Florida winters

Lots of folks want to know what we do all winter down here.  The time flies by!  We are surprisingly busy, even when we aren't doing huge repairs on the motorhome:-)  We both walk almost everyday, bike a lot, after all the fantastic Legacy Trail is only a mile from our campsite, socialize with a lot of snowbirds, get together with friends, eat out at superb restaurants, eat in with available fresh fish and vegetables, go over to the jetty, keep track of the eagles, enjoy the beautiful weather, and when we can, visit with family.  It's kind of built in this year with Jan's sister Karen here, so it's nice to be able to see family every day.  So there is a lot to keep us out of trouble.  

One of the bridges on the Legacy Trail
seen from our campground.

As I said we got an unexpected visit from our daughter Kelly and Todd and our grandkids.

Beachcombing

Our granddaughter, Faith.

And big man Christian

We like to grab a sandwich or some sushi and go have lunch or maybe a coffee later in the day at the jetty in Venice.

Looking south to Venice

Northwest to the inlet

We are fortunate to have an eagle pair that has been coming back to the same nest year after year.  The nest is only a couple miles from our campground so it is easy to stop by on our bikes or in the truck.  This year they had two babies which is pretty cool.  One has already flown, and the other is just on the cusp working up his courage.

One of the babies, all dark feathers, with, we think, Dad

Bald Eagles don't develop their white markings for several years.  This is the guy that is still working up his courage to take the big leap.

Flapping away feeling his strength

If you look close you can see he is off the nest.
He hovers sometimes several feet high.

Dad is saying, "Get on with it!"

They are still dependent on the parents for food for some time even after they start flying until they learn to hunt.  So mom and dad swoop in periodically to deposit a fish or two, they cut out.  Most of the time one or the other is standing guard a few hundred feet away in the top of a tree.

Mom leaving after a meal delivery

Arriving at the guard post.

It's funny, their nest is right in a residential section near the water, and lots of people drop in on them all the time.  They are used to it so it doesn't bother them at all.  Several folks camp out there for hours on end watching and taking pictures.  We never realized we had so many eagles around this area.  Each year there seems to be more and more.  We are aware of two other breeding pairs within a couple miles, and very often you see an eagle on a light pole or tower.  Not as prolific as in Alaska, but quite a few nonetheless.