NATURE IN DECEMBER

Viewing and walking through nature is a favorite past time of mine.  I venture out to the Circle B Preserve several times during our winters, in Florida.  What used to be a large ranch, is now a wildlife preserve. Walking through the preserve is a different experience each time.  Depending on the time of day, the month, the migrations, feeding times and seasons. Stepping out of the car and onto the path immediately creates a calming, relaxed mood for me.  The birds are my friends, the animals are a bonus!  
                        Such a Good Thing...

Camoflauged

                 Feral Hog looking right at me. 
            An unusual sighting at the Circle B. 
              I went in the other direction-fast!


           

On most occasions we see dozens of vultures
on "Buzzard Beach" - this day only a few.

Standing very still, waiting for prey to pass through the water. 

CHRISTMAS IN FLORIDA

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, 

just like the ones I used to know ~ 

NOT!  

It was in the 80's here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!  Wonderful...missing all the kids, is the one thing that makes me sad when holidays come around.  We did have family here for Christmas! 
Joe's sister, Frances, and her son, Tony, were here Christmas Eve-overnight to Christmas afternoon. They will return for an overnight again on Thursday.  Tony is on leave from the Navy and we enjoyed their company for Christmas. Spaghetti dinner coming up on Thursday!  


I snapped numerous pictures over the holidays.  We spent several days and nights at concerts, cantatas, reenactments of the Christmas story (above in Davenport, FL, viewing decorations at major hotels and having fun at Downtown Disney. 
                                                     Living statue at 
                                                 Downtown Disney.

 TeePee's decorated the tree         
at the Wilderness Hotel. 
                                                                                                       
                                                    
                                                      The Ricola horns!
                                                 Downtown Disney.

 Snowflake ladies amazing the
children~and the adults!

            Living statues drawing throngs of Disney visitors.

 A gingerbread house 12' high at the Grand Floridian,   Disney/look at the ingredients!

                    Mickey Mouse "Wreath" at the 
                   Contemporary Hotel, Disney.

              It's Mardi Grau all year at Port Orleans.
                                            
                                                Nice "seat" Frances...

         Frances and Tony       
                          

                       Joe and Tony on a Harley!

 The snowflake ladies, on stilts, walked around, creating "Kodak moments" for Disney guests.  The toy soldiers, on stilts, also were blinded by cameras ~ they were amazing!  Dancing, singing, jumping up and down entertaining the crowds~all on those stilts!  Fantastic balance! 

                    Our "Christmas tree" on the porch.