The Old and the Restless

This past weekend Paul and I went to Kingston to check out two rides that I will be leading, and he will be sweeping in the Kingston area. Along the country roads, it was a lilac scented ride. However, the Rideau Canal was a torrent of water. This spring has had too much rain causing flood damage and many other problems. We had to walk our bikes around an area where the road was out because of the spray from the water flowing down the canal. Luckily this road closure did not affect our ride.

Easter dinner was again at Megan's, but was held on the Saturday rather than Easter Sunday. Before dinner we went for a walk to the local playground. Joshua talking to Margot and Mark. Ella...about to try hanging upside down. Tom, in a rare moment of sitting still. At the top. Ella's boots made the climbing a challenge.

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!