Month: December 2020

a second look, fun, kids, moments, nature, on closer examination, perseverance, photography, silliness, simple things, technology

Monkey business…

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The newest little orangutan at the zoo was still being carefully protected by his mother, but the other young ones were carrying on like little monkeys! Two of them were simply a rolling ball of orange fur with various body parts becoming visible here and there.

Not that they made it easy to get pictures since they were under their rope basket, in the shadows, and I had to shoot with the zoom extended to the max to hopefully catch them between all the obstacles in the way. Not the least of which were the crowds of people watching, and ooing, and laughing as one and then the other got the upper hand. I wore my mask for the entire time I was at the zoo, even when I technically didn’t need to. But it seemed like a good idea to me.

I took over 600 pictures and half of them were too dark and/or out of focus to even think about keeping. But some made me smile anyhow, especially the ones where I wasn’t sure which body part belonged to which one of them.

Here’s hoping you like orangutans because there are a few more of these posts to come.

'scene' along the way, a second look, go with the flow, nature, perseverance, photography, reality check, sky, sunrise

Low tide…

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I think that what I’ve thought of as low tide may not have actually been low tide at all. Yesterday I was excited to see that low tide, according to my Tides app, was actually going to be at sunrise, or close enough. Of course the sunrise itself was on my mind, but wading birds and the potential to see spoonbills was what really sent me out the door at 6:45 AM. But my enthusiasm was quickly dashed. Low tide was lower than ‘usual’.

That’s rocks in the foreground, then spongy, wet sea grasses, then sand of varying degrees of wetness as far as the eye can see. If there were wading birds they must have been out at the actual shore, which was much further away from the road than I expected. So back and forth across the road I went, looking for birds on one side and hoping for more than a vague rosy glow at the horizon line on the other. I didn’t find either. I amused myself by taking pictures of birds flying over once I spotted their shadows on the water, but even those didn’t wind up to be much.

But the sun did come up on another beautiful day…

'scene' along the way, a second look, adventure, birds, blessings, Florida landmarks, Florida wildlife, fun, go with the flow, Jenkin's Creek, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, sky, weather

Out of the recliner…

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I’ve spent too much time sitting lately. That’s what happens when I find a binge-worthy show, and I have. New Tricks, an older British show about three older cops brought out of retirement to solve cold cases. Quirky and fun, I’ll be sorry to finish the series.

So with no particular destination except the vague notion that since it’s been cold lately then the manatees should be hanging out in our spring-fed, 72 degree year round, waters. So I headed to Linda Pederson Park, by way of Aripeka, and found this cute little historic site what heaven knows how many times I’ve driven past over the last few years. But usually in the dark.

Then it was on to my destination of the three story tower at the park where I did have a nice view of several manatees, but not the family groups that I usually see. I may never have been there on a weekend before because I’ve never noticed so many fishermen lining the banks, and I feared for the manatees but their usual nemesis is boat propellers.

The big surprise was a small bird flying past me as I stood at the top of the tower. I had just enough time to swing my camera up and start shooting because I realized that it was a belted kingfisher and they are rare to see. Not a great image but heck, I’ll take it.

After that it was just the scenery at the park and the birds across the street at Jenkin’s Creek that kept me amused. The park has a paddle trail with a kayak launch area and a sign that says it’s a little over a mile to paddle to Bayport.

This egret has a fish that I never saw until I looked at the photo in the computer.

For a day that started out at 36 degrees it was certainly a wonderful day. Florida’s winter weather is a glorious thing…

a second look, boats, Hudson Beach, Just do it, making memories, old dogs new tricks, perseverance, photography, sky, sunset, technology

Another Florida sunset…

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It was off to Hudson Beach for the sunset last night. I wanted to experiment by using my wide angle lens rather than my usual lens choice. To compare the two of them I suppose. I’m influenced by all the talk of lenses and cameras in my group, but I’m so happy with my 18 to 400 lens because I want to be ready to zoom in close when I want/need to. But sometimes I’d like a wider view, but the actual wide angle lens makes everything in your view smaller. I complained about that in the group and our fearless leader told me I was trying to take the wrong pictures with it. I used both lenses and I’d have to guess to say which was which. But I liked the pictures so that’s all that really matters.

'scene' along the way, a second look, birds, family, Florida wildlife, fun, life, making memories, moments, perseverance, photography, unintended images

Sushi for brunch…

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No, sushi wasn’t on the menu at my son’s house yesterday, but it certainly was at Anclote Gulf park on the way home.

I think of them as the three amigos, the single great blue heron, egret, and little blue heron who are usually hanging around together and waiting for handouts from the fishermen. I took a couple of pictures and thought that that would be the end of my photo shoot, when suddenly there was a splash and the three of them took off for the section of beach behind me. I turned to discover that the great blue was first to the fisherman’s offering, and no one challenged him for it.

Another couple was on the pier with me and we wondered if he was going to be able to eat that thing, silly us.

The egret seemed to not be bothered by losing out on lunch.

And then, on the other side of the pier I saw this anhinga with another bit of sushi that it was preparing to eat. He had to catch his lunch all by himself, and then he swam around with it for a couple of minutes, managing to swim into the area of highest reflections from the afternoon sun. I couldn’t see him through my viewfinder but I kept shooting anyhow.

So much excitement for a quick stop for photos. But I was tired so I decided that it was time to head home.

'scene' along the way, a second look, Bayport, birds, eagles, Florida landmarks, nature, perseverance, photography, Rise and shine, sky, sunrise

Christmas Eve sunrise…

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I’m glad I rousted myself out early enough to catch the sunrise at Bayport because the weather took a turn for the worse as the day went on. Poor Santa must have had a heck of a time making his deliveries in the wind and storms we were having by last night. I hope he made it to everyone’s house okay.

Finally the sun was up and it was time to leave, but just as I drove out of Bayport Park I saw a large bird on a snag and had to pull over to take it’s picture. I thought it was an osprey, judging by it’s coloring and by the fact that it was so easy to spot just at the side of the road. But when I looked at the pictures in the computer I saw that it’s a young eagle, it just hasn’t gotten it’s full coloring yet. Now I’ll be disappointed when ever I go there and don’t see an eagle. I should just be happy to have seen him when I did.