Westward Bound - Day 7, Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sunday defied the predictions of 40% rain and dawn brought us a beautiful, warm, sunny day with 0% rain! So as soon as we ate breakfast we jumped into our swimsuits and headed over to the beach.

The pristine beach of St. Andrews is so, so much nicer
than the more commercial  area of the beaches.

At first, all of us, except Bob,  set up our chairs under the pier, 

where our sun-avoiders, Richard and Grace planned to stay. 

Okay, who is taking a picture of whom?

My favorite thing to do at the beach....READ! I'm loving the shade
new SportBrella provides. I think I have finally found the perfect beach chair!

The awesome view from my chair.

Off for a walk on the beach.

 After the beach, we showered and took to the hammocks to enjoy watching the birds.

 

This heron was nestled between two pine trees
just to the right of my hammock.

 Our resident osprey would come and roost on the same exact branch, in the same exact tree every afternoon. He came back just before Bob, Paula, and Gracie had to head home.

Paula and Gracie, cutting up as they loaded up to go home.
So glad they were able to come  spend the weekend with us!

Being our last night at this wonderful park, we took one last bike ride down to Buttonbush Marsh and Gator Lake to enjoy the sites and sounds of all the birds....and even a gator, finally!

The red wing blackbirds are always a delight as they zip in and out.

We figure this fella is probably a six footer. He is the only gator we spotted in Gator Lake this week.
We did see a baby gator in the swamp across the road but just this one in Gator Lake.

Tomorrow we load up and head to Gautier, Mississippi, to explore Shepard State Park and spend time with Richard's brother, Geoffrey and his friend Kay. So long, St. Andrews!