Jan 2011
Blog 35: Prairiedogese, Dolphins and Chilly Waters
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Boat Trips
Our good friend from the North, Mers, visited us this last week and thus gave us a good excuse to go out on the boat! For the most part the weather was warm, the seas were calm, and the dolphins were abundant--check out the schnaz on this dolphin. Gotta love SW Florida!
Beautiful Cruise
Later in the week, we were joined by friends Friz and Patrick. We cruised on glass-like waters around the barrier islands to Barnacle Phil’s on Upper Captiva for a light but tasty outdoor lunch, including a hamburger for the Kids.
Chilly Waters
Being the rigorous captain that I am, my plan for the return voyage was to pilot the sneaky-shallow waters back the way that I had come. Prudence has it merits, especially on an out-going tide, and my very nature is cautious. However, Mers was adamant about taking a short cut, and backed by boisterous cacophony of support from the crew, I grudgingly capitulated. Foolish me! Within moments of following Mers’ direction we were aground! Using all of my abundant knowledge and skills proved of no avail in removing Rough Draft off the shoal, so for the safety of the ship, I reluctantly called for a crew overboard, heave-ho. With Friz remaining on board to monitor water depth, wind direction, and crew morale (it only took them a few moments to start whining about the cold waters (the woosies). I used my mighty marine intellect to guide the force and direction of their physical endeavors. After this short but enlivening interlude, we were back on course*.
*Note that my interpretation of this adventure might be slightly different from those of the other passengers. :’>>>
Prairiedogese
Jerry Alexander, our worldly rat terrier, sent me this link on Thursday morning: http://www.npr.org/2011/01/20/132650631/new-language-discovered-prairiedogese.
As some of you know, Jerry loves watching all critters, but one of his favorites is viewing prairie dogs. He starts to shake and yip whenever he sees these small teddy bears. He was excited about this article as it explains that prairie dogs have their own language--he is waiting for Berlitz or Rosetta Stone to publish a program, because he is going to sign up and learn their language! The next time we are out West, he is going to invite them into our motorhome. Take a look at this article and listen to the different prairie dog conversations.
Pups Across America
Here are some shots of the Kids. My favorite is Rag Top Jerry--he has wanted to ride in a convertible forever and Uncle Patrick was kind enough to fulfill his wish. Now he wants to go for a ride on Patrick’s “little boat” (his PWC)!
Painterly Pups
Here is the painted version of Jerry and Mitzy.
Come back next week for some more pup pics and Pine Island action.
Our good friend from the North, Mers, visited us this last week and thus gave us a good excuse to go out on the boat! For the most part the weather was warm, the seas were calm, and the dolphins were abundant--check out the schnaz on this dolphin. Gotta love SW Florida!
Beautiful Cruise
Later in the week, we were joined by friends Friz and Patrick. We cruised on glass-like waters around the barrier islands to Barnacle Phil’s on Upper Captiva for a light but tasty outdoor lunch, including a hamburger for the Kids.
Chilly Waters
Being the rigorous captain that I am, my plan for the return voyage was to pilot the sneaky-shallow waters back the way that I had come. Prudence has it merits, especially on an out-going tide, and my very nature is cautious. However, Mers was adamant about taking a short cut, and backed by boisterous cacophony of support from the crew, I grudgingly capitulated. Foolish me! Within moments of following Mers’ direction we were aground! Using all of my abundant knowledge and skills proved of no avail in removing Rough Draft off the shoal, so for the safety of the ship, I reluctantly called for a crew overboard, heave-ho. With Friz remaining on board to monitor water depth, wind direction, and crew morale (it only took them a few moments to start whining about the cold waters (the woosies). I used my mighty marine intellect to guide the force and direction of their physical endeavors. After this short but enlivening interlude, we were back on course*.
*Note that my interpretation of this adventure might be slightly different from those of the other passengers. :’>>>
Prairiedogese
Jerry Alexander, our worldly rat terrier, sent me this link on Thursday morning: http://www.npr.org/2011/01/20/132650631/new-language-discovered-prairiedogese.
As some of you know, Jerry loves watching all critters, but one of his favorites is viewing prairie dogs. He starts to shake and yip whenever he sees these small teddy bears. He was excited about this article as it explains that prairie dogs have their own language--he is waiting for Berlitz or Rosetta Stone to publish a program, because he is going to sign up and learn their language! The next time we are out West, he is going to invite them into our motorhome. Take a look at this article and listen to the different prairie dog conversations.
Pups Across America
Here are some shots of the Kids. My favorite is Rag Top Jerry--he has wanted to ride in a convertible forever and Uncle Patrick was kind enough to fulfill his wish. Now he wants to go for a ride on Patrick’s “little boat” (his PWC)!
Painterly Pups
Here is the painted version of Jerry and Mitzy.
Come back next week for some more pup pics and Pine Island action.
Comments
Blog 34: Pine Island Nature
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A chilly week on the Island but I had some beautiful morning walks with the Pups. Here is blurred (intentionally) Anhinga on Laratonda, a sunrise, and shots of leaves from a few trips to the St. Jude Trail.
Vegas Is Vegas
I had a quick trip to Vegas to teach a class on relationship skills to some senior services professionals. Great bunch of people. Only took one shot of the lobby.
Pups Across America
This week I just took one pup shot I like, that of Mitzy walking the trail.
Painterly Pups
Here is the painted version of one of my all time favorite photos--Janny holding Jerry.
Come back next week for some more pup pics and Pine Island action.
Vegas Is Vegas
I had a quick trip to Vegas to teach a class on relationship skills to some senior services professionals. Great bunch of people. Only took one shot of the lobby.
Pups Across America
This week I just took one pup shot I like, that of Mitzy walking the trail.
Painterly Pups
Here is the painted version of one of my all time favorite photos--Janny holding Jerry.
Come back next week for some more pup pics and Pine Island action.
BLOG 33: WOODPECKERS, BIKING PUPS, AND A MEMORIAL AT SEA
Sunday, January 09, 2011
No travel this week—I spent the entire time on Pine Island.
Pileated Woodpeckers
One of my favorite places to walk the Kids in the morning is behind the St. James City post office. It borders one of our Calusa Land Trust preserves that is the home to nesting eagles as well as all sorts of other critters. I spent about an hour after dawn one morning photographing pileated woodpeckers—what fun! Here is my favorite shot of a very active female.
I also took a short video of a male chowing down on insects (49 seconds). Visit my online gallery to take a look. Lesson learned: Try as I might, it is really hard to hold a telephoto lens steady shooting video! Next time I’ll use a tripod.
Post Office Pups
I took a couple of shots of some other regular canine visitors to this location (see a shot of both Kimoni and Ginger along with “Biking Pup” under Pups Across America below).
Neighborhood Walks
Here is a shot I took of an osprey down the street. Also, check out another neighborhood pup, Bucky, below.
Memorial at Sea
Saturday there was a memorial at sea for our good friend and neighbor Frank. Several dolphins escorted the boat over to the waters of Picnic Island for this celebration of a damn good man. Here are a few images.
Pups Across America
Out behind the Pine Island post office I got a few quick shots of Kimonee and his cousin Ginger. A regular site in St. James City is Biking Pup. I shot this as he and his master whizzed by us behind the post office.
While walking the streets of St. James City, I snuck a shot of Bucky. Of course I had to include a pic of both Mitzy and Jerry.
Painterly Pups
Casper was over to our place one day and our pup, Pelé had to check him out, of course. Here is the painted version.
Come back next week for some more pup pics and Pine Island action.
Pileated Woodpeckers
One of my favorite places to walk the Kids in the morning is behind the St. James City post office. It borders one of our Calusa Land Trust preserves that is the home to nesting eagles as well as all sorts of other critters. I spent about an hour after dawn one morning photographing pileated woodpeckers—what fun! Here is my favorite shot of a very active female.
I also took a short video of a male chowing down on insects (49 seconds). Visit my online gallery to take a look. Lesson learned: Try as I might, it is really hard to hold a telephoto lens steady shooting video! Next time I’ll use a tripod.
Post Office Pups
I took a couple of shots of some other regular canine visitors to this location (see a shot of both Kimoni and Ginger along with “Biking Pup” under Pups Across America below).
Neighborhood Walks
Here is a shot I took of an osprey down the street. Also, check out another neighborhood pup, Bucky, below.
Memorial at Sea
Saturday there was a memorial at sea for our good friend and neighbor Frank. Several dolphins escorted the boat over to the waters of Picnic Island for this celebration of a damn good man. Here are a few images.
Pups Across America
Out behind the Pine Island post office I got a few quick shots of Kimonee and his cousin Ginger. A regular site in St. James City is Biking Pup. I shot this as he and his master whizzed by us behind the post office.
While walking the streets of St. James City, I snuck a shot of Bucky. Of course I had to include a pic of both Mitzy and Jerry.
Painterly Pups
Casper was over to our place one day and our pup, Pelé had to check him out, of course. Here is the painted version.
Come back next week for some more pup pics and Pine Island action.
BLOG 32: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Sunday
After walking the Pups in the chilly Wekiwa State Park in Apopka, Florida, we did a few odd jobs around the motorhome before heading over to Aunties. We met three more cousins and spent the day chatting, eating, drinking, and playing cards. Here are a few images.
Note: I have added more pics from Sunday to the Christmas in Apopka gallery I created last week. If you’d like to see them click here, http://gallery.me.com/jamesalexander4, and open up the folder.
Monday
Monday was a travel day as we loaded up BALY, left Wekiwa State Park, and drove back to the Island.
Mid-Week
As the weather gradually transitioned from frigid to Florida-nice, we pretty much stayed at home and worked. I’m hoping to launch a new business website soon, so I spent a lot of time reviewing and rewriting copy. It will sure be nice when it’s up!
Friday
We woke up to a beautiful day, and the Pups appeared to really enjoy their morning run. Jan and I worked in the morning but then hopped in our car and took the Pups for a walk before depositing them over at their grandmother’s place. We got back on the road and headed to The Legacy Marina in Ft. Myers on the Caloosahatchee River.
Boat Club Outing
We spent Friday afternoon and evening with about 30 friends from the Pine Island Boat Club. It was a lot of fun, as I had the chance to catch up with some folks that I hadn’t talked to in a couple years. We had a great cocktail hour (of course) then later on walked the few blocks to the downtown Ft. Myers Christmas Eve celebration.
Saturday
Down on the Dock
I was up before dawn and down on the docks with my camera enjoying the quiet, the changing shadows, and the early-morning birds. Here are some pics, including a balancing heron, a school of mullet, friends Ed, John, and MH (more boat club pics are below, under the Pups Across America section).
Breakfast on the Water
Mid-morning our fellow boat clubbers met again by the water to enjoy breakfast and a conversation that ranged from watching the New Year’s Eve ball drop to the antics of one colorful boat club member known for his “carefree” captaining and “frugal” lifestyle.
New Year’s Party
We ended the day and the week and the month and the year at our friends, Jack and Dee’s, party. A few weeks earlier Jan had painted a mural covering their entire dining room. I took a few shots including this one of one wall. Also, here is a shot of Dee and Jan showing their gratitude at having me take their picture.
Pups Across America
Christmas in Apopka Pups
Here are pics of Roscoe and Millie, Cousin Harlan and Jen’s pups. Also one shot of a tired Mitzy waiting for bed.
Boat Clubbers
Here is Tom with his pup, Angel, and Ed and Joyce’s German Shepard, Emperor.
Painterly Pups
This week I’ve added a painted version of Buddy. The original shot was taken in Heather and Jeff’s backyard a year or so back. Quite a distinguished looking gentleman, don’t you think?
Come back next week for some more pup pics and Pine Island action.
Note: Jan’s Web Site is Updated
We’ve updated Jan’s website to include another shot from Dee’s home, plus a wonderful painting, “Three Gossips,” that she did for me, plus a table she painted for Geoff and Sharon, plus six more pieces. Click here, http://www.janalexanderart.com, to view the new additions to her portfolio.