Foggy Daze
Header Image: Lake In Fog
“It’s so quiet.”
That from the pretty lady with the good hearing.
We were enjoying breakfast at one of our regular lakeside spots having spent the hour after “sunrise” searching for early birds pursuing worms. Gini was right (as usual). It was very quiet. Morning fog is somewhat an extension of night. The sun’s rays are blocked from illuminating the landscape as much as they would on a clear day. Accordingly, many creatures delay their activity until the light increases and dampness begins to evaporate.
Attempting to peer through the fog makes us realize how different the world seems with this thick gray blanket obscuring the scenes we are accustomed to seeing. We know what the opposite shore of the lake looks like, we just can’t see it today.
We don’t hear any Limpkins calling, Anhingas grunting or woodpeckers hammering. Morning flights of egrets, ibises and cormorants might be occurring, but we can’t see them. A splash in the water is muted and we don’t know if it is close by or more distant. Was it a fish, a frog or an alligator?
The familiar path into the woods is indistinct and the atmosphere is alien since we can’t see beyond several feet in any direction. Stepping onto a dry twig causes it to snap but the sound is muffled. We know the area does not offer much in the way of “danger” and instead of the fog causing us any apprehension, we are instead filled with anticipation. What will we find as the morning becomes clear?
It was a bit surprising to look up and see the vast gray covering was beginning to show some holes through which the bright blue sky of our new day could be seen. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, the mist dissipated. The curtain lifted to reveal a fresh clean stage upon which Nature’s cast proceeded with their daily performance.
Our anticipation evolved into pleasure. Familiar sounds and sights provided a comfortable feeling and we once again made note of how wondrous Nature is and how lucky we are to be included in the miracle.
Different lakes, same fog.
As the mist began to lift, our path became more clear.
Fog or no fog, the yellow blooms of a Showy Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) brightened our morning.
A Tricolored Heron scans for breakfast as the sky begins to lighten.
Always watching. American Alligator.
The dirty beak of a Cattle Egret tells us he has been probing the damp earth among the wildflowers and grasses for something delicious.
Finally! An Eastern Towhee shouts to the world that the wet blanket has been thrown aside and the day can now begin!
The air clears, dew begins to evaporate and the insect world emerges. This Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) is an immature male still showing signs of green as it assumes the adult powder blue hue of adulthood.
Insects are active and so are those who would consume them. A Black-and-White Warbler scurries along a branch in the hope of locating brunch.
Nature’s air controllers have given the all-clear for flight activity. A Double-crested Cormorant is cleared for take-off on runway #1, destination – the other side of the lake.
Osprey. We sat back and thoroughly loved watching as it circled, hovered and made a splash into the lake. No luck this time, but eventually he will bring a fresh fish to the new chick waiting with Mom at the nest.
Today’s hazy daze was amazing. Mesmerized early by the gray mist, the sun burned through the fog to provide clarity to our path. Whether our vision is obscured or infinite, we are convinced – life is good.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 
I love the dreamy photos! I don’t get out when it is foggy…usually! But it sure makes nice backgrounds for these photos. I love your Heron and the Osprey series. It’s neat to see his little feet dangling down ready to grab something yummy! Enjoy your weekend and the cooler temps! It’s glorious!
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Thank you, Diane!
I love the foggy mornings because they are usually a bit cooler and offer a different perspective of familiar surroundings.
Yea for cooler temps!
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As a Halloween aficionado I am quite fond of the fog – kind of puts a eerie spin on things – then once lifted, nature looks renewed as you nicely captured. . Especially like the Cattle Egret shot among the pretty purple flowers.
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I think I like fog because I know it will soon lift and reveal a nice day, as you point out. When I was a few miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico in my small boat – that was a different story.
The Cattle Egret are often overlooked since they’re so common. I like ’em.
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For a moment or two I thought I had been time warped into a Hitchcock movie where birds blackened the skies and evil alligators watched my every move. And then thank goodness the Florida sun emerged and I found myself in the familiar territory of Wally’s blog.Great pics of the Osprey there my friend. I think I would have filled an SD card no problem.
Back home a week or less and Sue says ” Did you check flight prices for next time?” No rest for the wicked. Lack of sun is a problem for us.
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If we had sun 100% of the time we would take it for granted. We’ll try to settle for 95%.
The Ospreys are busy fishing all the time but it’s not often I have camera in hand at the right spot at the right time. Fun photography!
I can’t believe you didn’t check the prices! You obviously need more practice.
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“Whether our vision is obscured or infinite, we are convinced – life is good.”
Absolutely so!
What a wonderful misty walk this must have been. Thanks Wally, for taking us along.
The Showy Rattle Box is priceless as is the call of the Eastern Towhee – what a sweet little wonder.
Rest of the images and story had my ❤ too.
Thank you.
Wishing you a lovely week ahead.
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Thank you, Natasha!
We appreciate your visit and thoughtful comments. The week is already fabulous!
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Stunning shots, Wally!!!! I do love a quiet foggy morning at our local spots, sitting and waiting, watching the world awaken as it lifts.
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That feeling of quiet anticipation is really special.
Thank you, Donna.
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In the photo just below this sentence (“As the mist began to lift, our path became more clear”), could those be bog white violets on the right side of the path? I’ve studied and studied, and those on the left seem a little tall; they might be dewberries, or some flower I’m not familiar with, but the violet came to mind first.
That photo and caption amused me for another reason. My very first blog post on The Task at Hand was titled “Dazed and Confused.” There, too, my path became more clear as the mental mist began to clear!
There was quite a discussion on the AM radio Outdoor Show this morning about the six or seven foot long alligator that was cruising the beachfront in Galveston. Some wade fishermen spotted it first, and decided to move to the beach and let him move past. It happens from time to time: usually when heavy rains send a lot of water down the rivers. This week, some water hyacinth has shown up in the marinas; a sure sign of flooding rains.
The Osprey sequence is fabulous! I get to see them dive rather often, but of course I never get to see the event with such detail; hooray for high-end cameras!
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All of the white flowers in the picture are our old friend, Bidens Alba. Tall, short, both sides of our path – beggarticks for the common folks!
It’s easy to become confused trying not to succumb to the temptation of being cute with a title when we attempt to amaze while in a daze during days of foggy haze.
We have the same phenomenon here once in a while with ‘gators showing up in coastal waters. Last year one was encountered almost two miles from shore! Headed for Galveston perhaps.
With all the Ospreys around here, one would think I might have loads of cool photos of the master fish hawk in action. Sigh – another “work in progress”.
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The atmosphere in your opening shots is a treat, Wally. I think that I’d have been worried about an American Alligator sneaking up on me! Thank you also for the delightful dragon. The real show-stealer for me, however, was that utterly fabulous Osprey sequence – even if it did come up empty-taloned.
I hope that things are better there than they are here. Lindsay’s had a bit of a setback and today I had to cancel our away stay in Dorsetr that was set for next week.
Best wishes to you and Gini – – – Richard
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Thank you, Richard!
Once the fog cleared, we managed to see quite a bit!
Gini and I are dismayed about Lindsay’s setback and hope things improve soon.
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Thank you Wally for showing us how beautiful the Florida Fog can be.
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You’re welcome, Ed!
The fog starts off beautiful then gets even better as it lifts!
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Fabulous shots, from the ethereal fog to the crisp osprey series. I was grinning the whole way through!
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Thank you, Sam.
What a coincidence! Both of us were smiling the whole morning, too!
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Beautiful nature!! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Terri!
Thank YOU for visiting with us.
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Dense fog always seems magical to me. You’re the first person I’ve encountered who’s treated morning fog as an extension of night, based on its obscuring quality. One difference is that we don’t need flash to take pictures in morning fog.
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It’s fascinating to be in a familiar location but viewing it in a totally different perspective.
I do like the fact a flash is not needed!
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The approach-dive-reemerge sequence of the osprey is wonderful. He looks a little befuddled when he comes up empty-taloned, don’t you think?
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Yep! I know that look. It’s the same one I have when I dive in the bathtub for the bar of soap and can’t find it.
I apparently have a lot in common with an Osprey.
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😀
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I do love a good fog. Muted, mysterious, magnificence – and when it clears to a bright and beautiful day (as it almost always does) there is a another series of joys to revel in.
Thank you.
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You echoed our experience perfectly!
Hope you are reveling in your own joy today.
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Spooky fog images. The eerie quiet offers many opportunities. Loved the in-flight photos. Did the osprey end up catching anything off-camera?
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I love the quiet of foggy mornings. The Osprey didn’t catch anything while we were watching but there are plenty of fish there so he’ll eventually be successful.
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