Birds of Florida

Florida is for the birds.

Song birds, seabirds, snowbirds…. You get the idea.

We’ve seen and heard so many different types of feathered friends over the last couple of months. We’ve heard the owls lurking in the woods, saw vultures and hawks soaring overhead, and watched the anhingas drying their wings by the water. These diving birds are as fast and graceful underwater as any loon, but can startle a paddler when they come up alongside, as they swim low in the water and their sinuous necks resembles a snake.

While in Ochlockonee River area we searched in vain for their rare red cockaded woodpecker – whose name is misleading as there is very little colour on this tiny grey bird. The yellow bellied sapsucker, however, was dropping pieces of pine bark almost on our heads while we were walking.

Now that we are further south in the state, we are finding bigger game to chase. Quite common around here is a very noisy and very large bird, the sandhill crane. They are often seen along the roads, in pairs, nibbling at the grass or prancing suggestively around their mate. Our current campground even had a mating pair that produced a small family for a couple of years. This year they removed the tempting tall grass along the golf course for fear that an errant ball would take out a fledgling. 

They don’t seem to feel the same concern for the windows in the trailers along the first hole.

A trip to Homosassa Springs gave us the opportunity to see colourful wood ducks along a tiny river. Since there is so much development in this area of the country, these pretty little birds almost disappeared in this area. State parks and conservationists now put up specially made nesting boxes.

The warm Homosassa springs attract many other birds, especially tourists. These particular birds flit in and out, making a lot of noise and mess. And yes, I know that I’m one, too.

The river’s biggest draw for the tourists are the manatees that come to warm up in the tepid water. They float serenely along the bottom, vacuuming up any underwater vegetation they find. It is interesting that they are not bothered by the more aggressive alligators. In fact, their only predator is humans.

Speaking of birds of prey, we saw a hawk sitting on a flag pole, eyeballing the mourning doves out on the golf course.

And I wonder if one of the many ospreys we’ve seen down here have a nest along the Bay of Quinte?

At the Mardi Gras dance held at the campground, we saw lots and lots of old birds. Some of them had feathers, too, but mostly on their flashy masks and hats.

As two of the old birds in attendance, we danced to a live band, a small band with brass and strings, entirely populated by campground residents. Our footwork may have been slightly improved by the two dancing lessons we’ve taken, but quickly forgotten in the fun of just dancing.

By far, the ugliest bird we’ve seen here is the wood stork. Although their body and wings are a brilliant white, it is the grey, bald head that you notice. It even sits on the ground in a funny way!

I would hate to think what kind of babies it brings. Maybe alligator?

So far, we have only seen the iconic flamingo in a zoo. Perhaps we have to be even farther south to see them in the wild. We’ll let you know. We’re heading that way next.

Until next time,

The Lovebirds

Civilization

For the last month, we have been out in the woods. Communication with family was limited, social conversation consisted of telling the wildlife they didn’t have to run away from us, and we only caught up on news when we went to town to get Wi-Fi. State parks are beautiful, and inexpensive, but my last blog was a little dry because, after talking about the hiking and biking and paddling, there’s really not much else going on. 

Unless some unusual coloured deer shows up, or sometthing.

New week, new campground.

We are now at Travelers Rest RV Resort just north of Tampa. The only woods to be found are on the golf course. I mean the trees, not the clubs.

But the social life! This resort puts out a real newspaper every Friday, and the centerfold section has 112 activities that anyone can participate in. That doesn’t even include the dozen or so “highlights” on the front page that are not regular weekly events. Nor does it include the spontaneous happy hours that pop up, frequently.

Just plotting out our days on the calendar takes us back to the days of children and having too many things to do but not enough time.

The residents are extremely friendly, and are an active, out-going bunch. All the activities listed are run by volunteers and everyone seems willing to lend a hand. We have already been encouraged to come out and try our hand at pickleball – which appears to be a form of ping-pong on a tennis court.

This resort is not just a community; it is a town in its own rights.  It has its own water tower, a fire station, and a real post office. I did mention the newspaper, right? There are about a thousand residents, of which only a couple of hundred stay all year around.  I was told that in the winter 25% are Canadians, and I believe it, based on the license plates I see in the parking lots.

This place started out as an exclusive Airstream park, but in order to stay viable, started letting in other brands  a decade or so ago. A good percentage of the trailers are still Airstreams, even if the owners have now settled into sites with park models or sunrooms. We decided to try out this place because of our connections with other Airstream owners, who insisted it was the best place to wait out the winter months.

The resort certainly caters to its residents. Just outside of a complete laundry room is a set of clothes lines in a drying area. In all the campgrounds I’ve seen, this is a first for me. It’s a discrete fenced in spot, and I was thrilled to be able to dry my clothes outside in the Florida sun.

There is a large hall where they hold dances and have entertainment every week. Three other buildings provide room for aerobics, computer classes, card or board games, singing groups, and a class to learn clogging (tap dancing) among other things. There is a small cafe on the premises called the Snack Shack where they offer low priced lunches, and coffee is provided every morning in the grand hall. Free if you bring your own mug.

We have a golf course right on the grounds, a tennis court, a heated pool and a hot tub.

And just in case you get too busy keeping up with all the things to do that you don’t make it to the grocery store, they hold a market with fresh fruits and veggies three times a week right inside the campground.

We had planned to use this campground as a place to stay while we explore places like Tampa, and the Gulf shore off western Florida.  Now it looks like we will have to make room in our social calendar if we want to check those places out.

So if you’ll excuse me, I’m on my way to ballroom dance class…..

W

Travelling Economics

Over the last month or so, our Canadian dollar has taken a lovely swan dive. This is not so good for the many of us who choose to spend the cold winter months in the warmer states of America. We now have to factor into our budget an extra 25% or more on the price of everything just to accommodate the exchange.


When it comes to gas, that actually brings it about up to par. But it was because of the cheaper gas in the states that over the last 4 years we could travel farther and more often. This winter we are thankfully staying closer to home, or at least on the same side of the continent, instead of going across country. And we find if we stay in the same campground for 2 weeks or more before moving on to explore other places, we are towing less and using less gas.

When we stay in state parks, the rates are low but the parks are usually located in remote areas, and well out of town. We have to drive a distance to get to any kind of civilization. By only doing a “town trip” once a week or so, and planning to hit all the shopping, museums, and library all on the same day, we also cut down on our travel.









And shopping less often really does mean you spend less money. You don’t have any excuse to stop somewhere for a quick lunch, with beer of course, or even a luxurious dinner out if you’re late getting back.

Private campgrounds are easier, as the longer you stay the less you pay for the daily rate. We find that they are more crowded and less natural.  But financially, you can understand why so many snowbirds just head for the same place and stay the whole winter. And that probably would be more affordable for us, but we still have the travelling bug. There’s just so doggone much to see!







So we try to see it by hiking, biking, and paddling.  Enjoying the simple pleasures.

The cheap pleasures.




Like wine. It is very affordable in the States without the Ontario sin tax.




We don’t need to worry about utilities or property tax. Both are included in the daily rate at each campground. And since we rarely choose the expensive luxury resort places, our monthly housing costs in the US are usually less than $500 a month, well within our budget.


We still have house maintenance. It’s just that our house includes rolling parts. Lots of rolling parts.

There is always room in our budget for museums. We consider them to be part of our continuing education. We have learned so much about history, geology, and the nature around us by travelling. Things that we thought we knew, like our own War of 1812, surprise us when looked at from a different view.









Travelling by RV in Canada is a much more expensive proposition. Not only is gas more expensive, but the campgrounds, both public and private, are often more than twice as costly. It’s a shame, because there is so much in our own country that we would love to explore and learn about.

But if the loonie keeps diving to the bottom, we may indeed be staying longer in the North Country.

You do what you must to make ends meet.

W