.

There is so much to see--it is a huge city. You really need to plan ahead so that you catch the things you truly want to see and still have time to explore and discover and taste.

Next up for us in Japan: Climbing Mount Fuji. Watch for my posts this late summer/fall. I just hope I can keep up with the grandkids.

Are Florida Sunsets Better?

In our travels, we have seen some pretty spectacular sunsets but there's something about the sunsets in Florida that make you want to be sure you don't miss a one.

Is it the way it's reflected on the water? When you are on the shore, the sky is not the only thing changing color. The water reflects the colors and softens them or makes them sparkle depending upon the weather, the angle of the sun and the texture of the water's surface. 

Is it in the infinite variety of clouds that dot the sky? The clouds form colored patterns in the sky as the sun sets and they move across. Sometimes the best sunsets are when there is a little more cloud activity and the sun has already dipped below the horizon. There are times when the rays reach the clouds with a post sunset splash of color that lights everything up overhead as if the clouds were a canvas for a great painting.

And then there's always the suspense. Will there be a green flash? While the green flash is usually not a flash but rather a slash of green color just as the last of the sun disappears, it is always a fascination.

In our condo complex, as with many other areas in Florida, people gather to watch the sunset, enjoy the glorious colors and come together to end the end the day. It's a great tradition. 

The Fishing Expedition

Our Florida grandson is a fishing enthusiast to say the least. The first visit to our condo this year was not satisfying since the weather didn't cooperate. When it was time to visit again, we planned for a better day and a trip out on a party fishing boat.

We checked the weather the day before we were to go out and it looked good so we made our reservations online. The boat was certified to hold 49 passengers and by the time we were ready to start out, I'm sure there were at least that many on board.

While the temps and sunshine were great, the wind had changed direction on us and by the time we were out of the channel, I knew it was going to be a challenging day. Thankfully I'd taken my meds the night before and I knew Bob and our grandson would be okay with it.

There were not enough rods in all the appropriate holes where they were kept. Actually, I don't know that there were enough holes on the side of the railing for 49 rods. Extra rods were handed out and bait boxes placed strategically among us.

While we were to yell, "fish on," if we caught one, there was no offer to bait hooks which Bob had counted on. He took a deep breath and plunged in, baiting his hook well enough to be the one to catch the first fish in our threesome. Of course when he yelled "fish on," I was the only one around to take it off. So between taking fish off for him and helping my grandson bait his hook and taking the fish off for another lady who kept catching them left and right, I didn't get a whole lot of line in the water time.

Oh, did I mention the wave action? I was sure my middle was going to be black and blue from bouncing against the railing. It was difficult to hold on to the railing and the pole. I was amazed that my grandson did so well.

And did I mention that when we went from one spot to another, the waves splashed against the boat so badly that I was soaked head to toe? Bob and my grandson went inside a crowded space where others had taken refuge but it was at the back of the boat where the crew had told those who were feeling ill to sit. It was less distance over the side to the water if you were sick and downwind. There were quite a few "passed out" on the benches. It did entertain our grandson though who felt a bit smug to know he had an iron stomach.

The four hours passed quickly but being tossed about, wet, and elbow to elbow with people, rods, reels, and hooks, I was ready to hit the shore.

There were eight pieces. I didn't get a picture soon enough.

Back at the condo, I went online got a Florida fishing license and my grandson and I sat on the dock and fished together the rest of the afternoon and the next morning. We caught lots more fish and had a great time watching the pelican watch us hoping we'd toss a fish their way. We managed to save four grunts and I filleted them for lunch. They weren't very big but at least there was enough to say we ate our catch.

It's all in the memories.

Terrifying Roads

For Amerian drivers who are used to driving on the right side of the road, nothing could me more terrifying than learning to drive on the left. Our first encounters with this were years ago when we used to take a long weekend in the fall and go to the Grand Bahamas where, thanks to British heritage,you have to drive on the left side of the road. We giggled a lot about the big label pasted on the dashboard that said "Keep Left!" but it was a good reminder.

Since those early days we've learned to navigate from the other side of the road in Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. There were however, some terrifying moments. Our first trip up the mountainside just outside of Cairns, Australia, to get to the village of Kuranda in the rainforest was from my view in the passenger's seat, death-defying.

Actually the trip up wasn't bad. We were mostly on the inside part of the road with trees and forest. We explored the village, enjoyed the Aboriginal exhibits, got our souvenirs and headed back down. By that time the light was fading and shaded by the rainforest canopy. This time my view was a sheer cliff most of the time that rose above the valley below--way below. Every time we rounded a curve Bob would give a little space in case a car was coming from the other direction and I would give a little scream because I was sure we were going over the edge.

Several years later we made the trip again. This time I made sure we planned to be back before the light faded. If we were going over the edge, I wanted some daylight for the rescue party.

Curiously, an article on Smarter Travel.com lists ten roads they consider terrifying and Kuranda didn't make the list. There were a couple mentioned in China and while we never traveled those, I would think that many roads in China would be terrifying in that there is so much traffic and hundreds of bicycles with whole families perched on them navigating through the cars, trucks, and buses. A sight to see. And at the least, frightening.

Wordless Wednesday

Nostalgic Train Travel

Few people do not know what the Orient Express was especially if they are fond of murder mysteries but did you know that it still operates. It is one of many nostalgic train rides you can still take. The Orient Express has been upgraded to work on modern day rail lines but they still use the vintage coaches. You can take two to four day trips on the old line during certain times of the year. A great travel experience for Agatha Christie fans.

We once took a train from Alice Springs to Adelaide that was vintage. It was the Ghan Railway. What an experience! I was glad it was only one night. It was a little like trying to sleep while riding in the back of a pickup truck. We were going over tracks that were heated by the searing sun in the day and cooled down at night and I think that may have contributed to the rough ride. You can read about our trip on my post: Australia's Ghan Railway.  The cars were vintage and the dining was exquisite and along the way there was a narrator pointing out historic spots.

There are several trains mentioned in an article at Smart Traveler.com if you are interested in trains and travel. Besides the Orient Express they mention one through Siberia, another in South Africa, the cross country run in Canada, a rail trip in India, and the list goes on. Lots to enjoy for the adventurous nostalgic train lover. Who knows? Maybe there's a mystery novel somewhere in all of that.

Travel Bags - Clutch, Purse or Satchel?

When the lines are long at the TSA you have lots of time to look around and see what people are traveling with. When I'm going through security and traveling by plane, I put everything in my back pack. No extra over the shoulder stuff or something extra to clutch in my hand that I may set down and forget. But I've noticed that a lot of women are toting huge purses that are more like satchels and passing them through the x-ray machine. I can't help but wonder if they use that purse all the time and if it's been made ready for security clearance.

I had to carry a big diaper bag around when the kids were tiny and I hated it. Maybe that's why today I don't like the huge purses that seem to be so popular and certainly not for traveling. When we are out and about at our destination I rely on my little cross-body purse that I found at a street market in Pisa, Italy. It was advertised as leather and I think it is considering how long I've had it and how it has worn so well. And it was only $10! I can carry basics: a cruise card, a credit card, an ID, a Chapstick, pack of tissue, small Purell and of course my iPhone. If I open the large compartment I can also use it to carry a water bottle easily.

Recently I saw a clutch advertised that was made specifically for a smartphone and with enough extra room for a couple of credit cards and some cash. It was a bit pricey though- $30-40 and the cross body strap was extra.

The point in all this is to say that unless you are packing to go to the beach with towels, sun block, water, books, etc. why would you want to carry a big heavy purse? Leave the satchel at home and downsize. Your shoulders and back will appreciate it.

Why Are The Vultures Circling?

Everywhere you look here in Key Largo you see vultures circling in the sky. We have been fascinated by how they can use the thermals and the winds and actually just stay in one place for a long time soaring with wings spread.

There are black vultures and turkey vultures in Florida. It's hard to tell the difference from the ground looking up as they circle in the skies. The turkey vultures are larger but again, unless you have something to compare size to it is difficult to tell.

They have great vision like the eagle or hawk and can spot food from quite a distance. The difference is that the eagle and hawk are looking for live prey. The vultures are looking for the dead and decaying.

We play at tennis quite a bit. Actually we call it "wack-a-ball" rather than tennis. No score. No pressure. Two or three bounces is okay. Several times as we play we've notice a few vultures overhead soaring and just pausing in the wind and hanging out. Is there something they are waiting on? What do they know that we don't? At our age you begin to wonder.

The Crocodile Hunters

The Florida Bay was calmer than we'd seen in a long time. The winds this year have been mostly out of the North and Northwest which makes it a bit choppy and chilly with the cooler temps. But this day was almost perfect--sunny, calm seas and we were feeling ambitious. Bob hoisted our inflatable kayak on his shoulder and we maneuvered the stairs from our second floor condo and made it down to the water.

With a plop the kayak went into the water and we gently and carefully fit our bottoms into the seats. Congratulating ourselves on yet another boarding without upsetting the kayak and landing in the water we set out. There was still a slight breeze out of the south but we headed north anyway even though the return trip would mean a little extra energy on the paddles. We liked the route which would take us past several patches of mangroves that usually held iguanas especially on a sunny day and then into a marina where there were almost always manatees to be seen and played with.

We were not disappointed. A huge colorful iguana was perched in a mangrove sunning himself and wasn't bothered by us coming near for a picture. I'm guessing he didn't want to give up his spot in the sun. He'd been waiting a few days for a chance to warm his leathery hide.

Inside the marina we spotted a single manatee and then three together. The single looked like a young one by his size and seemed to be hanging at the surface perhaps like the iguana, enjoying the sun. I was amazed at how long he held his breath when submerged. We waited long periods for him to surface. The other three were in an a couple of empty slips in the marina and we paddled around watching them. A friend arrived with his daughter and son-in-law and we gave our space to them since this was the first time his daughter had seen the manatees close up.

Outside the marina, Bob said, "Let's head right and into the canal." I knew what he wanted. The great crocodile hunter wanted to see if he could spot the crocodile that was gaining quite a reputation. A couple of years ago we had seen a large one back there that at first we thought was a statue. Turns out it wasn't. This year's croc though is much smaller in size.

Sure enough we found him sunning himself on the shore and we eased the kayak closer for some good shots. He seemed to be sleeping but I'm sure there was a little slit in those eyelids keeping on eye on us. And yes, the thought that we were in an inflatable boat and the crocodile has teeth did cross my mind--several times.

We got our pictures without disturbing him and paddled away all the while keeping an eye out. After all, if there was a little crocodile there had to be a Momma around somewhere and Momma would be a whole lot bigger with a whole lot more teeth.

I exhaled with relief once we were back out in the Bay. We began our paddling toward home cutting across open water a bit to shorten the trip. As we got nearer to shore we were startled by a huge school of what I think was snapper. They were leaping out of the water and running for their life. The pelicans were having a feast with them as it continued for a couple of minutes and they must have traveled a couple hundred feet.

The question came to mind: What's chasing them?

I paddled a little harder.