The Old and the Restless

We bicycle.... Dinsmore led me on a 62 km ride from his mother's place at Palm Bay on the Tropical Trail. Before we began, he pointed out a giant Florida Katydid that had been hanging around for a few days. Take a break and enjoy the view. A flock of Ibis at the lunch stop. The following week, Paul and I did the upper part of the ride, (42 km) starting from Cocoa. Paul did not enjoy the part of the ride on U.S.1

We go with Glen and Norma to see what birds are hanging around Viera Wetlands. The limpkin, a large Florida bird, gets its name from its limping gait. The male builds the nest and waits for females to visit. Someone is coming...and putting on a display Another one? Want to party? Do you live nearby? Follow me... Into the deep... Great Blue Heron...just hanging around Gotcha! How to eat it? Hmmm. It's a big meal! (Glen's photo) There was an interruption here because I stepped on a hill of fire ants. The bites did not show up until the evening of the next day. Ten days later, the bites were still an angry red and very itchy. Other inhabitants... A white ibis A boat-tailed grackle came looking for a hand-out while we ate our picnic lunch. We haven't seen a roseate spoonbill at Viera Wetlands before... ...but we have seen sandhill cranes here. We finished the day by going to Merritt Island but ...

We check out the birds on the beach. Here's a crowd of terns and gulls Gull in flight A willet is a common shore bird The snowy egret was nearly wiped out at the beginning of the 20th century. It was targeted for its plumes. Now it is common to see them hanging around the bait pails of the shore fishermen. Ruddy Turnstone looking for food. This one found something.

We enjoy our annual visit to JB's with friends. How nice that Maureen and Ramsay were able to be here for month of January. They rented a newly decorated condo on the 2nd floor of the Castle Reef.

Margot made New Year's dinner Looks good. Happy New Year!

Christmas this year was celebrated in New Smyrna with Bryn and family flying from Switzerland, Megan and Tom flying from Toronto, and Margot and family driving from Puslinch (where she, Mark and the children celebrated Christmas Eve with Mark's parents). Alicia and Bryn dressed for Christmas Waiting for Margot (and family), we had Christmas dinner on December 26. Margot volunteered to cook the turkey.  Ella with her loom kit.  Joshua fixing a puzzle  Joshua and Tom involved with Joshua's iPad.  Dinner: Ella, Tom and Megan  Margot and Mark  Paul, Joshua and Hervé  It's hard to get a photo of Tom when he isn't mugging We went for dinner at Mi Mexico. Unfortunately, the waitress forgot Hervé's dinner. Joshua and Mark Bryn, Megan and Margot Cousins: Joshua, Tom, Ella, Alicia with Brandon and Isabelle at the back After dinner entertainment. Bryn, Hervé and family left us to visit Disney World a...