Pics from June 22nd and 23rd

June 22nd - On the drive home from running errands in town, of course I took my favorite route - along the Indian River on Indian River Drive.  I can never get enough of the variety of views, smells, sounds and sights of driving by all the joints and waterspots there.  Like a mini vacation.  And it always takes me way too long to get out of town, especially if I have my camera.  I want to capture everything I see so I can look at it again when I get home.  So anyho-o-o-o, here's some pics from Thursday ~

Sun coming through a clump of trees, moss and vegetation caught my eye--pure tropical jungle

The below plant, night-blooming cactus, made me do a doubletake.  I just had to turn around and see what in the heck it was.  It had climbed over 20' into that big ol' oak.  Looked like something from the "Little shop of Horrors."  I have a species of this in a large pot that puts out huge white fragrant flowers at night.  It always looks unhappy in the pot, like it doesn't know how to droop or grow upright.  Now I know why ... it wants a tree!  And I've got just the right oak out front!  Growing things here is always an adventure.  The children happened to come out of the house where I snuck near to take the pic.  They were giggly and delightful and not too camera-shy.  And typical Florda bare-foot boys laughing and playing and having a good ol' time.  Just added to the delights of the day.

Night-blooming cactus with some day-peeking children



Close-up of the night-blooming spent cactus flower.  It measured about 8", and must have bloomed just last night

 This huge variegated philodendrum growing up an old oak had caught my eye some time ago, it's in back of the Kroegel's--the octagonal fruit stand on Route 1 on the corner of Indian River Drive.  Been wanting to take a pic of it but every time I drive by there has been an old pickup parked in front of it.  Finally it was gone and I snapped the pic.  This is another totally tropical Florida view in my opinion.  Both tree and parasite plant living symbiotically in this hot and humid environment.

Philodendren

 Bob spotted this rabbit as we drove along - he was hiding beside an old boat beached in some brush.  He acually blended perfectly with his surroundings and he probably thought I couldn't see him.  Just barely.

Brown rabbit

Below are pics from Saturday June 23rd, which I took while I tooted around town garage-saling.  Bought a dress, 6 CD's, 2 movies, 6 brand new rolls of Christmas wrapping paper, a lovely oriental ginger jar which will be the "star" of my next painting... all for under $10!  Garage saling gives me a great excuse to explore Sebastian, stopping at all its parks and whatever else catches my eye.  A perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.  Below is the ginger jar, with price tag still attached!

What a bargain at $3!  (and what a lovely painting it will be)

The next group of pictures I snapped from the Garden Club Park on Barber Street.  I often stop there to sip my Dunkin and watch the animals scurry around me.  Oddly enough, this is the first time I noticed the name of the park.  "Thank you Garden Club for such a gift."  Many of the parks in this town have been beautified by generous individuals and organizations, who usually donate their efforts and funds with littel fanfare.  We who enjoy the fruits of their labor should at least read the markers by the trees and think of the effort that went into getting that tree, plant or bench to that spot.  I know we work hard at the Sebastian River Art Club for the community in many ways, and many times it goes unnoticed.  However we take pride in what we do and hope the community benefits from it.  Enough babbling.  More pictures.

Garden Club sign



Peaceful view of the Garden Club Park on Barber Street

Two of the many species of flowers at the Garden Club Park



Ibis at the Garden Club Park

Ibis Close-up


Below I came across a marker indicating this queen palm was donated by the Stepping Stone Quilters.  How nice of them, they happen to share part of the building with us on the City Hall Campus--a nice group of ladies who also think of ways they can give back to the community.  I saw that they donated a fabulous hand-made quilt to the Sebastian Historical Society, depicting Sebastian history and attributes.  A must-see for every resident.  Bravo ladies!


Gift of Queen Palm from the Stepping-stone quilters



One of the many quiet spots to sit and enjoy the day

 The next group of shots are from Dale Wimbrow Park on Roseland Road.  A great little spot to bring kids, launch a canoe, kayak or small boat, or exercize in the half-mile walking trail.



Bob and I have kayaked this river, launching our crafts at this point.  It's an interesting paddle and lots of tropical flora and fauna to see.  A very meandering river.

Large pavillion in Wimbrow overlooking the Sebastian River.  Perfect family picnic place.

Spiderlily growing in the watery rushes of Dale Wimbrow Park

Friendly grasshopper at Wimrow Park

Children's playground at Dale Wimbrow Park

Half-Mile Fitness Trail at Dale Wimbrow Park

Dale Wimbrow - where the gators are ...

I walked out onto the grassy peninsula to take some pics, and realized that was the perfect place for gators to slither up onto the banks, so not wanting to confront one of those scary creatures, I snapped quickly and took off.

View of Dale Wimbrow launching area

The next picture is of Donald MacDonald Park, a very primitive campground with very isolated sites with no water view but it has a boat launch.  After driving around the whole isolated park, I asked the park ranger on my way out why noboy was there camping.  And he said when it's hot and rainy nobody camps because it's so primitive (code, for too many bugs!)  Bob and I have taken a river cruise from this dock, a really nice safe way to see the beautiful and very exotic Sebastian River.

Boat launching area at Donald MacDonald Park

Well, that's all folks, I've put way too much on the blog tonight, but I hope you've learned some more about beautiful Sebastian, Florida.  Oh, and one more thing.  Here's a video of the Sebastian River High School Sharks Marching Band to enjoy--it's from a few years ago but their band is nationally renowned - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMCGVWkcx5A&feature=player_embedded

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Thursday, June 21st, Random Photos

While looking for photos of the construction of our house in 2005 so we could see where the wood framing was in order to hang sconces, I came across the following interesting photos which are worth enjoying again, and sharing with y'all.

Wood stork, taken at Judah's Fish Market, my favorite bird-snapping site along the Indian River Lagoon

Pelicans and woodstorks waiting at Judah's for some chummy hand-outs

Perfect little white pelican



Hibiscus in my yard



Bouquet of hibiscus "Neon-ized"

 I just had to post this when I saw it on my hard drive--I remember how inspiring it was when I first saw it, I think at the Henneker Center for the Arts in Historic Downtown Melbourne, about 20 minutes from Sebastian.

Section of stained glass entryway at Henneker Center for the Arts

A Photoshop bumped-up view of a colorful sunrise caught on-the-run right after a rain

Well, with that last flash of color, I'm signing off now in the hopes that you enjoyed the view.  Seems selfish not to share the beauty we all can capture so easily in this digital age.  I notice there's lots of people like me out there in bloggisphere who just have to get their pics out there to prove how bountiful the beauty is all around us.  And best of all it' free ...

Judy Burgarella, Blogger

June 17th, Sunday, some pics

All my pics are of public domain, so you can use them however you please at no charge!  All you painters out there--enjoy!

Ibis on our dock.  Many species of birds hang out there every day.

Pink bougainvillea, finally healthy after all these years in our backyard

Banyan tree down by Crab-E-Bills on the Indian River - straddling poles are bottom of wonderful treehouse lookout

Interesting boardwalk, fence and gate with copper bird on the Indian River

Vulture waiting for lunch (fish entrails) at Crab-E-Bills

Bromilead about to burst on our front porch.  Bloom will stay fresh for over a month

The following pictures are from Turkey Creek where we went on Father's Day.  It's only a 15-minute drive from Sebastian, and a beautiful drive it is along the Indian River Lagoon.  A few miles of interesting meandering walkways, overlooks, many native species, generously shaded from the sun, and conveniently adjacent to clean bathrooms in the Palm Bay Library.  Lots of turtles and big fish, birders would love it too.  And butterflies.  Raised walkways keep the critters and bugs from bothering you, plus you're closer to the breezes that blow along the bluffs.

Turtle doing lunch

Saw several canoes and kayaks on the river

Beautiful reflections along Turkey Creek









Jungle-like forest seen from an overlook at Turkey Creek

Butterfly I caught basking in the sun

On leaving Palm Bay Road, on the corner of Route #1, I spotted this osprey with a nest of babies on top of the tall cement "Palm Bay" monument.  I had Bob pull over on the grass, I jumped out of the car and ran towards the sign to take a picture.  All of a sudden the mama osprey took off towards me, swooping and diving and this was all I could get before I jumped in the car.  I made a second attempt but she almost got me.

Osprey Mom, babies and nest



Grabbed some mexican food, drove on down to the Sebastian Causeway and enjoyed the view of people swimming, watercrafting, and just enjoying the view.  The wine was an added bonus!  End of an almost- perfect Father's Day.  It would be just perfect if our kids were here, but I think we made the best of t!