Project 365 …For mothers just like me: February 2015

Project 365 – For mothers just like me…is a group of moms with young children who graciously allowed me to tag along with the group as an accountability group for taking photographs.  Both of my children are much older and living out of home.  I hope to continue with this group as I have enjoyed every moment of my time spent with them and getting to know each family.

 

Day 32:  February 1, 2015

Walking through the wetlands is always a pleasure for me and there appeared to be a feeding frenzy of Woodstork and Ibis.  I managed to catch this Juvenile White Ibis as he flew in.

Day 33:  February 2, 2015

The Blue Jays give the Squirrels a hard time in the mornings stealing their peanuts before the Squirrels have a chance to finish one.

Day 34:  February 3, 2015

Sunsets out back are always a beautiful and peaceful time of day for me.

Day 35:  February 4, 2015

Early mornings are never great for me but it does help when I get to see a beautiful magenta sky.

Day 36:  February 5, 2015

Roses are some of my favorite flowers.  I wish they lasted longer. I loved playing with the sepia tones in this image,

Day 37:  February 6, 2015

I happened to wander outside and find this Glossy Ibis hanging out on the back canal.

Day 38:  February 7, 2015

We got to go to a birthday party in the park.  What is nicer than watching the beautiful butterflies settle on the tiny little plants.

Day 39:  February 8, 2015

It is Sunday and after church I headed for the wetlands.  The Great Blue Heron chicks are growing and I am missing out on seeing them.

Day 40:  February 9, 2015

It’s a work day and I fed the ducks and then gave Ms Squirrel her 3 peanuts and headed off to work.  I love that I can have these brief moments in time to enjoy nature.

Day 41:  February 10, 2015

I have to laugh at these little Grebe’s.  They will swim happily down the canal until they see me.  Then they duck under water and swim past me and pop up so far down the canal that taking a photo of them is pretty useless.  I wish they were a little braver.

Day 42:  February 11, 2015

I am up in Gainesville and it amazes me how air plants and Spanish Moss have taken over the trees.

Day 43:  February 12, 2015

This was such a sweet sight.  I walked outside one morning to see all these stray/feral cats hanging out outside this door.  A short while later they all had piles of food on the sidewalk.  I am so glad that someone takes the time to feed them.

Day 44:  February 13, 2015

We walked through Paynes Prairie today.  What a thrill it was to see a Bald Eagle in the wild.

Day 45:  February 14, 2015

I am back home and like always I wandered out onto the bank to find this tiny sunflower growing on the edge of the bank.  Seems like a sunflower seed must have been carried from the ducks bowl and dropped on the bank.

Day 46:  February 15, 2015

Sunset out back from the patio is always special.  It is nice to be able to chill and just enjoy.

Day 47:  February 16, 2015

It is Sunday morning and breakfast time for all of us, including Ms Squirrel.

Day 48:  February 17, 2015

Today was a work day with nothing happening in the morning.  I managed to get home just in time to grab the sunset.

Day 49:  February 18, 2015

Today was a special day.  We said farewell to an amazing volunteer who has spent the last 30 years volunteering with our organization.  Marian served during the 2nd World War, she worked as a missionary in a number of countries.  She has a rich history, and at 90 years old she has decided to move closer to her sister.  As she closed out she was wondering what opportunities she would have to serve in her new home.  Oh, to be someone like Marian.  To be able to give unconditionally knowing that you do not expect anything in return.  I hope she takes time to write down her life history.

Day 50:  February 19, 2015

I happened to be watching the sunset driving home when I spotted these guys watering their plants.  Fortunately there was a pull off point that allowed me to stop suddenly.  I loved watching the movement of the water across the sky.

Day 51:  February 20, 2015

This was a special treat today – I have only seen this once before and I was so thrilled to see a Bobcat in the wild.  Not only did I see one but shortly after that a second one came in.  What a beautiful sight.

Day 52:  February 21, 2015

Something different today.  I went to a street painting expo in Lake Worth, Florida.  The street is their canvas, chalk is their tool. The mind is limitless as the images slowly emerge.  You can see more of this event here.  I loved seeing all these shoes neatly stacked at the side of the road.

Day 53:  February 22, 2015

Hewy and Dewey are out on the canal today, but I am not sure where Louie is.  The day is pretty gray and this photo really leaned towards a black and white photo.

Day 54:  February 23, 2015

Monday morning was another gray day.  When I went outside to feed the ducks it was really foggy.  Driving out of the community I spotted an opportunity for a eerie sort of image.  I had to stop and turn around and go back to the start of the road to catch this photo.

Day 55:  February 24, 2015

After work I did a detour past the wetlands to check on the baby chicks.  I was pretty excited to see these tufts of fluff.  Anhinga chicks are so sweet.  There are 3 chicks in this nest.

Day 56:  February 25, 2015

It is Wednesday morning and the Blue Jays are stealing the Squirrels food again.  The come in packs and before the Squirrel knows it all her peanuts have gone.

Day 57:  February 26, 2015

Arum Lily and Anthurium remind me of my mother.  She had both growing in her garden.  She enjoyed having them in a vase in her house.  Those were the two flowers you could guarantee to see displayed.  I love both of them as well.  This Arum Lily is sitting on the window sill of my office.

Day 58:  February 27, 2015

Hewy and Dewey headed into the water, but Louie was not interested and getting his feet wet.  Big Blue was fishing and they were curious.  It was a beautiful time out on the bank.  Big Blue, the Great Blue Heron, Hewy, Dewey and Louie, the American White Ibis, Mix and Match (since I never know if they are the same Mallard Ducks), Ms Squirrel and the Blue Jays, all made my day.

Day 59:  February 28, 2015

Tulips are another of my favorite flowers and I had bought myself some on Thursday thinking I would not get a photo in the evening.  And then I took the Arum Lily.  The day was gray and the tulips opened beautifully today, so what better beauty than that of a gorgeous flower.