Morning Ramble
(Click on images to enlarge, click again to zoom.)
In order to enjoy sunrise at some of our favorite distant locales, the clock must be set to scream at an alarmingly early hour. Scrambling to get the gear packed, remembering to grab the food bag, did we check the gas gauge last night? We do it because we love to be in that special place at that special time when the sky begins to slowly change color. Not to mention how much we like to get up and drive two hours in the dark and — wait — scratch this last part.
Today we drove 15 minutes down the road and arrived 20 minutes before dawn. Tenoroc Fish Management Area has a reasonably pleasant spot from which we can enjoy the sun rising. It also doesn’t hurt that there are several hundred acres of woods, wetlands, lakes and fields to explore once the day begins.
Sleeping in can be a good thing.
The morning show was more colorful than some. That “Golden Hour” phenomenon provided really pleasant light for an hour or so. A “real” photographer would have gone home at that point. For us, making images is pretty much a secondary mission. Even with no camera, we would have the memory of that sunrise, the glow of a moonflower, the calls of Sandhill Cranes, the comic hunting technique of the Cattle Egret, the incredible variety of birds, blooms and bugs which Nature displays every day whether we are there or not.
Today, we were there.
At the edge of our “breakfast lake”, we munched Gini’s freshly baked strawberry bread while an Osprey flew overhead with a large branch for sprucing up the living room. An Eastern Phoebe provided us with a bittersweet reminder of her name one more time before she departs until autumn. A curious alligator watched us, submerged, surfaced in a different spot and kept up his vigilance until we left.
We saw things we have seen before. We trekked over familiar ground. Familiar aromas of blooming flowers and molding leaves filled the air. It was all – the same. It was all – different.
For some, our routine might be boring. “Okay, I saw that Tufted Titmouse, let’s go find something different.” For us, as long as the little gray bird allows us to observe, we aren’t going anywhere.
Enjoy the morning with us.
After snapping a few images of the morning sky, I turned around to discover two large bushes covered in blooms. The Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) were illuminated by the sun’s rays and the big morning glory blossoms seemed even more incredible than usual.
In addition to the phoebe mentioned earlier, another winter visitor preparing to leave us soon, a Savannah Sparrow, was part of a flock of about a dozen. Seeds and insects will provide them with the fuel they need for their long journey.
The early morning sky was not yet bright enough to cause the Cutleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata) to fold its pretty petals. We appreciated the delay.
Fruits of the Netted Pawpaw (Asimina reticulata) will soon appear and just as they ripen, will quickly disappear. Wildlife enjoy these small fruits, sometimes called “custard apples”, and you’ll have to be quick to find them. “Netted” refers to the appearance of the leaves.
Trumpeting of a pair of Sandhill Cranes grew louder and they eventually landed in a nearby field. Although several thousand migratory cranes visit Florida each year, these are likely a resident sub-species which breed in the state.
We have entered the season of dragons and damsels, most not in distress. This handsome male Rambur’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) allowed me to lay down and take several candid photos. He was kind enough to order a set of 8×10 glossies of that second image for friends and family.
Cattle Egrets sometimes appear to be double-jointed as they lurch left and right to snag a grasshopper. Gini says the soft brown on the breast reminds her of campfire marshmallows. As for me – their gait brings this instantly to mind every time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6tuzHUuuk. (Sorry about the earworm.)
Eastern Phoebe. We will miss you. Hurry back.
Sometimes appearing as a medium-sized shrub, Walter’s Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) can attain a height of more than 20 feet and has the appearance of a full-sized tree. The blooms are profuse and have a wonderfully sweet aroma.
Were we watching this Tufted Titmouse or was it watching us?
I followed the Osprey carrying a big stick to its building site where he and the Missus made it known how much they appreciated my photographic efforts. I’m pretty sure I heard Osprey cursing.
We may not have traveled very far to enjoy a sunrise, but the incredible beauty of the event caused us to pause, sigh and agree that we continue to be among the most fortunate beings in the universe. The remainder of our Morning Ramble underscored that feeling.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Additional Information
Tenoroc Fish Management Area (https://myfwc.com/recreation/lead/tenoroc)
Our Natural Places 
Getting up early isn’t always fun, but being up early is. Your wonderful photos prove exactly that and I enjoyed seeing the sights vicariously through them.
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You are so right! If we could just figure out how to materialize at our destination without having to get out of bed —
Thank you for dropping by, Tanja.
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You could ask Scotty to beam your bed with you still in it to your destination du jour. 😊
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Oh my, beautiful photographs. The bird captures are gorgeous.
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Thank you very much!
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Love the shots of the Cattle Egret (appreciate you sticking with the its real name). And yes, apologies accepted for the earworm – I always laugh at that video – apparently they have a ghost playing the drums during that song ha. Also one where I have to wait way too long to hear Susanna Hoff take the lead – those eyes I tell ya’! Oh, back to the post – way to get down and dirty for the forktail shot – much more impactful. Most jealous of the freshly baked strawberry bread yummmmmm.
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If I could learn to be proficient with the camer’s dang video capability, that would have been more effective with the walkin’ egrets.
Yeah, my scraped elbows and muddy knees were definitely impacted. The artist must sacrifice. This old artist sacrifices just tying his shoes.
I was going to save you some of that bread – wait – that’s not true. One day maybe ……
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Don’t tease me!
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Your “secondary mission” photographs sure are first rate Wally!
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Thanks Ed. You’re too kind and I appreciate it.
Hope your move is going as smoothly as possible.
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So many cool photographs, but I think that Forktail is my favorite! Or the osprey, or the sandhills, or the……all of them!
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Ha! You fell into the trap we’ve been in for years. Everything we see in Nature turns out to be a favorite.
Okay, I reckon some could be more favorite than others. Maybe.
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I stared and stared at that frontal view of the Rambur’s Forktail. The way the colors of its eyes flow from one to another is amazing. Beyond that, those eyes are another bit of proof that green and blue go together very nicely. Speaking of eyes, of course I love the Osprey pair’s direct gaze. Their expression is one that suggests they were caught in the act of something or other: like a couple of kids with their hands in the cookie jar.
It was interesting to see the more open form of the flowers in your Viburnum, too. All of the species I’ve come across have a delightful scent.
In one of those one-thing-leads-to-another experiences, a Chicago/Iowa blogger introduced me to a Florida musician named JJ Grey. He apparently is well known, but I’ve missed him. When I found his deeply moving song Seminole Wind, it brought your world alive in a different way. If you and Gini haven’t heard it, I’ll bet you’ll like it. It made me want to pack the car and head east to Florida as soon as possible. He has another lyric video for his song titled “Olustee,” about the 1998 Florida wildfires. It’s a stunning piece, and certainly brings home the reality of such fires.
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Here’s Olustee.
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The damselfly allowed me to lay down and kept still while I used knees and elbows to move from a side view 90 degrees around to get that head shot. Why can’t all critters be that cooperative?
The Osprey had just landed atop that pole with his stick and I was close enough that the combination of clicking camera and me moving around put them on alert. I apologized and retreated. Will soon check on their progress.
Love Seminole Wind but had not heard Olustee, so thank you. Good musician.
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We don’t get out early but we still see amazing wildlife….flora and fauna when we get into the wilderness. This place is high on my list to visit, maybe we’ll camp close by sometime! Love that photo of the damsel. I keep going back to look at it again and again!
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Early or late, Nature will still be there. With nice surprises for us to find!
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That Osprey glare photo is just perfect – really shows their front-facing eyes at their most powerful! Early morning light is such a fleeting phenomena – glad you caught the morning glories side-lit, they are gorgeous! I need to find a specimen of the Walter’s Viburnum here, I love the waxy white flowers, and would love to sample its aroma. Another wonderful walk – thanks for sharing it with us!
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So many wonderful things to see, so little time!
We’ll keep trying to get it all done. So we can keep sharing.
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Thank you, Sam. It was a really pleasant morning.
Gini and I felt like a pair of hummingbirds as we flitted from place to place sampling the sweet nectar of Nature. (Wow, that’s deep.)
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Everything looks so pretty in that glorious morning light.
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We thought so, too!
Have a great weekend.
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A sunrise like that is a pretty opener, both of the post and of your eyes before that. May 2, 2024, and you were there.
The bird with its tuft up looks wary of a dustup.
Your mention of the viburnum flowers’ fragrance got me wondering whether perfumes with that scent are available. An Internet search shows they are, though I found no indication of what viburnum species goes into each. There is an indication that the video you linked to has been viewed 184 million times.
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Eye-opening can be a good way to start a day.
The little Tufted Titmouse, like many small birds, has a large attitude. They are often the first to challenge anything in “their” territory. Loudly.
Gini advises she prefers to enjoy her viburnum fragrance still on the branch. There goes that gift idea.
We happy to contribute to the throngs of Bangles fans.
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Thanks for sharing Wally. The 200-500 mm must be a great telephoto range to have. My experience with Florida was completely urban. I lived in Miami for nearly five years and most of my contact with nature was through the Fairchild Botanical Garden. It’s great to see how beautiful Florida truly is through your blog, as Miami has become highly industrialized. Thanks so much welcoming me and I look forward to visiting your blog!
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I’ve since retired and live in Puerto Rico now.
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Our Grandson just returned from his first trip to Puerto Rico and is already making plans to go again. He really loved his experience.
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You’re very welcome, Maria.
I was born in Miami but grew up and remained in central Florida. The blog has been our small effort to show a bit of Florida’s natural side. And have fun doing it.
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I used to be an OTR (occupational therapist by trade), so I had contract travel assignments that took me to central Florida. I spent years in Eustis and Mt Dora, but also traveled to other parts. Later, I worked in home health in Miami, and on occasion drove through Homestead, as well as up north in Aventura (which is a Miami district) and North Miami. Other previous assignments included St. Petersburg, Naples, Punta Gorda and Orlando. It was a time when there was a shortage of OTR’s (in the 2,012’s onwards). So traveling became an option to also see the State. Once in Miami, I realized I missed the beauty of central Florida.
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Hi
I’m a follower of Linda Leinen’s blogs, and she recently referred me to yours, and I’m glad she did. I’m really enjoying your photography. If I may ask you to please tell me about the camera gear you use. I notice this clarity and bokeh, which to me suggests you’re using a fast telephoto? I am presently looking to upgrade to a light and fast telephoto (from an old and heavy Canon 100-400 EF one). What are you using?
Thanks you!
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Hello, Maria. Looks like Linda is earning her hefty commission fee.
Welcome!
Most of the time, I use a Nikon D850. For general wildlife I attach a Nikon 200-500 mm, f5.6 zoom. A couple of wide angle lenses hang around the bag for landscape stuff and a Nikon 105 mm macro lens helps capture damselflies.
This stuff is not light. I considered switching to mirrorless but my age and my finances convinced me to keep using what seems to work now and then.
Hope this helps. At least now you know what NOT to get if you’re trying to go light!
Thank you for visiting. Hope you come back once in awhile.
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All this, and freshly baked strawberry bread too! I think you’ve found nirvana!!
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Well, her name is not nirvana, but I sure am glad I found her. And even happier she lets me hang around.
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Always the same, always different and always gobsmackingly marvellous.
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Well, THAT describes our adventures in two great words!
Thanks, EC.
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Great morning sky Wally.
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Turns out, the entire morning was great!
Thank you, Brad.
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