Day 18 Captiva

After early coffee with Al,  I headed to the beach for a walk around 9:30 and found several brown pelicans were still there along with hungry gulls.

Cormorant talking to the pelican: "You're a big bird!"

For breakfast we had poached eggs, bacon, biscuits and grapefruit. We spent from 11:30-2:30 at the pool and kept eye on the eagles' nest:

We went out to the beach but it was too hot to stay long.  We saw a small group of willets on the shore and mixed in were 4 Marbled Godwits:

The pelicans were still flying about.  Love when they soar across the sky in formation:

The Thriller tour boat passed by at 3:00:

Dinner tonight at the Timbers.....we called ahead when we left at 5:30....no wait for a table at this time of day.  We shared a dozen gulf oysters on the half shell.  Al ordered Florida Lobster tail with drawn butter, served with salad, sweet potato and asparagus.   I had Mango Snapper (one of the fresh fish of the day) served with lemon butter, clam chowder, rice pilaf and asparagus.  Great honey bread served with our great dinners! We bought fresh mussels at the fish market on the way out.... for tomorrow's dinner.

Day 32 on Captiva

Day with the Eagles

Early morning with coffee and then a quick walk for me. People are already gathering on the beach but no bird activity.  I did make some photos of the eagle nest.  One adult and one of the chicks were showing in the nest.

I worked on my blog and then we had an early lunch of tuna fish salad and sandwich with iced tea at the pool while we watched the eagles.  There was a lot movement and changing of places by all the family.

Both adults and one chick

Closer look at the adults and one chick

2 Adults

2 chicks...one in the nest and one on a limb

This chick looks about ready to fledge

We spent the afternoon at the pool enjoying the beautiful day and the new gazebo cover.

 

Dinner was panko crusted chicken breasts with stuffing and gravy(leftovers)  and Caprese salad.

Day 16 on Captiva

Monday began with the sighting of a lot of birds from the porch as we enjoyed our early morning coffee.  This was the most birds we have seen at the cottage since we arrived.  There were several cardinals, red-bellied woodpeckers, doves and a gnatcatcher.  I manage to capture a few photos through the screens which I will share even though they were not that great.

Video of Cardinal:

 

We had lunch under the gazebo at the pool watching the eagles as we ate.  We enjoyed the afternoon swimming, napping and reading by the pool until it was time for drinks on the porch. I finished the book Maude and Al finished Sex, Lies, and New Money.

We walked over to the beach to watch the sunset around 6:00.  It was a beautiful sunny day and ended with a beautiful sunset.

 

 

Taking a lazy way out, I prepared a frozen dinner of P.F. Chang Orange Chicken-White meat chicken is paired with carrots, water chestnuts and edamame glazed with a spicy orange sauce and served with rice and egg rolls(also frozen).  

 

Day 11 on Captiva

The morning began as usual with coffee and pastries and sunshine.   We read for awhile then had lunch.....a hot dog for Al and a chicken sandwich for me both with potato salad.  We settled in at the pool after lunch and enjoyed a swim before the clouds rolled in around 3:00.

Just as we landed back on the porch, the rain came in a torrential downpour, but we were nestled in on the porch with books and drinks while enjoying the sounds of the rain.  It rained off and on the rest of afternoon.

 Sharing a picture that Al made of the Eagle watching the nest:

 

For dinner, I made beef stroganoff with last night's leftovers using fresh mushrooms, onions, garlic, broth and sour cream.  I served over pasta with green salad.  It was a good night to stay in for dinner at the cottage. 

Day 9 on Captiva

Today began a little cloudy.  Enjoyed coffee and sweet rolls on the porch.  I spent some time writing on this blog and Al was on his computer.  After early brunch  we went to Timbers to buy some filets for dinner tomorrow night.  We decided to swing through Ding Darling on the way back and we just happened to have our cameras. Lot of birds were feeding at the low tide and lot of people and fishermen  on the drive.  I got some photos of birds having lunch.

 

 White pelicans were in abundance.

 

 A flock of Willets hanging out on one of the islands.

 

 We spent the afternoon at the pool swimming and reading.

We watched the eagles at the nest from the gazebo.

 

Tonight, we had a casual picnic supper.  Al grilled beef Hot Dogs ( Hebrew National) and I made some great Potato Salad. Served with fresh sliced tomatoes and green beans. I only let Al have hot dogs on rare occasions but he loves hot dogs and sausages of all kinds.

Day 7 on Captiva

Cannot believe a week has passed since we arrived. Another lazy day on Captiva.  Enjoyed coffee and blueberry muffin on the porch.  Finished reading another book A Perfect Life by Danielle Steel.  We had early lunch of sandwiches and chips with fresh strawberries on the porch.  Al has been busy selecting his picks for the races at Northfield Park tonight.  We spent the afternoon poolside reading and napping.  Edgardo and his wife Norma were here to clean the cottage and grounds.

The eagle chick seems about ready to fledge since he spends a lot of time flapping his wings.  The eagles have been much quieter than I thought they would be....not nearly as noisy as ospreys in their nests.

Tonight for dinner, I made Chicken Puttanesca with Linguini, one of Al's favorites.  Served with green salad. Enjoyed on the porch where he watched the Northfield races on the computer. 

Day 3 on Captiva

After coffee and sweet rolls on the porch,  we headed to Ding Darling Wildlife Drive to check out the birds.  Did not leave too early but it was low tide and a lot of birds were feeding.   We spotted the usual herons, Reddish Egrets and large flocks of White Pelicans but not too many smaller shorebirds. Sharing some of the photos that I took on the drive.

 White Pelicans

 

 

 Immature Heron

 Black Crowned Night Heron

 Anhinga

Little Green Heron

Ibis

White Heron

A fisherman showed me this fish but I forgot the name......maybe scissor fish??

 

We drove over to Bailey's Center and picked up some more provisions including snapper for tonight's dinner, some pastries, bagel, bread, etc.   Back to the cottage for brunch of  scrambled eggs, bacon,  and bagel.  Enjoyed the afternoon poolside reading, sunning, and napping.

 

For dinner we prepared snapper with a panko coating and served with red lettuce salad with radishes, tomatoes, onions and Parmesan cheese with  my homemade dressing.  W enjoyed with glasses of wine.