Pelican Pals

Gee, they make life look so easy.

While My Camera Gently Weeps

I'll fill in with some photos from my walks over the past couple of weeks until my camera is fixed. It's jasmine time now as you can tell by this particularly robust vine with a crunchy letter-covered center. The whole island smells exquisite - beachy on the east side and jasminey on the west. It's a really great time to be here. In fact the bed and breakfasts will be hosting a House and Garden Tour this weekend, the first of three tours for 2008. We'll be debuting the new "Cooking with the Inns of Amelia Island" cookbook there, just in time for Mothers' Day. I hope to see you Saturday.

Ruh-Roh

Well, I'm feeling completely naked. My blog camera is broken! No shrimpfest photos. Nothing of the parade. Nothing of the fireworks. Nothing of the seven streets' worth of artists and their work. Not a single photo of the 150,000 people here this weekend. And worst of all, NO PIRATES... They say a picture is worth 1000 words but I hope you'll forgive me for not typing a 15,000 word essay to describe the scenes that I would have photographed this weekend. But I will say that my favorite shot this weekend would have been of our neighbor's upper porch that was cloaked in the hull of a pirate ship - complete with canons, a skeleton crew and sails - while they all sat on the porch below drinking grog.

While I try to get my camera sorted out, please enjoy the photos from last year's parade.

The Calm Before the Shrimp Storm

This lovely sailboat is calmly docking completely unaware of the 150,000 people who are about to descend on this scene over the weekend. I love it when we have guests who are here before the Shrimp Festival and stay on through the festival so that they can experience the serenity and the hoopla. Otherwise, it's just "us locals" who know the secret.

The Right Man for the Job

Gil Langley has been the Tourism Director for the island for about six months here. Sometimes we find that we have to "acclimate" the new guy but Gil jumped into the fire right away and hasn't looked back. Who knew that a Missouri boy would have so much fun mingling with island tourists?

Identified!

Thanks to Mary Lu Hartley of Phoenix, MD for identifying our visitor as the Polka-dot Wasp Moth. It makes sense that it was resting on that particular window because they feed on oleanders and we have a very large oleander just coming into bloom near the porch. Thanks Lu.

Secrets Revealed

There are lots of hidden gems that I pass along the way on my walk. These are two of my favorites. I stuck my camera through the hedge into this tiny but inviting yard with all the ingredients required for a pleasant place to read a book, grab a nap or contemplate the surrounding flowers.

Many of you have expressed an interest in the Easter Egg Cottage, but I looked a little bit closer this time and found this animal tea party in the yard. Once again, it pays to stop and smell the roses.

What's This on My Window?

Anyone? Anyone? We can't find our insect book to identify it. It was on our porch window during breakfast. Feel free to answer via the comment link below.

Nice Afternoon for an Alfresco Lunch

These folks had the right idea, dining out on the patio at Cafe Karibo on this beautiful afternoon. We've had a streak rivaling Cal Ripken's of perfect weather lately. Yes, we could use the rain but the tourists are all loving it...

Riding off into the Island Sunset

These guys are riding up Beech Street toward the river, as anyone in their right mind does around sunset time here. Actually, you don't even have to make it to the river; you can stand in the middle of the street and just look in that direction to catch all of the colors. As you can see, there's not a lot of traffic to be concerned with.

Cockeyed Cookout

I think that a couple of beers are in order before attempting this feat. Maybe they ran out of levels at the hardware store below.

A Wall and Two Palms

After living in the North most of my life, it still strikes me that even our brick walls look very island-like. Perhaps it's the turquoise trim and the two palm trees that add the tropical charm?

New Ticket Kiosk

Cecelia McCarthy puts the finishing touches on the exterior of the new ticket kiosk for Amelia River Cruises, while her husband, Kevin, tidies up inside. Currently tickets can only be purchased onboard just before departure of any of their three daily cruises. As soon as the kiosk opens, you'll be able to walk up all day long to purchase your tickets for their cruises, and, possibly, other attractions. Kevin and Cecelia have threatened to rent out the kiosk as a waterfront room. I offered to give them some advice on linens. I don't think that either one of those things will be happening.

Polly Want a View?

This happy little parakeet was enjoying the view from the front porch on this beautiful spring day. I'm not sure if the singing was from the view, the day, or just being outside but I was doing the same when we crossed paths. As usual, you can click on the photo for a larger view.

Mutiny on the Dinghy

I have no idea what the pelicans did with the captain and crew but they're clearly in charge of the craft now.