sharleenstuartTell me a Story: May 2018
Posted on May 31, 2018
For this months Tell me a Story, I looked at the images that I had taken on my recent walkabout in the wetlands. As you know I love the shallow depth of field type images and so I put together a selection from those I took while out walking.
I love that there is more to the wetlands than just birds and critters. There are some beautiful plants and opportunities to be creative.
Alligator Flag
Pond apple petal
Spider Web
New Fern
Last of the winter leaves
Dead Fern
Pond Apple Petal
Alligator Flag
Another winter leaf
Spanish Moss
Alligator flag
Some kind of growth out of the wooden railing
Alligator Flag
Although the weather turned cold, the days on the beach were well worth the time it took to get away. It is always nice to be at the edge of the ocean, hearing the waves go to and fro and enjoying the peace of the moment.
This is a circle blog and I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else has got up to this month. Follow the link here to see what my fellow blogger Beth at Beth Williams Photoblog has for you this month, Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
30 Minutes in the Life: May 2018
Posted on May 28, 2018
For my 30 Minutes in the Life this month I am going to share a trip to the Loxahatchee National Park which is 15 minutes from where I live. A quick, jump in the car and rush up in time to catch the sunset. We have had a lot of rain and so it has made it difficult to get any photo’s recently.
This particular night however, there was a heavy band of cloud when I got to the park which made for very dark images.
My first stop is always the pond. I love to see what images I can capture there.
Sunset at the pond.
Sunset at the pond
Sunset at the pond
The next stop is up at the edge of the Everglades overlooking the vast areas of marshy water. The Everglades is, I believe, the slowest moving river in South Florida. The area is subtropical and his home to many species of plants and animals. Of course, it is home to some pretty large alligators as well. Kayaking through there can be great and there can also be some breath holding moments. The thick band of cloud did not allow for much of a sunset but I got what I could.
Sunset on a really cloudy night.
Sunset over the Everglades.
Sunset
The real treat however, is to watch the murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackles. The incredible dance in the sky is such a fantastic display of coordination and movement by this large body of birds. They shape shift in the sky, making coordinated changes in direction.
Murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackle while a White Egret flies by.
Watching the Boat Tailed Grackles a White Egret flies by.
Murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackes.
Murmuration of the Boat Tailed Grackles
Lastly, I always take my lensbaby along with me to play around with the shapes of the sun during the sunset. I love getting an abstract look to the sunset.
Sunset – Sweet 35
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 Minutes in Life. For the rest of the blog group, please take time to visit my friend and fellow blogger Stacey Markel Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle of photographers to see what the other photographers, from the US and around the world, have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Viewbug and Google+
Inspired by Life: May 2018
Posted on May 21, 2018
I recently took a drive down to Fort Lauderdale. I had heard that there were Burrowing Owl chicks in a local park. Burrowing Owls have to be the cutest little birds I have ever seen, my baby Redwing Blackbirds aside. They stand no higher than a standard ruler.
Typically Burrowing owls can be found in grasslands, deserts and agricultural areas. I found mine in an old garbage dump that has been turned into a park.
Burrowing Owls create their homes by digging in the ground. The Burrowing Owl is a protected species in Florida. Wherever there is a roost they are typically cordoned off to stop anyone walking on them or getting too close to them.
They are curious little birds, who do not seem easily intimidated if they see you, however, if you get to close they will scurry to their burrow. The Owl is constantly watching you, watching the air and watching how far they from their hole. I visited 6 different burrows, traipsing across uneven ground to get to the various holes. Then for the most part I sat myself down on the ground and did not move. Fortunately I have a 70-300mm zoom lens and with some post cropping you get to see a closer up image.
I did post a couple of images from 2017 – the bird regurgitating it’s food, and the bird stretching it’s wing out.
Typical cordoning off of the area
A sample of the general size of the Burrowing Owl. The fire hydrant is a standard size.
The Owls typically come out in the day time, and will hover near the post in it’s shade.
This little one made a noise as I approached.
They are constantly looking in the sky for predators.
I love their big eyes.
This little Owl popped out once I sat down.
It got a little braver and came right out.
Then interestingly it lay itself down on the ground. The ground is great camouflage for the Burrowing Owl. However, there are other possibilities for doing this. The bird could be cooling down, or trying to suffocate the mites that are on its body.
This little Burrowing Owl was at a different location.
I love the look I was getting here.
It’s room mate was cleaning house.
This was an interesting capture of the Burrowing Owl regurgitating the leftovers of its meal.
Doing some yoga and stretching.
Off to another locations to find this little Burrowing Owl out on top of the wooden post.
I am fascinated that the Owl will turn it’s head almost all the way around as it follows you.
And in this case it did turn it’s head all the way around.
This little one, like my cat, is camera shy.
This happened at another location as well.
At the last location these little guys scurried to their burrow and I stepped up to the rope to see if I could see them.
I sat down to wait and finally they popped back out.
I know there are a lot of photo’s but these little guys are so cute that I feel like it is worth posting them all. I may well do another trip down there before the end of the month.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Inspired by Life. This is a circle blog although we are a little on the light side this month. Please take time to visit my friend Kym of Bubbaliciousphoto and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on her pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
10 on 10: May 2018
Posted on May 10, 2018
Within driving distance of where we live are two created wetlands. It is a natural habitat for nesting birds, and of course spring is nesting time. For the longest time we had a variety of birds, Great Blue Heron, Anhinga, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Great Egret etc. Somehow the secret got out to the Woodstork and they have become the major nesting bird. I always loved the Woodstork, who looks like a prehistoric bird, but lately since they have taken over the wetlands I am liking them less and less. Added to that when you have the mass of birds that are there now, they are kind of stinky. However, I still like getting out into the wetlands and enjoying my 1 mile walk in nature.
Spiny Orb Weaver Spider
The Spiny Orb Weaver Spider is one of the smallest but most interesting spiders I have seen in South Florida. Aside from the spider being interesting, the web it creates is outstanding.
Great Blue Heron
This Great Blue Heron is fishing. Daily they make their way into the water to catch fish. The Great Blue Heron watches the fish with it’s head facing sideways. Once caught the fish goes down in one big gulp.
Leaf on the water
We spotted this leaf on the water and it really looked like something was towing it about. However, it was just the wind creating a sail and moving it about the water’s surface.
Juvenile Wood Stork
A juvenile Wood Stork looks soft and downy, but as they mature, the darkness around their face becomes almost leathery looking. The Wood Stork is very prehistoric looking as an adult. The wetlands is full of these young birds and they are very noisy. Right now a good few of them are testing their wings to see if they can fly.
Alligator Flag
Alligator Flag is a common plant in the wetlands and the Moorhens and Purple Gallinule love to eat the flower. It is always interesting to watch as the plant stem is very thin and bends easily and the birds are not petite. However, they do manage to grab what they want. This method of taking photographs is one of my favorite styles.
Iguana
This iguana sits on a branch under the Woodstork nests. Based on the color of his flap I am going to say that right now it is orange. However, it has been pooped on so much that it is looking gray.
Bees on a Pickerelweed flower
A sure sign of spring is the busyness of the bees, and the wetlands flowers are definitely a good source of nectar for the bees.
Alligator
Lying below another set of Wood Stork nests was this big guy. This is a little island in the middle of the water. The Alligator is sunning itself at this point however, if the chicks fall out the nest the gator would probably snap it up.
Blue Dasher Dragonfly
Dragonflies are another of my favorite critters to watch. I was happy to see this Blue Dasher out and about. For the last couple of years it has felt like there was so few dragonfly around.
Pond apple petal
The Pond Apple plant is a tropical fruit plant and it typically grows in wet areas so the wetland is perfect for it. Apparently alligators like to eat pond apples.
So that was my meander through the wetlands. It takes me about an hour depending on how long I stop to watch different birds or animals. It is a great time for me to get out and clear my head and just commune with nature. And take photographs as well.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s 10 on 10. This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit my good friend Ceri of Ceri Herd Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Share Six: April 2018: Urban
Posted on May 6, 2018
It was my turn to choose the theme this month and I love the idea of getting into a city environment and taking photographs. So the theme I chose was {Urban}. The city has so many different facets and characteristics. When I travel I love to walk through as much of the city as possible. Of course, Richard hates it, so often I will go off on my own and explore. I did that in Denver due to the snow, he is not a big now fan. In Seattle he walked a fair bit with me. Talking Seattle if you ever get the chance visit the Seattle Library. I loved it.
I remember the cities in South Africa. The memories of growing up and going by bus to the Durban city center with my mother. There was a beautiful old town hall that dated back to the early 1900’s. Across the road was a memorial park. I would like to say that it was a remembrance to fallen soldiers but my memory does not remember that far back. However, as a child I remember the highlight was that I could go and feed the pigeons at the park. Visualize this crazy child running up to the birds with bird seed and the bird scattering. Cape Town sat under the shadows of a mountain range, and on the edge of the ocean. Johannesburg was just a concrete jungle.
In 1987 Richard and I traveled through 9 countries in Europe before heading over to the UK to do England, Wales and Scotland . Each city was unique in it’s beauty. From the Eiffel Tower in France, to the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, to the Colosseum in Italy, and various other cities, each city had something unique to offer. Back in London, we headed out to the furthermost point from our hotel. We decided to head back to the hotel only to discover that the underground system had shut down for no apparent reason. We walked from London Bridge for two hours through the city street of London. Oh I wish I had had my big girl camera with me then.
I know that when I do photograph {Urban} images that I prefer the images to be in black and white. Just a personal preference when I look at the photographs.
I work in West Palm Beach, and just 10 minutes away is the downtown Clematis street area and City Place. My daughter works close by as well, so I suggested that we grab our camera’s and head to City Place after work. When we finished taking photos, we could stop and enjoy some dinner. Both have the hustle and bustle of restaurant activity.
So here are my {Urban} images for the Share Six theme. I do hope you enjoy them.
I will confess that I was enjoying being out with my daughter and enjoying what City Place had to offer so I have included a few more than six images.
Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six. This is a circle blog. From the sneak peak images I have seen, you are going to want to follow the circle. Please take time to visit my friend Kathy of KG Ledbetter Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.
You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.
Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme {Urban} throughout the month of May. A new theme will come out on June 6.
Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix_urban.
You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com
We look forward to seeing your images on the theme {Urban}
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