St Marks Wildlife Refuge

You are looking at pictures taken at St Marks Wildlife Refuge which is about 12 miles south of Wakulla Springs and is located right on the Gulf of Mexico. It is a huge area and you could spend days walking the trails that go around the swamps. First photo is an aerial view of the lighthouse which was built in 1832. I took the picture from a picture in the museum as you enter the park. Second picture is of the lighthouse that I took. Nene and Eileen is next before we took our walk, notice the sign behind them. The alligator was taken a couple hundred feet from where Nene & Eileen was standing. Alligators are all over the place along the road that leads down to the lighthouse. Last picture I took in the museum and shows young alligators breaking out of their eggs.

Wakulla Springs State Park

Four more pictures of Wakulla Springs: First is a White Ibis they feed on small fish, turtles and frogs. The second is a Black Swallowtail butterfly which is one of many on the flowering shrubs around the lodge. The third is a huge alligator sunning himself on the bank, we were very close at the time I took the picture, some people on the boat were a little nervous and the fourth is of a Purple Gallinue which has big feet that allows them to walk on lily pads while feeding. A very striking bird with iridescent blue on his body, red beak and a white patch at the base of his bill.

On Thursday we went to Wakulla Springs State park which is about 60 miles northeast of here. It is a beautiful park and the St Marks River flows through it going south to the Gulf which is about 15 miles from the park. Many of the scenes of "Tarzan" were filmed at Wakulla Springs. The temperature of the water at the springs stays between 58 & 70 degrees all year and the depth of the springs in certain areas near the lodge is about 350 feet. The area near the lodge is loaded with all sort of wildlife as you will see in the pictures. First picture is Eileen & Nene playing chess in the lodge where we also had lunch before the river cruise. Second picture is the St Marks River as it flows through the park. Third picture is turtles and a small alligator sharing a log to soak up the sun. Next picture shows an American Egret, they are nesting now in the park. Last picture shows American Coots which are all over the river. They are a black waterfowl with a bright white beak. More pictures to come later. Pepe.

Florida Wildflowers

Hi everyone, now that the temperature is in the 70's the wildflowers are coming out. Have not been able to identify the first blue flower. The second is called Bella, Bella and the white one is Rein Lilles. No name for the yellow flower, but I will identify them before I leave. The upper picture was taken today out on the sand dunes and therefore I call it a Dune flower.

Pepe

Saint Vincent Island

Saint Vincent Island.

The Red Wolf is found on Saint Vincent Island

The black racer is very common
and nonvenomous snake on St Vincent
Island.

Royal Terns & Skimmers

Nene having Lunch

These pictures were taken yesterday when we took the shuttle over to St Vincent Island. This Island is 9 miles long and 4 miles wide at its widest area. It is managed by The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and uninhabited. The endangered red wolves are found on this island. I saw a black racer which also was aware of my presents. He was about 3 feet long and was moving very fast so that I was unable to catch up to take a picture. It was amazing how fast it moved, I guess that is why they call it a racer. The Fish & Wildlife allow hunting in the fall for deer and hogs. I guess it is a lottery. The beach on the right of the picture is where I took the picture of Nene and the shorebirds. We also saw Dolphins.

Florida pictures

Hello, well tomorrow we will be leaving for home. Joan & Mike will be leaving this morning to go back to Ocala. Yesterday we went for a walk here on the island at the end where the State Park Refuge is and later in the day we went into Apalachicola for dinner at the Grill. Posting five more pictures. First is a Snowy Plover taken at the end of the island where they nest.Second is a Bald Eagle sitting in a tree in town. Third is Joan and Mike walking on the beach looking for shells and the weather was just perfect. The fourth is one of the many oyster boat located along the shore and you can see the long rakes that they use to gather up the oysters on the bottom of the bay. The fifth is a shrimp boat dragging for shrimp just across the street from our unit. They do most of their trolling at night. Will see you all soon. Pepe

Hi everyone, a few more pictures. The first is oysters that I have shucked and as mentioned before I purchased 70 unshucked oysters for $6.25, so we are taking advantage of that while we have the opportunity. Nene will not touch them but Eileen is like me when it comes to shellfish. Second picture is of an osprey nest down the end of the street. The young are about ready to leave the nest. Third picture was taken in the Apalachicola museum down near the river. They are four venomus snakes found in this area and from left to right: The coral snake as you can see is very colorful but also very deadly. The venom is like that of a cobra which is a neurotoxin. There is a nonvenomus snake called the scarlet king snake which looks like the coral, its head is red while the coral is black with the yellow band and the red is bordered by yellow bands. The next snake is a copperhead which is also found in the Berkshires. Third snake is a water moccasin which is found in the swampy areas. Last is the Diamondback rattlesnake. Dinner is ready so I will sign off for now. Will be posting some pictures later of Wakulla Springs State Park where we went yesterday. Pepe

Apalachicola boardwalk.

Nene & Eileen on East Slough trail.

Fred's Best Seafood.

Old Time Soda Fountain.

Hi everyone, adding a few more pictures and more to come. First photo is the Apalachicola boardwalk at the end of main street. It leads out to a veiwing platform of the Apalachicola River which runs all the way up into Georgia. At the beginning of the trail is a museum which has many willdlife exhibits. Next is Nene and Eileen on the trail at the end of the island which is a wildlife refuge. The sign is about the Harty cup used to collect sap from the slash pines which took place between 1912-1916. The photo of Fred's Seafood shows the men loading oysters to be shipped out. Today I bought 70 oysters for $6.25 and we just finished about 2 dozen of them. Last photo shows the soda fountain in Apalachicola which is the same since 1910. I had of course a Root Beer Ice Crean Soda. Pepe.

Hi everyone,

Few pictures from Saint George. First, is a great Blue Heron the other was taken on Thursday when we went for a hike at the end of the Island to look for the eagle nest and Nene is on the trail. The picture of a pine tap which you find on many trees, years ago they tapped the pine trees for sap which they made turpentine. The small white heron is a Snowy Egret which at the turn of the centuary they killed this bird for their plumage that was used on hats for the rich and famous. They are now protected by federal law. I downloaded a Goggle earth picture of Saint George Island. You can see the bridge coming from the mainland which is almost 5 miles long. If you look carefully I put an Icon "Nene & Pepe" right next to the wine glass, that is where our condo is located. From our unit it is 4 miles to the gate of the Wildlife Reserve and another 4 miles from there to the end which you can see to the right. As you can see the Island is not wide as you can see both sides from many areas. Anyway that is it for now.

Love Nene & Pepe.

Hi everyone,

Adding a few photos: First photo shows the Apalachiacola park where they have the band concerts, not sure of their time schedule but will find out soon. The photo of Maureen & Babins was taken yesterday walking along the beach here on the Island. Also a photo of the a shrimp boat in the town of Apalachicola. Last photo is of the many sand dunes along the beach. Will post more later.

Pepe

Remember When: The Phil "Daoust" Esposito Hockey Skates

This should jog some memories. We were famous once - at least in the world of Canadian hockey. In fact, Daoust skates were considered the standard for professional hockey for many years.

But apparently, the 'newer' Daoust - the Daoust 501 and the bronze 333 (shown above) - are still considered standard for many hockey players today even though they are no longer manufactured.

purple raider said... made the best performance hockey skate of all time: the Micron Mega 10-90. The Mega 10-90(and possibly the Daoust 501) is easily the best hockey skate ever made. Almost all modern performace skates are based on this skate...

Good Luck To Meaghan and the Golden Knights

Meaghan Prince is off to Falmouth, Cape Cod, but this time it's not to see Nene and Pepe.

Instead our star hoop thrower is going with her team the Golden Knights to kick some cod!

Good luck Meaghan.

Happy 6th Birthday to Max!

Today, March 6, 2008, Max is 6 years old! Thanks to Terri for the photo; I can't find my photos of Max right now.

Watch out for more posts and pictures from the folks in Florida.

Mom and Dad on St. George Island

Here are some of the photos Pepe put up on Shutterfly.

You can see all the photos by going there. Some maps, more photos and other links coming soon.

This cottage looks like a nice place; I really wish I could be there to spend time with the folks and enjoy the weather (even though it is about the same in St. George and Santa Cruz right now - average of high 60's).

Fun challenge: In three of these photos, something just seems to be out of place.

What is it?

Hint: Christmas sweet