Yep I am edging ever closer to the dreaded 30... a terrifying prospect.

Last week I visited Green Cay for the first time in several months. Human "snowbirds" were flocking in incredible abundance, but I still had a nice time.

A small cotton rat crouching in a corner of the boardwalk went unnoticed by most passers by.


I had fun chasing this little pied-billed grebe. It would dive and I would scoot around and guess where it would pop up. It didn't seem bothered by me as it stayed pretty close to the boardwalk the entire time.


Lots of wintering waterfowl. A pair of blue-winged teal posed obligingly for me.




Still water.


Green winged teal and ever-present moorhen.


This is the same snag that I often end my Green Cay posts with. Usually a wood stork or anhinga is present, on this day there was a large flock of grackles.
A male boat-tailed grackle displaying.

It has been much warmer these past few days. I actually went out in short sleeves over the weekend, imagine that!
We took a stroll around Riverbend Park on Sunday. While wildlife was not particularly abundant, it was nice to get out and enjoy some sun.

This red-bellied slider looked so relaxed.


A group of wood storks resembles a conference of judges


For some reason these plecostomus husks fascinate me. I think because they look so prehistoric.


Plecostomus, or suckermouth catfish, are invasive exotics that were probably introduced by the aquarium trade. They are commonly sold because of their algae-eating habits and are kept with ornamental fish. As the plecos outgrow their tanks, they are likely released. They thrive in South Florida because of the warm water, and because their armored scales protect them from most predators. However, the recent cold weather may have thinned their ranks.

The good news is, Rich and I are feeling much better. Tomorrow is my last day of the infernal antibiotic pills!
The not so good news is, another cold front is moving though South Florida and the past couple of nights have been in the 30's - 40's, and its expected to last all through next week! I know its not that cold, but when you are used to 80 degrees, its cold!
Although it was chilly today, it was a beautiful sunny day. Plenty of wildlife was out enjoying the sun. We watched a pair of red-shouldered hawks courting. I have heard that they nested near here last year so I am hopeful that they will do so again.



Another visitor to our garden was this Black Racer. I like how they stick up like a periscope from the ground, looking all around.





This shot is from January, during the last cold spell. I think it may be same snake, exhibiting similar behavior, soaking up the rays before a chilly night.

Its week three of the sinus infection that won't die. Plus now Rich has "man-flu" as well. The horror.
The good news is that I have been given a stronger antibiotic, the bad news is that it comes with some inconvenient side effects, so we will see what happens. Anyway I am trying to remain upbeat. Its easy to become worn down and unhappy when you feel like crap for weeks, but instead I am using the "down time" to plan and budget projects around the house.
To end on a positive note, this little rabbit has decided to make our front garden his home. We see him daily.

We have gone from freezing to frying in the past couple of weeks. I am glad that we are done with the freezing part and hope we don't have any more any time soon!
I went to the allergy doctor for a routine check-up last week and he discovered a sinus infection. That explains why I have been feeling kind of blah lately.
Anyway since I am not getting out very much these days I decided to photograph our lawnmower blenny, Scooter.





Lawnmower blennies are so named because of their ability to rasp algae off of rocks, and in our case, the sides of the aquarium. Here he shows off his specialized mouth.





Hoping I will be feeling better enough to get out and take some photos in the next few days.

We have had record low temperatures in South Florida for the past two weeks. At our house we have had below freezing for several nights. The number of cold days in a row has also surpassed recent records.

My truck thermometer Monday morning as I headed to work


Ice on the car


I have noted significant damage to many tropical plants in the neighborhood, and in our yard. I brought my orchids inside or kept them in a greenhouse, but the palms and other tropical trees are all showing signs of cold burns and will probably lose most of their foliage. On the plus side, its supposed to be gradually warming up and getting into the 80's by the weekend. I can hardly wait!

Tonight I am sitting at the computer bundled in an electric blanket. It has been unusually cold since the weekend. We have actually had to run the central heating as it gets into the 30's at night. We have had freeze warnings every night since Sunday.
Because of the extremely cold temperatures, manatees have been flocking to warm water refuges, often venturing far inland along canals to try and stay warm. The West Indian manatee inhabits warm tropical waters of Florida. When temperatures drop, hundreds will huddle together in areas of warmer water.









Young manatees are especially sensitive to the cold. Mothers bring their calves to warm up.







Manatees are often dispersed throughout the year, so it is quite rare to see so many in one place. It was a treat to see them and I enjoyed watching them bob around enjoying the warm water.

Last week Rich and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. We marked the occasion with a trip to Everglades National Park. On the way we stopped off at a native plant nursery and also had lunch at an excellent Thai restaurant in Miami.
The skies were dullish but it did not rain so thats good.

Little alligator along the research road


A sassy shrike posed well for us




As we drove south toward Flamingo, a flash of white in the corner of my eye caught my attention. This bald eagle was drinking from a small pool of water in a mostly dried out marsh.



Further ahead, a dark shape darted across the road in front of us. I pulled over and looked in the trees and discovered a black Mangrove Fox squirrel, the first time I have ever seen this color variant. The fur was all black except for the white tail tip.


Signs are now posted throughout the park warning visitors of the dangers that vultures pose to their cars. I scoffed at this, and thought that maybe the vultures were taking the blame for damage caused by the crows. I have personally witnessed plenty of corvid induced car damage.
However, in the parking lot at the Flamingo Marina, we saw some vultures perching on top of a Mini, pecking and tearing at the rubber lined sun roof.

Sweet innocence


After dark, we saw several snakes, many of them common species. There was a small pygmy rattler at Flamingo, in a similar location to where I have recently seen rattlers this year. While driving back I got mad at all the clueless individuals who came to the park to "enjoy nature" and then proceed to speed out of the park after dark and squash all the hapless nocturnal creatures. At one point we pulled over to allow some impatient boaters to pass us and likely flatten any snakes on the road. But, while we were stopped, we were thrilled to see a scarlet snake creep out in front of us, a first sighting for us both.


We had a great time in the glades, as always. It's never a bad trip when you see something new.

That's it for this blog, and for this year. Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year!!!

Last week I went to Rockport, TX to visit the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, the wintering ground for the endangered Whooping Crane. It was an amazing trip, with great company and awesome birds.

A sleepy evening in Rockport


We had dinner at a little place on the water. It was a dark and foggy evening, and the boats coming in late made for some spooky shots.





The next morning we boarded the boat to tour the refuge from the water. It was very cold by my standards (40's).

The boats from last night still looked eerie in the fog.



Luckily, once we got out on the water, the fog cleared. The sun even came out at times! However, the temperatures did not rise very much. A few brave souls and I braved the top deck of the boat in the biting wind to get fantastic views of White Tailed Hawk (a new one for me) and Whooping Cranes.





Catching Blue Crab, an essential part of their diet while wintering in South Texas.










We saw two pairs with chicks. At one point, when the wind died down, you could hear the peeps of the chick begging for food.



The cranes are territorial when breeding. This pair spotted the "resident" pair approaching and hurried away.















It was great to see the Whooping Cranes soaring over the salt marsh. I am grateful that I was able to go and see them, and hope that they will be around for many years to come.

The next morning I woke at the crack of dawn and headed for the Ding Darling NWR. The refuge is considered to be one of the hottest wading bird photography spots in Florida, if not the nation. Unfortunately, though there were quite a few photographers gathered, there wasn't much bird activity.

Follow me


A cooperative Tricolor heron


Colorful vistas


Because I was so early, I figured I would be the first to walk many of the trails.

I was wrong.


I was hoping for views of mangrove snakes or night herons but all I got was this raccoon (the suspected leaver of the footprints)


Two young raccoons in a tree were the center of attention.




Later that morning, as I was leaving the island, I decided to stop by the Sanibel lighthouse.




I said goodbye to the island, with dolphins leaping just offshore, and a snowy egret giving me the evil eye


In other news, I just got back from Texas and had the privilege of visiting Aransas NWR while I was there. Will be posting pics in the next few days!