MADE IT!

The morning before we left the community where Mom lives, Latona went off for a walk with her camera. She caught the Anhinga's mirror image , and seemed to capture the wind as it flared the Egret's feathers.

Finally, the moment of departure arrived...

Ginger the wild cat, watched thru the window as we packed up and prepared for the time when we would say goodbye.  I don't think she was sad to see us go, but Mom was trying not to cry as she "posed" for the goodbye wave.  Our five weeks together taught me a lot, and I/we had a chance to see my mother's grit and determination about her life and health.  I am grateful for Latona and her support as we assisted Mom and Chick during the recovery. 

                   We had hardly traveled a mile when we spotted a pair of Sandhill Cranes ...

We arrived on the Keys by late afternoon and decided to stop at a motel for an easy night.  The sweet spot was called Sands of Islemorada. The Boungainvillea was in rich display,

Before departing, I walked to see the beach and the Tiki huts, and noticed an Old Town kayak  beached right in front of me.  A nice touch of home!

As I continued looking, I saw an Osprey's head peering out of a nest on top of one of the huts and the partner delivering groceries to the "incubater". 

Off we went to our final destination, Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge where we reunited with friends  and started to set up our camp site that will be our home until March 1.  More of that on next entry.  But we wanted to settle in slowly, so we did the grocery shopping and headed to one of our favorite places here, Bahia Hondo State Park.  It is just the next spit of land going north from Big Pine Key, across Seven-Mile Bridge, and has fabulous beaches and bird life.  (We had purchased a Florida State Park Pass so it was our first chance to try it out.  It is an economical way to visit the parks since it can cost $8-9 per visit, and also supports the park system.)

The water was beautiful, and along a quiet tip of the Sandspur Beach, we spotted some Brown Pelicans and a few Ruddy Turnstone. 

                            We had made it to our "winter home". Sending love and hugs to all...