A Great Day for Photos

Today is a really lovely winter day in Florida.  The temperatures are hovering just below 70, the sun is out and there is just a gentle breeze from time to time. To take a walk today was not a difficult decision to make.  I headed across the bridge and walked seaward (or Gulf-ward  along the Cotee River.  There were a few trees blooming among the Spanish Moss hung palms and live oaks.  I don't ever remember walking along Grand Blvd. I have certainly driven along it. I found that there is a section of river-walk complete with benches and picnic pavilions. With today's weather conditions, some photos seemed in order.

I came across a small flea market in a church parking lot and saw some really interesting bird feeders made of glass ware - plates and bowls - and colorfully painted chick feeders to dispense the seed from a Mason Jar. I asked the couple if I could take pictures, and they were agreeable.  We joked about how the fellow drills the plates. bowls and jars inside a cardboard box to make the clean up easier if the piece being drilled broke in the process. He says he uses a diamond hollow point bit in case you're interested. I have some lovely old glassware, but this is not my field of expertise.



On the way back through the park I saw lots of ducks on the banks of Orange Lake and lots of kids playing in the play structure built maybe 12 or 15 years ago by volunteers.

One of My Home Towns

Took a walk today to a nearby park and spent a quiet time on a nice bench riverside reading a book. This is one of the local rivers with nearly unpronounceable names of Native American origin. The name usually used in conversation is The Cotee River.  We are very near the coast, so the river is tidal.  If you don't know your geography you might be hard pressed to say which way the river actually flows.  Today it was quite placid, water gently rising as it entered from the Gulf of Mexico. There was the occasional splash of a jumping fish. Possibly mullet (I'm no expert.)
This photo is looking upriver to the bridge.  A bit overcast, but not so hot that way. Note the Spanish Moss hanging from the trees.