'Ere Leaving Central Climes

It's been a good time in Central Florida with Francie and seeing Sue. Yesterday was a 'see Sue' day, another shot at the Shamrock restaurant (it was good again), a drive to the end of Trail's End and pure entertainment in Sue's backyard. Wild Kingdom indeed. Like the ocean, never the same. Again.

But first, another Lake Panasoffkee moment. Because it's here. 

There are usually ibis to see here, to the point of them being somewhat of a common nuisance in yards and the streets. But it's impossible for me to see them like that, their determined pecking nature, their curved slender beaks brightly or dully colored orange. A bit of exotica to me. 

And some ibis in a dead tree
(you know the tune)

The highest one looks so uncomfortable!

And then, with seeing the bird below, the guessing began. I said some kind of ibis something something combo. Francie said ibis. Maybe. So of course I went to the fount of all knowledge, facebook, posting a phot and hoping to find Teresa or Nadine for information. Teresa responded first. We texted back and forth images, nothing quite right, until Teresa stumbled upon a bird poster and there he was. The Limpken! So called because of his awkward, limping like gait. And he really is sort of a combo, in the ibis and rail families. Mystery solved. If you want to know more, go here. 

Double the pleasure

Walk this way.

Ok, back to yesterday, because that was yesterday, and yesterday's gone. Sorry. There is a song about EVERYTHING.

Before we got to Sue's we went first down a road untraveled, called Trail's End. Sue had told us that it was one of those 'biggest some kind of tree' places. She actually named the tree but I forget. Anyway, those things are rare, so we went to see it. Spoiler alert, we didn't see it, apparently it's a fall thing when the summer jungle growth dies back.

You can't tell it in this photo because it sort of creeps me out,
but the nose on this deer is mushed and made it look a bit peculiar.
It was very tame-ish though, meandering about as we watched.

At the true trail's end, there is a little store and kayak place.
There's also camping spots, even RV hook-ups.

The river is really pretty here.
This guy was going fishing.
Or coming back from fishing. I didn't ask.

Back at Sue's, it had started pouring. It's been like that, intense lightning and thunder lashing rain storms, which I love (as long as I'm not outside under a tree standing in water) and then out comes the sun. But in between are cloud covered, not raining but still cool moments. They don't last long, sort of like rainbows and just as welcome.

As we sat solving the world's problems, Sue saw these two, tearing it up in the backyard. Another of my favorite birds and not seen often by me (they don't grow on Culebra), I crept outside with camera in hand. The rain was almost done, the spigot turned to a mere soft drizzle before ending completely.

In a little gust of breeze, his feather tuft blew

I don't know what was there but they were literally tearing that tree up to get it/them

I've never noticed the way these Pileated woodpeckers so assiduously
search before pecking the wood. And they are contortionists as well.
Here's the Exorcist twist. 

They were so busy, they didn't notice when Francie and I came into the yard.
I've never been so close before, usually if I see one it's 50 feet above my head and
half a campground away.

While not perfect, this shot came out way better than I thought it would!
It's my favorite. 

Eventually the pair flew off, but the three of us stayed by the water, seeing what we could see with Sue telling us stories of happy hours past. And then along came this little fellow. I know he looks big in the photos, Francie says he was only three feet, I say four so I'll settle on 3 1/2. 

He was swimming fairly quickly along until he spotted us and came to a complete stop. We all agreed we could take him, if need be. That's a joke, animal people. 

Hello, baby dragon!

While not clear, you can see under the water a bit as he silently treads it.

Yes, we're watching you watching us.

I am Alligator!

We hoped for an owl sighting, one of two Sue says is a regular visitor, but it was not to be. Next time!!

Next stop - Northern Florida. 

Have a teachable Thursday. Do something on tip-toes.