Swimming on Tybee Island

The highlight of the day for Sabrina was time on the beach.   She ran and swam, collected shells, dug and made sand piles and holes.

Splash!

Washing off the sand!

The water was relatively shallow, but there were little sections between sand bars where the water was deeper.

The birthday duo going for a swim!

Way out there!

The beach and local lighthouse which is now inland a bit to protect it from hurricane damage.

Still swimming!

Yikes!   A jellyfish stung Sabrina on the upper thigh!   Talk about painful!   We are so thankful to the family on the beach who shared the quickest tricks to remove the sting on skin.   They said pour a weak acid on the sting site such as beer, bug spray, or chewing tobacco.   Thankfully, they poured one of their beers on Sabrina's leg which took the initial sting out of the skin.   When we returned to the car, we applied bug spray.   We were so thankful they were there and willing to share their expertise and beer on a holiday weekend!    

Dolphin tour

For Randy's birthday, we all went on a dolphin tour off of Tybee Island.   We noted that holiday traffic is just crazy as it took 90 minutes to go a distance which normally takes 20 minutes.   Navigating the island consisted of some crazy negotiations and lots of patience.  

Right near the start of the tour there were at least five dolphins feeding in the waters near these docked shrimp boats.   

Along the way, other people in kayaks, jet skis and smaller boat all enjoyed the nice Sunday weather.

One of the oldest lighthouses.   This was to mark the river near Ft. Pulaski.

Another shrimp boat.   The dolphins tend to follow these as the crew tosses back seafood not wanted in their nets.   Dolphins like the seafood buffet.

Along the jetty, Pelicans and dolphins fish a deep hole.   This is where the tour boats stopped for a long time giving us a chance to see many dolphins.

Swimming by itself, most likely a male dolphin feeding in the fishing hole.

A mother and her young swimming.   Young dolphins don't naturally know how to swim and eat.   The mother does not sleep for at least thirty days as she teaches her young how to survive.   These two swam almost like synchronized swimmers, diving and breaching at the same time.

On the trip back.  Sabrina got a little tired and camera shy.

Beautiful!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Sunday, Randy was greeted in bed with party hats and favors!   The two started the rest of the weekend birthday festivities!

First task was to "favor" fight!   

Four year old!

Drawing paper!

Note the Rapunzel hair extensions.   She has slept in these at night with Pascal right next to her.

With a new wand, she plays she is spelling and making happy things happen.

Rapunzel and Pascal

Sabrina's best friend in Oregon sent her a Pascal. This one won't get lost!

Perfect addition to the costume!   She even sleeps with him.

Flock of ladybug cupcakes!

Super excited to help with the decorating of the birthday cupcakes!

One ladybug!   Martha Stewart could give us advice on how to frost cleaner!

Flock of ladybugs!

So tired after frosting!   It is hard work!

Lady and the Bunch

A couple of evenings ago, Randy and Sabrina watched 'The Brady Bunch" on tv.   Sabrina thinks it is tremendously funny while we think it is funny to see the decor of the 70s.   The stories are usually pretty harmless.   The funny thing is that Sabrina thinks that it is called "Lady and the Bunch".   We tried to correct her but she still insists on this name.

Help is on the way!

This morning we were walking and riding Sabrina's trike around the turtle lake behind the apartment.... (think mini track)

Ding! Ding!
"Help is on the way!"

....followed by fast and furious peddling!

This continued for about thirty minutes.


I wonder if the turtles or the neighbors who had turtle lake facing apartments needed help at 8:30....

Strawberry picking at Ottawa Farms

A few weeks ago, we picked the best tasting strawberries and we had to return before the end of the season to collect some more.   The first batch did not last long as we have strawberry monsters in our home.

As almost predicted, a ladybug landed on Sabrina  which became the focus.    Ladybugs find her wherever we go!

In the background is the giant slide, duck races, goat ladder, and a pig racing track.

Other fruit to be available to U-pick:  vine trained blackberries, blueberries and then veggies later in the summer.

Goats!   

Fun to pet!

The racing piglets in the barn.   These are not to be touched!   We also noted they had grown up quite a bit in the last two weeks.

Day of Dragonflies

On our Sunday hike at Savannah Wildlife Refuge we noted a huge number of dragonflies.   Green, blue and orange colored dragonflies were feasting on all the little bugs near the water.    

Taking a rest after a meal.

Our first orange dragonfly siting!

Flowers in the swamp.

This unknown bird reminded us of a Christmas tree topper.   Most likely a type of heron, it is perching in the tree as a lightning storm moves in to the refuge.

Checking in on Wildlife

Sunday we decided to drive through and hike a little bit in our favorite wildlife refuge.   Interesting to see how life changes here as we noted we did not see many duck species and mainly saw red winged black birds, grackles, and herons.   In the grass, we watched two fledgling herons fish for food.   They have some tannish feathers lining their backs and stomachs..  most likely to help with camouflage.

Frog lily pads were blooming and floated as far as the eye could see.

Looks like a Monet painting!

The water looks inviting until the realization of gators and water snakes sinks in.

A huge turtle taking a rest on a log.

We watched a bird making this nest but could not photograph the action.

Red winged black bird.