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Transitions

(Click images to enlarge, click again to zoom.) “Wow!” That’s an overused interjection, for certain. Sometimes, however, nothing else conveys the meaning one seeks. Besides, it’s a direct quote, so there. The object of Gini’s amazement hove into view as we came to the first bend in the road after entering Colt Creek State Park. A large swath of lavender along the edge of the pine forest offered a spectacular “Welcome Back“…. Read More

Category: Birds, Flora, Florida, Photography Tags: american robin, canadian toadflax, carolina desert-chicory, carolina jessamine, colt creek state park, common yellowthroat, gray catbird, leavenworth's tickseed, lyreleaf sage, mexican pricklypoppy, oakleaf fleabane, osprey, pileated woodpecker, red-shouldered hawk, savannah sparrow, sawtooth blackberry, walter's viburnum, wood stork, yellow-rumped warbler, yellow-throated warbler

Back In The Saddle Again*

Life is precious. Step outside. Breathe deeply. Tell someone you love them. (Our handlers released the latch to the door of our confinement and we furtively stepped onto the soft grass. It took a few moments for us to realize that we could once again spread our wings fully. In unison, we ran forward, flapped vigorously and were propelled into the bright blue sky. As we … “slipped the surly bonds of… Read More

Category: Birds, Flora, Florida, Photography Tags: black-and-white warbler, coastal plain willow, glossy ibis, lesser yellowlegs, limpkin, little blue heron, palm warbler, red-shouldered hawk, savannah sparrow, wilson's snipe, yaupon holly, yellow-rumped warbler

“One of the Forever Gifts …”*

(Click on images to enlarge, click again to zoom.) Here we are again. We don’t exactly know each tree by their name, but we know we are among friends. The arching branches provide shade for our late morning breakfast. A breeze by itself makes no sound, but when it rustles pine needles above our heads it gives the impression of waves breaking along the shore of our souls. No matter how ingenious… Read More

Category: Birds, Flora, Florida, Insects, Photography Tags: bahaman aster, blue-eyed grass, blue-gray gnatcatcher, carolina desert-chicory, cloudless sulphur, common ground dove, common yellow stargrass, downy woodpecker, eastern leaf-footed bug, four-petal st. johnswort, leavenworth's tickseed, little yellow, mexican primrosewillow, north american racer, northern parula, oakleaf fleabane, prairie/savanna lily, red admiral, regal jumping spider, savannah sparrow, spotless lady beetle, walter's viburnum, yellow-rumped warbler, yellow-throated warbler

Shades of Green

(Click on images to enlarge, click again to zoom.) Spring. According to the calendar, it will be here next week, arriving precisely at 11:06 p.m. on March 19, 2024. Nature. It adheres to it’s very own schedule, every day of the year. I reckon it may be useful (?) to know that on the date and time above there will be an equal amount of day and night. Equinox. Plan accordingly. So,… Read More

Category: Birds, Flora, Florida, Photography Tags: blackeyed susan, blue-gray gnatcatcher, blue-headed vireo, brown-headed nuthatch, carolina chickadee, floating bladderwort, green swamp, northern cardinal, pine savanna, red maple, smallfruit beggartick, turkey-tail, yellow-rumped warbler

Spring In Winter

(Click images to enlarge, click again to zoom.) Good news and bad news. The good news: Our central Florida winter has not had any days below freezing. That means we have been pretty comfortable as we explore. The bad news: Our central Florida winter has not had any days below freezing. That means mosquito larvae have not suffered much degradation and there will soon be many hungry adults looking for a feast…. Read More

Category: Birds, Fauna, Flora, Florida, Photography Tags: bald eagle, blue-gray gnatcatcher, burmarigold, climbing aster, double-crested cormorant, eastern phoebe, indian blanket, limpkin, opossum, osprey, rosary pea, yellow-rumped warbler

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