Spoiled Cats, Skimmers, Oyster catcher

The cats seem to be enjoying their new home.



Spent most of today at the beach! At the southern end of the island these black skimmers are getting ready to nest.



And one oyster catcher put in an appearance.
Tomorrow is a cruise with the Audubon Society to some local nesting areas on "bird islands"!

Cat Tree/Tower

I added two bedrooms to my townhouse today! They are a bit small for guests but I think the cats will love them!I am very proud that I put this together all by myself!
Buddy took to this immediately. Although the liberal amount of catnip that I sprinkled over the platforms may have helped!
So far Lacey has just slept on the bottom.
If I buy any more cat toys please hold an intervention for I will have turned into "the cat lady".

A Morning at Airlie Gardens

The 8th grade class for Airlie Gardens cancelled this morning so I spent an hour wandering around. Mother Goose and her chicks were parading.
The goslings are growing bigger every day. Soon they will just be ugly Canada geese.
Here is a song sparrow belting out a loud aria!
Looks like new goslings are going to be born.
Haven't seen wood ducks in weeks and here they were this morning.
A wild iris growing along the creek.
The flower of a pitcher plant that draws in the insects.
Venus-fly trap
Pitcher plant
sweet smelling honeysuckle

A Week at the Beach and Easter

The week started ominously. My sister Trish's plane was delayed and she had to spend the night in Hartford, CT and arrived a day late. Then Joanna, Sue, and Sharon drove down to NC during the worst chain of tornadoes in NC in over 20 years. They ended up having to take immediate cover in a hotel at Roanoke Rapids and a tornado touched down just two miles from them. But everyone arrived at our beach house on Wrightsville Beach by Sunday afternoon! And we had an incredible time.

On our trip to Airlie Gardens we got to see the cygnets. Three still surviving!
Traveling in a convoy.
Carefully sticking close to mom!
Here are the Jersey Girls trying to pump gas in NC.

Trish made a video. Here is a link.

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=983Dp27Wpic

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JfanJEi4fY

The weather was sunny, warm and wonderful!
We took a Food and Wine tour of downtown Wilmington and ate our way through the city.l
The Oceanic is still our favorite.
Sue, Joanna, and Sharon headed home (without further adventures) on Friday. Trish and I went to see John and Jess working on their new fence, constructed in anticipation of the new puppy arriving soon.
Trish left this morning and will be home to enjoy Easter dinner with her family. I took the loves of my life out for Easter Brunch at Boca Bay and I am still full 8 hours later.
Happy Easter to all.

It Must Be Spring!

There are still four very busy cygnets swimming around Airlie Lake!Mom seems quite proud.
Can tell Easter is near. I saw my first rabbit!
The Canada geese are showing off their goslings. This is one of six.
The turtles are back soaking up the sunshine.
And even a local Red Hat Society came out to enjoy the Gardens!
Last night I went to the Black Sea Grill, a new Mediterranean restaurant, and to see a local production of Neil Simon's Rumors at the Cape Fear Playhouse. And I booked a Food and Wine tour of Downtown Wilmington for the Jersey Girls next Wednesday afternoon.

Today I have my yoga class. Then it is time to take the car to the car wash, do some last minute house cleaning, and bake some good old Southern biscuits. Trish arrives this evening!

Cygnets!

I have been watching this nesting swan for over a month. Checking weekly to see what is happening.

"Poppa" swan has been busy chasing the Canada geese away from the nest.
And finally today there are four baby swans, cygnets! I think I still see two unhatched eggs in the nest.
I do NOT understand why they were the "ugly ducklings" in the fairy tale!
Looking forward to seeing them swimming on the lake. Although I am concerned after hearing that none of the babies survived last year. Too many raccoons, foxes, and hawks, I guess.
This tricolored heron was sitting near the nest.

And then I was in charge of driving the tram from 12-2. I love taking people around the lake. The teacher in me quickly comes to the surface as I tell stories about Airlie Gardens.

Greensboro, NJ Girlfriends, Charleston

March 24-28/ Spent time in Greensboro with Bonnie while her daughter Lynn checked out their new home in Florida. Lynn is being transferred there and they will be moving the first week of May! While Bonnie and I spent time together we took good care of the dogs and loved watching the birds... including an Eastern Bluebird, lots of Common Grackles (who were strutting their stuff), cowbirds, and cardinals!

April 4-8/ Barbe and Anne arrive from NJ. GIRLFRIEND TIME... It was four perfect days of eating great seafood, exploring new restaurants, marveling at the flowers and birds, trips downtown, lunch with John, Jess and Dave..... a drive to Charleston..... and then good-bye.... until the next time...

Wednesday, a walk along the Summer Rest Trail and then a great visit to Airlie Gardens.

Trip to Charleston, SC on Thursday.... first stop Magnolia Plantation!

upgrade to IMMENSE suite at Hampton Inn in downtown Charleston
Lunch near Sullivan Island

Saw Sullivan Island and Isle of Palms.... both places that novels we have read have featured.

Bridge into Charleston from Ft. Sumter tour boat
Toured Fort Sumter... 150 anniversary is April 12, 2011!


and now my sister Trish arrives Friday and Joanna, Sue, and Sharon drive down Saturday.... we are renting a place on Wrightsville Beach for the week! Let the fun continue!!!!!