St. George Island 2010

 As we have for about 15 years, we went to St. George Island, Florida for the MLK weekend. This time, because four of the five couples are retired, we added on a couple of days.

Saturday started, and stayed, rainy and windy, an inside day to be sure.

But the rain ended and dawn returned in glory.

Our Dinner Group/Big Chill friends gathered for the obligatory annual group shot.  From left, Len and Nancy Nowak, Elena and Dave Rigg, Kathy and Jim Frost, Ann and Josh Langston, and us.

Another group shot.

Keeping a red-rimmed eye on the creatures sharing their beach, these gulls enjoy the sunny day.

Martini Time, the last house on the beach before the state park.

A Sanderling in winter plumage (see  Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Eastern Region, 1977, pp. 365-66),  scurrying along the beach.

The Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) is "unique among birds in having lower mandible much longer (about one-third) that the upper."  The name "Skimmer" derives from a fishing technique in which they fly with the lower mandible cutting through the water.  Id., pp. 340-41.

Ann and Mike deep in discussion.

We gathered on the beach to play Kubb, a game introduced to us by the Langstons, which they alleged to be an old Vikings game, though no actual blood was shed, which seems out of keeping with any self-respecting Viking game.  Josh demonstrates proper form.  The baton he has just thrown is intended to knock down one of the pieces of wood lined up on the other end of the court, like the ones at his feet.

A kind passer-by took this shot of the eight of us who were playing, catching me on my approach to the line to throw the baton.

End of day. looking from the deck outside our room toward the sunset.