Crazy Blue Bird Out My Window

Meet my crazy little Blue Bird Friend.  I say crazy because.  He or see, was trying to get into my villa while I was vacationing recently with two lady friends at Marriott's Monarch in Hilton Head.  I'm on the inside taking the picture with my cell phone through the glass (dirty) and screen door (dirty).  You hear of birds flying into really clean windows, but this sliding glass door and screen were anything but clean.  There was construction being done on the balcony (which was off limits to us as a result).  So, lots of extra dirt due to the construction and a good amount of yellow pollen from the Pine trees.  Soooooo, pretty sure this little guy wasn't confused about it.

Clearly he is staring right inside.  It was early, I wasn't yet out of bed and heard a tapping, and frankly thought the workers were early.  Quickly got up to look out on the patio when I see this bird jumping up from this dirty lounge chair (notice bird droppings), and hitting his head on the glass.  Over and over, thus the noise I heard.  I ran towards the glass hoping my movement would make it stopped, fly away or something.  Was afraid it was going to hurt itself.

It would take flight to the other side of the balcony and perch on the ledge.  Good I thought, problem solved.

He turned around and flew back.  Again perched on the chair and started jumping up/flying up and hitting it's head...tap, tap, tap.  

He did this multiple times.  Each time I thought I had him chased off, he'd come back.  This went on for about 10 minutes while I was standing there.  Obviously longer considering I could hear it before going to the door to see what was going on.

I kept taking pictures, at various stages.  Finally several other birds, coastal bird types landing on the balcony ledge and when they flew off, the Blue Bird joined them.  I was relieved.    

I was surprised to see a Blue Bird on the coast.  We were ocean front for one and for two...as I mentioned how dirty the glass and screen were wouldn't think it would be confused...AND once it tried to fly through and hit it's head......why didn't it stop?

Later that afternoon, the Blue Bird returned; but by then the chair had been moved (due to construction) and the bird couldn't sit on it to fly up to hit his head.  He perched awhile on the ledge, and flew off.  We didn't see the bird again for the rest of our trip.

I'm not a birder, but enjoy watching them at times.  Blue Birds are in the Turdidate Family.  They are a North American medium sized bird that is primarily insectivorous and omnivorous.

This link will take you to a site where a link to click to hear the pretty chirp.  CLICK HERE

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Gullah Geechee Corridor, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

The 2nd Floor at The Westin Hotel on Hilton Island houses a wonderful display to learn about the history of the island.  There's information about the environment, history connected to both The Civil War and The Revolutionary War.  Information regarding Mitchelville and the large Gullah Geechee Corridor.  

It was hard to try and take pictures without getting the reflections from the lights.

If you click on these pictures, you'll see them enlarge.  I hope you can see the information about the 2 brothers, Thomas Drayton and Percival Drayton.  We all know from our school days about families being divided during the Civil War.  He's an example.  Thomas was a Confederate in charge of Ft. Walker and Ft Beauregard, while his brother Percival stayed in the Union and was the Commander of The USS Pocahontas, which was the ship that fired on Ft. Walker and Ft. Beauregard.

Mitchellville was a self governing Black Community that was located at the North end of the Island.  It was far more than a refugee camp.  At the north end of the Island you see lots of signs stating it's part of the Gullah Geechee Corridor.  The Gullah Geechee are descendants of slaves.  The Corridor was established as a Federal National Heritage Area that runs from just north of Wilmington to as far south as St. Johns County, Florida on the cost.  

The exhibit is free and well worth the time. There is much to learn, and more to do on the island then just enjoying beach time.  Add this stop to your vacation itinerary.

There are guided tours of The Gullah area's as well.

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Hilton Head, South Carolina in Pictures

Salty Dog Cafe, in South Beach a popular destination in Hilton Head.  Bloody Mary at the outside bar area.  

Iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse.  You can tour the lighthouse museum.  The construction to the left of the lighthouse is for a large restaurant with outside space called The Quarter Deck, scheduled to be open in time for The Heritage Golf Classis in mid April.

Miles and miles of walking and or bike paths Hilton Head Island.  Most rental properties rent bikes, and there are private businesses with bike rentals on the island as well.  You can rent by day, or by the week.

Daufuskie Island a short ferry ride from Hilton Head, about a third of the size of Hilton Head Island is a popular day trip.  Ferry over, rent a golf cart and cruise the island.  It's historic, and probably looks the way Hilton Head did before the bridge was built which caused the island to grow by leaps and bounds.  Pat Conroy's "Prince of Tides", put the island on the map.

Grande Ocean, one of 7 Marriott Time Shares on the island.  Not the best picture folks, but this resort is in the middle of the island with garden views, ocean front views and ocean side views.  A beautiful resort right on the beach.

A beautiful Camelia at Honey Horn Coastal Park.  There is much to see and do at Honey Horn.  I blogged about it HERE.  There are many varieties to view.  

A map of the island showing the locations of the 7 Marriott Time Shares.  The island is shaped like a foot with Harbour Town in the toe.

Marriott''s Harbour Pointe and Sunset Pointe, in Shelton Cove are located mid Island.  This is the pool and sundeck area.  There's a large shopping center at Shelter Cove for dining and shopping.

Pretty flowers abound everywhere on the island.

If you've not traveled to Hilton Head, put it on your bucket list of places to travel

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Honey Horn Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Island, SC

Honey Run Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC  29926.  We've been to Hilton Head many times, but have never taken the time to visit Honey Horn Coastal Discovery Museum...and should have long ago.  There is much to see and do here.  The museum itself is free and small but worth the time.  You can learn much about the history of the island, make a nice purchase at the little gift shop (I did), and have the opportunity to sign the quest book and leave a donation.  We did all those things.

There are walking trails, restrooms, a butterfly house, a Camellia Garden, an Osprey nesting platform, boardwalk areas, views of the marsh/sound, and Marsh Tacky Horses.  The grounds are quite pretty and worth time to explore.  I've been there twice viewing different areas each time I visited; but plan to go back.

The Marsh Tacky Horse, is a very special breed, and close to extinction with less than 100 breeding mares in the world.  They're not particularly large horses, but have the ability to work in swampy areas without getting stuck.  Their hoof's make the difference.  The strain comes from colonial Spanish horses that have adapted to the area.  SC passed a bill naming The Carolina Marsh Tacky the state heritage horse in June of 2010.

Views of the marsh from a boardwalk area where you can see coastal birds and other wildlife.

A pretty outdoor patio with water feature and pretty gardens often used for special events.

As mentioned above a butterfly house.  As I was there in January, we didn't tour inside; but hope to go back in Spring when there might be more activity to see.

Sign boards explain some history about the area., as well what wild life might be seen.

A small historic cemetery, former location of Honey Horn Chapel (circa 1930's).  The Chapel has been relocated to First Presbyterian Church in the 1990's.

Art display in the museum was interesting.

One of many plaques to honor people important to Hilton Head's history.  There will be a follow up post to highlight a few of these special people.  AND a separate post to show some of the beautiful Camellia's that were blooming when I was there in January.

The museum hours are Monday through Sat 9 am until 4:30 pm (Gate is locked at 5 pm), and 11:00 am until 3pm on Sunday's with the gate being locked at 3:30 pm.

To visit their website, click HERE.  The Museum offers a variety of guided toursw and special activities and programs throughout the year.

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Jarvis Creek Park, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

This big boy was the first to greet us....he's wasn't the least bit shy.  We spotted him very near the walk way which had me a bit un-nerved.  My friend, and the awesome photographer; Margaret said she's seen him before on a previous visit to Jarvis Creek Park.  We choose to go the opposite direction, by the way.  He seems to like to station himself near the small fishing dock; so please be aware folks.  Through out the park are plenty of signs indicating the presence of alligators with warnings to all NOT to feed them.

Jarvis Creek Park and Fitness Trail in Hilton Head, is just off highway 278, William Hilton Parkway at 50 Jarvis Creek Road.  It's a 53 acre park with much to offer.  There are nice restrooms, picnic areas, play areas for the kids, lots of wildlife to enjoy and pretty scenery.

Margaret zoomed and got some really nice photo's of the wild life, while I kept a look out for gators!  She took some photo's with her cell phone and others with a nice camera with a good zoom lens.

This "duck" intrigued us, as we were unfamiliar with it.  Turns out it's not a duck after all, it's a Common Gallinule, (Gallinula galeata) sometimes referred to as a Common Moorhen, especially in older field guides.  After our walk, Margaret did some googling and thought she'd found what it was, and I sent the picture to a blog friend, birder, David who confirmed it.  Please visit his blog for lots of interesting information and wonderful wildlife photo's.

This Blue Heron was hard to see, he was so close to us; but the camouflage was great and we only saw it when it moved.  

The Turtles were all clustered together getting some sun, apparently not minding being all bunched together.

In additional to the pretty scenery and wildlife, there is a pro-WEllness area with 10+ pieces of equipment stationed behind a large Old Live Oak with directions on how to use each piece of eq1uipment.  I confess....I did not see this as we walked, but their website says it's there.  This exercise area was built by Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Chamber of Chamber of Commerce.

The walking path is smooth and wide and flat (about a mile loop), so very accessible to all.  Regular Park Hours are 6 am til 9pm, but winter hours (in effect when daylight savings time stops) is 6 am til 6 pm.

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Eerie Beach Walk Hilton Head Island

 Back in January hubby and I spent several weeks on Hilton Head Island.  We go every January.  Some think it an odd time to go to the beach, but it beats whatever the weather is here in Ohio.  It's generally warm enough to take walks, or ride bikes or play golf.  Sweater weather or a bit more.  Once in awhile fog will roll in about 4 o'clock.   It's usually quite quick and doesn't last long.

 This year however, we had days of fog.  Literally  3 or 4 days in a row that lasted all day.  It was quite bizarre.  As you can tell, you really can't see the ocean.  One day as I started out to walk from our condo (Marriott's Monarch in Sea Pines), I turned around and realized I couldn't even see the resort and thought I might not be able to find my way back.  

 This day's visibility was a bit better, but certainly not much by way of distance.  The blue walk way was very helpful though as I was making my way back.

It was rather eerie I thought.  You could hear people talking often but not actually see them until you were right up close.  Not sure why we had so much of it this year, but it kept me from walking as much as I usually do.  It kept me from bike riding as well.  If you can't see where you're going...best not go.  Now hubby still managed to play golf because the courses were far enough away from the ocean and they would clear.

I did a fair amount of knitting and participating in the resorts activities like playing Bingo and Trivia.  



PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your blogger profile.   Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit.

Take and Bake Pizza

*It's Menu Monday*
 Mama Mimi's Take and Bake Pizza.  Always made with fresh tasty ingredients.  A nice way to do quick, easy, affordable gourmet pizza at home.  There are several locations here in Columbus, Ohio.  These came from the Grandview location at King and North Star.  Picked them up on my way home from work.  I like the lighter pizza's with white sauce and or oils.

Hubby prefers red sauce and a combo of meat and veggies.  A small pizza a piece is perfect.  If you've not tried Mama Mimi's Take and Bake Pizza, I encourage you to do so.  Pizza's come with directions about how to cook them.  You'll not be disappointed.  Generally cheaper then a wood fired pizza you'd get out, perhaps a bit more then a regular pizza...depending on what you put on your pizza.

When we travel, we also enjoy Take and Bake.  In Hitlon Head we've ordered from TJ's multiple times and have never been disappointed.  There too there are multiple locations.  We've always ordered from The South End location on Palmentto Bay Road.  Their menu is varied with plenty of choices for all appetites.  I highly recommend TJ's Pizza in Hilton Head.

Take and Bake Pizza, add it to your menu list while vacationing.  Check for locations near you and enjoy. 

Hope to see you again next Monday for Menu Monday 

Foggy Day on Hilton Head

 You may not be able to tell, but this looking out at the beach from my balcony at Marriott's Monarch on Hilton Head Island.  It was an unusual morning in January of 2013.  Some fog rolled in the previous evening around 4 pm, but only lasted a short while.  This morning fog lasted several hours.

 It was odd, pretty, and sorta eery all at the same time.   Was interesting how quiet everything seemed as well.  Hubby and I relaxed after breakfast in the villa until the fog lifted and then went out and enjoyed the day.

If you look real carefully, you can see the pool.  We've never experienced this before even though we've been to Hilton Head 4 times, so thought I'd share these few pictures with you.

Crazy Crab Hilton Head Island

 What to do when you've been out shopping in Harbour Town on your BIKE, and it starts raining?  Hubby says, "you hungry?"  Great plan, let's have lunch here instead of riding our bikes back to the condo (Marriott's Monarch), and maybe by the time lunch is over...the rain will be gone.  Normally riding a bike in the rain isn't a big deal.  Unless it's cold, which it wasn't.  But, I had just purchased a nice wool sweater and really didn't want to get the new sweater all wet in the ride back.  Doesn't the Bloody Mary look awesome?  It was!

 And how perfect is this?  Naturally a beachy place for lunch is the place to stop.  The Crazy Crab in Harbour Town isn't the only Crazy Crab on the Island; but this location is perfect for shopping, eating, and sight-seeing.

 The menu is quite diverse, from simple things like my Fish N Chips to Lobster.  The place really rocks at night, I'm told.  It's quite large with several different rooms.

 Now this is the best fish n chips I've ever eaten.  Truly.  Not the last bit greasy.  I'm not a lover of fish at all and enjoyed every bite.  The slaw was fabulous and even the tartar sause and cocktail sauce were special.  I highly recommend you put this on your must eat list.  Hubby had, I think blacken grouper which was also fabulous. 

When lunch was over, it was still raining a bit.  So the manager double bagged my new sweater to help me keep it dry while I made my way to the bike rack.    However, hubby had gone ahead and brought the car back.  He was already wet and being nice thought it silly for 2 of us to be wet, so I drove the car back and he road my bike back.  What a guy!

I've mentioned this restaurant in a previous post, from an earlier trip, HERE; but this is the first we've eaten.  It won't be the only time though.  We do plan to return.  It's family oriented, casual, but has a nice upscale menu for adults in the evening.  Service was excellent.

*next Menu Monday is February 3, 2013.*