We saw our favorite orthopedic surgeon today for the final follow-up on Judy’s new knee. He was impressed with his work. The knee is great. Full function restored. No pain.
Now we don’t get any more visits with him though, darn it. No need to come back and chat; not for the knee anyway, and no other surgeries on the horizon. Not a bad problem to be left with. We’ll take it.
Judy and I have had both shots. We’re told that, having both shots, we’re highly unlikely to catch a serious case of covid, and that we’re highly unlikely to pass a case of covid along to someone else. We’re cleared to gather in small groups, indoors, with other vaccinated people, without masks. Otherwise, we should continue to distance and mask.
So I’m wondering, if we’re not going to catch covid, and we’re not likely to pass it along, why do we still need to distance and mask? My preliminary conclusion is that we’re not at risk, and aren’t putting others at risk, but should continue to model behavior until the covid crisis is over for everyone else as well. From all appearances, it’s not obvious to strangers that Judy and I have both been fully vaccinated. If we walk around with no masks hugging people, we might inspire others to do the same, even if it’s not so safe for them. No problem. We can continue doing what we’ve been doing for the last year. As a CPA whose reputation relies on being independent, I’m well familiar with the concept that we need not only to be independent in fact, but just as importantly, appear independent as well. How it looks, appearance, matters. I wonder if I’m on the right track.
The camping is a long paved lot.
But for a camp right at the beach it’s pretty good. Location. Location. Location.
With a view of the dunes.
Being this close, of course that means:
And there are still bird pictures to send out.
Cattle egret.
American Golden Plover.
Ruddy Turnstone.
Mister Yellow-headed Blackbird.
And a mighty fine looking house on the water.
317.
Royal Tern.
A closer-up view of Black Skimmers. We can see the extended lower mandible they can hold in the water while they fly and snap up anything it hits.
Laughing gulls; always entertaining.
The back side of a Golden-fronted Woodpecker.
Spotted Sandpiper
Swainson’s Thrush.
White Ibis.
Swirling.
Mangroves and shallow water.
And the day is done.
The count keeps creeping up. We started the month at 292. We started this trip at 302. We ended today at 312. 88 species to go to get to our target count, a lot of migration to go, and we can finish off the weekend with another full day of birding tomorrow.
I added our birding spots on the island to the trip map.
Birds of the day.
Least Tern.
Greater Yellowlegs.
So we think the skimmers look fast? Not when they’re asleep.
Indigo Bunting.
Orchard Oriole.
Long-billed Curlew.
Great Kiskadee.
Painted Bunting.
Grackles with attitude.
(As always.)
Marbled Godwit.
Prickly Pear cactus about to burst into bloom.
Full bloom.
