Forever Grateful!

Great Blue Heron

can grow: 40-52 in.

a very famous profile...

a fearless hunter...

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."~Gandhi~
Trying to escape the ills and evils of the world, a trip to the beach would surely be the elixir!  Barbaric media images, were now embedded deeply upon the scanner and keeper of my soul! The horror and the scoundrels who committed the horror, remain forever, a mystery to my being! Why? 
Families destroyed, life disrupted as we know it. Sweet innocence lost, their genius never to be. 
My roots are in the Boston area! I knew that some family members would surely attend the race! Panic filled my heart and the phone calls began! Thankfully all are fine! My sister and her family, stranded in Boston, were finally able to leave by train. 
Definitely a perfect 10 beach day, my therapy would begin. Hardy breezes cooled the high ninety degree temperature! A large heron greeted me as soon as I placed my feet in the sand. His massive wing span and overall size were truly amazing. He flew off in a hurried swoosh! Darn where is that camera when I need it? 
All settled, chair placed perfectly in the sand, cooler close by, towels laying flat, soda in one hand and my instrument of capture perched firmly on my lap, I was ready! Bring it on!
Moments later Mr. Heron, returned to my left. Engrossed by any tidbit that an angler might cast his way. Too pre-occupied and hungry to allow my shutter button to frighten him off, he waltzed toward me. 
Click, click, click, many photos later, forever grateful for his grand performance, he meandered along, scrutinizing the shoreline. 
The heron is a bird of immense symbolism and folklore. For me he symbolized hope, on this sunny day. A much-needed gift from the universe to divert my fears, enabling my tentative belief in humanity once again! 
Boston, a city steeped in tradition, founded by heroes, a legacy carried on, through all the efforts of those involved! Home of the BRAVE!!!
 We love you Boston! You make us proud! 

I was so impressed by this gorgeous heron that I decided to make him my new blog header. A peaceful reminder, that we must hold onto faith and hope, no matter the circumstances.

Also sharing with: http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com

The Wood Storks Of Corkscrew Swamp!

A fascinating creature...

Standing tall...I was protected by a fenced in boardwalk when I took this photo.

Always in pursuit of food...

Ok, so not the prettiest bird in the universe...

Yes, that is a gator in the background...

follow me...  
The wood stork is another common sight here in Florida. We usually see them by the road side, wading in almost any pool of standing water. They can stand erect, commanding a second look, especially in larger groups. My hubby often says that they are holding a union meeting! 
Quite playful, they seemed to go about their day peacefully. Not nearly as aggressive as the egret.  
Very regal looking creatures, larger than most of their sloshing buddies, dressed always in formal attire! 

A few facts: "Wood storks are tall, white denizens of freshwater or brackish wetlands and swamps. They can be identified by their long legs, featherless heads, and prominent bills. These waders feed on minnows in shallow water by using their bills to perform a rare and effective fishing technique. The stork opens its bill and sticks it into the water, then waits for the touch of an unfortunate fish that wanders too close. When it feels a fish, the stork can snap its bill shut in as little as 25 milliseconds, an incredibly quick reaction time matched by few other vertebrates. The storks prefer to employ this technique in isolated pools created by tides or falling freshwater levels, where fish congregate en masse. In some areas, such as Florida, breeding begins with the dry season that produces these optimal fishing conditions. Though wood storks eat small fish, they eat a lot of them. An average nesting pair, with two fledglings, may eat over 400 pounds (181 kilograms) of fish during a single breeding season. Wood storks are social animals. They feed in flocks and nest in large rookeries—sometimes several pairs to a single tree. Females lay two to five eggs, which both sexes incubate for about one month. Young fledge about two months after hatching."

~National Geographic~

sharing with: http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/

More On Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary!

Egret

I feel happy, o so happy...sorry not the greatest shot but it made me smile...

Too Skinny...

Slowly I walk...

Their plumes were used by hat makers and they almost became extinct... 

Sitting Pretty...

I said... 
Suffice it to say, that the Egret is a common bird here in Florida. Hardly a day goes by, that I don't see at least one meandering about. It is also fair to say, that I have taken their existence for granted. Witnessing their antics at Corkscrew Swamp, has given me a whole new respect for these wispy creatures. Their delicate beauty added to the tapestry of the shrinking waterscape. 
Observing them for quite some time I became aware of their tenacious nature. They are very patient and strike their prey at lightning speed. Territorial, they scavenge gingerly about, foraging for any protein that swims, slithers or crawls. 
I used several different techniques to edit these photos! Actions, filters, textures and fooling around with levels for that matte finish look! 
Once again, Mother Nature, the conductress, of her universe! 
Have a wonderful and peaceful day! 

I was awarded Post Of The Week by The Smitten Image! Thanks Hilary

Shy & Demure! Right?

Brown Pelican
Don't let this sweet little face fool you! 
I have photographed Herron, Blue Herron, Great Egrets, Egrets, Wood Stork, Ibis, Anhingas, Spoonbills, Flamingo, Sandhill Crane, Frigatebird, Ducks, Geese, Swans, Turkey, Vultures, Eagles, Pelicans, Chickens, Hawks, Osprey, Kites, Caracara, Gulls, Pigeons, Owls, Hummingbirds, Woodpeckers, Parrots, etc., etc. It is fair to say that anything my camera can capture with wings in their natural state is a love of mine. 
The state of Florida has an abundance of wildlife and I really never have very far to go in order to capture it's beauty!
There is no bird that amuses me more than the common Pelican, however! Watching them mull around fishing piers especially, can be quite entertaining. Really quite goofy looking to begin with, waddles like a duck, keen like scavengers and hunters they never miss an opportunity to dine and delight. Cleaning a fish on deck or dock, there is sure to be a pelican close by to collect the remnants. I highly recommend keeping your bait under lock and key! An unattended bucket of temptation is a full course dinner waiting to be served!
Flying gracefully and swiftly scanning the ocean for a morsel, when spotted they dive down suddenly like a ton of bricks creating quite the event. SPLASH!!! If you did not witness the intense capture you have surly heard it! 
I love these pesky waddling darlings, maybe I'll just have to go to the ocean and capture me a few more photos! 
Ahhh! Mother Nature, the best show in town! 
Have a wonderful day!

Hawk Eye!

Red Tailed or Shouldered?
So is this bird a Red-Tailed Hawk or a Red-Shouldered Hawk? On a recent golf cart expedition around the community golf course the other evening, Hubby spotted this very large hawk. At first he thought it a Red-Tailed Hawk and on second glance he wasn't sure. We looked up the species in our, Birds of Florida Book, only to discover there is a hawk called a Red-Shouldered Hawk. 
We both now think that he is the latter of the two.
Even though there is no obvious red shoulders here, the tail is black and white horizontal stripe, visible in the photo below.
He was pretty high and I wish I had a better lens to have captured more detail. Which ever he is I find him a very regal looking bird. 
I think this particular bird also looks very young as well! Below is a rear shot. 

Do you think these stripes make me look fat? 
Have a wonderful day!!!

The High Road!

The High Road
"Taking the high road is usually not the easy one to take or the most popular. The low road seems to offer instant satisfaction. It may seem better for the moment, but if you compromise you principles and your integrity, it will always end up costing you far more in the long run."~Billy Cox~
When you can look yourself in the mirror with honesty, lay your head down to sleep with a clear conscience, you have truly found the recipe for peace. Dragged down by others may lead you down a low road, it is a road of unhappiness and despair. You may need this road for a short while to regurgitate your feelings, please don't stay to long as the buzzards will be sure to find you. Find an exit or short cut to a higher road as soon as possible making sure it is not a rotary, you will miss the bridge every time.
Arriving on the high road you will find overhead signs that read, peace, integrity, principles, morals etc. You will know that you are headed in the right direction, never to be lost again. Successfully leaving that dark road of despair, you might want to send others left behind a text message, help them find their way! Looking into the mirror of tranquility is a wonderful reflection to behold! A reflection I wish to have a rippling affect without throwing a stone.

The Great Escape!

Air Drying

Run On Water
There he was standing at the water's edge all proud, while air drying his massive wings in the warmth of the setting sun. Let's just say that birds make a statement here in Florida, their size alone captivating. Their playful antics, sometimes outrageous, sometimes amusing and most of the time just pure entertainment. 
The golf cart expedition, with hubby as chauffeur began around seven PM, after dinner at the Pub. We met a couple who told us that there were sand hill cranes over on the second hole. These beautiful birds have eluded us for three days now. Once again they remained elusive. We did however, manage to capture this skittish anninga bird. I approached him cautiously with camera to eye, sure of my footing as a large expanse of grass lay before me. The click of the shutter spooked him into a great escape and he literally ran a top of the water. I think I captured his unanticipated exit well. He dove down deep, with only his head visible above water, after a few seconds. Looks like more drying time may have been in order. 
I think that we shall never tire of the awesome show that Mother Nature, provides us well, on a daily basis. It is all there for the viewing. In search of the elusive cranes today. Hope to bring you those photos tomorrow!!! Have a wonderful day!

The Best Show in Town!

The Best Show in Town
As I was just about to nestle in, on my comfortable couch, my husband said, "come on lets take a ride in the golf cart, it's a beautiful night!" Bring your camera, were the magic words and probably the only words that could make me move and so the golf cart expedition began! We circled every hole on the golf course with no luck. The ponds were still, the air warm and the light just perfect. I was able to capture a small squirrel, but somehow his capture seemed uneventful. We were looking for Sand Hill Cranes, which we had seen earlier in the day! Lets go over to Pine Lakes, he suggested, but my comfy couch was calling to me ever so softly. The light still perfect, I figured let's give it one more try, the comforts of home will just have to wait! 
My husband has the eye of an eagle! By that I mean the man can spot things in nature that my mind simply cannot comprehend! Suddenly he stopped the cart, "an owl, look there!" With a loud whooshing sound the large bird flew from the ground to a neighboring tree! Wow, his size and wing span remarkable. My adrenaline pumping, I approached slowly. 
He looked at my lens intently, as if to say "lets get this over with Granny, I'll give you your fifteen seconds of fame and that's it!" 
Just look at his magnificence, standing so proud and impeccably manicured. I got several shots when a small Mockingbird flew in to antagonize the situation, the nerve of this little guy! The owl flew off with an impressive departure, I felt the air move from the rapid flapping of his massive wings. 
The expedition moved forward, all proud of our captures. I really need to start using my DVR more, the best show in town is preformed at dusk, daily, right in my own back yard! 
My couch, well it will always be there to offer me a restful place!

Look Before You Cross!

Look Before You Cross
"Make Way for Ducklings"~Robert McCloskey~
Have you ever seen anything sweeter than a mother duck, followed by her ducklings? My husband called to me yesterday and said, "you have to see this, bring your camera!" I think mama duck was giving her offspring swimming lessons, along with warnings of the perils of sleeping alligators. 
Look before you cross, I am sure were her wise quacks! Sometimes I just quack myself up!!! Maybe I am just going quackers??? Maybe it's that ringtone of ducks quacking on my 
iPhone? OK, enough already!
Certain photos just scream a title and this one certainly did for me. I cropped the original and added several textures for this end result. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! 
Have yourself a ducky little day, filled with laughter and healing rays of sunshine!