Christmas in Sebastian

This is a wonderful town at Christmastime, there is "Light Up the Night" where the businesses in town all serve nibblies and shocase their services and wares and have a legitimate competition of who has the most decorations; there's a big parade with Santa and lots of local "actors"; A giant gaudily-lit Christmas tree is erected and lit during a ceremony at Riverview Park down by the Lagoon; Santa has a semi-permanent structure erected near the tree where he lends his knee to the little ones; we have the best high school Christmas musical, "Prism," in the state, and one of the best schools systems to boot!

Everyone in this town also pulls together to help those in need.  The Sebastian River Art Club this year managed to raise $700 for the Ecumenical Council Food Pantry to give to their needy familys.  We also sent over about 20 gifts for them to give out.  The Council is comprised of generous, giving, Godly, hard-working humble folk who ask for no glory, but just to do God's work.  They came to be presented with the check, and I hoped some of their heavenly dust would scatter around our Art Center over us all.  Truly good people who don't just do this work at Christmastime, but all year long.

Well that's all for now.  Best to you all out there, and if you are one of those folk who are thinking of moving away from all that awful snow up there our out west or whevever you are ... we've had the best weather in the country for some time now, and housing is cheap, living is easy, and this town ROCKS!  Enjoy the photos below, taken here and there in this beautiful paradise.  Sunsets abound, but sunrises are even better (but you have to get up way too early!)

Sunset out my backyard

Friendly bird at the Halloween Party at PNC

Captured while driving over the Barber Bridge, Vero Beach (I drive with one hand and click with the other!)

Another sunset over the canal out my backyard

Full moon over the Indian River Lagoon

Still waters in back of Mulligans, Sebastian

Pelicans, et al waiting for fishheads at Judah's Fish Market, Sebastian

Posing Pelican at Judah's

Preening Pelicans at Judah's

Merry Christmas,
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!