2015

A belated Happy New Year to everyone.  2014 could not come to an end fast enough.  There were some good moments but it will be remembered as a year of loss and tough times.  When I started the blog a year ago I had hoped to make 2014 the best year ever.  Well it wasn't but I have same hope for 2015.  So much of life is out of our hands but one thing we can control is to try to make of most of every moment of every day.  That is my goal for this year.  Focus on what matters and enjoy life.  I am not going to have any resolutions for 2015 as I did for 2014.  If you remember I swore off french fries.  I can report that I really did go all year without one.  We are now a week into 2015 and I still haven't had a fry but I can't wait to have one.  I look forward to writing about 2015 as I take it one day at a time.

Until tomorrow,

Dave

Shelling

Sanibel Island is known as one of the best shelling destinations in the country.  What is shelling you ask?  Well it is pretty self explanatory.  It is the act of collecting shells.  Sounds easy right?  Well I learned on our trip that it is not as easy as it sounds.  It was obvious from the first time I stepped on the beach in Sanibel that there were a lot of shells around.  As you looked closer most were broken or not very pretty.  I wondered where all the conch like shells were.  After talking to a local we learned the best strategy is to wade waist deep into the water at low tide and dig down into the sand.  Experienced shellers have a screen bucket with a long handle attached that they use to dig and shift.  Well I didn't have that so I got very wet and actually ended up finding some good ones by feeling around with my feet.  My daughter actually had some success just looking along the shore and I credit our friend Dick for helping train her eye while we've looked for shark teeth along the North Carolina coast. I'm not sure shelling will become a new hobby but I know if we ever return to Sanibel I will be prepared.

Until tomorrow,

Dave

Roseate Spoonbilll

I mentioned in my previous post that we visited Sanibel Island, FL over Christmas.  One of the highlights of the trip was seeing new varieties of birds.  I've written before about my fondness for birds and seeing new types.  While in Florida I saw one of my favorites.  The Roseate Spoonbill.  Before this trip I had never seen one in person, but I became familiar with them while playing bird bingo.  This is a version of bingo that has birds on the cards instead of letters and was a gift to my daughter from my mom.  While playing countless games the spoonbill stuck out to me.  In Florida we took a guided tour of the Ding Daring Wildlife Refuge.  While on the tour vehicle we stopped to observe a flock of white pelicans sitting on a sandbar during low tide in a mangrove filled estuary.  When out of the sky came two beautiful pink and white birds.  Before the guide could even say what they were I mouthed "rosette spoonbill."  They were beautiful and looked just like the appeared on the bird bingo card just a bit smaller than I anticipated.  After they landed they stood among the pelicans with their light pink feathers popping against the white background.  So it was the small things like this that made the trip so special.  It also got me thinking that if I ever own a boat or beach house I think Roseate Spoonbill may make a great name.

Until tomorrow,
Dave