Month: May 2018

backyard visitors, Florida wildlife, friends, nature, neighbors, photography, squirrels, technology

And then there were two…

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My plan was to edit the above photo a little differently, because last night when I took it I was brokenhearted to see Mama Sandhill crane returning to the nest with just one colt.  I was out there with the camera because I had just seen the other adult flying in, and he landed on my side of the lake.  I thought he had joined the family, but they weren’t there, then I saw the other adult and one baby.  Try as I might I never saw a second colt last night.  It wasn’t until I looked at this photo this morning that I saw him.  I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.  Whew.

My neighbor must have better eyesight than I do because she thought she saw a second one, but then we got distracted because she started calling her squirrel.  Yes, you read that right.  I happened to be heading out with both dogs a while back when her daughter pulled up out front and wanted me to see the three baby squirrels she was bringing to her mom’s house.  Over time I forgot all about that, but I got the rest of the story last night.  Two of the babies disappeared when they got bigger, but one, which has been named Rosie by her granddaughter, now has a little house within the pool screen.  And she has access to the outside through an opening in the screen made just for her.  So she is free, but comes back to her house at night, and will come when she is called.  Even with the dogs out there, all acting jealous because my neighbor was calling the squirrel, Rosie still raced around through the branches and eventually came down to get petted.  And I have proof…5-29rosie55-29rosie45-29rosie15-29rosie35-29rosie2That Rosie was loving her heavy petting session was obvious.  What she wasn’t appreciating so much was the camera clicking away in her face, so I left them to enjoy their moment…

Heros, honor, photography, soldiers, weather

Honoring our heros…

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I’m so thankful that a photographer friend suggested we go to the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery.  It was to be held rain or shine, and we prepared for the worst, but the weather was kind to us and it was a beautiful day for a very moving ceremony.

That it was a day of flags was obvious as soon as we entered the property.  The road was lined with flags, all gently moving in the breeze.  But as we followed the twists and turns of the road to find the parking area as we took each turn we saw field after field of grave markers, each of which were graced with a flag.  Volunteers had placed those flags the day before, and as they did they read each and every name of our deceased heros aloud.  And they did this in weather that was anything but kind.

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Flags of each state also lined the seating area.  As the Hernando High School band played a medley of all the services theme songs the veterans in the audience were asked to stand to be acknowledged, which was the first time I teared up.5-28Memorialday2The riderless horse was another emotional moment.  And as the cavalry, provided by the  Pasco Posse, marched we were treated to bagpipers playing Amazing Grace.  Yes, emotional.5-28Memorialday3Soon it was time for the 21 gun salute.  Which is extremely loud when you have a front row seat, so to speak.  I can see the smoke from the guns in this photo, it’s faint but it’s there.  Taps was played next.  A lone bugle, beautifully played…5-28Memorialday5

I’m ashamed that it took me all these years to attend a Memorial Day event.  As the daughter, wife, and mother of veterans there is no excuse.  It was a very emotional and moving sort of day.  And as I’m writing this I hear the rain pouring down.

blessings, connections, coping, courage, finding my way, healing, life goes on, live and learn, moon, old dogs new tricks, photography, sunset

It’s my blog-iversary!

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Who would have imagined that a random stop at Best Buy would be a life changing event?  It was late December of 2016, I was just at loose ends and wandering, shopping, and there it was, a nice DSLR camera that came with two lenses, and for less money than I ever would have thought.  There was no research on my part, no investigating of different brands or camera models, all of which would have been lost on me, and truth be told, still would.  No, it was a Canon, and I’d had a Canon 35mm camera before and loved it.  And a nice salesman my age, which for some reason made me feel more like I’d be able to figure the thing out.  Within a month the Sandhill cranes that frequented the lake out back laid some eggs, and that gave me a built in reason to sit out back with the camera with the nice new zoom lens and see what I could see.  And as much as my iPhone was and is a great camera, it wasn’t going to be enough once the cranes were on the scene.

The rest is history.  Local classes that had me attempting to learn to use the camera settings, and then came the infamous class on’ how to start a blog’, which I had never once given a thought to ahead of time.  I had become totally obsessed with the little crane family, watching the ‘colts’ grow, and the class on how to start a blog got a framework set up in the computer.  And wanting to tell their story got me writing.  I did wonder what I’d talk about after they had left the nest, which was almost enough to stop me from ever starting in the first place.  But I figured I’d worry about that later, besides, I thought, it’s not like anyone was going to read it anyhow.

All this is in anticipation of the one year anniversary of the first post.  I am well aware that I haven’t thanked the very nice people who have chosen to follow this blog, and who have encouraged me along the way.  I usually can’t remember what I posted a day or two ago because I’m onto the next photo op and wondering how I will turn it into a post.  And I’ve met such nice people online, and also in person through photography.  Yes, it’s been life changing.  Possibly life saving…

So, better late than never let me thank you now.  All of you.  It’s nice to have someone to talk to…5-27sunsetreflect5-27sunset15-27lastsunset

perseverance, photography, technology, the big picture, unintended images, weather

Alberto…

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The only living things that are appreciating Tropical Storm Alberto right now are the weeds that live in everyone’s yard.  They are growing like, well, weeds.  Last time this happened I had to hire landscapers to tame the jungle that had grown up when I wasn’t paying attention.  In the grand scheme of things complaining about the rain is rather pathetic.  It’ll stop sometime.

I took the opportunity to take some night photos the other night because the rain had stopped for a little while, and I really wanted to get out of the house.  I thought I’d ride through Brooksville and see if I could spot some nicely lit up buildings, but I hadn’t gotten very far up the road at all when Chulas lights caught my eye.  And in Brooksville I was surprised to see how pretty the courthouse looked all lit up.  It wasn’t the sort of photo I was going for, but that happens a lot of the time.  It would have been easier to stay home, but sometimes you just need to get out, if only for a little while.5-27chulas35-27chulas25-27courthouse35-27courthouse5-27courthouse2

fantasy images, Florida landmarks, fun, history, learning, photography, special effects, technology

The ‘atmospheric’ style…

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When the Tampa Theatre was built in 1926, the movie studios controlled the production, distribution, and venues where their movies were played.  John Eberson was the most sought after movie house designer of the times, and he pioneered the ‘atmospheric’ style, of which it was said that the Tampa Theatre was his favorite design.  Movie goers were to be transported, for several hours at least, to exotic courtyards, under moonlight skies complete with stars.  The theater survived the  Great Depression and WW2, but by the 70s it took a monumental effort to rescue this theater from becoming a parking lot.  Today the Tampa Theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places, and hosts more than 600 events each year.  Tours are held several times a month and the one I attended today was quite informative and entertaining.  And I learned that a silent film is scheduled to be shown on June 2nd, complete with a live orchestra.  There aren’t many people with the skills to play the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, and we were treated to a few tunes played for us today.

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Even with the new camera the size of the spaces in the theater were a challenge to photograph.  Even in the theater itself it’s hard to get far enough away to see it all in your viewer with the balconies overhead.  The starry, starry sky effect is quite lovely, and the photos don’t do it justice.  This was a fun way to spend a rainy day.  Thanks to the photographer friend who suggested this as a photo op.  I looked it up this morning and found I had just enough time to get myself there for the tour.  Must have been meant to be!

P. S. Love the new camera!

birds, Florida wildlife, live and learn, nature, on closer examination, perseverance, photography, sunrise, technology, weather

New technology…

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I gave in and ordered a new camera the other day.  A new to me, used camera.  Ordered because this particular camera is especially good at taking low light photos, and I know this because people much more talented than I am have been raving about it.  If I read one thing, however, it’s that you can’t expect to buy the most expensive camera and think it’s going to make you a better photographer.  But maybe a cheap camera can help.  If only I had read the manual last night because I couldn’t set the camera up in time to take full advantage of it’s functions this morning.  But it is tiny, looking a bit funny sitting atop the tripod, and I’m happy with the photos I got.  I so hope it doesn’t rain tonight so I can go back out and try again.

5-25heronsunset15-25heronsunsetHDR25-252footheronThe heron’s picture was taken with my big lens however.  I had enjoyed seeing him in the water in my sunrise photos, but when he flew over and landed on a post we suspected he might be One-Foot Fred.  We being the neighbor who’s house has appeared in a few of my photos.  He came out to say hello and said that he sees me out there all the time.  So much for so called anonymity.  There is good news though.  Even though this heron isn’t our one-footed friend the neighbor says Fred is around all the time.  Just when I’m not there.  And the neighbor also says that I’m welcome to hang out there anytime, the only possible problem could be that his wife will chase off anyone who pees in their yard.  I promised I would try to resist the urge…