Category: nature

a second look, Bayport, birds, blessings, boats, Florida wildlife, fun, nature, perseverance, photography, Rise and shine, sky, sunrise, weather

Favorite places…

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Bayport was a favorite sunrise location for me for quite a long time, but several years ago they closed the pier, and then closed the entire park while they replaced the pier. A sunken ship was the cause of the delay, but yesterday then reopened the park, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony. I would probably still be in the dark about this if not for my former neighbor who posted about the reopening yesterday, which meant that today I was going to make sure to be there for the sunrise.

I wasn’t the only one there. Many very happy fishermen were also there, greeting each other and teasing me about taking pictures of their great, but imaginary, catches. And the sunrise didn’t disappoint. I could have lived without the guy with a drone who was buzzing the area as the sun rose though.

And again the weather was wonderful enough that even after the sunrise I was reluctant to leave, but once the sun was up I thought my day was done. That was until I noticed the grackle on the mirror of one of the parked cars, and then the birds took over the shoot.

The grackles are noisy, but for some reason I enjoy their antics. And of course the seagulls were plentiful too. I saw a Great Blue Heron land and intended to see if I could get a photo of him, or two, but I was busy with the sunrise at first. He was no where to be seen when I did look for him.

I guess the great blue heron that I missed is why I decided to take an alternate route home and see if I could see One-Foot Fred. I wondered what he did once the sunrise was over and his benefactor got on with his day. And when I got to the Hammond’s Creek Bridge there he was, standing right in the curb area where I would have pulled over to park. He paid no attention to me as I pulled over beyond him and got out and took a few pictures. I felt a little sorry for him standing there all alone, not a fisherman in sight. But as I pulled away I saw a fisherman arriving, carrying his tackle box and fishing pole. That made me happy.

'scene' along the way, adventure, boats, friends, fun, kayaking, nature, perseverance, photography, sky, weather

A day on the water…

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Off we went to Hog Island to launch the kayaks on an absolutely perfect day. A little relief from the miserable heat we have ‘enjoyed’ all summer, and a blue sky with lovely clouds instead of thunderstorms. Even the water itself cooperated. A glassy surface with wonderful reflections. Sunburned knees were a small price to pay for such a perfect day…

This last one reminded me of the snow capped mountains in the Tetons. But it has already snowed there, so I guess I need to appreciate all that we have to enjoy here at home.

'scene' along the way, finding my way, go with the flow, life goes on, nature, perseverance, photography, Rise and shine, sky, sunrise, weather

When you get up early…

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Getting up at 4 AM is how I used to get out for the sunrise. I was bored by the time the sun came up so it was something to do. Today was one of those 4 AM mornings, and the weather cooperated, so I headed out for the first time in a few days. I think I’ve given up on fighting the weather and always heading out for photos, at least for the time being. Between the heat and the rain it’s so much easier to stay home. Or maybe it’s my age.

flowers, friends, fun, gardens, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography

In the country…

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My friend commented on the unusual mushrooms she had seen in her ‘yard’. I don’t know if that’s the word for it or not, it’s a lot of acres and home to three dogs, two horses, and assorted wild visitors who also seem to think of it as home. Between the mushrooms and the blooming hibiscus we decided to invade her space for a photo op.

I think a little plucking is in order. I can relate.

'scene' along the way, adventure, bugs, butterflies, Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Preserve, Florida landmarks, Florida wildlife, nature, perseverance, photography

Into the woods…

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I tagged along with my friends into the woods at the Chassahowitzka Wildlife preserve yesterday, which always involves lots of fun. And bugs, lots of bugs. We took pictures of some of them and swatted many more.

And not only bugs, we also found a deer, a fox squirrel, and we had to search but we did find the baby alligators we were looking for. I can almost say that they are cute, but they are alligators so they won’t be cute for long. And they were calling for their mother, I think we were distressing them. We didn’t see her though, but chances are good that she wasn’t far away.

You do have to wonder what happened here. Maybe someone was extra anxious to jump in the water at Eagle’s Nest for some scuba diving. Or something like that…

'scene' along the way, a second look, adventure, Florida wildlife, following the rules, Just do it, nature, perseverance, photography, Rise and shine, sunrise

Aripeka redux…

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On my way home from Cedar Lakes Woods the other day I happened to notice the turn off for Aripeka. I hadn’t thought of going there for the sunrise since I got back from the Tetons. It wasn’t the 6 months away that I first imagined when I began to think of myself as a snowbird, but you’d think I was away that long for how thoroughly my mind has remained somewhere in limbo since I got back. But when I checked the weather yesterday morning and rain was a possibility for all afternoon into Sunday off I went for the sunrise. The feature photo was my first stop, the first bridge that I arrive at when I approach Aripeka from the south. It was still dark so the three exposures for HDR seemed to take forever to finish, but that first shot is the feature photo. You should have heard the splash under the bridge as I stood there on top, waiting for the last exposure. It must have been a big fish, but at least I don’t still imagine an alligator that might, in my mind at least, creep up on me on the bridge and gnaw off my foot.

I then moved just up the road to the next bridge, where I can never resist taking an HDR photo of the little bait shop. Plus the possibility of seeing One-Foot Fred dawned on me also.

I moved back and forth across the bridge, loving the pretty sunrise and the reflections on the west wide of the road. I must have been lost in thought because the voice surprised me when I heard someone say that I could get a shot of One-Foot Fred. It was Ray, the guy I’ve talked with before, who said that Fred had followed him over to the bridge. I was happy to see Fred again, and it’s nice to have someone to chat with as well. Ray told me of a new spot to go for sunset pictures, and said the if anyone gives me a hard time for parking there I could say that I have permission, from Ray. LOL. I will check it out one day soon.

Ray said that Fredhad followed him to the bridge, and he would follow him home also, so I stopped by my car and shot long distance photos as he walked away. Use your imagination because, just as predicted, Fred is following him, he’s that gray blur just to the left of the telephone pole. Must have been time for breakfast…