sand crab

I went to the beach to photograph the sunrise, I had missed it the morning before because I was too late getting there! But look who I discovered digging back and forth in the sand. This guy was fabulous, we played hide and seek with each other for a long time. He prefers walking sideways and loves to throw the sand in the air when he thinks no one is looking. But I was looking. Love the way the rising sun reflected on his shoulders, or is that his claws. Those eyes, oh what they must see through the sand and mist and the sea...

young parents

There is always sadness in nature, the more you love the deeper the loss. Guess that is true for all of us. Our dear Great Egret parents lost their nest and chicks. I don't know for sure why or how but I was told that another bird came in and wiped it out. Gone, nothing left, as if it never existed. 

I had always worried about their safety because they chose a little tree low in the wetlands to build their nest. A fragile place near the boardwalk where their life was shared by so many onlookers who wished them well. Perhaps they were young and inexperienced, maybe they will try to build again, up high somewhere else. I will be looking for them.

opportunities

We see this pattern often in our lives. The eye of the storm, a fiddlehead fern, our eyes looking outward, our hearts coiling inward, pulsing…

What a lovely shell to meditate with.

sea grapes

It's that time of year when I spend so much more time at the beach because I'll be leaving soon. I love the way the ocean changes colors now, all soft aqua and blue. The beach is filled with shells and the least terns are arriving. 

But in contrast the sea grape are bright and orange and beautiful and show their veins when backlit by the afternoon sun. I can hear them drop to the ground after their glow, becoming all curled up and brown. Still beautiful to me.

attachments

She has built this intricate lovely nest near the boardwalk. I was impressed with her ability to "hang on" to that fragile branch with her straw house. She kept trying out different positions to make sure it was just right for her about to be family. 

Now she is having a walk and a ruffle of feathers.

She seemed to be waiting for someone...

hungry littles

Hey dad, where are you, we could use a little help down here!

no expectations

My photography is joyous, it's about being present, enjoying my surroundings and taking away a memory to pull up and enjoy later. It's quiet time, an opportunity to draw from my own resources, to recharge my emotions. A mirror held out to my world. It's all about no expectations...

want-to-go-to Wakoda

Time is running out and I haven't been able to get back to Wakodahatchee. I know the mothers are all busy with their littles. They should be less fluffy by now and really quite funny looking. I will carve out time next week, I can't stay away any longer...

love the one you're with

I went back to shoot the female cardinal singing in the tree with the deep blue sky behind her. 

By the time I got there with my camera gear she was gone. 

Instead I found these blackbirds gathering nesting material to start their family.

Who?

 I love trees, I want to loose myself in the twists and turns of the branches and hide among the bark. I want to become one with it. Can you find me?

a warm welcome

Golden yellow presents purple petals at our front door. Long stemmed, fragile, and fleeting.

thank you thank you

I'm glad you enjoyed my song...

Where is she?

Have you seen mom? She's gone so much now getting ready for something that has the word popsicle in it. No no that's not it, Lollypop, that's it! Well something like that, humans talk so fast I don't always catch all of it. Anyway while she is gone I'm going to hang out and wait for her.

poolside

This is a tropical color overload. Love the blue of the pool behind the saturated Florida flowers.

delicious

This looks like a layered cake with birds on top. A visual desert.