Spring In Sanford at Monroe Harbor Marina (by Jim)

I'm sure if you keep up with our blog you are wondering what we have been doing since February.  Well, all the projects that I mentioned in February are completed. The varnishing on the interior took a lot more time than I planned. We wanted to change from semigloss to gloss varnish that meant that most every thing required 6 to 7 coats to get the look we wanted. I also changed all the hinges and door hardware while I had every thing apart.

The normal maintenance is also done now. Oil and filter changed on main engines. Primary and secondary fuel filters changed and the housings cleaned. I also changed the raw water impellers on the main engines.


We have a really primo spot in the marina with a good view of the lake and wildlife. We have gotten to see Bald Eagles and Osprey take a bath on a little strip of land along the sea wall (our beach). We recently had three gators laying in the same area. (two over 11ft). Blue Heron, Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, etc have been visiting our little beach too. We also have a family of ducks that visit us several times a day, a momma and 13 babies! Of course Paula feeds them so now we can't go outside without getting run down by the 'kids'.


Some pictures from our "Beach"!

Osprey taking a bath. This guy came by for a bath almost daily!

Bald Eagle taking a bath. He was by fairly often

Do you know where an 11' gator sleeps? (Where ever he wants)

Great Blue Heron with the catch of the day

White Ibis

Paula's baby ducks headed over for a several times daily feeding

Moorhen

An Anhinga.  We actually had to rescue one on the dock one afternoon. He had gotten several feet of fishing line wrapped around himself plus a piece of cloth caught in his beak. (Their beaks are barbed so that the food doesn't slip off it also keeps anything else from coming off) I caught him, Paula held him and I cut him loose.

Tricolored Heron

Cattle Egret