Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts

Wednesday February 17, 2021

Often when we walk or cycle around Key West, I find myself wondering if most of the people we see are drunk.  One chap we walked toward yesterday seemed to be weaving to and fro across the sidewalk.  Many of the cyclists seem in control of their bikes, but by no means does everyone give that impression.  I can’t figure out if the latter are just people who haven’t been cycling in years or if ‘Demon Rum’ is to blame.  Many towns and cities in the US have ordinances against open containers of alcohol on the streets.  It would appear that law is not on the books in Key West as more often than not the person coming toward you has a beer or mixed drink in hand.

Interestingly, one of the town ordinances at the moment is that any person not within their domicile must be wearing a mask.  Enforcement seems not to be a priority, as at least half the people I see have no mask.  The rest of the population appears to be using the mask to keep their chin or neck from getting sunburned.  If Key West exemplifies all of Florida, it’s no surprise that the number of new cases of Covid is so high in this state.

We took a cycle ride to look at a beach near the airport.  It is called Smathers Beach and is gorgeous. We took a short stop to look it over and examine some shore birds. We saw willets, ruddy turnstones, sanderlings, least sandpipers, western sandpipers and one spotted sandpiper. We returned to the marina along the northern route, stopping off for lunch at the Stoned Crab restaurant where we had eaten before.  

Gloria

24 42.220 N, 81 06.131 W

Red Flower shot at the Butterfly house yesterday

Great egret portrait

Note how similar this bird looks to the Great egret but it's not the same species - this is a white morph of a Great Blue Heron that's found occasionally in Florida. It's been several years since we saw one down in the Everglades. The bird is slightly bigger and the bill more stout, but what gives it away is it has yellow legs rather than black.

This morning we replaced the float switch (small white box with blue writing) on the sump box that deals with waste water from our shower and fridge. By identifying that is was the switch that wasn't working and replacing just that part we saved over $100 compared to buying a whole new unit.