Missing You All.

I am really missing Amy, Takeshi, John and Allison. A week ago we were in Charlotte and I remember it fondly...fond of the cheesecake!
I really do miss the sun and warm ocean breezes, the walks at Brookgreen ( I came to see the gardens as my own private backyard).
Praying to win the lotto so I can become a snowbird.

My Vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Carolina Wren....state bird

At the Cheesecake Factory, Charlotte, NC

Miniature Golf

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Zoo

Allison and the alligator

Thank you to the Mitsuoka family for a wonderful vacation. Thanks Amy for putting up with me for 3 weeks and thank you Allison for being roomless so that I could use your bedroom. I had such a great time and appreciated having your van to go to the state park and Brookgreen whenever I wanted. I loved going out to eat with you all and enjoyed shopping at Pauley's Island, the Birdyard, Old Time Pottery and of course Walmart! Easter Sunday in Charlotte at IKEA and eating at the Cheesecake Factory was a highlight of the trip. Thank you also for providing all the beautiful weather for 3 weeks !

At the Beach

I hate to brag to all you Michiganders and Ohioans but it was in the high 80's here today....a little too hot for me but I am not going to complain! We went for another walk on the beach at the state park and Allison found a great shell. It is so perfect it doesn't look real. Also, thought to open the bird notes mail box and inside was a little note book. People use it to write what birds that they saw on the beach that day. Pretty cool idea.
As we were walking towards the causeway we saw several Painted Buntings at a bird feeder and this time I got a better picture. See below. Have several more pictures from this morning and will post tomorrow.

Painted Bunting

I hear that it is snowing in Michigan today

Strawberry Pickin' in South Carolina

Strawberry Shortcake
North Carolina was just across the road
John doesn't eat strawberries so of course he could care less

Rainy Day

Have had no complaints about the weather since I have been here so I won't comment on the rainy weather today. We were suppose to go down to Pauly's island to walk on the beach and to shop but instead we will stay home and Allison and I will do crafts.
Yesterday I went on another bird walk. The two volunteer guides (husband and wife) are great and really know all about birding. I have learned so much. I've seen many new birds but the highlight was yesterday when I saw a Painted Bunting at a bird feeder at Huntington State Park. I did get a picture but not a good one. He was a really beauty....check the link to the left.
So far these are the new birds that I've seen: Savannah Sparrow, Tree and Barn Swallows, brown thrasher, northern mockingbird, boat-tailed grackle,rufous-sided towhee, green heron,cormorant, anhinga, brown pelican, snowy egret, great egret, yellow legs sandpiper, black-necked stilt, white ibis. The picture above is of three white ibis. I am disappointed to not have seen a Carolina Wren, South Carolina state bird. Still have another week though.

Silly Bird Pictures

Turkey posing for the camera

Expose' of teenage boy avoiding camera

Beachcombing with Allison

Allison and I had a great day at Huntington State Park on Saturday. Allison added to her Beach Creature Collection with several pretty shells and a starfish. She had collected two starfish but we noticed that one was still alive so Allison put it back in the Atlantic. We plan to display her collection in a shadow box. We saw Brown Pelicans skimming across the waves. Later walking along the causeway there were about 4 gators sunning themselves. It was a great morning and I must say that I sure am getting my exercise.

Brookgreen Gardens

I spent Friday morning at Brookgreen by myself. The weather was perfect and the crowd sparse (unusual for azalea season). I strolled, then sat, took pictures, rested, smelled the flowers and enjoyed myself very much. The garden is a most restful and beautiful place to be. There were even birds that posed for me! (More on that at another time). Last year I took so many pictures here that I tried to restrain myself. It is just that I want to remember it all!

No Words Necessary

Allison, Easter 2002

"Purple, my favorite color!"

Walking in Myrtle Beach State Park

Picnic at Brookgreen Gardens

Holy Alligator

Above pictures taken last April in South Carolina on my vacation with the Mitsuoka family....can't wait to see you all soon!