Linear view vs. Masonry View

Lame Limpkin

IMG_6550

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).

IMG_6514

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).
2

What Accent?!

IMG_5795

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!

 
2

What A Gift!

Yesterday, I  stopped off at a park to stretch my legs and enjoy the warm, sunny afternoon. As I wandered around a pond I came across a Little Free Library in the shade of a giant oak. Of the odd assortment, one book jumped out at me:

IMG_5738

Intriguing Title

Curious, I took the book over to a nearby bench and dove in. The Instructions page made me chuckle, especially rule number 4: Instructions are open to interpretation. Life is much the same, no? In the ensuing pages, I discovered a bit of wisdom, a dash of whimsy, and a smattering of art.

Open to Interpretation
What Rules?
The Spelling May Be Wrong but the Message Isn’t
Someone was Artistic

Based on the various handwriting samples scattered throughout the book I am at least the fourth person to have interacted with it. And yes, I did make a few additions before returning the book to the library to start its next journey. While I enjoyed the experience, it was the message inscribed in the back of the book that was the most memorable:

IMG_5751

It is essentially my wish for all of us: “May your coming moments tell a story with sharing, and a journey worth living.”

0

My Beach

After eight hours of hard driving on Wednesday it was nice to just put in a half day behind the wheel. Even better was arriving in Gulf Shores to a mild and sunny afternoon. I needed some fresh air and to stretch my legs so I pulled into Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and hit the Pine Beach Trail.

I had my very own beach, my footprints were the only human tracks in the pristine white sand. The two other sets of tracks belonged to a Great Blue Heron and a Sanderling, and the size contrast between the two is quite striking.

A relaxing way to wind up the day!

 

0