FLORIDA FEBRUARY

 

I read our hometown Oregon paper on line every morning.  This weekend,  it has been somewhat disorienting to see front-page  pictures of the record-breaking Pacific Northwest snowstorm just after returning from a  walk in 65 degree weather.     We're thankful to be here in SW Florida and feeling sympathy for family in the middle of that real winter.  (People in the PNW are really not used to that kind of weather.  Usually it just rains.) 

 

February morning near home 

 

My weekend walk here in SW Florida was in  sixty-five degree sunshine at 7:30 in the morning.    The days get  warmer…. but so far we haven't needed the dreaded A/C except on days when we're away from home all day.  When we're home (or around the neighborhood) our doors are open onto the screen porch and  the ceiling fans are at work all day.    

 

 Red-bellied woodpecker and  mockingbird

 

By the end of next month, when early morning temperatures start at 75 F,  air-conditioning will be something to be grateful for.  For now we're happy to let natural  breezes cool things down.

 

 

Palmetto fans.  

 

All of the above pictures were taken on a morning walk on the Live Oak Trail, Caloosahatchie Nature Preserve.  The preserve is  next door to the resort where we live and there's a path between so it's not necessary to be out on the street.    This whole walk, from our house and back was only a mile and a half.   There are longer trails within the preserve, but this was before breakfast and so I took the shorter trail.  (I get hungry.)

 

Earlier in the week we drove with friends to Everglades City.   We made a short stop at the farm and market town of Immokalee.   

 

 

This is one of one of my favorite produce stands.  Visiting Immokalee is kind of like taking a short trip to another country; I love that we can have this experience slightly less than an hour from home.    Most restaurants and some smaller groceries and markets in the Fort Myers area buy their produce from vendors here, but almost all of the stands will also sell smaller quantities to individuals.  It's a good way to purchase favorites and also to try new and unfamiliar fruits and vegetables.   (But a little too far to go for regular weekly shopping).  

We didn't buy much this time, because we were going to walk around at our final destination and it was kind of warm to leave big boxes of fruit and vegetables in the car.   

 

 

I thought these bundles were such a pretty color.     I asked the lady at this stall what you do with this pod… she said you eat the seeds.  She told me the name too, but I can't remember it.    Does anybody know?   (I might want to try this next time we visit.)

 

 

We went to Everglades City to check out a Marina Resort  there as a base for a possible future boat excursion.    And to enjoy the company and the scenery — and of course to find a good restaurant!   I didn't take a single picture.   The entrance to the National Park is about 90 miles from our house, so it's a doable day-trip.  But it is a huge Park and  such a short visit doesn't allow much time for nature photography.   Staying overnight is always better!    This photo of the River of Grass (the everglades) is from an earlier trip.  

 

LINKING this week to these sharing opportunities:   NATURE NOTES;   ALL SEASONS;  OUR WORLD on Tuesday; SAY CHEESE; WILD BIRD Wednesday;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;   THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;   FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

Thank you to the hosts!