Picture Postcard Perfect

Missing the Florida sunsets!

Missing the Florida Frye's more...

Sea Urchin Finds

Here's just several of the unique sand dollars found at the sandbar while beaching it on Marco Island.

Sea Hawk

Can you say Osprey!

This dude was enjoying the sunshine at the beach on Marco Island.

Resting atop a marked off sea turtle egg nest, he was not too worried about our approach, and contently perched there as if all alone.

An impressive bird of prey for sure.

No More Alvino's Pizza...

Our hopes, and taste buds, were running high and excited at the thought of Alvino's pizza.

But alas it was not to be.  Upon arrival we learned the disappointing news, via a sign on the door, that Alvino's went out of business...

Ouchie Bite

While visiting Florida earlier this month Emilie was bitten by a red ant just below her ankle.

The is a picture of the bite, which she said was painful.

She's lucky it was only one bite and not a gazillion!

Marco Island Animal Adventures

We had a terrific time during our Marco Island get away!

The beach and ocean, the 4th fireworks, good food, cold beer, seeing the two cousins together, getting to spend some long overdue time with my brother and his family and of course seeing my dad!

Here are some of the pictures we took of the local wildlife we encountered on our drive through the Everglades along Rt.41 and at Marco Island -

Our fist stop was at the Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center in Ochopee, where we were greeted by several BIG alligators just cooling their heals in the canal

We spotted several Florida Softshell turtles, also swimming and floating in the canal among the gators, this one below being quite large too -

Ironically, we had just passed a street sign that read, "Gopher Turtle Crossing", and right on queue what did we spot, a Gopher Turtle about to cross.  We pulled the cars over, jumped out and took some pictures.  We then turned the critter around, pointing into the underbrush and said mush!

No, this slick, slithering dude is NOT a Florida Cottonmouth. Some of the locals might lead you to believe as such, rather, this is an Everglades Racer.  We spotted it outside the condo on our way to the pool.  Alyssa and I tried to catch it but were unsuccessful.

CRIKEY, is that a grasshopper?!  It sure is! Known as the Lubber Grasshopper, Floridians have little trouble recognizing this insect.  When alarmed, Lubbers spread their wings, hiss and secrete a foul -smelling froth.  However, this dude did no such thing as resident Floridian, animal enthusiast and also my niece Alyssa, picked it up, held it and let it crawl on her arm and head, EWW!

On our way to the beach for the July 4th firework show, just after dark, and in the middle of the walkway we came upon a little insect hanky-panky.  A pair of Two-Stripped Walking Sticks "cuddling", EWW!  We snapped a quick photo, then moved them into the brush along the walkway and out of harms way of foot traffic.

Of course there were many, many lizards all over, which Emilie was able to catch time and time again.  Then there were the incredibly noisy, either, Barking Treefrog or perhaps it was the Cuban Treefrog.  Whichever it was they were LOUD.  Also, when the tide went out, the sandbar had what seemed like and endless supply of the beautiful Sand Dollars!

Games and Puzzle Challenges

While vacationing in tropical storm riddled Marco Island Florida last month my brother got me hooked on doing, or at least attempting to do, newspaper games and puzzles, i.e. crosswords, jumbles, sudokus (my least favorites) etc. We’d pickup the USA Today newspaper each day and have at it.

Once we returned home this activity fell by the wayside. However, thanks to Al Gore and his Internet I now have 7x24 access to my favorite USA Today puzzles, which I've come to enjoy and have been fairly successful in doing. Word Round Up, Quick Cross and Up & Down Words are my favorites, booyah!

It’s good exercise for your melon and helps to keep it sharp - sharp as a marble in my case.

Click here to be taken to USA Today puzzles for online fun and excitement.

Ironic or Cruel Joke?!

Well, as you can see from the lobby register, pictured above, the "French's" have moved into my brothers building. Of course the residents are alphabetized by names versus by units - how ironic is that?! Damn those ancient Greeks and their "alphabet"...

A Florida Invasive Exotic

Cuban Treefrog - Osteopilus septentrionalis

Here are a couple pictures of what I believe is a Cuban treefrog. We noticed him sitting in this rather unusual, hot and sunny spot one morning where he remained all day long. We didn't bother with him other than to take some pictures, so I'm not 100% certain it's a Cuban treefrog but he did have rather larger suction cup on the ends of his toes which is an indication of a Cuban.

We came across another one earlier in the week. This was was hiding in the folded picnic table umbrella beside the pool - a hiding spot my brother was aware of. When he opened it up, there was a HUGE Cuban treefrog peacefully hiding out! Well, he was huge as compared to the treefrogs found in Massachusetts - actually he was huge as compared to most frogs in MA. This one we caught, held and passed around to the kids and this one was DEFINITELY a Cuban Treefrog - no doubts and regrettably no pictures either!

However, at the time I wasn't aware that these frogs are considered an invasive species and the recommendation is to euthanize them. Had we known, perhaps we would have followed Florida's advice but either way these guys are simply awesome!

Cuban treefrogs are the largest treefrog in North America, however it is not native to North America. This species was introduced to southern Florida from the Caribbean and has continued to spread in Florida.

Cuban treefrogs are voracious eaters and unfortunately they eat Florida's native frogs, toads, and lizards, in addition to insects and spiders. In fact, Cuban treefrogs are SO successful at taking over habitat and eating Florida's native species that they are considered an invasive exotic (non-native) species - they are a threat to the biodiversity of Florida's native ecosystems and wildlife.

Due to the destructive effects Cuban treefrogs have on native species of amphibians and reptiles, many biologists recommend that Cuban treefrogs be euthanized/killed. A humane method of euthanasia is recommended. Just make SURE the frog you have is a Cuban treefrog before euthanizing it.

Freezing is a humane way to kill amphibians because their bodies go into a state of torpor - just as they do in cold weather outside, and after an extended time in freezing temperatures, the frogs die. Put the frog in a plastic ziploc bag, then into the freezer over night and out in the trash the following morning, done.

The distinguishing characteristics of the Cuban treefrog are:

• Size of the adults (up to 5 inches in body length, much larger than native Florida treefrogs)
• Enormous toe pads (larger than toepads of native treefrogs in Florida)
• Bumpy skin on the back, like skin of a toad
• Skin on top of head is fused to skull

Cuban treefrogs can be highly variable in color -- from pale tan/pale green without any markings to dark green or brown with an even darker color pattern on the back and legs. Sometimes they almost look white when they are inactive or cold.

For more information visit - UF Florida Wildlife Extension - University of Florida

Testudines Crossing

With our Florida trip winding down we headed out of Marco Island, on our way to Miami, on “Alligator Alley”. Most of this highway traverses the Everglades, which was the plan.

We intended on taking an air boat ride but soon realized it was not going to happen - tropical storm Fay dumped too much water and the mosquitoes were vicious.

We saw all kinds of wildlife along the way, both, on the roadway and in pens and cages and tanks at several of our stops.

Here are a couple of turtle pictures we took. We stopped and caught these chelonians crossing the roadway and checked them out. The kids got all excited and enjoyed them too. There was a third terrapin, a snapping turtle, attempting to cross but as we turned the car around and started back the person driving the minivan just in front of us swerved and hit it, alas.


This is a "Soft-shelled" turtle and amazingly fast for a turtle but I was still able to catch him without getting run over myself, crikey!


This is a "Yellow-bellied slider" turtle and was content to stay hidden inside his shell. Now, I've done some research, and although I was unable to find definitive proof, I'm pretty sure the preferred way to hold turtles is like how my brother is doing it above - your pinkie should be extended!

We moved these two guys to safety; away from the road to the waters edge and continued our trek...

New Ocean Species?!!

I believe we many have found a new species of Cockle, perhaps an ee-REKT-us-dict-us. As you’re well aware cockles have distinctive rounded shells that are symmetrical, heart-shaped and hinged.

He was just hang'n out on the beach of Marco Island. Interesting little fella wouldn’t you agree?! It's remarkable how he blends into his surrounding. It was obvious that this dude took a good beating (in the surf), he was pretty limp. He twitched when we poked him but we were careful not to play with him since we didn't have protection with us. The water was cold that day for Florida; perhaps this is a reason for his smaller size.

Ah, the surprises one might find walking along the beach...

Random Florida Signs

Here are some signs that we photo'd while ambling about in Florida -

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