CATCHING UP

  

The time  for our late Spring cross-country migration is approaching.   And that means it's  time to clean up the odd little corners  around here — time for using up, straightening, giving away, or throwing out.   We're going through the refrigerator/freezer …the clothes closets … the  filing cabinets … the junk drawers  …   and, look, even the photo archives.     Here are some picture memories that almost didn't get shared, but that I certainly didn't want to throw out.  

 

 

 

Because I only post once a week these days, usually on Saturday or Sunday,  one of my favorite sharing sites, SkyWatch Friday, has gotten a little neglected.  But I still gaze up and take pictures.  Above is a collection of evening sky and moon shots from throughout the season.

 

 

 

  This is the last picture I took of 'our' local eaglet  before he left home for life's adventures in the big wide wonderful world.   According to the folks at the Eagle Cam website, E9  was last seen on May 2nd.    (This picture is from late April.)   Harriet and M-15 did a good job of teaching their offspring all the Eagle lessons they could.  Everyone hopes they'll enjoy their quiet season safely and come back next winter to begin the parenting process anew. 

 

 

These pictures are from a visit to Sarasota's Mote Aquarium.   We stopped there on our way home from one of our overnight exploring trips.  And there were so many bird pictures from that trip that the fish didn't have a chance to make it into the post.   The Aquarium is home to over a hundred marine species — these are some of the more photogenic inhabitants (or at least those who live in some of the better-lighted tanks).  

The Aquarium is the informal science education branch of Mote Marine Laboratory (see more here).  Mote scientists are  noted for their work on saving coral reefs and for shark research.  The huge shark tank was impressive, but not easy to photograph.  

 

So all three of the above photo groups are memories from the past months here in Florida.  But as we clean up and plan for our travels next month,  daily life here at Upriver goes on.    

 

 

 

It's a different  and quieter world now that most of our neighbors have already left.  When I swim these days, it's almost always a private pool  – and, oh my goodness, is that pool lovely when it's 90 degrees outside!

 

 

 

But it's only the quiet season as far as people are concerned — the birds and the flowering trees are either noisy or flamboyant (or both).   

We see (and hear) Pileated woodpeckers often and the smaller Red-bellied woodpeckers are often spotted on morning walks.     The Royal Poinciana tree which blossoms this time of year is actually also known as the Flamboyant Tree.  And it really is.  

We still  have a few more weeks to enjoy the quiet (or different kind of noise) — and maybe even time for another close-to-home adventure  before we close up the Cottage.  So I hope to post another time or two from here. 

These memories are linked to the following sharing opportunities:   Thank you to all of the generous hosts.

OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; ALL SEASONS; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; WEDNESDAY WATERS; THROUGH MY LENS; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING.