I Love This Picture

This picture was on the front page of the Fort Myers News Press this morning. Obviously I didn't take it. A man by the name of Mark Beaudin from the News Press took it. But it was such a great shot, I just had to share it. It was too good to keep just amongst us locals.

The President Comes To Fort Myers

President Obama came to our neck of the woods today for a Town Meeting. The Fort Myers area is like the epicenter for foreclosures. Obviously every TV station in the area had live coverage of his arrival, his trip to the Convention Center, his speech, the questions from the audience and his departure. We watched it all until we had to go to Lehigh to pick up a patient for the Wildlife Hospital. Our usual route to get there goes by the airport and we figured this could be a real mess so we went I75. We had no problems but did see a few police cars sitting in the median on Lee Blvd. heading into Lehigh. We picked up our patient and headed back the way we came. All of a sudden traffic came to a dead halt. Luckily we were able to turn around and take an alternate route. We decided to go down Gunnery Rd. (our usual route) which goes right by the airport. We figured we could probably get beyond the airport before he arrived. I guess he beat us because getting close to the airport, I saw a huge plane taking off. It didn't even dawn on me that this was Air Force One until it was quite a ways up in the air. I was able to get a couple of shots but I sure wish I had figured it out when it was taking off. We had an amazing view! Anyway, I didn't get to see the President but I did get to see Air Force One. Cool!!

Manatees

It has been really cold here lately--much colder than it should be in southern Florida. When this happens, we don't only worry about the crops and citrus trees freezing, we worry about the Manatees freezing also. But, luckily the manatees around here have a place to go when it gets cold. They know to head up the Caloosahatchee River to the power plant which discharges warm water. They have been showing on the news pictures of lots and lots of Manatees so we thought we would head over to Manatee Park today and check them out.


Manatees are called the Gentle Giants but thanks to us humans, they are endangered. Many of them have been hit by boats. There are Manatee Zones all over down here but it still doesn't keep them from getting hit. Most of the Manatees have propeller scars on their backs.


We weren't the only ones who decided to check out the Manatees today. There was a huge crowd there.

The Manatees didn't disappoint us. They were everywhere. There is a canal that goes under the highway from the Power Plant. The Manatees swim up the river and into the canal. Then there is a small cove where they all seem to head to. Obviously the water is warmer there.



There were three staff members from Mote Marine in Sarasota today taking pictures and making notes. Apparently they try to identify each of the Manatees.

I did get a few decent shots of some of the Manatees especially Mamas and their babies. Following are some of the better shots. Let me just say that it was pretty amazing to see so many of these wonderful mammals in one place. Up until today, I was lucky to see one or two at a distance.

Ruby Tuesday-The Ford/Edison Estate Christmas

Fort Myers, Florida was the winter home of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. They were very good friends and had their homes right next door to each other. The homes are now owned by the city and have recently been totally refurbished and are in beautiful condition. Every December volunteers decorate the homes and the grounds. Each year there is a different theme so you can go back every year and it will be totally different. These pictures were taken several years ago.










OK, I know you are all busy checking out everyone's Ruby Tuesday but take the time to bookmark me and drop back to check out my blog. I am a retired Special Ed teacher who now spends most of her time on Sanibel Island, Florida which is a Sanctuary Island for wildlife. I volunteer for a wildlife hospital. I am also the proud grandma of 5 wonderful grandkids and brag about them often!! I also have a blog called Branches and Roots where I talk about genealogy and my ancestors. OK, enough about me. So if you really want to see red go to Work of the Poet