New Years Day for the birds (and turtles and alligators)

We passed the first day of 2014 quietly, ahhhh.   We went out for breakfast (at lunch time) across the street at a great little place, Cortez Cafe.   Its been there for more than 60 years and is still going strong for breakfast and lunch.    I finally got my waffle!     Afterwards we took Judi on a quick tour of the coastline by driving down to Venice.   We store our funky wire Christmas tree at Cindy and Norm's second home there.   Judi's ex is Norm's cousin - small world.    Before we left Venice we checked out the Venice Rookery to see if there was anyone home on babysitting duty.  The Rookery is a very small island in a very small lake behind the Venice Municipal and Police Department complex.  

on the way to the Rookery his head was turned by a Cadillac....

turns out I only captured a shot of his tail!   So glad I didn't see more of his enormous self...

Wheeeeee  look at me, look at me!

and then he (it had to be a "he", right?) sprung straight in the air!
She gave him a look, then walked away.

part of a very long mural in "downtown" Venice

For dinner we made tasty crab cakes with remoulade  finished our champagne and just generally relaxed.

Judi was supposed to leave this afternoon, but if you've noticed, the northeast is getting socked with another huge snow storm and her flight was cancelled.   We read the writing on the wall earlier in the day, though, and changed her return flight to one tomorrow.   Finger's crossed that things will sort themselves out by then.   So, we're all celebrating her being with us another day by going out to the Lazy Lobster for - lobster.   Yay!