Obtain Print
Yesterday I got up early to look for some epic shots of the sunrise. Probably because I had an agenda it didn’t work out. I had a location in mind but the weather didn’t cooperate and no matter where I walked I couldn’t find a good composition. I walked back to the parking lot a little defeated and noticed a flock of White Ibis feeding in the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay in front of the car. So I just sat down on the ground to relax and watch them as they worked the shore. I guess the lesson is to keep an open mind because you never know what you’ll see. I think sometimes with photography its better to let the world come to me rather than marching out to find something in my head. Beside it was a much more enjoyable experience just sitting here watching these cool fellas in the morning.
Cloudscape
Order a print here
If it’s not obvious, this is a picture of a cloud hanging over the water. I had to say that in case you were looking for some little object of interest like a person or boat. Sometimes I find myself in a situation where the main subject of the scene is simply a cloud. Actually that happens a lot where I live. The heat builds up in the vapor and transforms it into crazy shapes, usually over water. Add the light of dusk and you get a scene like this, if only for a few minutes. This is cloudscape photography. I just made that up. I wonder if that’s a word…? You heard it here first. 😀
Palms in the Park
Palms grow near the wildlife viewing boardwalk in Myakka River State Park. I grew up near the mountains in California where most parks have pines trees or redwoods. Not so here in Florida as pines would not withstand hurricanes. In any case, this boardwalk extends into a wetland were you can see all manner of birds like Herons, Egrets, Osprey, Hawks and Eagles. And just off on the left is Myakka Lake which is home to about five hundred Alligators. Definitely not California.
Just Before Dusk
I took this from a kayak launch just before the bridge to Anna Maria Island. This little guy was out feeding alone but I’m sure he knew where the others in his flock were. These waters are shallow enough that you could walk several hundred yards out with your fishing pole, as long as you keep track of the tide. Kind of a nice way to end the day.
Lone Palm in Myakka
A lone Palm in an open field in central Florida’s Myakka State Park. These open spaces are necessary for the ecology so its nice we have parks where nature can thrive.
Down the Garden Path
Bok Tower Gardens in central Florida has these paths all around the property that lead from one garden to the next. Fortunately these big Oaks provide plenty of shade which is a hot commodity this time of year. (No pun intended.)
Roaring Brook Nature Center
This is in Canton Connecticut, just outside Hartford. Coming from flat Florida, I am always happy to explore the winding roads and hills. I followed some signs to this nature center where I found trails, this pond and a Brook. The brook was more babbling than roaring, but maybe that was due to the recent lack of rainfall. Nevertheless this pond reflecting the clouds caught my photographers eye. After visiting places like this you can’t help but love New England.
Streaming Clouds Above the Pond
On a cloudy day I took a walk through a forest and came upon this pond. The wind started to pick up as though to rain but lucky for me it wasn’t to be. The clouds were thick and heavy and reminded me of Florida back home. Even though it’s over a thousand miles to the south, on this day the weather was probably nearly the same.
Heron on a Palm
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.
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.