New Bikes, Farmers Markets, Pelican Rescue

We are getting back in the groove of condo living.  One of the things we really enjoy is a morning walk around our complex. Friday morning we spotted this woodpecker, working its way around a palm tree.
Friday afternoon, we decided to get new bikes.  Two years on the road and in the weather, was really hard on our 10 year old bikes.  The seats were torn and they had rusted up a bit.  So we decided it was time for new bikes.  We opted for the Giant Escape 2.  It is a hybrid but more of a road bike than the typical cushy hybrid. It will ride on dirt but when on the road you can get moving a little faster.

Saturday, we went to the Saturday Market in downtown St. Pete.  The market runs from October to May and this was the first weekend.  It was packed.  It is a really nice market with food, produce, fish, meat, bread and some arts and crafts.  There were lots of people, lots of dogs.  We really enjoyed it. When we got home, this dolphin was swimming right by our seawall. I managed to get a good fin shot :).

Later on Saturday, we rode our bikes down to Woody's waterfront.  We enjoyed a drink and some shrimp along with a spectacular view.  This sailboat came by as we were eating.  
Woody's is kind of a dive but there was a very friendly bunch there and the food was decent.  They have a great happy hour from 2-6 everyday but you have to sit inside.  


This morning, we walked to downtown St. Pete Beach for the market.  It is much smaller than the one in St. Pete. We picked up some good strawberries and tomatoes.  We took Grace.  She liked walking around the market but did not like that we made her ride in her cart to go over the drawbridge.  She just does not love that cart.  But, I was happy not to have to carry her.

After the market, Catherine decided to have a nap and I went out on the balcony to read the paper and have another cup of joe.  I heard a lady say - "I need a beach towel".  I looked down and she said there was an injured pelican by the seawall.  I brought her the towel.  We could see that the bird had a hook in it's bill and line wrapped around a wing.  She was not able to get it with the towel and it paddled out to open water.  She went to call bird rescue and I went to get more equipment: gloves, needle nose pliers, and scissors.  I came back out in search of the bird.  Catherine joined me.  He had floated back in towards shore.  I waded out and got between him and open water.  He moved towards shore and I threw the towel over him and got his bill.  I held him while Catherine took the hook out of his bill with the pliers and then went to work on all the fishing line.  It was wrapped around his wings and very tightly wrapped around his right leg and foot. It took a while to get it all off and he got pretty impatient with us but we managed it without further injury to him and no injury to us.

 I think the leg will be OK. It looked like it was still getting circulation. He floated away and we saw him stretch his wings out full length and flap. I rode my bike in the direction he floated away and could not find him.  We are hopeful that he flew away. 

The pelican in the pictures is not the one we rescued (we don't think) but we like to think he is now flying and diving somewhere nearby.
This afternoon, we are going to enjoy some football and watch the boat traffic from the patio.