daily selfpic Feb2007

Went to St. Lucie Lock, part of the waterway going from the Atlantic to, Lake Okeechobee, to the Gulf of Mexico. This is one of my early vulture habitats that was both destroyed by humans (although they called it keeping the underbrush under control and tree trimming) and by the 2004-05 hurricane seasons that knocked down many trees (many of which are still laying on their sides). This land is Federal so, there’s not much we can say about it. There are several hiking trails there so, they recognize the natural value of the area. Not nearly as many vultures roost there anymore, hence my rare visits since 2006. I did see a bit of evidence of them in the area but, without the trees, they’ll roost elsewhere. They nest on the ground and it is not nesting season until spring.

I called my father who is still in Albuquerque finishing tidying up the house I love for sale. He’s already built a new house in Hunstville, AL. He’s driving his mobile home to Alabama which should take a few days. We talked about me going back to Philadelphia this weekend and asked me to call him while there so we, my sister, nephew, and I, can talk to him at the same time and place. I got all emotional talking about my sister, especially when I said to him, “I love my sister.”