For the better part of our first two weeks in Naples we have awakened to generally cooler than normal temperatures, some days in the low 40s. Fortunately, once the sun clears the palm trees,
the air has warmed up relatively quickly. However, steady winds out of the northwest have made daytime temperatures feel like only the mid-60s to low-70s!
At this point, I am certain our family and friends “up north” are far less than sympathetic with our plight!
Debbie has found a Jazzercise location and is also into aquatic-Zumba several days a week. I am playing golf and even have gotten back to swimming some days.
We did get our motorhome and Jeep cleaned … professionally, and the Jeep looks better than when we purchased it!.
These activities have been punctuated by Margareta Mondays (free drinks and Nachos), Trivia and Dancing on Wednesdays, Meet-and-Greet (free wine, beer and hors d’ouvres) and Dancing on Friday evenings, not to mention several last minute pot luck dinners and last Saturday’s annual Valentine’s Day Dance … this year the 50th anniversary of our engagement.
Last week, we were invited to Pelican Bay where one of Debbie’s best friends owns a condo. After an on-site tram ride to a restaurant on the beach,
we had a great meal and enjoyed a golden sunset.
Yesterday, we traveled to Shark Valley which is in the heart of the “True Everglades,” or river of grass,
that stretches 100 miles from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico. Wildlife abounds here where animals share a freshwater ecosystem of sawgrass marsh and tree islands.
From the Visitor’s Center, a paved bike path
extends seven miles into the heart of the Everglades. To its immediate west, lies a dense black mangrove area and “river” which provide the main attractions of the area.
Literally hundreds of alligators, ranging from babies up to more than 12’ in length
Soft-shelled and Red-bellied Turtles
While turtles are a favorite food for alligators, they seem to know when the gators are simply warming themselves (day time) and when their on the hunt for food (generally at night)
Water Moccasins
Ibis
Turkey Vultures
Purple Gallinule
Great Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Snowy Egret
Yellow Foot
Everglades Peacock Butterfly
Bee collecting pollen from a Thistle
Poisonwood
As the name indicates, contact with poisonwood causes many people to break out in a severe rash … similar to the effect of coming in contact with poison ivy. Even rain water dripping off the leaves irritates sensitive skin. Birds eat the berries without ill effects. Poisonwood is recognizable by its three to seven drooping leaflets with black spots and yellow midribs.
Anhinga
Typical pose, drying their feathers
Juvenile nestling
And, including one which had captures a fish much too large to swallow.
We’ll likely make at least one more trip back this winter as we never tire of watching nature!