The big Kahuna finally cut down this oak tree while he was home on holiday this past Monday.  I am ashamed to admit that it's needed to be cut down since late September 2004 ... yes, you read that right. 

The poor thing was a victim of massive amounts of rain and wind from Hurricane Jeanne.  The storm uprooted it quite a bit and the tree has been leaning ever since.

The tree has been topped a couple of times over the years to prevent any damage should it fall (untopped it would have crashed onto a portion of our roof and taken out our power, cable, and telephone lines if it had ever fallen).  Even topped, it posed a danger of crushing our a/c unit if it fell.  I don't know why the Big Kahuna never would cut it down and it's certainly something I would never have dared attempt myself. 

Tiger Cub took great delight in checking out all the holes left by the woodpeckers.

Mama Cat

When I was on our dock the other day with my cat we were looking out into the water and we saw a turtle come up that we've never seen before.  Mom was in the backyard so I ran to get her so she could get some pictures. 

It wasn't interested in eating any of the bread we tossed to the fish.  It had a baby turtle with it but it swam away too fast for Mom to get a picture.  We think it's probably a cooter turtle but we don't know what kind.  We can't see its shell good because there is so much algae on it.

Tiger Cub

The black vultures have returned!  I know most people wouldn't get terribly excited about that, but I absolutely love to watch them soar.  I find it wonderfully beautiful and it washes me with peacefulness.  The turkey vultures are still around a bit.  I found this black vulture hanging out in a pine near our front gate this morning.......

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mama Cat

Last evening dad got me a snail shell from the side of our pond.  Then we spotted some more snail shells that were empty and snails in the water.  This morning mom took some pictures.

Don't they look cool?

Tiger Cub

Aren't these yellow flowers pretty?  They are called coreopsis and are the state wildflower of Florida.  I don't know what the white ones are.  These grow in our yard especially in the northwest corner.  I hate when we have to mow because they all get cut down but they grow right back.  They are good for attracting butterflies so I can sneak up on them and catch them.  White peacocks especially like them it seems.  I like to observe the butterflies then let them go.

Tiger Cub

Eventually these...

will look like like this.

Tiger Cub and Lion Cub think they make good light sabres.  ~Grin~

Mama Cat