Heading out of the park now – have taken leave of the family and will soon be on the road back to Fort Myers area. Stopped just long enough to enjoy Daisy playing a game of badminton. Fore! Or whatever one shouts prior to launching the birdie LOL 😉
Category Archives: Mobile Blogging
Feed me Seymour!
This is a tiny Venus fly trap in bloom – have never see this before! The bloom is vey small and delicate – could fit a couple of them on a dime. Fragile yet feisty!
Air plants at the Outpost
Tillandsia in various forms are for sale at the a Garden Boutique outside EPCOTs Outpost. This one was in bloom – teeny tiny blossoms!
You are not de first to pass dis vay…
The troll in Norway has a fuzzy tail this year but the sun was in the wrong spot for me to capture it.
Grazing in Mexico
The birds situation here at the waterside tables in Mexico is abhorrent. We spoke to the manager and let him know that the dining experience is severely degraded and the birds and humans are in peril when guests are not told that feeding wildlife table side is not acceptable. He asked us to stop by guest relations and tell them too.
We have a winnah!
The shrimp and grits at EPCOT’s Florida Fresh kiosk gets three thumbs up (thumbs not pictured). We’re moving on to Mexico.
Shrimp and grits available here
I have had my eye in the shrimp and grits from the Florida kiosk since I got here on Monday. Now we’re going to find out how it is..
Waiting by the Florida Fresh kiosk
I happened to look up as the monorail was going by, so why not? 🙂
Fabulously floral
Taking a little time on my way to lunch to capture some more blooms from the Festival displays. The variety and colors are wondrous.
Donald in topiary
The topiary display out front of EPCOT is just totally mobbed. Not much of a photo op to be had here. Moving on!
Into the festival – one more time!
I have to beat it back to Southwest Florida this afternoon. Going to sample some food from the kiosks at the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival before I go. Lets go taste stuff!
Fly away to Oz
I love the colors of the new striped hot air balloon in Downtown Disney. I want to climb aboard and end up in Oz!
Flower and Garden at Downtown Disney Marketplace
It’s a brisk, sunny morning in Walt Disney World, and I’m about to get my browse on. Lets go see what we can see here in Downtown Disney, soon to be renamed "Disney Springs".
Tutto Italia antipasto – oh my!
We split this among three of us, and it was plenty! The wine was San Guiseppe Pinot Noir, a favorite of ours.
A light dinner in EPCOT
We’ve stopped into EPCOT’s Tutto gusto, but I guess the menu comes from Tutto Italia at this time of night. Looks like we’re going to split a few items and some wine.
La vie en rose adult beverage
The basis of this slushie is Grey Goose orange vodka, but it does sort of have a rose-ish flavor to it. Mysteriously, our drinks are arranged on a hidden Mickey shape…
Wine and cheese at Jiko
We are about to feast the palate – wine and cheese at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jiko
Warwick wedding cup
There is a fairy tale legend surrounding the Warwick wedding cup. A man wanted to marry a princess, but was told by her father that he could not unless he invented a drinking cup out if which two people could drink simultaneously without spilling a drop. He made it in the shape of this woman. And they got married and lived happily ever after.
Blanket flowers on parade
You can find blanket flowers all over Florida, both in the wild as well as in landscaping. I found these in the Italy pavilion in EPCOT.
School days can me monstrous
I am looking forward to seeing Monsters university one of these days!
Topiary pandas in China
Ever since the video of the newborn panda that sneezed and scared his mom, pandas have enjoyed an increase in their notoriety. I always wonder if the topiary pandas are life – sized.
Wildlife challenges at Disney World
When a mama duck will parade her children past a crowd that is only 6 feet away, it’s time to relocate the family. These ducks are simply too unafraid of humans and this leads to encounters with humans that are not safe for anyone involved.
This morning on Walt Disney World property, I witnessed parents and children alike persisting in chasing ducks down, trying to pet them, and then "OUCH – hey it BIT me!". More signs and more Cast Members are needed to educate and intervene.
Please, Disney – you used to be better at this! Don’t wait until someone gets hurt. And yeah, "someone" includes the animals. Practice a little risk management while making the World a little safer for the wildlife that lives and breeds on YOUR property. You can do this – don’t let me down!
Flowers at the UK cottage garden
It smells like there is a bed of sweet alyssum around here somewhere. I’m off to find it 🙂
Approaching the Dolphin
Look, up in the sky – it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s….. The Walt Disney World Dolphin!
Big finish at EPCOT
I stopped on my way out to see the fountain show – spectacular, as always. Dinner is at one of the resort restaurants this evening.
The Whoville flower
My sister in law says it looks like this flower came from Whoville. I think she’s in the wrong park!
Bunny
We saw this bunny munching on the grass outside the Festival Center Apparently you can’t walk on it but chewing is ok!
Flowers outside the Festival Center
Everything looks fresh and beautiful all over EPCOT. I have not seen these flowers anywhere else except the Festival Center planters.
But where did the rum go?
Answer: in my Dole Whip! And that’s not all that got into my Dole Whip – see next post…
Sea shells at Disney!
Here’s a fairy house constructed from sea shells – ingenious !
Iris in the butterfly tent
The colors on these irises were just stunning. Not a bad macro for an iPhone, huh?
A just-born flutterby
Look how crumpled and magical and beautiful this newly-emerged butterfly is!
My hero!
We’re heading into the butterfly tent and had to stop and capture Tinker Bell, the one, the only, the original!
Mexican rainforest in EPCOT
It’s nice to see the rainforest dripping in orchids again. For several years, the rainforest was dormant during Flower and Garden Festival. There are bromeliads in here too – pitcher plants are always fun 🙂
China’s dragon at EPCOT
One of my favorites –
Catching some shade in Germany
I am looking for the perfect place to do an iPhone panorama shot around world showcase. If anyone has a suggestion, please tweet @BellTinkR
Who’s up for a bit of a yodel and a dance?
Snow White is always one of the most attractive of the EPCOT topiaries. And that’s saying a lot, considering they are all so well done!
Found an Easter Egg
This year, the Festival features a country walk egg hunt. You can buy a map and stickers to place every time you find an egg. The resourcefulness of Disney Merchandising never ceases to amaze!
No I guess they are NOT grafted
I have reached France in EPCOT and discovered that the crepe myrtle are actually NOT grafted – they are greening up nicely. If I come back at the end of the Festival, they should have flowered by then.
The wonderful thing about Tigger
He’s a little dark in the shade here but I thought the Eiffel Tower in the background made for a nice tableaux. I think I will head to France for my brunch. I had to pass by the RUM Dole Whip booth because of empty stomach – mon Dieu, we need to get our drink on!
Never smile at a crocodile
This is not the version of Captain Hook that jumps out at you or photo bombs your family. No human topiary here – just a good old fashioned "Arrrrr!".
Not quite blooming yet
The crepe myrtle trees at the front of the park are barren as yet. I sometimes wonder if they are grafted into bloom, instead of progressing naturally.
Because what the world really needs is Yet Another Monorail Shot!
Because what the world really needs is Yet Another Monorail Shot!, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
I stood and watched two toddlers playing in the wet play area while waiting for the monorail to come along. It smells indescribably delicious in EPCOT right now. And I am HUNGRY!
Daisy strikes a pose
I like the mural as Daisy Duck’s backdrop. This is located at the front plaza of EPCOT, right near the jacaranda trees.
EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival – I’m here!
I purposely arrived hungry because this year the Flower and Garden Festival features food kiosks, like Food and Wine Festival. So here I go – off to seek more culinary adventures. What are you waiting for? Lets go!
A stroll around the resorts
We hung out on Disney’s Boardwalk for a while after dinner, and then I elected to take a turn around Hour Glass Lake before heading for the parking lot and my hotel. The weather is just picture perfect this evening. Hoping for the same for the rest of the week. Good night!
Our divine dessert at The Flying Fish
I love the pixie dust on my chocolate spiral.
The lamb is exquisite at Flying Fish
I am not a lamb person. I have had it twice at Flying Fish and both times I thought to myself, "I don’t do lamb because … why?" It was served with a fabulous Shiraz.
Intermezzo at the Flying Fish
Coconut mint sorbet – heaven! – and minted rum. Oh. Em. Gee.
We’ve just finished the intermezzo
Here’s more of our menu for this Chef’s Tasting at Flying Fish. This will tell you all about the components of the 2nd course.
Port Canaveral Triple Tail
I never knew there was a fish with a triple tail. I like the fact that Flying Fish sources locally as much as they do. This dish features chanterelle mushrooms and pork bellies, which add a lot if flavor to the firm fish. Two thumbs up!
First course at Flying Fish Chef’s Tasting
Pine island Shrimp – heads ON! Fava beans. No chianti, nice or otherwise LOL. The buffalo sausage is to die for!
Chef’s Tasting menu at Flying Fish
Here is an explanation of what was in the last photo. The salmon was awesome. I have also never had black radishes before, so this was a great experience for me.
Appetizer at The Flying Fish
Salmon and a bunch of other stuff. Pardon me, I need to eat!
Curried chicken at Puck’s Express
This is actually a grand experiment because I’d forgotten it came with a generous handful of nuts sprinkled all over. I have been avoiding nuts as a dietary precaution, and was a actually hoping it would be temporary. We’re going to find out, I guess. Bon appetite!
Driving through the pearly gates
My brother and SIL arrived in Walt Disney World several days ago so I decided to drive up and see them. Let’s have some fun! Everybody neat and pretty? Good – let’s go!
The first sea shell I ever picked up in Southwest Florida
Who could forget the magic of finding something so small, so perfect, so enchanting? This sea shell is the Florida cerith, also known as the dark cerith, if you are reading about them on the Bailey-Matthews Shell museum web site.
This was the first kind of sea shell that I ever picked up in Southwest Florida. I’d come for an extended weekend with my three best friends from high school. We were celebrating a milestone birthday with a few nights in a beach cottage on Sanibel Island. I sat down in the sand, with the tide nibbling at my feet, and started examining all the bits and pieces around me. The joy of finding something so tiny and whole and miraculous cannot be adequately described.
Of course, back in my early days of shelling, I wasn’t so discerning and tended to not realize when a cerith was missing it’s “ear” – my term for the aperture. This one is perfectly intact. These little beauties like to hang out in the sandy bottoms and the grass flats of the Gulf, so it’s not uncommon to find them near inlets and bays, and not at all surprising that I spied this one sticking out of the wet sand on Bunche Beach in Fort Myers, FL. To this day, I still get down in the sand to find small sea shells like these. It’s one of my favorite things to do at the beach.
Sand collar on the shore at Bunche Beach
I feel lucky to have finally discovered one of these – it’s a sand
collar, or more accurately, the egg mass of a moon snail. "Moon snail"
is the common name for a family of gastropods known as Naticidae. The
snail uses sand and it’s own mucus to make these collars, which consist
of two layers. The eggs are between the layers. It’s pretty sturdy
until the babies start to hatch; then, it just disintegrates. This
means that no one should really have a sand collar in their
beach-combing collection, for if it’s intact, that means it was still
carrying babies. If you find one, by all means examine it, but then
leave it where it is so the eggs can hatch.
sand collar from Bunch Beach in Fort Myers, Florida
A random act of shelling at Bunche Beach
I have a lot of shells; make that a whole LOT of shells. They live in
Rubbermaid bins and plastic Domino sugar containers in a big kitchen
cabinet. They clutter book shelves, fill up bowls on the piano and the
kitchen breakfast bar, and generally hang out in odd places here and there,
all over the house. I’m going to say something that would have been unheard
of 10-12 years ago when I first started to collect sea shells. I have TOO
MANY shells.
Still, I love to trawl the beach, and I cannot break myself of the habit of
looking for them and picking them up. But I know that when I get them
home, I will have to perform some combination of washing, de-sanding,
de-stinking, barnacle removal, drying out, sorting, shining, and putting
away. You know, in those Rubbermaid bins and plastic Domino sugar
containers in the big kitchen cabinet.
So last week, I freely looked and hunted and collected, but stopped just
short of bringing them home. Instead, I went up a little way beyond the
high tide line, wrote a message in the sand, and left my gifts from the sea
for some (hopefully delighted) tourist to find.
I think I’ve discovered a new hobby 🙂
[image: sea shells for you Bunche Beach Fort Myers Florida]
Striped burrfish at Bunche Beach
Striped burrfish at Bunche Beach, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
After photography class the other day, during which I was treated to a dizzying array of fun facts about my digital camera, I went for a walk at San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve in Fort Myers. The Gulf coast has suffered a recent spate of red tide occurrences, ranging from up in Sarasota to as far south as Naples, on the northern tip of the west Everglades. This, combined with a series of cold fronts, has resulted in some fish kill. While dead fishes washing up en masse isn’t fun for anyone, it does afford an opportunity to examine species that a non-fishing enthusiast (like me) would not normally get to see.
This is a *striped burrfish*, also called a *spiny boxfish*. The first thing I noticed about it, aside from the painful-looking spines, was his black spots. This reminded me of some butterfly species who have “false eyes”, dots on their wings that fool predators into thinking it’s a much larger “something else”, something not so tasty as a butterfly.
According to some quick research, the striped burrfish seems to like warmer waters than we’ve had; although they range up to New Jersey for spawning, that usually happens only when the water up north is warmer, typically July. The southern end of their range is the West Indies. The beaches were cleaned of dead fish after last week’s episode with red tide, so I’m leaning toward the possibility that this little dude expired of the cold.
Frosty The Sandman visits Southwest Florida
The last several days have been very chilly here in Southwest Florida.
In a few days, we’ll be heading out of the cold snap and into more
moderate overnight temperatures. In the meantime, some enterprising
tourists have developed a method of melding North and South, frozen
tundra and beachy bliss. Allow me to introduce Frosty the Sandman. I’ve
seen him gracing the beaches before, but never with the Sanibel Causeway
in the background. Yesterday was a beautiful day for a coastal nature
hike, and I’m glad I stopped on the way home from a class. I’ve got
other treasures to share from this expedition, so stay tuned!
All About Rainbows
As I was rolling the trash cans to the curb on Sunday evening (March 3rd 2013), I noticed water droplets in the driveway. Yet, the sun was shining brightly. I looked up as I rolled, and what I saw made me first gasp, then run inside and grab my phone. The entire arc of a rainbow stood before me in the east. Dark clouds, presumably the source for those driveway droplets, provided a drama-filled backdrop for the spectacle.
A rainbow isn’t really an object or a thing; it’s more of a phenomenon. A rainbow happens as a result of light being reflected in water droplets in the atmosphere. The primary rainbow has red on the outside of the arc and progresses through Roy G. Biv until it reaches violet on the inside of the arc.
When light reflects on the water droplets twice, the result is a double rainbow. The order of the colors is reversed on the second rainbow. There’s a very faint 2nd rainbow in this photo. If you look closely near where the lamp post on the right intersects with the roof of a house, you can just about make out a faint tracing of my rainbow’s twin.
A rainbow will appear in the sky directly opposite of where the sun is. The front of my house faces east, and I’m standing in the front, in the driveway, taking this photo. Therefore, we know that the sun is in the western sky, and that it must be later in the day.
You can walk toward a rainbow all you want, but because it is not an object, you will never get “there”. This is why the leprechauns hide their pots of gold at the ends of rainbows; it’s a sure bet they won’t have to share 😉
(taken in Panorama mode with my iPhone 4S)
Downtown Pizza! In Fort Myers
Downtown Pizza! In Fort Myers, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
It was cold and windy, so after touring the farm, making some purchases, and standing around schmoozing for awhile, we headed to the warmth and comfort of Downtown Pizza, in the Fort Myers River District. We finished our lunch and, revived, took a walk around the waterfront. Then, weaving our way through the streets, we finally arrived back at the car.
The farm stand at Roots Heritage Urban Farm is located at 3901 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (SR 82) in Fort Myers FL. They plan to be open 6 days a week, and want to expand into a real farmers market. If you are a vendor, check them out!
Lee County’s organic compost
Lee County’ organic compost, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
Lee County FL produces and sells organic compost. It is made primarily from yard waste; in my neighborhood, that’s collected on Fridays. It can be used to amend soil or to top dress/mulch plants and trees. And it is exempt from lee County’s fertilizer ordinance June through September.
More produce
I got some of those oranges too
Produce for sale
A farmers market is developing here. I got some local honey.
Onions popping out of the ground
It’s really neat to see how they look while growing
Gray skies today in Fort Myers
Looks like we might get rained on – it’s pretty cold, too.
Mushrooms at Roots Heritage
I believe they might be "volunteers" that came in with the compost
Arriving at Roots Heritage Farm
We’re going to take a stroll amongst the rows
Today’s Adventure: Roots Heritage Urban Food Hub in Fort Myers, FL
Roots Heritage Urban Food Hub will celebrate their Grand Opening today here in Fort Myers, FL.
Roots Heritage Urban Food Hub is a sustainable garden growing on 5 acres off Martin Luther King Blvd where seasonal vegetables are grown without chemical assistance, using recycled water and bio solids.
We’re hoping that something tasty for lunch will be for sale. If not, there’s always the possibility of pizza in the Downtown Fort Myers area.
Weather permitting, I’ll mobile blog some photos when we get there.
Ready? Lets go! 🙂
For Snowbird – See Ya Real Soon
In Memory Of
Nancy “Snowbird” Runta
“See Ya Real Soon”
Mickey on a stick – so good!
I’ll go back to eating properly tomorrow. Right now, I am in Walt Disney World and I want a Mickey-shaped treat!
Glimpse of the giant anteater
The giant anteater in The Oasis is often not viewable. He does value his privacy, so it’s a rare opportunity when he deigns to make an appearance.
Frazier Crane – Flights of Wonder
A beautiful crowned crane swooped low over our heads just after striking this pose at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
View from Disney’s Yak and Yeti
We have the table directly above the prayer tree out front of the Yak and Yeti restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Flamingos around Discovery Island
There were several new babies in the group but they were shy and hanging back.
A pillar of orchids
We are at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, making our leisurely way toward Asia and lunch. We found orchids blooming in a tree, towering over The Oasis.
Our view at Disney’s Saratoga Sorings Resort
We are preparing to check out. I glanced out the window and saw the Downtown Disney balloon ride coming in for a landing. Too cool!
Cold morning, hot springs
Steam rises off the swimming pool at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. It’s only 39 degrees F this morning in Lake Buena Vista – BRRRR!
Morning stroll at Disney’s Saratoga Springs
It feels even colder this morning than it did yesterday, but I am determined to see some of this resort on foot before we have to check out. Onward!
Longawalka Disney
It is not a short walk from out rooms at Saratoga Springs, but it’s a pretty one.
Bibbity bobbity ball gown
Cinderella and her prince, preceded by the Fairy Godmother in the parade at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Hitching a ride in the Magic Kingdom
Mary Poppins and Burt hitch a ride with Aladdin’s genie in the afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom.
Catching the parade as we exit Magic Kingdom
We are headed to the Boardwalk for dinner – taking in the parade as we make out way out to the bus stops.
Hollow, so not as bad as all that
The view from the Swiss Family Tree House
Haven’t been up here in a while. Unfortunately, there is no place to "pull over" and enjoy these views of the Magic Kingdom, but we can quickly snap a photo to savor later on.
Yo ho, yo ho!
Heading into Pirates if the Caribbean with the niece.
Ain’t no one getting thrown in de briar patch today
Splash Mountain is under rehad – perhaps it is being rid I it’s uniquely pungent odor? Hope springs – or splashes – eternal.
One of my Disney weaknesses
Pretzels are one of my guilty pleasures while visiting a Disney park. Now that they are shaped like Mickey, they are even more of a must-do.
Ariel and the Beast’s castle
The way Disney has laid out the new section of Fantasyland reminds me a bit of Disneyland Paris. That park features dueling castles too; the castle of Alice in Wonderland’s Red Queen looms over the rear of the Paris park in a similar manner to that of the Beast’s castle here in Orlando.
There’s no one QUITE like Gaston…
Next door to Be Our Guest, where there is a horrific line to get in, is Gaston’s Tavern. Love the bronze effigy of him in the fountain out front – what a comical touch, especially when his theme song begins to play in the tiny courtyard. Too cool!
Main Street USA refurb continues
I suppose I should be thankful that the bakery at the Magic Kingdom is being refurbished – removes temptation! However, they are noticeably still pumping "Eau Du Baked Goods" onto the sidewalk out front.
The Walt Disney World Rail Road
Disney is now scanning paper tickets by hand with what looks like an iPhone! As soon as I passed the ticket scanners, the Walt Disney World Rail Road pulled into Main Street Station with a clang and a bang and a woo-woo of the whistle. Yes, the sky really IS that shade of blue today 🙂
A fountain view at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
I snapped this shot while walking to the bus stop from my room. It’s a beautiful if brisk morning at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. I am headed to the Magic Kingdom, where I will visit the newest section of Fantasyland.
The rest of the family is moving even more slowly than I am, and I am not sure what time I will meet them or where.
The bus is here now – let’s go!
Donald Duck at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
G’morning, everyone. Spotted our pal Donald Duck while out for a brisk walk this morning at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, and I do mean brisk! It’s only 45 degrees in Orlando at the moment. Definitely sweatshirt weather! Now for some coffee – will check in with you again later on!
Today’s adventure: what’s better than having a brother with more DVC points than God?
Today’s adventure: what’s better than having a brother with more DVC points than God?, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
Answer: not much 😉 I just checked into Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort
for the weekend. Chez Bro and da fam are already at EPCOT. We’ll take a
detour to Downtown Disney to lunch with some friends and then catch up with
them in the afternoon. Lets go!
Chefs de France in Eepcot
Earlier, before we were seated, the whole Chefs de France staff came running and applauded wildly around a particular table. A Cast Member told me, "She said yes!" Awww!
The new Boulangerie Patissierie
"Work rushes in to fill a void" and "If you build it, they will come" both come to mind. What used to be a hole in the wall with a handful of tables is now a BOOMING eatery in EPCOT’s France.
Morocco through the tangerines
We are wandering th World showcase!