Frank picked me up at high noon at the Ft. Myers
airport. We went home and picked up Mary and
headed for camp. The rocking chair is where I rode
around the lease with my shotgun at the ready. Woohaa!
New years day is ending and we watched one of the most
dramatic sunsets in my experience. A perfect week of sun and
warm temperatures that is rare even this far south.
Linn and Park were butchering a deer when we
got back to camp around 6 pm.
This is a shot of the cooks at work. Ian and Frank.
Sunday before dawn and the morning star is lovely and cold.
In the blind at the Sanctuary I had a view of our decoy. It
was the only turkey I saw that day. This area is called the
Sanctuary because the lumber company has, for some reason,
left most of the tall pines they've cut elsewhere on the lease.
A very unusual cocoon.
While we were gathering lighter pine for the fire Frank
reached down within a few inches of this diamondback
rattlesnake. The snake never moved and we let it go its
way. We had to really work to make it shake its rattles.
A wild orchid Mary Lee pointed out.
Another sunset at the camp.
Sunrise from Ian's deer stand, a spacious roofed box high
above a large slough. Chairs for two made it very comfy.
Frank called this hen turkey at upper center came out of
the trees behind her. She came down the ditch right past
us and into the trees on our left. Then she came back out
and made the return trip.
The vultures that hang around camp have plenty
to keep them busy. Part of this is the deer Linn
killed yesterday.
Beauty and the little beastie.
This is a banana blossom on Frank's property at Alva.
A bunch of young bananas on the same tree.
Fire ant mounds are common in Frank's yard and
elsewhere. Makes you pay attention where you stop to
snap a photo. I forgot only once.
This beautiful sunset was shot from the Mann party barge
on an evening fishing/pleasure cruise down the river to the
first meander.
Tuesday morning we hit Lake Okeechobee Tuesday
morning with high hopes--me, Frank, and Robert (Taliban)
Halgrim. Here is a hydrangea island covered with duck weed
that attracted numerous and various bird life. Frank got a
bass on here but lost it. That was our bass thrill of the trip.
Who says macho guys aren't able to display their feelings?
One of the two crappie we landed. But fun!
Later on we went to Pat and Gina's for Bee's birthday
party. 92 and still got what it takes to wow the guys.
A foggy dawn from Ian's stand.
A handsome visitor. Trees behind are where the hen
turkey disappeared and reappeared before walking
back across the entire slough in front of our stand wondering
where the hell that other turkey was hiding.
A caterpillar with its long hairs dew dappled.
Two young bulls and their attendant ibis flock.
Big beautiful spider disturbed by our passage
in the jeep. Next day he had his web repaired.
One of the fine racks of yesteryear decorates
the cook house.
The thermometer Ann gave me and I gave Frank
now gives the camp the temp.
Plays With Fire did just that.
A fine joke or a practical solution? Both, I think.
An elegant bathroom in the wild. Just be sure to check
the paper and under the seat for frogs before settling in.
Three macho guys prepare to break camp.
My big fishing thrill was in Frank's pond--a
feisty one pound bass that fought like a lunker.
Sunset from the meander upstream of Mann Farm.
Old Friends Wiley and Betty join Mary Lee, me, and Frank.
Friday morning before my plane at 5pm we visited
the lease once more and saw this pretty thing.
George Mann's homemade decoys still give even experienced hunters a thrill when they come on them unaware.
The plaque to George Mann and other old
timers stands in the old camp while they hunt
without worry or care in a camp beyond the sky.
this site Frank dropped me at the ariport and the trip drew
to its official close. Seven days of beautiful weather, much
good hunting and fishing, if little killing and catching, and
the wonderful hospitality of some truely fine people. Thanks.