ponds

Papa’s World – Steps on the trail around the pond and through the woods – at Cameron Woods!

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When we walk – we can go in two directions – this walk is to the East – and the Pond.

E Lindley Lane, S.W.

Here we turn right and walk down the street – there are maybe six houses down here that are still in construction – and all are at the end of this road and then onto the cul-de-sac that winds around to the back of our house through the woods.

But before you get to that other street – the entrance to the trail that walks all the way around the pond – is on the left. Past the only two true story homes in the entire development.

Here you see my wife Sherry starting on the path and the pond is to her right – and in the middle, some 100 feet away is a somewhat raised portion – almost like an old farm road.

This is where WOODIE – THE GATOR – likes to sunbathe!

When the temps rise and the sun comes out – most times you can find WOODIE!

Although I have only ever seen one gator in here – neighbors have seen TWO – both this size!

I would estimate it is 6 plus feet long!

Maybe seven feet!

These neighbors who live on the pond have also seen Otters – lots of Turtles – and have caught a big mouth bass out of here!

The next blog will be “ENTERING THE WOODS” where I am on watch for snakes!

We have seen one rather large Black Snake laying on the path before you go into the woods –

so we just turned around and went back.

Sherry watches the trees and I watch the ground!

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NEST BLOG: “INTO THE WOODS”

Papa’s World – Sunrise – warm day – Gators and Deer at the beach!

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Sunrise in Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

It was the start of a beautiful February day – warm sun – in the 70’s – clear skies!

We can see both the sunrise and sunset from the end of our driveway.

And yes – it does get somewhat cold and windy here – but then you get three or four days of

summertime back home weather!

In the high 60’s to mid 70’s – perfect days!

At the end of this street is a trail entrance that walks around the pond and through the woods.

I have only seen the one gator in here – but others have seen two and still other little ones.

It even has otters that have been seen and tons of turtles!

The gator sunning itself.

There seems to be an old raised farm road here – and the gator is always in this area.

I have seen long-legged birds stand here and it is not deep.

Weeds will grow up and out of the water.

The path is graded and is some 12 feet wide – it goes into the woods.

It is like black cinder stones and when you get into the woods –

is covered in orange pine needles!

I always watch for snakes and have only seen one large black snake on the path.

We turned around and went back the way we had come.

Now on the other end – it comes around the pond and there is marsh and water on the other side.

So – we watch both sides –

you can see where that gator or another one has come up and crossed the path!

This is just how it is living in this part of the South.

The parking lot for the pier at Sunset Beach, N.C.

There were three deer there and one went into the bushes as I took the picture!

Those bushes and shrubs are thick and you could hear them as they went through.

I saw a picture someone took of a big buck coming out of the surf under the pier!

I have never seen them this close and they blend in really well with the landscape!

We also have seen a large flock of Turkeys back in Cameron Woods –

and I got pictures of them.

My car is a hybrid – so it makes very little noise when you are going slow.

I was able to get to about twenty feet from them!

Large birds and just disappeared into the trees.

EVERY MORNING!

It was a beautiful day – sun – wildlife – warm and a fine beach day for walks.

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Papa’s World – Warm sunshine brings out the gator and the beach!

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GOOD DAY – WELCOME TO PAPA’S WORLD

Living in Ocean Isle Beach – Cameron Woods – 7 miles to the S.C. border –

the weather is what I like – yes – we have had that rare ice and snow –

but then you get days such as this where it is tee shirt – shorts and sandals!

That is when our resident pond Aligator comes out to the sun itself!
We have a walking trail around this pond and sometimes we see it and other times we do not.

We have seen tons of turtles in here – all types of birds hunting for fish and some have seen otters.

I think there are two gators in here and some babies although I have never seen the little ones or two gators at the same time.

And then it is but a short ten-minute drive to the beach – where the sound of the surf and warm sand entice you to bring a chair and just sit in the warm sunshine!
Tee shirt – shorts and no shoes – toes in the sand – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – Lions – Tigers and Bears OH MY! Spiders – Snakes and Gators OH YEAH!

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Our new home and the front porch.

We knew when we moved to the South – just 8 miles to the border of S.C. in Ocean Isle Beach N.C.

That we would encounter some animals – reptiles that we had never had before!

The spiders – I just do not like – having had as a child some really scary sightings!

I later found out this was somewhat harmless – but it still gave me goose bumps!

This I think was a form of wolf spider – the second one I encountered – the first was inside the lanai!

Spiders as far as I am concerned belong outside!

The one inside was very large – and when I tried to sweep it away – the thing exploded and a hundred little spiders came out!

I managed to kill them all – but it was a Twilight Zone feeling!

I do not want those type of things inside!

If you look back at the picture of the front porch – and looking straight at it and raise your right arm and point – these next two pictures were taken less than 200 feet up the street and on the corner!

This gator I would say is about four feet long – maybe a little longer!

The man who took the picture said it continued up the hill to another pond!

There are two ponds near us – one about 10 houses down the street –

and one maybe a 1/3 mile behind our house in a undevolped site that they are working on.

We have seen a gator in both of them but never in the pond up the hill!

From where this picture is taken to the pond up the hill is like 200 or 300 yards!

Now – how it got to where this picture was taken – it had to come from behind our house-

either to the right or left!

Sherry looking through the trees to her left – that is our house.

This drainage ditch runs behind our house and turns left and follows the treeline.

When you get to the end of the drainage ditch and turn right across the lawns –

you come to the street where this picture was taken.

We saw tracks in this ditch – not sure just what they were – but they had small claws on the tips!

Last but not least is the rather large COPPERHEAD!

We have not seen any of these – but we have seen a four or five foot BLACK SNAKE!

Those are okay because they kill these bad boys.

This one was near where the Gator picture was taken.

Several neighbors have seen dead ones on the road after being run over.

There are also COTTONMOUTHS around although no one has seen them.

I am more leary of these as they are hard to spot even though I constantly am on the lookout for them.

Yes – we knew in moving to the South we would experience all of this!

But – we made our choice and are so happy we did – close to golfing and close to the beach as well

as close to all these critters! SPIDERS SNAKES and GATORS! OH YEAH!!!!

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PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – I finally took pictures of the gator in our pond where we now live!

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Down at the end of this street in Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach – is our pond – and home to a six foot GATOR!

I have seen it a couple times – but never all of “IT”!

We decided at near sunset – 7:30 pm. after watching the BMW golf tournament –

to take a walk down and around the pond.

Hoping we would see the GATOR!

Well – we did and it was laying on some grass and weeds about 75 feet from the edge of the pond!

The reflection of the houses on the water and right in the middle it lays!

I am guessing 5 to 7 feet long when the tail is out straight!

It never moved and in the fading light – I had to look twice to make sure!

So we walked along the path to see it at different angles! And it never moved!

I had the feeling it was watching us!

We have now seen it at different times – but never all the way out of the water.

At least I have taken a picture of it!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@fitztdf

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PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – golfing Magnolia Greens – home course of friends – beautiful!

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Sherry and Cindy – they decided to walk the 18 holes – Sherry got a new pull cart!

I actually believe these 27 holes compare to the best in the area including Myrtle Beach!

On this day – the flowers were in full bloom and reminded me of Augusta!

Almost every hole was like this!
A view of the driving range from the outdoor patio of the clubhouse!
Sherry Cindy and Buck – having a beverage on the outdoor patio after 18 holes!
On one of the tee boxes – everything was blooming!

We have played this course many times over the years!

They have called this home for at least twenty years.

Having bought and sold and built here many times.

This is the main reason we came South to this general area.

Our new home will be about 40 minutes away –

so daily golf is available!

Sherry on the patio of their home that overlooks one of the large waterways on the course!
Cindy on the same patio of their home looking in a different direction from Sherry!
Cindy was to the left – Sherry to my right and Buck straight across from me – looking at the course across the water!

This is the second home they have built here – both in this water area and both had like views –

only this one is downsized from the other one.

Buck and I on the tee box about to tee off!

We – Buck and I – did our usual scramble – and we had a record for us – we shot a 39 with a double boogie the last hole!

If you are ever in N.C. just South of Leland and Wilmington – this is a public course – 27 holes – stop in and make a tee time – it will surprise you and you will love it – one of the best around the area!
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Papa’s World – The FIRST of many days to come!

/ Tom / 2 Comments

As we have already begun our seventh decade

We have set out once again on a new chapter of our lives.

We have been together since mid 1980

and married mid 1982!

That my friends is a lasting friendship!

For she is my best friend and partner.

We arrived to this view for the next five months.

The Atlantic Ocean is .66 miles away in Myrtle Beach – North!

Just beyond the horizon you see here.

We already have been there twice in three days

and have walked the shortest route.

Here is the view from the lanai back into the living room –

dining area and kitchen.

With two bedrooms and bathroom out of sight beyond the kitchen.

The lanai is over 200 SF

and the rest of the condo is 1200 plus SF.

We have all we need – and two elevators right outside our door

We are in the top unit – no one above us

and as far as I can tell – the unit below is empty!

Guest bedroom number one –

Two twin beds and share a bathroom with the other guest bedroom!

I have been using that shower as it is a walk in!

And as you can see – the golf clubs –

they are the occupying ones in that room for now!

We do have a bar set up –

both coffee and cocktails on the lanai

and for future guests!

Guest bedroom number two

Queen size bed –

I actually like this bedroom

and if it had a king size bed

would of considered it the master

as it seems larger!

She now has her printer set up in there and her files!

She is able to take her internet business

anywhere we go!

The master – king bed with a view –

sliding door right out to the lanai!

Our own master bath and walk in closet!

Right off the living room

and comfortable bed!

Our new chapter has started

page after page

we have already eliminated areas and places.

We venture out to explore

we know our limits and expectations.

And we are having fun doing it!

The first of many dinners on the lanai.

Our first candle and cocktails!

The first sunrise over the pond.

The first night with the moon rising over the pond.

The first of many days to come!

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Papa,s World – Brook Green – Night of 1000 candles – near Pawley’s Island-S.C.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

The night before we came back home to N.VA. – we drove 45 minutes South

Near Pawley’s Island S.C

to “BROOK GREEN”!

( and we will go back in warmer weather – to see it again in daylight!)

Huge Oak trees – with hanging lights – almost from the top!
Reflections in the water of lights!

The whole place – hundreds of acres – is dressed up in colored themes –

and over 1000 candles lit by hand!

Bronze statues are everywhere!

Some of the 1000 candles lit by hand!
Candles and lights – everywhere we went – a different theme – and colorful lights!
There were food trucks and a tent set up with drinks – hot chocolate – coffee and tea as well as water – soft drinks and beer!
So many different areas lit up – hard to capture them all!
You had to stay on the paths – and after dark – you could easily get lost in the maze of light!
Hanging moss lit up!
Paper lanterns lit in red and white colors!
Like fire flies in the sunset!
Sculptures with light reflecting on the water!

There must be a lot of volunteers to do all of this!

And – we only saw part of the park –

there also is a zoo here but was closed!

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Papa’s World – When Swans come for a visit!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

I saw a child in a stroller – sitting and gazing

Her mother had stopped

and they were watching the White Swans

as we drove our car through the gate

of the beach side entrance.

You can see the Swans – Mallards and in the top right corner – the wheel of the stroller

We talked to the mother as that child gazed entranced

sitting motionless

watching the graceful three Swans

Suddenly a big Mallard came too close to one of the females

The Big male Swan rose up and beat its wings as its

head and neck came quickly forward toward the Mallard.

The baby never flinched – just watched in awe as the Mallard

turned and swan away.

The big male watching over the other two

The mother somehow knew how the Swans just appeared overnight!

She said the state runs a wildlife management program

Where Swans are placed into a enviroment

conducive to their lives.

This is what happened here

They were placed and now they cruise from one end to the other

One half mile in one direction.

Here they are just outside our top floor Lanai

Our condo sits in the opposite direction of where we saw the mother.

I have seen them going back and forth all day long.

People are watching them paddle about –

some are feeding them bread

Sherry looked it up and it said this was okay

it was better if it were a bit soggy

also lettuce leaves

They graze the pond bottoms near the shore lines.

I have watched them swim toward this fountain

and all of a sudden they start flapping their huge wings

and a very loud noise erupts as they tread water

and take off in flight

never going much higher than 10 or 15 feet

above the water – to gracefully cruise into the

bay where we saw the mother and child.

For now they are here

I hope they remain

I hope they mate and hatch little ones

just as the little child gazed at their graceful

floating in the water.

I can imagine a line of little ones following these three.

WHEN SWANS COME FOR A VISIT!

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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

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SHERRY ( MorMor – Mothers Mother) and PAPA ( Tom)

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