Spotted in Saint Petersburg, Florida December 2019
Here’s Your Sign
Itty Bitty
Octopus, Top
Octopus, Bottom
This little octopus (a mere three inches, including arms) was struggling on the beach Monday afternoon. I don’t know why it washed ashore, though part of one arm was missing – perhaps an attack by a predator?
Quick aside, did you know that the correct plural of octopus is octopode? Octopi is incorrect since you can’t Latinize a Greek word. But back to our little guy, I used a nearby shell to scoop it up safely and toss it out in the surf. Good luck, little one!
Sea Pork
Sea Pork, Treasure Island, Florida January 2020
Saturday’s wet and windy storm really churned up the shallow water here along the gulf coast of Florida. As a result, all manner of strange things washed ashore, which made today’s beach walk much more interesting.
There were hundreds of gelatinous blobs strewn on the sand. Though most were a pale tan, this coral-colored beauty stood out. My first guess, based on the pattern, was that it was a type of soft coral. An internet search corrected my thinking, sea pork is actually a colonial species of tunicate. It earned its common name because it resembles chunks of meat, not because it is edible.
Dare to Be Different
Marbled Godwit in a Flock of Willets, Treasure Island, Florida December 2019
Dare to be different. Dare to be bold. Stand out in a crowd…
Why would anyone want to fit in a mold? Be original. Be amazing. Be you!
~ Anonymous
Shadow Tail
Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sarasota, Florida December 2019
While bird watching at a park, I came across this attractive squirrel who was people watching. Instead of scurrying off, it was gracious enough to pose nicely for me. The prolific Eastern Gray (Sciurus carolinensis) is the most common of three squirrels found here in Florida (the other two are the Fox and Southern Flying).
While this one wasn’t sporting the biggest appendage I’ve ever seen, the genus name is quite apt; the Greek root words, skia and oura, translate as shadow tail.
Eat It!
Sign at Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida December 2019
After working in the environmental education field for two decades (and being a bit of a word nerd), signs like this really make my skin crawl.
I’m not alone in my reaction. I recently had a chance to visit with two of my former colleagues and we ended up swapping work-related stories: In answer to a question about a mushroom on a nature hike, Jeff replied, “Well, technically, everything is edible. Once.” Which is in a similar vein as one of Julie’s favorite sayings, “The poison is in the dose.” Because even water can kill you, if you drink too much of it.
There is a huge difference between poisonous and venomous: if you bite it and it kills you, that’s poison; if it bites you* and kills you, that’s venom (so yes, you could eat a venomous animal, if you were exceptionally careful, but I don’t recommend it). Then again, you’re dead, what do you care?!
*Or breaks your skin in some other manner.
I Found Treasure!
Treasure Island
Captain with Oranges?
Exterior
Living Room
Kitchen
Bathroom
Lots of Closet Space in Bedroom
Bedroom
Bridge Art
More Bridge Art
Canalway
“My” Beach
It has been one whole week since I moved into my new little home here in Treasure Island* and I am finally settling in. I am renting part of a triplex that was recently renovated: new blinds, kitchen counter, oven/range, bath vanity, toilet, water heater, and a/c/furnace. The only tricky part was that it was unfurnished.
My new landlord is a very nice man who offered to help me move in. He was taken aback by how little I had (just clothing and some personal belongings that fit in my car). Thankfully, I found some good deals on furniture nearby, I still need a dinette set but my sofa sleeper gets delivered next week.
The neighborhood is mellow and quiet, my neighbors are nice, and the grocery store is a mere four blocks away but the best part? I’m only a five minute walk from a beautiful, white sand beach!
*Treasure Island received its name after a publicity stunt planned by a creative hotel owner. He “discovered” several treasure chests (that he had planted earlier) on the beach.
Happy New Year, Y’all!
Nature’s Fireworks, Sarasota, Florida December 2019
Forgive me as I repeat myself, I find this song’s message just as relevant now as I did last year at this time. I wish all of you a bright and wonderful new year, full of magical moments and love! ❤
“So as we raise our glass, to the midnight fireworks blast,
leave our troubles in the past,
hoping this year is better than the last…”
The Paperboys are an amazing band from the Pacific Northwest and I highly recommend seeing them in concert if you ever get a chance.
Lame Limpkin
Limpkin, Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida December 2019
I felt fortunate to spend a bit of quality time last week with this Limpkin (Aramus guarauna). It is the closest I’ve yet seen one, the others I encountered during my last trip to Florida were much more reticent to being photographed.
Two things I would’ve liked to have experienced: their limping gait (hence their name) and their wailing cry. I’ve read that you can often hear them before you see them. While it shares a common ancestor with cranes, the Limpkin is the only extant survivor of its lineage. Unlike cranes, which are resourceful, unfussy eaters, Limpkins primarily specialize in apple snails (up to 70% of their diet).
For Perspective, This Bird Stands Over Two Feet Tall with a Wingspan Over 40 Inches
This one’s missing toe may be the result of a turtle attack (the birds often stand on floating vegetation and are therefore susceptible to turtle bites).
What Accent?!
Beach Art, Treasure Island, Florida December 2019
This fun sand art made me chuckle during my beach stroll this afternoon. On my drive out here last week, I stopped overnight in Baton Rouge. After eight hours of fighting through road construction and heavy traffic I was exhausted, so I walked across the street from my hotel to a little pub for a burger and beer.
The beer was ice cold, the burger was tasty, and the staff was friendly. So overall, a pleasant evening. The only oddity? Three people asked me if I was from up north, because of my accent. Umm, what?
It took everything I had to not snort beer out my nose – I don’t have an accent, y’all do! Also, this country has other directions beside north and south (like west, for example). Oh, whale!
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