Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Update from Florida













Have you ever been on a vacation where you were ridiculously sick the whole time? Welcome to my trip to Florida so far! The flu continues. Today, I feel like I'm finally over the hump.

A few observations:

1. Sanibel Island is an amazing place. There are plenty of people here, but everything is low key. There aren't even traffic lights on the island.

2. Even though I've been sick, I have had a few opportunities to get out. Monday morning, I went on a scouting field trip around the island. I made it to Ding Darling, and by sheer luck, I ran into about 20 photographers and 30 roseate spoonbills. After shooting there for about an hour, I absolutely felt like crap and slept the rest of the day, but, I got some spoonbill shots.

3. We aren't staying on the ocean, but we are only about a 3 minute walk from the beach. The shorebirds and shells here are amazing. There was a storm just before we came, which washed up many live creatures. The shorebirds have been feasting.

4. We are staying on a canal built for boats, but it is also full of interesting wildlife as well. Most interesting are the manatees. When I haven't been sleeping, I've been sitting in a lawn chair along the side of the canal, camera in hand, taking pictures of the manatees. There is also an extremely tame little blue heron that tried to take food out of my hand practically. There are also several white ibis, snowy egrets, and brown pelicans around.

5. The internet service here is quite lacking. For some reason, my laptop is not able to connect to the Beach Road Villas wireless network. Megan's uncle, Harry, also brought his laptop, so I'm typing on his machine right now. If i feel better, I'll scope out a coffe shop and upload some images.

Thats it for now. I'm feeling a bit better this evening, but that is after taking five hours of naps today! Megan and I are going to make a quick trip to Ding Darling tomorrow morning. Hope everyone is doing well back in Ohio and the Midwest and that everyone's snow has melted!

Tom

9 comments:

  1. Tom, you could have easily made this a Wordless Wednesday and no doubt I would have been jealous! Sorry you have not been feeling well but still enjoying what you have! Have a good trip and get that computer working!

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  2. Wonderful shots. I love the Seagull tilting up a shell. Sorry you have been ill.

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  3. Wonderful photos. I love the crab with all of the shells. Sorry you're still sick. Get better soon!

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  4. Oh I'm so sorry you're not feeling well, that sucks on your vacation too! Get better soon and don't get Megan sick!

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  5. Hope you feel better soon. I know what it is like to travel and get sick. It is not fun.

    Great photos and wish I were there.

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  6. These are nice photos and surely different from scenes and images you left behind here in Ohio. We had a nice day yesterday. Rain this morning.

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  7. I'm sorry that you're sick. That's no way to take a vacation. I'm glad you're getting out some though. These are beautiful pictures and it looks inviting enough that I want to catch the next flight out of here. Great that you saw all those spoonbills!! Yippeeeeeeeee!!! I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures! Get well and enjoy the rest of your time there.

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  8. Oh Tom, hope you are feeling better. Never really got sick when going on the trip, but would hate to be in your shoes. BTW sick or not sick, you have captured really cool photos. It was in 2007 I started really to pay attention to birding, looks like Florida got some nice collection. I may consider to visit one day, lol. Thanks for sharing, Anna :)

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  9. Tom- Thank you.

    Beth Ellen- I'm better now! Although I still can't get rid of my cough.

    Lana- thanks, there were about five different crab species washed up on the beach that day, including tiny live hermit crabs!

    Chris- Thank you. Megan stayed healthy!

    Toni- Thank you. I'm back now, and the whole sickness and traveling seems like a dream!

    Abe- Got the spoonbill photos up!

    Linda- The pictures are up!

    Anna- You should go to Sanbiel Island, Florida. The birding there is terrific!

    Tom

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