Florida Black Vultures and Ibis Bathe Together December 19, 2012

Florida Black Vultures and Ibis Bathe Together This Morning

 

December 19, 2012

 

      After wrapping all 20 of the presents for my grandchildren at 7am today, I packed the presents in my car.  It only took one hour and I made a present wrapping station in my spare bedroom.  It was a pleasure knowing I had gotten exactly what they had put on their "Four Gifts" lists for me.   The box of presents is well on its way to their home and will arrive in a few days.   

 

      But wait, there is more...

 

      Later, on my way to work, I drove through the Greenway/Park to see the usual gathering of around 50 Florida black vultures.  They were sitting or walking or standing on the bank of the river.   Here are Florida black vultures, but not my photos:

 

   

 

 

      Usually they are watching the ibis, both the white and the brownish ones, wade, eat, and bathe at the river's edge.  Below are the two types of ibis I watched, but not my photos:

 

     

 

       This morning I parked as usual, and sat at a picnic table, about 15 feet away, to wonder at the sight of nature up close.  Funny thing, some of the vultures, about 10 of them, were bathing with the ibis, splashing, dunking their heads, flapping their wings in the water, and washing all over, just like the ibis usually do.

 

       I'm curious to see if they are learning this from the ibis, or if they do this anyway and I hadn't seen it before.  Some of the vultures, standing nearby and watching the sight, began to wander into the water and copy the other birds, too.

 

      For comparison, a Florida black vulture, with a wing span of about 5 feet, weighs about 5 pounds, like a large chicken.  An ibis has a wing span of about 3-4 feet, and it weighs about 2-3 pounds. 

 

      Yet here they were having a swimming play date together, all while I sat and watched.  I love nature up close and undisturbed.   Don't want to go overboard, but make Number 17 on my activities list "Birdwatching up close."

 

Click here to see my board called "For The Birds" on pinterest.com

 

I'll be sure I take my camera to the park every morning now.

 

     

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Practice

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Try My Retirement Activities

November 17,2012

 

     With my school holidays starting, I am heading out with my beautiful new bike to ride to my heart's content.  But wait, there's more.

 

     When I was forced to take a detour on my way to work a week ago, it sent all traffic through a beautiful greenway/park I didn't know existed.  So for the past week I have taken that detour to and from work.  Immediately upon turning into the park, I become one with nature.

 

     There appears a flowing river,  a wide bike/running/walking/dog walking/stroller-pushing concrete pathway along the entire bank of the river.  Hundreds of migrating birds circle overhead.  Egrets are busying themselves along the river bank across the river.   People are strolling with babies, dogs, walkers, bikers, and I should be there.  Oh, and don't forget the people quietly fishing the river.

 

     Professional size soccer fields, two playgrounds, and one gigantic exercise center are also on the property, safely fenced from pathway traffic and the winding road for car traffic.  Who forgot to tell me about this treasure in Orlando?

 

     So, to add to my retirement activities list, a year ahead of when I'll need it, I'm loading up my bike and heading to that park for some peaceful riding.  I will not have to look for cracks in the road or traffic that might squash me.

 

     Number 9 (or is it 10) on my list is now to head to the park and ride my bike for awhile.  I might even pack a little snack in my bike basket.  Pictures later today.   This practice run will confirm its place on my list.

 

     Have a bountiful Thanksgiving meal, and please help those who need one.

 

 

 

 www.pinterest.com/mimihylton