Gone Fishing

3½ Years of WFVM brings my 500th post 

I love the exchange of looks shared by these three. I don't have a clue who they are, but the bird is a Little Blue Heron. I 'caught' them on my camera whilst staying on Anna Maria Island, Florida during March 2011 

The humans - there's something fishy about that bird

☹

The bird - all good things come to those who bait

☻ 

If you can think of an alternative quote, please do leave it for me in comments.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida

For several years during the month of March we would fly to Florida and meet up with my brother and his wife at a holiday cottage on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Whilst there we visited the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens which are located in the grounds of the former home of Marie and William Selby of Texaco Oil Company. Marie died in 1971 and left instructions that the property be given to the community as a botanical garden for the enjoyment of the general public. Although millionaires, the Selby's lived a very simple life out of the spotlight. Their modest home within the gardens is now a gift and bookshop. The garden is a respected centre for research and education as well as showcasing flowers and plants for the visitor.

Stained glass windows featured within one of the summer houses in the garden

At the far edge of the garden is Christy Payne House a graceful example of Southern Colonial architecture which hosts botanical art exhibitions. Visitors to the garden often assume that this was the home of the Selby's, but it was in fact the retirement home of Christy Payne whose father was Calvin M. Payne, one of the original group that aided John D. Rockefeller Sr. in building his giant business, Standard Oil of New Jersey. The property was bought by the Selby Trust in 1973 and incorporated into the garden.

The gardens maintain the most diverse collection of bromeliads in the world, and feature over 20,000 plants including 6,000 orchids. There are over 20 habitats with banyans, bamboo groves, southern live oaks, palms, mangroves, succulents, wildflowers, cycads, and a Koi pond all of which are situated on a spectacular site bordering Sarasota Bay.

 Koi pond

Banyan trees

Bamboo grove

Pot full of bromeliads and spanish moss

Orchids and pitcher plants in the Tropical House

Southern Live Oak tree (Quercus virginiana) covered in stag horn ferns, air plants, spanish moss and orchids.

Large statuesque palm

Papaya fruit

Air plants which very cleverly gather moisture and nutrients from the air

The outer edges of the garden showing the views across Sarasota Bay to the Ringling Causeway Bridge.

The colours of Anna Maria Island, Florida.

For the past three years in March, we have joined my brother and his wife on Anna Maria Island, Florida. They live in Canada and along with many of their compatriots make the journey to escape the end of the northern winter. Canadians travelling south are affectionately known as Snow Birds.

When I think of Anna Maria Island, the colours that spring to mind are azure skies, turquoise sea, sugar white beaches and lots of blobs of shocking pink, orange, yellow, and purple. Think in terms of a David Hockney painting.
Anna Maria Island is a barrier island off the coast of Manatee County. It is bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico, and on the north by Tampa Bay. It is 7 miles long, at its widest no more than 2 miles. It connects to the mainland by bridges and causeways. Whilst there I have recorded images that I have found both interesting, fun, and quirky.

Front and back of a Sand Dollar found on the beach and given to me by my lovely sister-in-law.

Bougainvillea

Brown Pelican

I love these Real Estate signs by local artist Emerson

Great Blue Heron

100 year old City Pier

image taken by H - too early in the morning for me

sunrise

sunset