Category: nature

'scene' along the way, adventure, friends, fun, gardens, Just do it, leap of faith, life goes on, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, road trip, travel, unintended images

Gardens and bridges and dancers, oh my!

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I had my doubts about what there would be to see at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in November. And yes I took lots of pictures of flowers, but they weren’t anything I couldn’t have taken any time, even in my local Publix. I may have been spoiled after having been to Heritage Village in Sandwich, MA during a summer visit. Nothing I’ve ever seen has compared to that for sheer numbers of flowers. So I deleted those pictures once I got to the ones we had taken on the trails in the garden. Now walking those trails was quite a different experience from any botanical garden I’d ever been to before.

Again we were climbing up and down, and I for one was ready to sit on a bench and enjoy the view of this red bridge we spotted. Maybe we could wait for people to walk across it, but when they did we were disappointed, some faced away from us, and no one stopped for a kiss right at the top of the bridge. Of course we could have hollered out our suggestions, but we controlled ourselves.

As we continued to sit on that bench a group of young people came into view. Betty had spotted them before because of their dazzling white shoes. They were dressed alike also, and we said that we should get them to walk over the bridge with those shoes. But they did better than that, they began to dance.

I thought that someone was filming them and I so wanted to suggest that they cross that bridge and perform for the camera, by that I mean our camera, but I didn’t. They never seemed to notice that red bridge just to the right of where they were dancing. And one last person crossed the bridge, dressed in red as Betty pointed out, so we took a last picture and went on our way.

'scene' along the way, a second look, birds, blessings, boats, butterflies, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, sky, weather

Birds on the beach…

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Among my recent adventures was another trip to the Seacoast Seabird Sanctuary. We were nearby and my friend hadn’t yet had a chance to go there, so off we went. It is fun to see birds up close, especially knowing that these birds aren’t able to live in the wild for one reason or another. There is beach access from the sanctuary, and as you can see the summer crowds are gone, and perhaps the influx of winter visitors will also be fewer this year. Conversation yesterday revealed that lots of people don’t expect much improvement in the COVID-19 situation in 2021, which I hope is an exaggeration but I suspect it may be true. The lack of tourists might make for nice photos, but our economy is suffering. I’m sure that we will make it through this, but for now we just have to plod along. And mask up.

They sky has been dramatic lately, prettier than the camera wants to see it in these pictures. I love to see sky reflected in the water. And a butterfly, because it was there…

'scene' along the way, a second look, adventure, dogs, finding my way, fun, go with the flow, Just do it, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, sky, sunrise, weather

The day after…

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I got to Green Key Beach early, before much color was in the sky. But it was low tide, I knew that because I checked the Tides App when I was trying to decide where to go on this morning after Thanksgiving. I knew that I would be able to walk out onto the sand to view the sunrise, and also across the road the sky would be pretty and the wading birds would be loving low tide. So I had done my homework, I was in the right place at the right time, but when I went to get my camera out of the car it wasn’t there. That wasn’t totally heartbreaking since I had my phone, but I wasn’t happy with myself. But there was a kayaker setting out for a paddle so I started taking pictures.

And the color starting rising with the sun.

And across the street the sky was becoming amazing. Birds were calling, but without the camera with it’s zoom lens I wasn’t able to capture them.

I was the first person there, but boaters and fishermen were arriving. And a paddle boarder, with his dog Layla, who obeyed his command to stay while he got the rest of his equipment.

Just as the paddle boarder paddled away my boater friend returned to his boat with his bucket which he had forgotten, and I knew that I had to wait for him to pull away before I could leave. I knew that that was going to be my favorite shot of the day. And it was.

And on the way home I remembered that when I loaded the car with things to bring to my son’s house the day before I had put everything in the back compartment of the car. So I had my camera with me the whole time…

'scene' along the way, birds, finding my way, Florida wildlife, following the rules, friends, fun, life goes on, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, unintended images, weather

Largo Central Park…

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We wandered to a park that was new to us last weekend, Largo Central Park. It proved to be a very nice place to walk along the Boardwalk and trail, and I was happy to see a variety of birds present. I hadn’t been seeing them lately so I’m hoping that maybe they are returning to the area. And butterflies, and even fall leaves. Yes, in Florida!

But I think the most fun to see were the river otters. We first saw them across the water on the bank, but then they got into the water and swam to the other side which gave us a much better chance of getting photographs. They looked as if they were having fun, maybe even more fun than we were having just watching them. For some reason I remembered the book “Wind in the Willows”, which we read in the 4th grade as our introduction to reading books without pictures. Most of my memories of childhood seem fuzzy, but I remember that so clearly. Maybe I’ll see if I can find that book at the library…

This is only a first phase of this park, according to the signage there is lots more to come. Nice spot for a walk on a beautiful day…

'scene' along the way, a second look, finding my way, friends, fun, life, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, Rise and shine, strangers become friends, sunrise

New friends…

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I made a new friend today. She is the sister of another friend that I occasionally meet up with for a photography session. This time they met me at the bridge near me in hopes of a good sunrise session. So photography was the excuse to get together at, ahem, 6 AM, but it was nice to know it would be a social trip too. And breakfast at a place new to me, and boy was it ever good. I don’t know if I’m happy to know it’s there or not, after all, feeding myself has not been an issue during this time of social distancing. The sunrise could have been more spectacular, but the company was just fine.

'scene' along the way, a second look, birds, blessings, boats, eagles, Florida wildlife, fun, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, weather

Anticipation…

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The weather was calling me to get out of the house. It was sunny and warm, not hot. And there was a breeze to ruffle the eagle’s feathers. When I thought I’d check to see if the eagles were hanging around the nest I thought it was going to be too late in the day to see them. Or that the sun would have them in silhouette. I’m glad I didn’t listen to that voice in my head because one was there, sitting on a snag. Maybe he was enjoying the weather as much as I was. Soon there will be eggs, and both eagles will be on the nest daily. And I can hardly wait. I can’t stop at the nest without also stopping at Anclote River Park also. Another nice day.