“Heh-heh-heh-HEH-heh!”

Please forgive the quality of this photo – I lack both the equipment and the know-how of Abraham, the Nature Guru.

But this Pileated Woodpecker’s hammering the palm tree outside my window reminded me of the famous animated cartoon – Woody Woodpecker – and how he came to be. Apparently Walter Lantz, the Hollywood producer, honeymooned in Sherwood Lake, California with his wife Gracie. A noisy woodpecker outside their cabin kept the couple awake at night and when a heavy rain started, they learned that the bird had bored holes in their cabin’s roof Gracie, bless her heart, suggested that her husband make a cartoon about the bird, and thus Woody was born.

Just remembering his goofy “Heh-heh-heh-HEH-heh!” laugh… Tell me if that does not take you back to those early Saturday mornings in front of the TV set…

Alligator 101

Seeing the many posts here about our resident alligator (Al), my friend Rauf from India, sent me this photo of his oft seen neighbor, the crocodile.

For those of you still unclear about the differences between the two, this should make it easier:

- crocs live mostly in saltwater, gators in freshwater
- crocs are found in Asia, Africa, Americas and Australia, gators only in the USA and China
- crocs have pointy snouts, gators round
- crocs are aggressive, gators…well, look at that goofball Al, sunning himself like a contented cow, smelling the flowers, daydreaming of some hot lady alligator…

But the biggest difference between them is their feeding behavior. If you were unfortunate enough to become their meal (hey, stuff happens!), the croc will rip you apart and feast on the pieces immediately, while the gator will grab you, drag you underwater and wedge you under a rock to marinate for a few days…He will be gentle not to make any teeth punctures in your body to prevent other gators from smelling your blood and stealing his stash…Alternatively, he can fold you and hold you in his mouth until you deteriorate to the point where he can swallow you whole. Lovely thought, isn’t it?

And this entire post was sparked by the recent news item, where a Taiwanese veterinarian had his arm bit off by a crocodile. For the full story, and some (WARNING) gory pictures, click here.

Class dismissed!

Reflections

The week-end’s approaching – take time out to enjoy the view

 

…The birds around me hopped and played,

Their thoughts I cannot measure:-

-But the least motion which they made

It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

*

The budding twigs spread out their fan,

To catch the breezy air;

And I must think, do all I can,

That there was pleasure there.

*

If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature’s holy plan,

Have I not reason to lament

What man has made of man?

*

Lines Written In Early Spring by William Wordsworth (1798)

Uptown, Downtown #6

OK, I’m willing to concede; your city might be bigger and older than mine, with more history and tradition, with more museums and statue studded parks, with more cafes and street markets. But, how many of you have a concierge in the middle of town, huh?

So think of Naples as an upscale hotel – we’ll feed you, bed you (easy on the jokes there!) and provide entertainment …No tipping required

(In case you ever wondered if we have seasons in Florida, here’s a photo of the same place in the depth of Winter!)

Imitation of art

Last Thursday I bemoaned the fact that I cannot paint. But technology being what it is today, I wonder if it’s even a valid point anymore…For example, I tinkered with this photo, taken at the Brooks Lagoon last week, and voilà!

A veritable painting, don’t you think?

Quiz Tuesday part 19

 This photo was taken in my community, but I cannot tell you exactly where – it would clue you in…and I know you are much too proud to be handicapped in any way

Today’s question : what is this contraption?

Smingus-Dingus

Unlike United States, most of Europe celebrates Easter Monday. In some Eastern European countries – Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary – it is called Wet Monday. The name comes from the custom of boys dousing girls with buckets of water early in the day. The tradition dates back to pre-Christian times and alludes to a pagan fertility ritual.

I am happy to report that in modern times, girls retaliate with a vengeance and it has become a day long water battle carried out on the city streets. So be forewarned: if you ever find yourself in Eastern Europe on a Wet Monday, remember to carry your umbrella!

This photo is the closest I could come to spraying you…oops, I hope I did not get any water on your keyboard

Mellow yellow

hibiscus in my garden

Yellow is the color of sunshine. It’s associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.

Yellow produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and generates muscle energy.

Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter, which is the reason taxicabs are painted this color.

Yellow is also a color of Easter.

Happy Easter!

*****

Canine fancy

Easter photo op at the Promenade

“Get off me, you filthy beasts…I am not a chocolate bunny!”

Uptown, Downtown #5

This is one of the prettiest storefronts in town. A Mano (“by hand” in Spanish), is a unique boutique offering handmade decorative items, mainly from France, Spain and Italy.

I find this photo very appropriate for today – in addition to all the pastel colors associated with Easter, I overheard this mother explaining to her little girl about the rebirth of the flowers in the storefront garden…