Herons like to find a perch up high to preen and watch. I know because we have one that sits on an oak branch out back. He typically shows up in the afternoon to scratch and decide what to do next. This one however I found at Emerson Point which is a local preserve. We are fortunate to have these birds in such close proximity. Years ago when I lived in Canada, Heron sightings were rare and a “big deal”. It’s still great when I see them down here in Florida, just not so rare.
Sunset Thunder
This evening I waited way too long to capture this. It’s not a good idea to stay outside when the clouds look like this. As I waited for the sun to appear in the break above the horizon, a thunderstorm approached from the east. Most everyone else scattered but I wanted to capture the combination of colors before me. Nonetheless, I lived to tell about it and I have the image that I made a bad decision for. Not sure if that’s good or bad.
Enders Pond
A little north of Hartford is Enders State Forest. If you drive too fast you’ll miss the parking lot at the side of the road, I had to break quickly. Down a little trail is a series of cascading waterfalls and moss covered rocks. One amazing waterfall after another, a magical place. This garden of Eden is right in the middle of New England. If you like waterfalls, then put this on your list, just be sure not to drive too fast.
After the Rain
The best time to get out and take photos of nature is right after it rains. There are pools and ponds to create reflections and of course everything feels refreshed. I’ve posted other shots from this exact spot but lucky for me the clouds are always different. Clyde Butcher, perhaps Florida’s most well known photographer, said that the clouds are our mountains. It’s true, the clouds here are spectacular and ever changing throughout the seasons. The main thing is to get outside after the rain and you will not be disappointed.
Last Rays of the Sun
The last rays of the day before dusk at Fort DeSoto park in St Petersburg Florida. Everything was idyllic on this evening and I thought this is a moment I want to remember. Of course I was busy taking pictures, but I have this souvenir. For me, just being there to take the picture was enjoyment enough.
View from Bell Rock
This is the view from Bell Rock in Sedona. I was here over the New Years and the weather was spectacular, cool in the evenings and warm in the day. Now I suspect with summer approaching its much much warmer. These rock formations are so unique that it’s all you can do to pull over and stare for a half hour. It’s not something that’s too common here on Earth, Mars perhaps, but not here. I lingered here so long that when the sun fell below the rocks it got dark very quickly and so I ended up using the light on my iPhone to make my way back to the parking lot. Note to self, bring a flashlight next time.
Morning Light in Tom Bennett Park
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I’m posting this to remind myself to get outside after it stops raining. That’s when we get great light and as everyone knows, photographers love unusual shades and hues of light. Right after a storm is one of those times. In any case, this was taken in the morning after an evening of rain and with any luck I’ll get out again today or tomorrow morning for some similar shots. In the meantime, have a great day everyone.
Grove by the Road
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A roadside grove in central Florida. As we drove by we noticed how the sun illuminated the tops of these grasses from behind. They looked ethereal swaying in the wind as I crouched low to include the tall poplar trees in the frame. The is a common sight for central Florida, nonetheless we just happen to see is at the right moment and decided to stop long enough to preserve it in a photo.
Roseate Spoonbill
It’s not uncommon to see a Spoonbill along the side of the road here in Florida.
Driftwood House in Ucluelet, BC
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This driftwood house is along the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet. The West coast of Vancouver Island looks a lot like this, rugged coves, black rock and driftwood. I’m not sure who constructed this but it was no small undertaking. Maybe not a posh resort, but if you consider the mountains, ocean and stars at night it comes pretty close. In my estimation the only thing missing is a campfire and some marshmallows.