Winter Birds

Even though we love our state, sometimes Wisconsin wanderers have to leave for respite from winter. What a joy to have been in Florida for the past two weeks. The weather cooperated with all of our activities – it was warm and sunny when we were outside; rainy and cool on the days we were inside.

We stayed in a small cottage in Seminole west of Tampa and just a few miles from the Gulf Beaches on the Pinellas Peninsula. It’s billed as “Old Florida at her finest” and the description is perfect. We were secluded away from the hustle and bustle across from the Seminole City Park. Amazing flora and fauna graced this 2-acre compound built during the 1950s by a man from the Chicago area.

We were greeted by peacocks living on the grounds. And when these birds tired of the ground, they perched on the roof.

This male peacock had about six females in his harem but it
wasn't mating season so we never saw his beautiful display of
tail feathers.

The white stuff we saw was the sand on the beautiful Gulf beaches and not the stuff that fell to the ground in Wisconsin while we were away!

Lots of shells on the beach at Honeymoon Island State Park.

And birds, too.

These pelicans at Safety Harbor eagerly awaited the fish entrails
the fishermen threw from the pier after cleaning the mullet they caught
by throwing a cast net. It was fascinating to watch the process.

This egret was at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
in Indian Shores. 

The "bird" chapters have now come to a close. Check in later for more about our visit to the Sunshine State.