It has been raining most of the morning, but before you well up with tears it's ok, we're glad of the break. After all it's warm enough to sit in the lounge with only the bug-screen door open. It should be clear enough in the afternoon to manage a short trip to the pool and the beach. I thought I would write about some of the animal life we have seen and not seen.
First the animals we have not seen. During the drive down from Tallahassee we saw a few road signs warning of the presence of bears. Unsurprisingly we did not see any actual bears but it was a welcome reminder of just how wild the US wildlife is. I wondered out loud whether there would be any alligators here and this was answered a few days later when we saw a van advertising the service of removing 'nuisance alligators'. I guess having an alligator in your pond is something of a nuisance.
Finally on the no-see list is the sea turtle. There are signs warning us to keep beach-front lights out because they may confuse turtles. I'm happy enough not to see them though because we have probably caused enough of a nuisance and they should be well away from our dog-friendly beach.
Dogs are among the most commonly sighted mammals here of course, although we have seen someone walking their cat. They come in all shapes and sizes: Pip is by no means the smallest or indeed not the only Westie. The largest is an English Mastiff who is a gentle giant, not to be confused with the other shouty Westies.
There is a pond behind our house filled with turtles and fish. If you make the mistake of standing still on the balcony they will flock to you. Obviously our predecessors have fed them and though we offer nothing still they come.
Among all the insects (many different dragonflies) and birds (the cardinal is spectacular) The animal I am most pleased to have spotted: a long black snake. Another welcome reminder of just how wild the wildlife is.
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