Three Sheets on the Rocks

With the drought, I’ve been scattering birdbaths, bird feeders and hummingbird feeders around the yard. Today the bath was discovered by bananaquits and they have been playing in it all day. I was hoping to draw them in! We’ve got several hummingbirds now as well, but I’ve not yet captured one with my lens. One hummingbird follows me along the fence line when I water, patiently waiting for the mist setting so it can properly bath. It’s become a near daily routine.

We’ve had windy, dry days with no rain in sight. When that happens, I’m not just watering my thirsty plants. I spray the stone walls, palm fronds and mist the ground cover for the abundant anoles in the yard and keep hummingbird feeders fresh. I also keep a shallow terracotta dish on my porch railing topped off for the bees—they land on it as I’m pouring the water for them. Now I am in search of a bird bath.

We took a short trip to St. Thomas this weekend to check out a boat show and to catch up with some friends. Flying back with lots to think about, we smiled as we crossed over the west end of St. Croix, grateful to be home. Yes, we are “One VI,” but there is no place like this place.

Oystercatchers occasionally wander the beaches here, usually in mated pairs. They are relatively quiet until I approach, then they have a nervous sounding, repetitive high pitch chirp. After I’m still for a moment they calm and continue scavenging, but until then they watch me warily, darting further away if I make any small movement.

Last night’s drone flight from our house revealed a gorgeous pastel sky to our south reflected in the salt pond at Sandy Point. Zoom in to the little spit of land sticking out of the top right of the point and you will see where the final scene of Shawshank Redemption was filmed.

Good evening!

I know I have not shared much lately. Mike and I have a couple of big projects in the works that are keeping me incredibly busy. I’ll promise to write all about them when we are further along, but in the meantime, I’ll shoot anytime I can get myself out and about. Or, at least launch my drone more if I’m stuck at home. 😊

A friend and I went searching for crashing waves from a recent north swell. We ended up wandering up a steep scenic drive and my favorite view of the day had nothing to do with big waves—the Carambola resort is stunning from above, its red rooftops dotted along a lush green canopy and surrounded by the turquoise sea. The property is currently undergoing much needed renovations and I can only hope they keep the red rooftops. Time will tell!

Fun fact - the beach and bay at the bottom left is where the final scene of Trading Places was filmed and why Dan Aykroyd is still sometimes spotted around St Croix.

“Looking Good Billy Ray!”
“Feeling Good Louis!”

Though the evening was dreary and overcast, a sliver of light burned through the clouds just before the sunset. I was already in the sand watching these juvenile little blue herons interact when the sea turned pink behind them . The herons are giving me a great show this week!

One moment I was talking with a friend, saying that I’ve not been inspired lately to take many photos. The next moment the sunset lit the water gold and I sunk down in the sand to capture a heron family dancing on the rocks. It’s like they heard me calling.

Beware of dinosaurs roaming the beach! Love the mix of colors on this iguana. 🦎💚🏝️