sexy lady

you whooo....

show off

Next time it's my turn.

an illusion

At first it appeared as a strong support and then I see it's fragile underside,

 a splintered foothold hanging on to itself.

brrrrr

I really don't know how they survive the bitter cold winters. I feel so responsible for keeping the bird feeder supplied, especially during the last 12" snow storm. I brought out bowls of sunflower seeds to supplement their normal fare. 

They are taken care of while I'm gone but I still worry....

another view

My kayak route has changed its possibilities. Now it hides from me and instead offers frozen images of swirling currents caught by the frigid temperatures. I wish I could have walked down the hill and spent the afternoon getting lost in those curves but there was no time. 

cow portrait

Good afternoon.

 I commissioned Phyllis to shoot my portrait.

This one was taken during my work out.

This one was taken during my rest time. 

Which one do you think I should pick for my family album.

I can only afford one. We don't get paid much out here in the Florida ranch country.

offshore

They were throwing, weaving, balancing, and following.

In other words they were fishing...

Play ball

The beach was busy that day. This ring billed gull found an orange ball. 

He bounced it and threw it in the air. 

I worried he might choke so when I got close he made a fast getaway with it.

all over alligator

Can you see them?

I count six.

I think there are more but there is no more space on mom. 

They slip in and out of the water and she gives them the support they need to feel safe.

This one is top dog.

I mean top alligator.

a feather umbrella

I especially loved when he fanned his feathers over her.

They are an especially beautiful pair of Great Blue Herons and I imagine their offspring will be beautiful as well. He will be delivering sticks for her to weave into their nest. I'm hoping to witness some of that activity. The eggs will be incubated by both of them for about a month. I plan on being introduced when they hatch.

This is the greatest!

Our mating pair

has gotten

down to business...

Florida skies

The west coast sunsets are beautiful.

This pelican agrees...

getting ready

It's hard to believe that they can get more beautiful.

They are in sync with each other.

blues in the pink

These Great Blue Herons are in a dream state. Beak to beak, feathers a fluff, hearts a beating.

More tomorrow about this mating pair.

A word from Tully

Sometimes when I'm chewing on raccoon I think about things.

I wonder why birds fly and I can't. 

I have tried chasing turkey vultures but they fly higher than my leash.

I wonder why my people flounder in the pool when all they need is the top step to get their belly's wet.

I wonder if I COULD fly what I would eat up there.

Wait did you hear that?

I wonder when I'm done eating raccoon if I went over the fence I might find the UPS man.

a floating memory

Roaming around my lily pond on a summer day with a macro lens.

Little dancing feet floating everywhere, reflecting the true blue skies.

the next generation

Their future is in your hands.

Happy New Year

The beginning of a new year has all of us reflecting on the past year.

 I love reflections, especially the ones in the marina.

Reflections take what you know for sure and show you what you know nothing about.

They offer possibilities. The chance to see something more beautiful than our reality.

I plan on spending more time gazing into the waters in 2014.