partners

The day was finally warm and the bay flat calm, so I ventured into the cold water with my kayak for my first paddle of the season. Of course I crossed to the other side to check on our returning osprey. I sat quietly beneath the piers just "being" with them. He sat on the post and she sat on the nest. And then it happened, he flew with a wide low half circle and landed on top of her and mated her. His wings spread wide and his claws gripping her back. And then it was over. 

Yesterday Tully and I had a walk. In front of us a little group of leaves fell from the sky and landed within inches of us. Tully went to investigate and two very tiny black capped chickadees separated from each other and flew back to the upper branches chirping wildly as I watched with shock. The little bunch of falling leaves was in fact mating chickadees fallen from the sky.

Spring is amazing...

point of view

The gardens are bare, the trees not dressed for summer quite yet. The skies are dramatic and blustery and the sun a welcome warmth on my back. The bay reflects the changing clouds and I am captured here by the view.

spring really?

They say it's spring here, hard to believe because it's freezing cold and the wind is howling. But the daffodils are coming up in spite of the conditions and the birds are chirping everywhere. 

intricacies

It's hard to describe the beauty of the sun setting behind the trees outside our window. I had been photographing the aftermath of the departing thunderstorm off to the north, it was all peach and pale lavender. A double strip of color on the horizon with the grey blue sky pressing down on it. I thought it was over, I thought it would be a pale goodbye to the stormy afternoon. I should have known better. 

Just look at this! I ran outside barefoot, dragging tripod with Tully following. There will always be magic in everyday as long as we keep an eye out for it. These strong vertical tree trunks and the intricate branches crossing every which way felt like being caught in a spiderweb. Soon those branches will burst open with leaves and all will be hidden. But I'll remember it this way….

beginnings

Last early morning sunrise shoot for me in Florida. I have loved the drive in the dark, the hot mug of coffee and slapping the no-see-ums in the parking lot. I love opening my car trunk and gathering my gear, the excitement of stepping onto the sand and scanning the beach. I love setting up the tripod and heading to the surf and standing there as the warm waves meet my bare feet. I love taking in the warm colors of the sky and the dark blues of the curling waves. I love the way everything changes so quickly and the heightened need to capture it all.

 But then it's over and the magical light is gone and the sun is climbing to it's bright white space in the sky and I head home...

fishermen

I will miss this...

Wakodahatchee day

Our last day at Wakodahatchee.

 Every time we go the water levels, the plant material, and the bird behavior changes. Today the water was high, the plants thick and beautiful and the birds were not as plentiful. Many have left to migrate north, some are still nesting and most are busy feeding their young. Seeing this juvenile little blue heron was awesome, a first for me. Now I'll have to remember this special place by pouring through my images on northern wet rainy days. 

The count down has begun. 

lost in the reeds

The deep blues are calming after the pop of the spring greens. Why is it that the reflection is always more interesting than the source. I believe it's where creativity hides..

loggerheads mating

You may have to get your glasses out to see this but yes these are two mating sea turtles.

I chased them down the beach, along with a few others, watching them roll and frolic in the surf.

Well maybe they weren't frolicking but you know what I mean….

A different morning

There were mysteries happening in the sea as I watched the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. A very happy event for those of us lucky enough to be up early to witness it.

 Tomorrow I'll show you, I promise. 

loverly

Petals, even saying the word makes your tongue curl with the pleasure of it.

precision

We have forgotten how to feed ourselves.

getting together

How can you not love birding!

 I mean really, watching two mature wood storks mating is pretty exciting. I think it was pretty good for them too.