Photo by Scott Norris
“U no mane suru karasu.”
– Japanese Proverb
Photo by Scott Norris
A pair of red-bellied woodpeckers have a nest in one of the palm trees on the southwest corner of the Ocean’s Reach pool. Scott captured this charming photo of one playing “peek-a-boo” with our guests.
Interested in some woodpecker trivia?
- There are more than 180 species of woodpeckers worldwide.
- Most woodpeckers have zygodactyl feet, which means they have two toes facing the front and two toes facing the back to help them strongly grip trees and poles vertically.
- The red-bellied woodpecker often creates “caches” of food by drumming rows upon rows of small holes and wedging a single nut or seed into each one.
- Woodpeckers engage in drumming to attract mates, establish territories and other communicate. They rat-a-tat-tat on resonant objects such as hollow trees, stumps and logs, utility poles, chimneys, rain gutters and trash cans, as well as any object that may echo loudly.
- Between feeding, excavating nest cavities and drumming, woodpeckers can peck up to 20 times per second, or a total of 8,000-12,000 pecks per day! (Woodpeckers don’t get headaches from pecking, however. They have reinforced skulls structured to spread the impact force, and their brains are tightly cushioned for added protection.)
Photo by Scott Norris
She looks for wiggly fishes,
At least so it appears,
To stuff inside the suitcase
That’s swinging from her ears.
And though she’s very graceful
When flying round and round,
How does she get that faceful
Of luggage off the ground?
– J. Patrick Lewis
Look who popped up in the Ocean’s Reach pond last week!
Longtime guest Scott Norris captured a number of wonderful images on his latest visit here from Indianapolis, so much so that we thought we’d dedicate this week’s blogs to the amazing photos he shared with us.
First up are these “significant otters,” who are just as cute as can be!
Just how lovable are they? Sea otters are known to hold hands while they’re sleeping to keep from drifting away from each other. In addition, a mother and her pup will also wrap themselves up in strands of sea plants that grow from the ocean floor – such as kelp – which they’ll use as anchors so they can sleep without worry of floating out to open ocean.
Another fun fact? Sea otters have the densest fur in the whole animal kingdom — ranging from 250,000 to an amazing one million hairs per square inch. I could comment on some follicle-challenged gentlemen I know being a bit jealous, but actually I’m wondering who in the world does all the counting?
In the immortal words of Pablo Picasso:
It takes a long time to grow young!
Happy Birthday
to two of the best young men that we know!
Ocean’s Reach wouldn’t be the same without you!
On any given day, in any given moment,
something could happen
that opens up for you an entirely new path.
Be still, be alert, be ready.
– Marianne Williamson
Should you have any photos you’d like to share, please email them to Dina@OceansReach.com.
Today’s Guest Photographer: Jill Spealman
When we talked with Frank M., our longtime guest from Groton Point, CT whose artwork we featured yesterday, he also shared a song he wrote for his lovely bride, Cynthia, as a Christmas present in 1994.
Even to this day, it’s easy to see that their love is still melodious!
By the way, it’s a big year for this wonderful couple — Frank will soon be turning 90, while Cynthia will be celebrating her 95th birthday!
All we can say is “Bravo!” and “We can’t wait to see you again next year!”
Our owners are among our many blessings on Sanibel. They’re a main reason why Ocean’s Reach is truly a “family” and we feel privileged to share in a part of their lives.
We received this beautiful arrangement from Jim Lewis earlier this week informing us that he is transferring ownership of his unit to his daughter, Nancy. While it’s a bittersweet moment for all of us, we’ll always carry wonderful memories of Mary Lou in our hearts, and we’re grateful that Jim isn’t going too far away.
We’re fortunate that Jim now lives at Shell Point — just down the road — and we look forward to still seeing him often. As with all of our dear friends, he knows that he has an open invitation to drop by and visit anytime!
We warmly welcome Nancy and Tom to the Ocean’s Reach family, and want to share Jim’s beautiful note below:
Dear Ocean’s Reach Staff:
After forty-two years as an owner in paradise, the time has
come for me to move on. The memories and pleasures of
living by the seaside are something to behold, truly one of
God’s blessings.
My beloved daughter, Nancy, is the new owner of 2B3.
The Ocean’s Reach staff is second-to-none, always there in
time of need, with a cheerful attitude and a smiling face. It is
comforting to know there is someone available to answer a
question, fix a problem, or just talk to. Thanks to everyone,
your kindness and friendship shall be forever remembered.
With fond memories, and my love,
Jim Lewis
