Snowbirds and Other Winter Visitors

As a REAL RETIRED HOUSEWIFE OF FLORIDA I am a year-round resident of Florida.  The sand cranes and alligators stay year-round also.

But I have quite a few neighbors and golfing friends that are snowbirds.

       snow*bird  noun \-berd\  :one who travels to warm climes for the winter

In addition to snowbirds, there were a few other visitors to warm, sunny Florida this winter.  I heard about an eagle's nest in a local cemetery, Lone Oak Cemetery.  I saw a write-up about it at the Habitat for Humanity  Restore across the street from the cemetery.  One one of my thrifting adventures, I located the nest. 

Then on day in December, I saw a couple of cars and people with big camera lenses in the cemetery. I stopped by and got my first look at the bald eagle with a couple of eaglets. VERY EXCITING. This nest has been active for over 50 years.

Manatees are another winter visitor.  They take advantage of the warm inland water during the winter.  The first year in Florida, I tried a couple of times to catch sight of these "gently giants".  I saw one or two manatees, but those sightings were not satisfying.  One Sunday, Brian and I headed out again in search of manatees.  We went to Blue Springs State Park, and there they were.  We counted 12 in one area.

Visitors are common during the winter months.  Mallory, Mike, Michelle and Keith came down to Florida for a family wedding.  They took advantage of the great weather by golfing (Mike and I), ziplining, a day trip to Tarpon Springs, a stop at Lake Ridge Winery for a tour and wine tasting.

And lunch at the Cotillion Southern Cafe

GOLF HIGHLIGHTS

In between THE MOVE and family visits, I participated in a the second annual Plantation Cup golf challenge.  The Plantation is divided into "villages".  My village, Sable Ridge, teamed up with Chanticleer.  Our women's team and couple's team came in FIRST PLACE.