Mayport & Little Talbot

Hi All,

We drove to Jacksonville to visit Jim & Evalyn today. We had lunch at Singleton's then took the Mayport ferry. It was a short drive to Little Talbot State Park where we walked along the beach in the glorious sunshine.

Back at the Campbell's house we said our good byes. We will not see them again until our paths cross in August at Grand Teton National Park.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

A Dumpy Looking Place with Great Food

Front Row Spot on the Ferry

Driftwood on Miles of Unspoiled Beach

Flow Pattern in the Sand

Day in the Forest

Hi All,

The plan was to paddle the Silver River with Joe & Sandra. However, the weather was iffy so we stayed in the forest. A morning hike around the campground perimeter revealed a snake across the trail and a great raccoon paw print on a sand mound created by a scarab beetle. We also spotted a depression in the sand obviously dug out by an animal, containing what looked like cat scat. We decided it was from a bobcat.

Near sunset we drove to a nearby cluster of trees with Red Cockaded Woodpecker nests. We didn't see the birds but did notice how the Forest Service had protected the trees during the recent prescribed burn.

We also enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Red Rat Snake across the Trail

Raccoon Paw Print

Notice the protected area at the base of the banded tree

More Merritt Island

Hi All,

After a stop at the visitor center we drove to Cape Canaveral National Seashore and walked along the beach.  Hundreds of surfers were waiting behind the break for the perfect wave. Not too many birds along the beach but a nice assortment.

We then drove along the dikes between the mangrove islands looking in vain for the reported cinnamon teal. We did see huge flocks of coot.

We made it back to Shanty Pond just before the rain started.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Royal Tern & Sanderlings

Thick Flock of American Coot

Back to Merritt Island

Hi All,

When we came to the birding festival in late January, there were lots of interesting presentations so we had little time to bird the wonderful Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge so we decided to come back for two days.

The Blackpoint Wildlife Drive was drier with fewer birds but still a great diversity of species. Check out the photos below.

After the wildlife drive we went to the manatee viewing platform at Haulover Canal. As in the case of all our previous visits, we saw no manatee. However, we had an experience that is the highlight of our trip, perhaps the highlight of the winter.

We spotted a dolphin in the canal. As we watched, the dolphin swam in slow circles then rushed at high speed into a nearby cove chasing a fish. As the water got shallow the fish jumped out of the water and the dolphin jumped after it. It happened so fast that it was not clear whether the dolphin caught the fish or not. However, this cycle repeated every few minutes for over a half hour. Watching this hunting behavior was like watching a National Geographic show. A fabulous experience.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

American Avocet Resting

Reddish Egret

Roseate Spoonbill Resting

Mr. & Mrs. Blue Winged Teal

Happy Alligator

Interesting Weekend in the VC

Hi All,

No pictures this time but a few interesting happenings in the Visitor Center. Friday's total sales were almost $300, easily a record day for us. Saturday we had 150 visitors, another record. 

Then, on Sunday, we had two interesting visitors. One woman looked at our name tags and told us about a family friend in Brooklyn named Greenbaum.

 The other was an elderly man who told us that on this day (Feb 19) in 1945 he was going ashore on Iwo Jima. He said it was tough going as it took 5 weeks to clear the Japanese off of 3 miles of island.

Meeting folks like this is what we love about volunteering in the VC.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Sent from Carl's iPhone

Palatka Bluegrass Festival

Hi All,

We all had a great time at the bluegrass festival today. The performances went from noon to 10PM. Wonderful music.

Most of the crowd of over 750 people are here for the full weekend, camped in their RVs.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Tour bus for the Headline Act

Schultzs come to Town

Hi All,

Roberta and Elliot stopped in Salt Springs for a few days on their way down south to Delray Beach. We visit Salt and Silver Glen Springs, had a fun picnic and hiked to see the sand boils.

Love
Sandy & Carl

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Spring water boiling up through the sand