Where has December Gone?

Bill and I spent a fabulous couple of weeks at our condo in tropical (not so much) Ft. Myers. Sister Beth and her "dh" were staying on the beach so we spent lots of time together shelling, birding, visiting with friends and the local quilt shops. Since we did not have Internet at the condo, I was not able until now to post pictures. Check out my sister's blog at http://quilterb-bethsblog.blogspot.com/ for a sneak peak of what's to come here at Parker's Barkers.

Out first outing late in the day was to Six Mile Cypress Slough where we walked the boardwalk through the swamp visiting and taking pictures. Anhingas are common at the swamp, but I always like to see them posing for the camera with their wings spread out to dry in the afternoon sun.

We don't have Cardinals in Colorado, so they are a treat to our eyes.

I love the colors in the background behind this beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk.

This Great Blue Heron was really displaying his colors in the sunlight.

Two of them were flying back and forth over one of the ponds.

No, this White Ibis hasn't injured his leg - they often stand on one leg, resting the other. This time of year his bill and legs are pink but in the Spring, when thoughts of love dance through his head, his bill and legs will turn bright red.

Boy did I have a hard time getting this Yellow-throated Warbler to stand still long enough for a decent picture. I also took pictures of a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and a Common Yellowthroat, but those pictures were not good enough to post. Maybe next time.

Another busy, busy bird - a Black-and-white Warbler.

And busy, busy describes the rest of our vacation with trips to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Lover's Key, Port Charlotte, Ding Darling, Babcock-Webb, Harns Marsh, Cape Coral and Manatee Park. Ocala friends Bob and Peggy joined us for a weekend of fabric shopping and I have lots of pictures that I will post later.