Nature In Action

So, I'm sitting on our deck admiring the beauty of this Great Blue Heron and I grabbed my camera to get some shots.  I'm snapping a few here and there as he prances from the yard up to the bank of the canal when I discover that I'm not quite the "National Geographic" photographer.  

 Because this is the shot I ended up getting.  Why?  Well, while I was taking a photo shoot of a heron, a gator decided to lunge from the water and make a try at having it for a meal!  I was not expecting that to happen, lol!

   When the gator struck the bird flew upwards and back from the edge, but someone wasn't giving up just yet.  See its eyeballs peeking over the bank?

Yeah, I think I'd be changing my location, too!

I get so much enjoyment just cruising through my yard and observing the wonders of nature.  But last week I stumbled upon a sight that just blew me away.....something I'd never seen before.   We have a Crape Myrtle that is coming back after my husband pulled the mature tree down due to vines smothering it.  When I walked past it that day, I noticed that it was LOADED  

with Lady Bugs (aka Lady Beetles).  I thought the plant must be infested to have so many, surely!  They were as beautiful as they were diverse.  

Missing Him

It was so hard, those first years after my dad passed away.  Gone too young to enjoy his retirement; too young for his grandchildren to grow up knowing him as little more than a distant memory.  But it did get easier with each year that went by. 

New Life Chapter - God's Plan in Action

Dragonflies darting about by day, the sun dancing on their wings making them appear like Woodsprites, zipping back and forth through the oak grove in our back yard. Birds singing and guessing their names as I listen to their song. Sunsets each day, a beautiful gift from God. Frogs croaking and crickets chirping in the dark. Yes, my camera and I are going to like it here very much.

A Natural Kind of Day

The rain is falling softly, like in a tropical forest.  And all I hear are the songs of the birds rejoicing.  Today the Titmice are coming sometimes by pairs to the feeders with the males announcing their arrival each time.

The Blue Jays eat as if it’s their last meal, arriving in clusters of four or five, each waiting their turn….or not! Ha!

  

The Dove, usually arriving in pairs, tip-toe through the yard making their way to the small piles of seed lying at the base of one of the feeders, hoping to gather a meal before a cat or another bird spooks them away, while the males chase off other males who dare enter their territory.  

 Meanwhile, three or four fat squirrels forage through the yard creating little dimples, until they spot that snack of feed over where the doves are.   

And today we welcomed the arrival of a new guest…the Carolina Chickadee.

Fourth Generation

Thanksgiving.....a time for family to gather all in one place at once to enjoy one another, catch up one each others lives and give thanks for all that we have.  This year we held our gathering at a local park and held a photo shoot along with our dinner.  Portrait photography isn't my expertise and having 30 plus family members was quite challenging, but I think we all did a pretty darned good job and we got some great shots.  This made me want to do it all again, but in the Spring at a time when everyone isn't pulled in all directions.  Because in spite of having everyone in attendance on Thanksgiving, we still didn't have everyone present at the same time.

October Beach Wedding - 2nd Shooter

16/52 - Muted Tones

All dressed up and ready to go save the world.

15/52 - Standing Tall

Finally, we made it out on the boat again. Shooting our Florida waterways is one of my greatest pleasures and it's been five months since my husband has had a break to be able to get out again.  I just can't ever get enough of this scenery.

BlackRapid Camera Sling

Jeannette's 80th Birthday Event

True Beauty - 14/52

These ladies were celebrating one sister's 80th birthday and they partied hearty.  How beautiful it was to see these senior citizens dancing up a storm all night long and celebrating life.  The leader of this conga line is a mere 89 years young!

Rainy Days & Sundays - 13/52

So the theme this week was "Architecture" but, as you can see, the weather wasn't too cooperative this week.  And the bottled up energy the kids had was making us pull our hair out.  So, what do you do with kids on a rainy day (when there is no lightening or thunder)?  You put clothes on them that mud won't hurt and send them out the door to be a kid!  Who doesn't love jumping in puddles?  They wear themselves out a bit by burning off all that pent up steam, then you just strip them down and put them in the tub when they're done.  You see?  Rainy days aren't always a bad thing.

A Taste For Vintage -12/52

This week's theme called for vintage, so this shot fit the theme pretty well.  We had beautiful weather, so it was a great day to take my retro-style Mustang for a drive across the Bay with the top down. 

...Or Maybe These Eyes Have It

I'm kicking myself that I didn't have this one to use for the last theme "The Eyes Have It".  I mean, who could resist that look?!

The Eyes Have It - 10/52

This is "outside of the box" for sure, but when I saw my grandson attempt to pick this flower I saw how the sun was hitting just right. I just couldn't pass it up.

Momentous Moment - 9/52

Not one of my best shots, but it's the best that fits the theme ;-).  The Roundup and WQYK welcomed Chris Cagle for an acoustic concert this weekend and sounded as great as ever.  It's been a long time and we're glad you're back on the road, Chris!

8/52 - Thirst....for Knowledge?

So the theme for this week was "Thirst for Knowledge" but all we wanted this weekend was to let loose, have a good time and de-stress.  Work life as we have all known it came to a screeching halt with the layoff of myself and two others who worked with us, along with about 93 other Hillsborough County staff.  I has been a long, mental drain these past three months and we wanted to have some release and not have to drive anywhere.  So a place at the beach was just what the doctor ordered!

Man vs. Nature - 11/52

These two little munchkins have been digging holes to China, so I thought it fit perfectly in the "Man vs. Nature" theme.  It's so enjoyable to watch them through my back window as they use their imagination and play in the yard for hours on end. 

Lazy - 7/52

It's Not Easy Being a Weed

They may be a nuisance and bring unwanted "stickers" into the house all stuck to your clothes and pets, but sometimes you just have to step back and realize....even a weed can have a pretty side.

This weeks theme is "Lazy" and I guess that would be me! lol...Not that I was too lazy to take some shots, I just didn't search out something that truly fit the theme.