The Big One that Got Away: Bugs & Stuff

Ever heard of the 'beneficial' insect called ant-lions or doodle bugs? They mark the earth like a doodling artist.  Mini me is not sure she has ever seen one in any stage of their lifecycle, but they are in Florida.  Check them out here.

Here's what it looked like on the beach on Memorial Day weekend (this holiday was originally Decoration Day after the Civil War when mourners decorated grave sites).

This guy attracted a crowd thinking; with a bent fishing rod, he had caught the big one . . . until he swam out to the sandbar and came back empty handed ---

-- maybe stolen by this pirate?

Here's a little info-graphic in case you are wondering about turtle v tortoise:

Mini me is suffering from the 'infodemic' - or a tsunami of [pandemic] misinformation!  Many are kind, but others yell at those wearing masks !?! Seems 'anything goes' these days - something set from the top ... 

Disney and other theme parks in Florida are now planning to open mid July. Yesterday (5/28) the county lifted social distancing requirements on the beaches with less sheriff patrols and more 'self policing.' Normal operations now at pools.

Wonder if these will become the artifacts of the 21st century?

As seen on Facebook, but then America's "sheer size and tradition of individual liberty" make it
unlikely we will have a successful "test, trace and isolate" program says Matthew Continetti.

Relative to many countries, the US has had a places, but not people lock down - now lifting rapidly. The UK, for example, has locked down both people and places, with a much slower evolution/ loosening of lock down.

More quilting fun!








The Frigate birds, that hate getting wet, have been flying low over the water in small groups - something we don't usually see; I think they were fishing.

13 the new 6? 27? Or none at all??

Turtle nest N2 with drawbridge up in background

Before 7 am you can pretty much have the beach to yourselves as we enjoyed early one Saturday morning. Later in the day it is a different story; don't count on others maintaining any distance either.  The last cruise ship, Brilliance of the Seas, left for The Bahamas on 12 May.  There are large flotillas of empty cruise ships in the Caribbean.  Now we just see freighters on the horizon.

The skimmers have returned to nest on the beach.

1 May 2020
The Week

Apparently those pesky COVID-19 aerosol droplets exhaled by someone talking or breathing can travel much farther than 6 feet - how far depends on which study you read; some say 13 feet others that the droplets can travel up to eight meters (23 to 27 feet). However, perhaps this is less relevant, depending on where you are (ie your environment),  as outlined in this article.

Confused?  Me too.  So here's a fun spoof by Adley on all the contradictory messaging. And if you want to track USA R0 numbers by state (which are not readily reported in the media or by the White House) try this.

So mini me is staying home, however, she is now able to do a limited amount of volunteering by phone!  The LOVE BUGS are starting to show up in numbers  (12 May 2020). They can be dangerous if one encounters a swarm of them whilst driving.

More exciting this morning (17 May) we woke to find sea turtle tracks on our beach (N13)! Along with sea turtles comes hurricane season and we had our first named storm in the Atlantic, Arthur, but it dissipated fairly quickly. Summer has arrived and it is now humid and hot with regular 90F/32+C days here; we are so fortunate to have sea breezes living on the beach!

It has been very busy on the beach - with 4th of July type crowds which is our busiest day here.  The county sheriff started a weekend beach capacity dashboard/website to let you know how crowded it is on the beach and associated parking lots.

18+ people in a group!

Lots of young people out & about (not all following US ≤10 people social distancing ) and some fun sports!

crossnet

dodge ball?

When not telephone volunteering, Mini Me has had plenty of time to craft ...

fabric number fun

double cotton yarn crochet basket
stands on its own, but I put a box inside

Quilt Board - I am pleased with the outcome which is now on my front door. Besides I used up fabric scraps - as can thread or fabric scrap bowls. 

No Early Birds, but Stranded at Sea

1918 flue pandemic - masks!
Niday Picture Library as see in The Guardian

Recently (night of 30th April) a woman walking off our beach stopped us to warn us of UFOs 'out there' at sea; details not provided. No joke, but it appeared to be the planet Venus that spooked her.

Nothing new under the sun ... masks required in 1918!

The early birds aren't out getting worms:  the beach (pre-opening) is fairly quiet in the mornings before 10 am - quieter than before COVID-19. Seems people are getting up later for their morning beach walk/jog  However, this isn't to say it doesn't get busy in the afternoons. And there are many more bikes - some electric which could be a hazard if the crowds return ...

Taken with my smartphone and my telescope!

These two Royal Caribbean ships (Brilliance of Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas) aren't UFOs, but we can clearly see them on the horizon this first day of May.  Apparently the crew are stuck out there, no longer being paid, but with free balcony rooms, board and WiFi. Several freighters come and go too and are lit up like Christmas trees at night.

May started with  a lovely cool front today - great
weather - only 22C or 72F at 10:000 am. But a drought ....

Due to the current drought conditions, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) issued a Phase I Water Shortage Order [no potable water use for irrigation] . The order goes into effect on May 8, 2020.

Yesterday the beach was closed so crowds not too bad . . . although by afternoon a few more came out in anticipation of Monday's opening and the beach had far too many dogs on it (not permitted as health hazard) . . .

Sunday afternoon -->





. . .today the beach is open (Phase I of reopening Florida).  This morning the water had a strange color/ripple effect.

dark blue ripples and sheriff thankfully patrolling this morning

By afternoon we had all sorts, the public works crew (sans masks) couldn't seem to remove the frame of an abandoned beach tent, the advertising boat was projecting beach safety rules (ie social distancing) and plenty of kids about - some jogging in groups of <10 and others who tried to jump the fence into our swimming pool.

I like my turtle illustration of 6 feet better (blog of 21 March)

Sans masks --  I despair at the lack of role modelling/leadership by people in public eye! 

It's fairly quiet out front of our condo, but up by the beach park & parking lot it is very busy.

I had to laugh at this group who started out well, but as they rotated their positions with the sun, lost track of their 6 foot circle in the sand and instead of sitting in the middle are now at one of the edges - how's that work for social distancing?

Now onto positive things to recommend:

1945 & 2020

• Extended family video calls - we did one on the 3rd May and it was great!
• Very interesting and informative PBS TV series, 'H2O The Molecule That Made Us' starts a bit slow, but gets better!
• Kentucky Turtle Derby - necessity is the mother of invention
• Looking on the bright side - sent to me - a silver lining in everything:

NO school shootings, TRAFFIC is gone, GAS is affordable, BILLS extended. KIDS are at home with their FAMILIES. PARENTS are home taking care of their CHILDREN. FAST FOOD replaced by HOME COOKED MEALS. Hectic SCHEDULES replaced by NAPS, REST, and RELAXATION. The AIR seems CLEANER. The WORLD quieter. PEOPLE are conscious about HYGIENE and HEALTH. MONEY doesn't seem to make the WORLD GO ROUND anymore. DOCTORS, NURSES & TEACHERS are being praised and recognized instead of athletes and celebrities.

WE now have TIME, finally, to STOP & SMELL the ROSES. YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING POSITIVE IN EVERY NEGATIVE SITUATION!!

PS:  Some news stories are positive about the beach re-openings:  Pinellas beach opening a ‘successful day,’ sheriff says while others health officials fear a resurgence/new wave of COVID-19. In the meantime Trump visits mask factory, but does not wear a mask.

And we have our first loggerhead turtle nest!