Strong west wind all day.  When this occurs it drives a lot of insects from the uninhabited spoil islands of the Tomoka Basin over to the beach, and following them are usually a great many dragonflies, and in the evening, bats.  Today It was a tiny, yellow-breasted swallow-tail bird by the hundreds, gobbling unseen creatures on the wing.  I couldn’t get a picture, and couldn’t identify them from my handy Audubon Field Guide.  Hmmm.  Waded in for a swim after morning walk and startled a mess of smoker size mullet.  Went back up to the

Not Today

house for the cast net, and when I waded back out not a mullet could be scared up.  It is a twice yearly game we play, during their spring and fall runs.  I feign initial excitement and anticipation of firing up the smoker; they hide.  I then feign disinterest, while lingering for days on the beach, net and bucket handy; the mullet grow overconfident and herd up, making capture of sufficient numbers ridiculously easy.  Game on.

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The Load-In

Doing the Feral Painter thing this weekend on Amelia Island, just up the road.  Got accepted in show, so we are going, and staying in lovely house of in-laws, less than a mile from the old family cemetery.  Quite the task getting twenty some paintings, tent, chairs, and display sets in back of mini-van, but it was accomplished with luck and superior spacial acumen.  It will be fun, but I am under no illusions about competing with folks who do this for a living.  I would probably be considered a weekend painter were it not for the fact that my life is one continuous weekend.

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Bell Peppers

The first of the Bell Peppers are about ready for picking, Cucumbers, squash and Tomatoes not far behind. Jalapenos and Habaneros lagging, but then they are a lazy family, preferring to lay about in the sun as long as possible.  Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Basil, Oregano and Sage in abundance.  New Cilantro up to replace old stand.  Beans coming out all over the fence, Grape Vine crawling along, fully leafed.  Still looking for a good soaking rain.  Scattered storms forecast, but nothing appears imminent.