Episode 2: Tales from the great Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

  Zoe coming to you from the Presidential in the middle of Ding Darling:

"OK, I'm moving!"

Great Egrets Disputing

So, we’ve been here three weeks!  You’d think that we would have done tons of things, right?  Well, we took the second week that we were here OFF!  We didn’t want to, but Papa’s stomach landed him in the hospital in Fort Myers.  And landed us in the Presidential 5th Wheel!  Whoopie!  He was there for 5 days but didn’t need any surgery and is home doing fine, now.  Things are looking up.  He throws my ball for me as much as I want - well, almost...

Great Egret

Up Close and Personal

River Otter Dining

The folks have been trying to learn as much as they can about the birds, the bees, and the plants.  They have to be ready to teach about the main birds and how they eat (each group is different), and what their behaviors are.  As far as I go, I eat as fast as I can and then ask for more!  That is what it is all about!

White Pelicans Landing

Wood Stork

One day, Papa and Mama went to a place called Bailey Tract and had lessons on identifying wildflowers. They, also, have to be able to talk about mangroves and plants.  They met a really nice person who happens to be a very good friend of someone they knew when they lived in Germany.  It seems like the world is really connected, doesn’t it? One thing they didn't like at Bailey Tract was the Fire Ants!  Mom was always reminding Papa to move away from the mound.  They are always watching out for us, too.  Florida, especially here, is a whole different landscape from where we have been living in.  Sure, we've been here before, but let me tell you in the dark of night on our last walk sometimes I get freaked out with the night sounds.  Did you know there are Bobcats right here?  That's right - they are as big or bigger than I am.  I don't think Mama likes to go out in the dark, dark night, either.

Roseate Spoonbill

Spoonbill feeding

We have seen some beautiful birds lately, but we aren't allowed to chase them.  Mama and Papa have been learning how different birds fish.  There are Roseate Spoonbills which eat by touch which means that they swipe their spoon shaped bill into the mud and as soon as the thousands of nerves along the edge recognize a creature, the bill snaps shut tightly.  I wouldn't want that to happen to my tail!

Then, there are Egrets which spear their dinner.  It was so amazing to watch one of them spear the fish, rub it off of its bill with a stick, catch it in the air between it's bill, flip it around so that the fish head is first, and swallow the fish whole.  I'm learning about other ways birds eat, too, but I'll leave that for another time!

First time on the beach!

We have gone kayaking and on two sunset cruises already.  Well, not really.  We had to stay home while the folks went out and had fun.  You know, it’s the same ole, same ole.  They go.  We stay.  I keep hoping we will get to go with them soon. 

Life's a beach, and we do get to go again today.