All Hallows Eve

A murder of crows at Pelican's Nest Country Club

"And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!"

~ Edgar Allan Poe The Raven

"Strange animal facts" #13:

Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.

On the road again...

Cascade, Michigan

I am traveling this weekend. Leaving here...

Naples, Florida

...and arriving here.

Hmmm...seems I can't escape the color red ;-)

Have a colorful weekend, everyone!

"Strange animal facts " #12:
In Alaska, it is legal to shoot bears. However, waking a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph is prohibited.

A star is born...

Bauhinia variegata forma alba

Be like the flower, turn your faces to the sun.

~ Kahlil Gibran

"Strange animal facts" #11:

Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.

Sunday's catch

Some of you asked where I was standing when I took the previous photo.

Here's your answer: Naples Pier. Just me and the fishing boy, each hoping for a good catch ;-)

"Strange animal facts" #10:
Fish that live more than 800 meters below the ocean surface, don't have eyes.

Beach bathing

The average water temperature at Naples beach in October is 81F (27C).

Great for wading and...hair washing, apparently ;-)

"Strange animal facts" #9:
The blue whale has a heart the size of a small car and its blood vessel is so broad, that a person could swim through it.

Au naturel

Wetlands in my community

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."

~e.e. cummings

"Strange animal facts" #8

It is estimated that millions of trees in the world are accidentally planted by squirrels who bury nuts and then forget where they hid them!

Shade seekers #6

Promenade at Bonita Bay

And finally, when all else fails, you can always find relief at the local mall. For yourself...and your wallet ;-)

"Strange animal facts" #7:
The female pigeon cannot lay eggs if she is alone. In order for her ovaries to function, she must be able to see another pigeon.

Shade seekers #5

my community

A pair of moorhens cooling off at the edge of the golf course.

"Strange animal fact" #6:
Eagles mate while airborne.

Shade seekers #4

Third Street South, downtown Naples

This sparrow found a cool spot in the shadow of a planter. No dummy, he; there's always a chance of a juicy worm nearby...

(Jilly, you'll need one of your tranquilizers before you continue reading ;-))

Strange animal fact #5:
A cockroach will live nine days without its head, before it starves to death.

Shade seekers #3

We are in luck! Found this shady sidewalk bistro downtown Naples. Sunday Brunch, perhaps? And check out that humongous Bloody Mary at the forefront table...

"Strange animal fact" #4:
A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue.

Shade seekers #2

Hey, it's the weekend! Let's indulge a bit, and take advantage of a great shady spot, under the pergola, next to the pool at the Coconut Point Hyatt Regency Hotel.

"Strange animal fact" #3
The average person eats eight spiders in their sleep in their lifetime!

Shade seekers #1

Our hot and muggy season is finally coming to an end...In a few days, the weather pattern will break and comfortable, dry and warm air will move in for the next 6 to 7 months. Yippee!

In the meantime, I am starting a short series on looking for shade, like this brown pelican, seeking shelter under Estero Bridge.

"Strange animal fact" #2:
Some lions mate over 50 times a day.

Surveillance

Parking in my community is very safe...thanks to the roving security guards ;-)

Today, I am introducing a new feature entitled "Strange animal facts".

"Strange animal fact" #1:
Turtles can breathe through their butts.