Passing time – A Snowbird's Life Through the Lens

'scene' along the way, a second look, flowers, following the rules, gardens, nature, Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, Passing time, perseverance, photography, storms, weather

Flowers…

September 28, 2022September 26, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

Another stop at the botanical garden up the road from me. This time there were no butterflies stopping for photos, but the flowers were gorgeous.

I noticed this bluebird as soon as I arrived. He must be new.

You can be sure to find some shade should you decide to visit.

I thought the butterflies found these pagoda plants irresistible, but they didn’t seem interested in landing on them this day.

This squirrel was at eye level and stayed totally still for me. I guess he thought he was hiding behind that branch.

My friend suggested that I work on all the photos I have and get them ready in case we lose electricity with a hurricane heading into the gulf. So I took his advice, but without electricity where will those photos go? I guess I will unplug the computer and hope they are waiting for me after the storm. But for now we watch the weather forecasts and get as ready as we can, and wait…

'scene' along the way, exploring new places, facing facts, flowers, food, friends, fun, Passing time, perseverance, photography, weather

Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall…

September 4, 2022September 3, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

I think I expected vegetables. There were plenty of bakery items, which I reluctantly passed by while polishing up my halo. A small sea of vendor tents, which we also saw last night at the nearby First Friday event. We saw them as they were being taken down just in time for the torrential rains to pour down. But it was a beautiful day today, but hot. This was supposed to be our first stop, then we thought we might head to Safety Harbor to see if we might see the launch from Cape Canaveral, but when we saw that it was scrapped again we headed home. Perhaps the storms will hold off tonight and we’ll see a sunset. Maybe…

We forgot to stop back here to check out the coffees before we headed home. We said we’d check out the bakeries too.

Hippie’s candles, love the name. I saw several CBD vendors also.

The kindest thing I could do for this hibiscus is to not take it home with me.

I think these cut flowers were struggling in the heat.

I thought that the white leaves were the flower, with the orange in the center. Maybe the orange is the flower?

This event is held on the first and third Saturday of the month. Soon it will be perfect weather for it, but we are still trying to escape the heat at the moment.

backyard visitors, Florida wildlife, nature, on closer examination, Passing time, perseverance, photography, pond creatures, Rise and shine, unintended images, Up and at 'em

Random stuff…

May 8, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

The feature photo, and only photo that I know about at this moment, is the uninvited company I found out on the lanai this morning. I have resisted becoming attached to this lanai after loving the one at my old house. There is no lake here, no pond critter serenades, but the birds do sing so that’s something. But this morning I found myself at eye level to a creature that I quickly realized wasn’t a lizard. Lizards are so common, and mostly keep their distance, but this sticky-fingered creature was eyeing me up. As I was doing to him. So he retreated into the corner and then climbed to the very top of the corner brace. I thought that I would have to warn my friend when he came out because this little guy would be directly over his head if he sat in his usual chair. But Tampa Bay Lightning fans who have endured a disappointing play-off game and then a frustrating drive home aren’t given to getting up early the next morning. Maybe it’s the effort of growing a beard in solidarity with the players, a long-standing tradition I’m told. It’s currently in the whisk-broom stage, but I digress. It turned out that my fears as to the little guy’s jumping weren’t unwarranted, because he jumped onto the end table, landing with a thud, which is when I took his picture. Looks like he needed to wipe his chin after his breakfast. By this time the sun was baking me, the coffee was cold, and it was time to go in. I hope this guy finds his way back outside as stealthily as he found his way in, so I don’t have to check the corners of the roofline before I sit out here again…

'scene' along the way, adventure, blessings, brainstorms, exploring new places, finding my way, friends, fun, making memories, nature, Passing time, Pedaling Along, perseverance, photography

The Good Neighbor Trail…

April 8, 2022April 7, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

I stumbled upon a website that gives you all the info you could want about all the trails we might like to ride in Florida. Or anywhere else also, but I stuck to looking at the trails that were supposed to be in the immediate area. I quickly discovered that their idea of ‘in the area’ and mine were a bit different. I also decided that most trails were going to be a ride out and then reverse and ride back the way you came. But you could tell from the information given if a trail was going to be mostly out in the sun, an important consideration for this area, even if it is newly into spring. It’s been hot in the sun when it hasn’t been raining. Ah Florida, my adopted home.

We decided on riding the Good Neighbor trail because it really was pretty close by, and also because it begins at the Brooksville Train Depot and Museum. We knew it wasn’t open that day, but the weather was too perfect to miss a chance to be out riding, like a couple of kids.

The road off to the left of this picture wasn’t very busy with cars, and the intersections we needed to cross weren’t worrisome. There also wasn’t a lot of traffic on the trail itself, so my expectation of riding side-by-side was actually possible on this ride.

We heard birds in the trees, but didn’t see wildlife beyond the occasional butterfly or dragonfly, and they didn’t stop for photos. But maybe we were riding and talking and missing what may have been going on around us, I guess I’ll never know.

It is kind of funny how easy it is to feel the kid in you come out as you pedal a bike. The feeling of the breeze in your face is the same after all, the wrinkles don’t matter. Maybe it’s the lack of immediate responsibilities that makes it feel so free. Just don’t tip over would be the biggest concern, and when your bike is actually a trike that possibility is less likely. Yup, the investment in this trike was a very good idea, now we get to go out and play, in a very grown up way of course.

a second look, birds, brainstorms, Florida wildlife, friends, fun, nature, Passing time, perseverance, photography, simple things, Tricolored heron

A proposition…

March 7, 2022March 7, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

The proposition? Head to the rookery and then stop at Ford’s Garage for pretzels and shrimp. And beer. Now that sounded like a really good idea.

I took a lot of pictures of these two. They were hamming it up a bit.

These tricolor herons were two by two also.

Hiding in the foliage, but I spotted him.

And speaking of having a drink, it was time for us to head to Ford’s and belly up to the bar. That beer was nice and cold, the shrimp was spicy, and the pretzels can’t be beat. The perfect finale to the day…

'scene' along the way, a second look, adventure, brainstorms, friends, fun, live and learn, making memories, old dogs new tricks, Passing time, perseverance, photography, unintended images

Largo Central Park…

February 13, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

I have been saying that I wanted to go to Largo Central Park for a while now, even before I bought my electric tricycle. So off we went yesterday, only to discover that I mis-remembered the name of the park I wanted to go to. This wasn’t the park I remembered, but it was all good. This park happened to have a train meet going on. The tracks are part of the park, but the trains are privately owned and the public doesn’t get to ride, not that anyone seemed to mind. It was a beautiful setting with lots going on. I liked the statues a lot too. And I felt like one of those kids riding along on my bike, having fun.