I saw an Eagle today

I had heard the Eagles were back, but had not seen one.  Last week i saw an Osprey and figured that was what was in 'that tree.'  But it looked bigger and that all white head with distinctive beak gave it away as the American Bald Eagle.  He sat in the nearest large tree looking this way and that.  I hid so he wouldn't try to catch me!  I got several shots of him sitting and looking when all of a sudden he took off and grabbed a fish and flew away.  Pretty cool to see and glad to be able to share it with you.

A killer Sunrise shot from today.

Tonight's Sunset Rocked!

I apologize, but i didnt really do much today.  i went to the Pig and the Marina.  I'm running the generator now to make water and charge up the batteries.  I checked on the new spokes for my bike.  Paid some bills and plotted my course for the next voyage.  That's it.  I should have taken a nap!  Oh well, cant do everything.  That's gonna be on tomorrows list.  will make dinner and stay on board tonight.  I hope you are catching some great views of your Eagle today?   -Capn Skip

PS.  Almost forgot.  David Cox was commiserating about having Tommy Bonds in town and asked me if i had lost weight.  (it could be trick photography?)  Truth is, yes i have lost some weight.  No surprise there.  All the work and exercise i get in my new relaxed retired lifestyle is beating me into shape.  I have to ride my bike anywhere i want to go.  Plus i have to raise and lower the dingy and that's a workout.  Next i dont eat 'regular' like i did when i worked.  ("it's lunch time where are we going to lunch?")  Now i have to make it my self, so i dont get the blue plate special.  It's been so darn hot that it sometimes was too hot to cook.  i have coffee and maybe a bowl of cereal instead of the Senior Plate at Ihop....    I last stood on a scale in July and that hit 227 pounds.  Yesterday i stood on a scale at a store here and weigh 205.  My guess is, i should write a book.  "How to lose 20 pounds eating Skip's cooking."  The good news is i can jump on the bike and ride all day and am not sore any more.  So i might keep the weight off.  Or, it might turn winter and i'll cook more?  I haven't decided yet.  Stay tuned for the saga of my belt and it's workload.  *I don't recall ever seeing an obese Pirate?

PSS.  when i went out to check the lights tonight i found a Blue Heron sitting on the bowsprit.

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

First, I'm just dying to tell you - Tommy Bonds drove down for a visit yesterday.  (Tommy and i went to high school together)  He lives at Signal Mountain, TN.  (the other side of Chattanooga, that's a crazy 8 hrs each way)  So we packed all the punch into the visit that we could.  It was a walking feast of Oysters, Crab, seafood and drinks!

Thanks for a great visit Tommy!  You are always welcome back.

 This local fisherman (see the lights up front) says what i saw the other night was either: a. frog gigging (usually earlier in the year. "we got us a mess of about 60 one night") or b. flounder gigging.

 He said he was moving his house about 9 miles up river.  

I decided to write just a small note more about The Old Cemetery.   

#37. Aunt Bella.  One of two slave markers in the cemetery.

#27. Double drowning.  "playing at the pier, she fell in and he jumped in to save her."

Oh the weather here is so incredible the last 4 days.  

I hope you are enjoying great weather wherever your yacht is anchored.  

Yaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrr!    -Capn Skip