CABBAGE HAMMOCK, ALMOST HEAVEN

I''M BACK, I HOPE!

2009-09-13T21:59:00.002-04:00

I've been through another bout with lung problems but I'm up and moving again, just a little bit slow. I have some new locations in mind, I need some more pictures!

Rains

2009-05-23T03:24:00.003-04:00

Water, water, everywhere! This part of Florida has had a little over a foot of rain this month. I've sort of hibernated through it, can't drag the cameras around in a downpour.
The roadside ditches are brimming, millions of little frogs, snakes and crawfish are on the move, and the wading birds know it. Some stretches of our country roads are lined with hunting egrets, herons, storks and ibis.
I thought I had a good series of shots, then discovered that while messing around with the camera I'd set the ISO to 3200. The only shots worth keeping were a few I took on the cameras auto setting. I'll go ditch cruising again this weekend, the birds should still be there.

SPRINGTIME IN THE SWAMP

2009-05-09T17:00:00.003-04:00

I made another visit to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, got a late start, and the Sun was too high for best exposure. The Wood Stork and Great Egret chicks are big, and loud, constantly demanding to be fed. I still haven't seen all I want to see this year, it will take another visit.

HOME

2009-05-06T05:43:00.000-04:00

Water Dancers, My World

2009-05-05T00:39:00.004-04:00

Not much sunshine here for taking pictures, as soon as things brighten up I'll go back to the rookery. Many of the smaller herons are nesting now. Here are some of my favorite birds again, with some of my favorite music.

Meant Well, But With Bad Results

2009-05-01T12:42:00.003-04:00

Someone said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
The Mottled Duck, Anas fulvigula, is a cousin of the Mallards, but it is adapted to breeding and living in the Southern saltmarshes and does not migrate. It is hard to say just how many remain, and how many of those are 100% Mottled Duck.
Many tame Mallards have been released, and many people have fed migrating Mallards, resulting in a non migrating population of Mallards. Normally, there would be no Mallards here in breeding season, but now the Mottled Duck is slowly being absorbed.
Who knows if the resulting hybrids will be able to succeed in a saltmarsh environment, only time will tell.
Around the pond at the county health center here you will see some strange looking ducks. They are a blend of Mallard, Peking, and Muscovy. they survive well, as long as someone feeds them, but, I doubt they'd last very long at all in a saltmarsh, fending for themselves.

ST. AUGUSTINE ALLIGATOR FARM ROOKERY

2009-04-23T07:08:00.004-04:00

I spent several hours on Wednesday at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery. It is a paradise for bird watchers and bird photographers.
Breeding and nesting season is at it's peak, and the rookery offers a chance to see and photograph Florida wading birds from up close.
I can't praise the gator farm enough, it is a fine zoological park.
The birds aren't captive, they're wild and free. The rookery provides an ideal place for nesting, and significantly increases our bird population.

FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW

2009-04-13T04:07:00.002-04:00

The annual flower and garden show is coming up next weekend. I visited the St. John's County Arboretum yesterday and it is looking great. There are many volunteer hours invested in the arboretum, the gardeners deserve a lot of credit.
I'll try to catch some of the beauty with my cameras, and share it here.

Changing With the Seasons

2009-04-11T05:22:00.002-04:00

The young Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, is often mistaken for a Snowy Egret or Cattle Egret, until the blue/gray plumage starts coming in. The beak, eye and leg colors are the clues to look for.
I'm seeing a lot of the young birds now, the adults are nesting and the young ones are out on their own, getting used to the world.

COURTSHIP RITUALS

2009-04-10T08:52:00.002-04:00

If you're a bird, it's time for romance! The male Boat tail Grackles are courting now, the females are gathering nest material, but pretending they aren't impressed by all the posturing.

TIME AND TIDES

2009-04-08T02:28:00.002-04:00

I took my lunch down to the saltmarsh and ate it there. I saw that it was only a little after noon, so I leaned back for a nap, I knew rhe birds wouldn't be there for a while. At a little past 1:30 PM a Great Egret came sailing in, then a Snowy Egret, and then a Great Blue Heron. I expected them, that was when the tide was going to start to rise. The tide is the clock the shore birds run their lives by, they know, somehow, where to be, and when. It's an accurate clock, but it changes every day. The birds still keep track of it. The rising tide brings food with it.
I keep track of it too, but I have to look at my watch.

NEW CAMERA

2009-04-05T04:25:00.002-04:00

I've made the jump to a DSLR, a SONY A-200. I love my Panasonic FZ30 and old Olympus C2100UZ, but I'm ready to expand the limits. There will still be times when one of the older cameras will be just what I want to use, they are both fine tools.
I've neglected this blog lately, I'm trying to adjust to prescribed meds I have to take, and one of the side effects is that you feel sleepy. I sure can't have that, it's no kind of life at all! I need to get outside and move!
We've had some wonderful rains, the ponds are brimming, everything is greening up, flowers appearing everywhere, and the birds building nests or already raising chicks.
Pictures will be anywhere you look, just be there with a camera, springtime will provide the rest!

WELCOME, AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING

2009-03-15T19:49:00.003-04:00

To all the new visitors coming in from Stumbleon, thanks for visiting. Stay for a while, and put in a word or two.
I'm always glad to talk about St.Augustine, and St.John's County wildlife watching, and can tell you of the best places to have a camera handy.

WOW, BIG DIFFERENCE

2009-03-12T02:48:00.004-04:00

I use a circular polarizer on the cameras for shots near water, and when shooting white birds in particular. It helps prevent blown highlights on the white feathers, and cuts a lot of the water glare.
I thought the filter I had was O.K, but I picked up a Hoya on Ebay and used it yesterday. I got some of the best shore bird shots I ever have, no more muddy colors and blown highlights. I think the cheap CPL filters are just tinted glass, except they aren't that cheap! The price difference isn't that much and the results are worth the cost.
The White Ibis keep showing up around here, I've never seen so many in the 60+ years I've lived here. That's great, I love White Ibis, they're a fun bird to watch.

MASTER GARDENER

2009-03-10T05:00:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine, Shirley Barber, is a volunteer master gardener at the St. John's County Arboretum, West of St. Augustine, Florida. Shirley puts in countless hours creating a beautiful place for folks to relax and smell the flowers. It is truly a labor of love for Shirley, she puts all her best efforts in to it.
This video is for Shirley and all the volunteers, and the staff of the St. John's County Agriculture Center.
If you ever visit St. Augustine the arboretum is a great place to spend some time.
If you see an old guy with a camera, it may be me.

Birds and Wildflowers

2009-03-09T21:59:00.003-04:00

Nice weather, at least for now. Wildflowers are springing up all over, the birds are nesting, spring is just around the corner.
The Ibis flock is getting used to me, I think I could walk right in and sit with them. They are good natured birds, peaceful and quiet.

Good Morning!

2009-03-08T11:00:00.003-04:00

I've been making videos from some of my photos, please let me know what you think about them.

Too many things eating up my time!

2009-03-06T21:21:00.002-05:00

I really know I just can't run around with my camera sll the time, but I don't have to like it!
I went to the little freshwater pond near the saltmarsh yesterday. Not a creature in sight, but I sat there and waited. A few Ring Billed gulls and Laughing gulls sailed in and started to bathe. Then came a flock, about 15 birds, of White Ibis, and some Boat tailed Grackles and 4 Fish Crows. They were all busy splashing, and then along came a Little Blue Heron, in full breeding plumage, and it landed right in the middle. I took 235 shots without moving a foot. I can't show them all here, but the ones I've processed are in my Pbase and Photobucket galleries.
I'm ready to go to the Alligator Farm to check out the rookery. The Great Egrets and wood Storks are nesting, the other birds will come along later. It is an experience you have to see to believe, a bird lovers fantasy.
On the way home from the pond, I looked up, the little male Red shouldered hawk that lives around here was posing on an old power pole. Usually he sits on a wire, he must know I don't like wires in my pictures, LOL

WOOD STORK

2009-02-23T02:21:00.002-05:00

The Wood Stork, Mycteria americana, is North America's only native stork. They are related to the vultures.
Storks were scarce for many years but are making a great comeback. They've learned to beg from fishermen. This one just sailed in and landed next to me while I was watching a Great Egret. I didn't have anything to share yesterday, but I never mind paying good models.

SUNSHINE and BLUE SKIES

2009-02-17T21:57:00.002-05:00

A beautiful day! The little freshwater pond was lined with sun bathing turtles, Mallards and Hooded Mergansers feeding, and songbirds in the trees. Over toward the Atlantic coast many of the herons and egrets are pairing off, some are building nests.
I'm having camera problems, the FZ30 is still working, but it crashes periodically. Time to start saving for a new camera. I take a lot of pictures, can't expect a camera to last forever.

Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor

2009-02-15T17:38:00.003-05:00

I don't see enough of these birds, they are around, but usually far out in the marshes. The spread wings pose is typical behavior, the shade created by the wings makes it possible for the heron to see through the surface glare. This bird was hunting small crabs. The crouch is also typical, they will stand like this until sure of a catch, then strike.
It takes a sunny day to do justice to the colors, today was cloudy with a sea fog coming in. I set saturation for max, it is easier to desaturate a bit than to add colors that aren't there. I'm never as pleased with the rusults, however.

UNEXPECTED BYSTANDERS

2009-02-13T22:03:00.002-05:00

I processed this image of a Hooded Merganser, thought there was a stick poking out of the pond, and someone with sharper eyes said "is that a Red eared Slider"? I often see things in my pics that my old eyes missed when I took the pic. This shot is at about 469mm equivalent, handheld, the Leica lens did a pretty good job.
Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, and Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus.

BROWN PELICAN ALTERNATE PLUMAGES

2009-02-12T03:55:00.002-05:00

A Brown Pelican isn't likely to be very brown. The juveniles have a definite blue tinge, and an adults neck may be white, or chestnut brown. The colors intensify as breeding season nears. The Brown Pelican is the smallest of the pelicans, and the only one that catches fish by diving. The other pelicans fish while floating, sometimes using teamwork to herd fish into clusters.
The wingspans vary from 6 to 9 feet, none of them are small birds. I've seen pictures of a Brown Pelican swallowing a full grown Marsh Rabbit. No explanation accompanied the pictures, but Marsh Rabbits are strong swimmers, so a rabbit in the water is a definite possibility.

THE RAPE OF A LAKE

2009-02-10T16:59:00.003-05:00

Maria Sanchez Lake, in St. Augustine, was created back in the 1800s, when Henry Flagler filled in the upper reaches of Maria Sanchez Creek, and built hotels on the resulting land. A dam was built at South street, causing the creek to spread. Over the decades the little tidal lake has developed an ecosystem, providing food for several bird species. It's all about to become history, what little natural vegetation exists will be killed by the concrete seawall, the ecosystem will fail, and the birds will go away.
I can't imagine any rational motive for building this eyesore, any erosion could be controlled at less expense, and with far less damage to the ecosystem, and the human eye!

What Do You Get?

2009-02-10T01:39:00.002-05:00

When you take a Swiss cabinet maker, and rifle maker, a couple of Scots highlanders, and a couple of Cherokee Grandmas, and mix them up good? Well, you get ME, a genuine Redskin Redneck!

Big Mess

2009-02-10T00:34:00.002-05:00

All of a sudden this blog is a mess, all reader comments have vanished, all components out of order. I don't have a clue, working on it!

Figured it out, I put a "MY WORLD" code on a post, must have done it wrong. I won't mess with it until some geeky type shows up to tell me what I did wrong! I can take a chunk of scrap metal, make a spring out of it, with some charcoal, a hammer, and a file, I can make most engines run, do a whole bunch of things, but this computer code thing is a whole new ball of wax!

My World Tuesday

2009-02-09T22:40:00.007-05:00

Osiyo,
Good news from the weatherman, he says 72f and Sunny for Tuesday. I barely caught the last of today's light, just as the Sun went below the trees. I got lucky, a Mourning Dove was waiting at the right time.
I don't know which way I'll head tomorrow, got to check the tide. If I can get to the coast just before a rise begins I'll get some wading bird shots. You can well predict when the waders will appear, if you keep track of the tide.
I've had some success with the solar/lunar tables, at predicting feeding times for the critters in general, but can also just watch my neighbors cows, when they are dozing in the pasture the wild critters are likely napping too.
The natural cycles are just a clock, without hands, or numbers. It is the clock you want to follow, if you would follow the wild things. Our sense of time means nothing to them.
tsiya

Close to Home

2009-02-07T17:59:00.002-05:00

Neighborhood birds today, the White Ibis were napping in the pine tops and the female American Kestrel was hunting over a neighbors hayfield. I keep working closer to the Kestrel, but she is shy and won't tolerate much company.

24 f last night, more coming!

2009-02-05T19:56:00.002-05:00

Yeah, I know 24f is sissy weather, to y'all, but this is Florida! The good old Sun did finally get to work, bright blue skies aplenty! The Mercury is falling again, as we speak! I just want to sprawl out on the creek bank, in the Sun, with all the other old gators!

Home Territory

2009-02-04T09:09:00.002-05:00

I didn't go far yesterday, down to the pond, then to the agriculture center. It was a clear, cool day, the Palm Warblers were spending a lot of time on the warm asphalt road.

REFLECTIONS

2009-02-03T02:45:00.002-05:00

On a calm day, if the light is right, Lake Maria Sanchez in St. Augustine can create some great reflection effects.

BLUE SKIES ARE BACK!

2009-01-31T20:31:00.002-05:00

Pretty day! Plenty of Ospreys around, I found one that would pose. The cross is on the grounds of Mission Nombre De Dios, next to Hospital Creek. At 208 feet it stands over all of St. Augustine.

Here Comes Winter Again!

2009-01-30T13:56:00.005-05:00

Below freezing temps predicted tonight and tomorrow, but the Sun will be visible! Photography inside a cloud bank isn't much fun, all the colors get lost.
I installed a new ballhead on my tripod, the original was poor quality, just wouldn't hold steady enough for long shots. Stabilized optics only do so much, a solid tripod is needed. I often hang extra glass on my cameras, and that makes things even trickier.

It's time to start planning for nesting season at the St.Augustine Alligator Farm. A great way to keep up with what's happening there is http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/birdrookery/?yguid=299677375
You can take pictures that would cost many thousands of dollars in travel expenses, if you actually set out across the boonies, and you'd be unlikely to get as close to the action.

PHOTOBUCKET

2009-01-29T21:32:00.003-05:00

I've had a Photobucket account for a long time, I've weathered the changes as they came, even when I didn't like them, and watched as Photobucket moved away from an image host for halfway serious photographers, towards a baby sitter for teeny boppers! Well, they know where the money is, I reckon, but, Photobucket becomes less friendly to me with each passing day.
At this moment the Photobucket Forum is locked, while they make "upgrades", and there seems to be no way to make contact. I have no idea what they are doing, but,I have seen some changes in the way my images link, and if these changes predict the future I ain't looking forward to it!
Once a year they just grab some bucks right out of my checking account, they don't even need to ask, and they don't even need to worry, unless I die, the money will be there!
Oh, well, I wouldn't have needed to post this rant, except that Photobucket has turned off it's ears, who knows, maybe they'll read this blog?

CAST IRON FOG

2009-01-27T19:14:00.002-05:00

Things started out bright and blue this morning, but at a little after 1 PM a bank of fog rolled in from offshore, sat down, and started to thicken. No used trying any long shots, you couldn't see them anyway.
I made my rounds, all the usual places, and found a few depressed looking critters to aggravate, they were standing around, almost dozing. The tide wasn't right for feeding, next good tide cycle will be after dark.

Hunting

2009-01-26T19:20:00.002-05:00

Osiyo

Recently, on a blog I commented on, I related a story from my younger days, when I hunted. Very shortly, someone else came on and posted a snarky reply. I didn't see it, the blog owner deleted it.
I try not to stereotype, I don't like it when it happens and I am the victim, and I don't expect that anyone else does, either.
Someone obviously doesn't know much about me, or about most of the hunters I've known throughout my life. I'm not a blood thirsty killer, never have been. I don't have any friends who are, either. Whatever I hunted ended up on my families table, as did the clams I raked, the oysters I gathered, and the fish I caught. The creatures I hunted and fished for ended up no deader than like food purchased in plastic wrap is dead, and likely put less strain on our environment than commercial production would have. I know I certainly was more aware of my part in the food chain than had I simply run to the butcher shop. I started with a respect for all life, and I'll end with that respect.
Some of y'all are urban folks, you grew up with an alternate reality, one where you call an electrician to change an electric receptacle, and a plumber to unstop your drain, and you also pay someone else to process and provide your food, well, that's fine, with me. I'm sorry you missed the joy of long days afield, the days when I saw nothing, as well as the days I brought food home, all good days! I'm sorry you missed the pride in doing the plumbing and electrical work for your home. Any difficulty I might have, in understanding just how you can be so dependent on other folks, for so many things, is something I don't talk about much, it's none of my business, and you obviously like things that way. For the most part, I don't talk about it, because it would be rude!
My feelings about our environment are expressed in the pictures I take.
I will make no apology for my history as a hunter. Please take care not to lump me in with the idiots you hear about on the news, they aren't me, nothing like me!
My people, some of them, anyway, were hunting this land thousands of years ago, with love and respect, and a sense of belonging!

Tsiya {otter}

CLOUDY DAY BLUES!

2009-01-25T15:26:00.002-05:00

Today started out sunny, but that didn't last. I managed a few shots coming home from grocery shopping, but the light was failing fast. I won't complain too much, I could be up to my ears in a snow bank!

Change of pace.

2009-01-22T23:39:00.003-05:00

I pulled some flowers and bugs from the archives, with a couple taken in 2007 with my little old Olympus C2100UZ. The "UZ1" was the first really successful ultrazoom camera. It used a Canon lens assembly, image stabilized, went from 38mm to 380mm equivalent. It's only 2.1 MP, but every one of those pixels sizzles! It handles macro shots with ease, great saturation, yeah, I love this 9 year old camera. I have a junked unit for parts, but with my luck the parts I will need will be broken on the junker. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and take good care of it.

ID Change

2009-01-22T11:42:00.002-05:00

Based on the advice of experts I've changed the ID on my most recent hawk capture, from a Cooper's hawk to a Red shouldered hawk.I am always grateful for help, ID can be tricky with young birds.
Thanks, folks!

The Mall Photography Issue Resolved

2009-01-21T13:06:00.000-05:00

Dear Bob:

We were sorry to learn of your recent unpleasant experience at St. Augustine Premium Outlets. It was certainly not our intent to prevent visitors to our center from taking photographs as a memento or for personal use. Among other responsibilities, our security officers are charged with checking with photographers who are taking photos at our center. In addition to homeland security concerns, we also need to ensure that photos are taken for personal (non-commercial) use, and that any media who may be visiting our center is properly welcomed and escorted during their visit. While this appears to be a simple matter of poor judgment by our Security officer, unfortunately oftentimes what may appear to be an innocent activity could in reality not be the case. In observing your actions, however, our officer should have simply confirmed that your wildlife photos were for personal use and permitted you to continue. We appreciate your bringing this matter to our attention and will review the intent of our photography policy with all Security personnel immediately in order to hopefully avoid similar unpleasant incidents from occurring again in the future. Again, we sincerely apologize for the apparent lack of judgment and for your inconvenience, and hope that you will continue to visit our Center for your outlet shopping needs. Please feel free to contact me directly should you have any questions or wish to further discuss this matter.

Best regards,

Terri Mannes

Director of Operations - Southeast Region

Chelsea Property Group

A SIMON Company

BUSTED

2009-01-19T13:39:00.001-05:00

About an hour ago I was sitting in the parking lot of the St. Augustine Premium Outlet Mall, and, I took several pictures of a Little Blue Heron and a pair of Hooded Mergansers that were in the retention pond. One of their security guards came up and told me that no one was allowed to take pictures there. I'm not sure how the actual law reads on this, but I won't bother them any more, either with my shopping, or my photography.
I will make sure that every wildlife photographer I communicate with, a considerable number, is aware that while they can spend money at the St. Augustine Premium Outlet Mall, they dare not pull out a camera and point it at a bird!

Ailing brown pelicans may be victims of frostbite

2009-01-17T06:07:00.001-05:00

FAIRFIELD – Pelican No. 4 has a typical injury for a California waterbird: a puncture from a fishhook in its left wing.

But No. 93 has no visible injuries; it's just weak and hungry. And the condition of a third pelican shows that something is seriously amiss with this weary flock: dead, black skin on its webbed feet.

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1549982.html

AMERICAN KESTREL

2009-01-16T22:28:00.002-05:00

The images I posted today aren't what I want them to be, but they are the best I've done yet with American Kestrels. They are tiny and they are spooky, a shoot fast situation. I don't like pictures of birds sitting on wires, but for now I'll take what I can get. The male Kestrel has blue/gray wings, they are pretty little critters, if you can get close enough to notice!

REMOTE FLASH

2009-01-16T00:24:00.002-05:00

I do a lot of shooting from a blind under a big Oak in my yard. It is dark under there, but the birds like it, and the seed the squirrels dump from the feeder. The built in flash is often just not enough. I use 2 units that are triggered by photocells, I can set them out where I predict I'll need the light. One is an inexpensive unit, OK, just a bit fragile, the other a Vivitar 283 with a photocell trigger added.
A note on the Vivitar and other older flash units, they often have trigger voltages high enough to fry a digital camera, when in doubt, DON'T use them in your cameras hot shoe. The little Phoenix unit is digital safe, the Vivitar isn't, although newer Vivitar units work just fine.

Sunshine is back!

2009-01-14T22:52:00.002-05:00

We had a sunny Wednesday, clear and calm, the ponds were like glass. Not many birds around, I went looking for the pair of Osprey I watch, found them, but couldn't get set with a good light angle. I moved down the creek and there was a young male Osprey sitting on a sailboat mast. The light was about perfect, the bird was calm, and I just sat there taking pictures. The tide cycle will begin to get more favorable as next week goes on, good for finding wading birds.

1.99 inches of rain

2009-01-13T17:33:00.003-05:00

Some of the ponds have been low, some even dried up, so, this rain should help freshen things up. The weather service predicts 2 days of cold but sunny weather, then back to cloudy again. Tomorrow and Thursday will find me moving around with a camera, for sure!

Kamikaze pelicans baffling Calif. scientists

2009-01-11T23:56:00.000-05:00

Scores of weak and disoriented California brown pelicans have been slamming into cars and boats, landing on highways and airport runways, and turning up dead in back yards and parking lots many miles from their normal coastal habitats.

This behavior is far from ordinary, say wildlife experts. A lapel-grabbing press release from the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro says that something has gone seriously awry with the birds.

http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/01/08/kamikaze-pelicans-baffling-calif-scientists/

CLOUDY DAY

2009-01-11T17:23:00.002-05:00

The Sun was hard to find today, as were models. I found a small flock of Hooded Mergansers behind a big mall, set my little folding stool on the bank and just stayed a while. I-95 runs just East of the pond, you get reflections from passing cars and trucks, never know what will roll by next.

PICASA PROBLEM

2009-01-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

My Picasa album is all messed up, pics will be back later, I hope!

IBIS CONVENTION

2009-01-07T00:59:00.002-05:00

I'm no biologist, but I see the massing of Ibis as a sign of the coming breeding season. In the coming days the younger, nonbreeding birds will find themselves kicked out of Ibis social affairs, left to fend on their own. You will find them all over the place looking for dinner. This is a good time to find first year waterbirds in general, momma is going to cut the apron strings to start a new brood. The first year birds aren't as cautious as mature birds, this makes for some great photo opportunities.

Where do I find models?

2009-01-06T01:03:00.002-05:00

A couple of times a week someone will ask me where I go to find my models. They rell me that they never see things worth photographing near where they live and work.
My last two photo expeditions were really exotic, a couple of retention ponds behind big shopping malls. You just have to slow down and look, sit still for a while, something is likely to show up.
One of my most productive sites is a retention pond at the corner of a boat ramp parking area, when it contains any water it draws birds from miles around, the sea birds love a bath in fresh water and a drink. It's dry right now, we need some real rain, but when the rain comes the birds will follow.

BALD EAGLE

2009-01-03T01:04:00.004-05:00

A friend showed me another access point for the Moultrie Creek Eagles nest. The range is a lot shorter than where I tried last week. It is still long enough to work my camera and lens hard, makes me want a DSLR, but they don't grow on trees. I made this shot in mid afternoon, morning would have been better, with the Sun behind me.
I had the tripod set up on a floating dock, not the most stable place around, but the clearest view. I kept hoping to catch one of the birds on the edge of the nest, all I got was a head shot. The shot is not cropped, image quality just isn't good enough to do much with. A morning shot will be much better.

SILENT VISITORS

2009-01-01T01:41:00.002-05:00

TALK TO ME! this blog is getting visitors, but, they take a peek and run! I really enjoy discussion of wildlife, and wildlife issues, and photography, so, say something!

In The Slow Lane

2008-12-28T18:53:00.004-05:00

I'm sure not getting much done around here, but the photo gear is ready to go for bird nesting season. I need oxygen from time to time, if I push too hard, and figuring out how to carry a small tank on my motorscooter is challenging. It needs to be safe and secure.
I had to choose between maintaining a car or truck, or being able to do some of the things I really enjoy, the retirement check only goes so far. The motorscooter solves that problem.
I'm currently using a Panasonic FZ30, often with an Olympus TCON-17 lens. The combo gives me about 900mm of reach, with decent results if I do my part. I also still use an old Olympus C2100UZ, the classic that started the ultrazoom concept. It's only 2MP but capable of excellent results. You need good pictures, not big pictures, and the MP race doesn't impress me much. Most folks will never print at greater than 8X10, the 2MP Oly handles that very well. High MPs in a DSLR, with a sizeable sensor, are an asset, with the small sensors in "bridge" cameras and point and shoots high MPs usually mean overworked sensors, oversoftened pictures, or noisy pictures.

Moving again

2008-12-18T21:53:00.002-05:00

I'm gradually getting some strength back, on the scooter and chasing pictures again. It sure feels good! I picked up some new photo gear, a lens, some filters, got a remote flash slave trigger on the way, time to get ready for nesting birds. With the new lens I can shoot at 900 mm equivalent, almost as good as getting closer. Those Ebay prices make things affordable.

I'm back

2008-12-10T06:31:00.000-05:00

6 months in bed, but I'm stumbling around again. Time for some new pics!

This is Tsiya's Daughter

2008-05-18T19:05:00.002-04:00

He wanted me to check in with everyone. He's hanging in there, just not getting better as fast as he'd like to. I'll try to keep you all updated.

Fat Raccoon

2008-04-13T21:28:00.002-04:00

I've been plagued by a couple of feral cats for a while now, tearing up insulation under the house, driving my house cat crazy, and spreading fleas. Cold water showers and a lot of yelling hasn't discouraged them a bit! Last night I set the Havahart trap. I could tell I hadn't caught a cat from way across the yard this morning, the trap was full of fur, LOL. I hunkered down beside the trap, big momma coon just gave me a look that said, "what do I do now"? My grandson came over, we strapped the trap door open with a bungee cord, coon just stayed put, not enough room to turn around. My grandson finally attracted her attention, she got a look over her shoulder, saw the open door, and squeezed and shimmied her way out.
I hope she learned a lesson about traps, I still have two feral cats to catch, and I need the trap unoccupied to do it!

This and That

2008-04-12T20:59:00.003-04:00

I haven't made any serious photo forays lately, the weather hasn't been the best, and my age is showing up to bite me. The recent rains sprouted the seed that the squirrels dumped under the big feeder, I have a big bright green spot under the Oak tree. It is a shade of green that drives my camera crazy, just too green to look natural. The Cardinals like it, anyway. The Hummingbirds are flying right up within arms length already, not afraid at all. I like that! The butterflies are showing up at the Lanatana, I need calm days to photograph them, they will come.

RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY

2008-04-06T22:21:00.001-04:00

Tin roof! It makes me sleepy. Tuesday seems to be the next day to go hunt some pictures, and some sunshine!

Always Something

2008-04-04T01:00:00.003-04:00

Tuesday evening I started smelling hot electrical insulation. I couldn't locate a source, figured it was coming from somewhere else. Later that night the AC unit died. I installed a new AC, soon as I turned it on, I turned it off, it wasn't sounding right. FPL checked out their end, all OK there. This place is old, time to rewire the AC circuit. I dug a new breaker out of the junk pile I cherish so much, pulled a length of new 12/2, put in a new receptacle, I'm good to go! The fumes from the well water are rough on copper and brass wires and contacts.
I spent most of my life with no AC, got to have it now, with my bad lungs.
I did manage some pics on Wednesday, on the way to SAHS.

Looks Like They're Moving In

2008-04-01T18:26:00.002-04:00

The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are regular as clockwork at the feeder now, just one pair, so far, more may come. They aren't really hard to photograph, it just takes a little more effort. They move almost constantly, they are small, and fast. They do get used to humans, and that makes photos easier to come by.

OOPS, Spring postponed, winter is back!

2008-03-30T21:51:00.002-04:00

Gonna hibernate a few more days.

HUMMINGBIRD TIME!

2008-03-30T00:27:00.002-04:00

There was a female Ruby throat sipping from the Lantana and Milkweed a couple of days ago, so I got the feeder cleaned up and refilled. It wasn't long before a male showed up, I'm hoping they'll set up house and stay for the season. Some years I've had 3 or 4 nests near the house, when the chicks leave the nest and start flying it's a sight to see, a minature airshow. I'll have a camera ready, they make great models.

Yard Day

2008-03-28T00:43:00.003-04:00

Never left the yard Thursday, trying to catch up and get this place ready for summer.
There is a Monarch caterpillar on the Milkweed, likely more I haven't found yet. I've got two small ponds to clean out, got to catch the fish in one, put them in the other, then repeat. This should be done already, I'm way behind.

COOL, CLEAR WATER

2008-03-27T14:50:00.003-04:00

Some of the sea birds can do without drinking fresh water, but the shore birds drink and bathe wherever they can find a freshwater pond. The timing of this is based on the tides, just as the tide begins to rise the activity at this little pond increases. If you ever went birding, and didn't see anything, maybe your timing was wrong. You don't have to be near the ocean for the natural clock to work, it's all tied to the sun and moon cycles. There is a link on this page to the SOLAR/LUNAR charts, take a look at it, see if they work for you. I've found them to be a good predictor of wildlife activity, when the critters are napping I can nap too!

HAWK STRIKE

2008-03-25T22:58:00.003-04:00

The Red shouldered hawk made a kill in the yard today, it happened so fast I don't know what she got. The yard birds and squirrels scattered, a puff of feathers exploded way up near the top of the Live Oak tree, and I heard the beat of wings as she pulled out of the dive. No noise at all coming in. Fast doesn't really describe it! It took a while for everything to calm down, and didn't take much to send the whole crew running for cover, but they soon forget, and go on as normal.
One of the Brown Thrashers came in to the yard today, they usually stay in the thickets. When they show up you've got to be ready, they don't strike a pose and sit there. A female Ruby Throated Hummingbird was sipping from the few flowers on the Milkweed and Lantana. I got the feeder cleaned out and set up for them, and more flowers are coming later.

Pretty Weather

2008-03-25T14:07:00.002-04:00

I made another slow trip to the high school yesterday, spent some time along Hospital Creek.
The Snowy Egrets use a hunting tactic that involves running around like crazy, it panics the prey out of hiding. I've never seen a collision, but it must happen. The Great Blue didn't hang around long, I tried to catch it as the feet cleared the water, just fired the camera off a little fast. The Merganser was alone, but still doing some of it's display ritual, as were the Laughing Gulls. There were several Boat Tailed Grackle pairs at the boat ramp pond, but so much trash was in the water and around the pond that it was disgusting. I used to pick stuff up, just can't physically do it now.

St. John's County Arboretum

2008-03-21T14:13:00.003-04:00

The St. John's County Arboretum is part of the Agriculture Center complex. It is maintained by a small staff of dedicated professionals, and some great volunteer master gardeners. The garden isn't all there is, the surrounding area has little ponds, a larger lake, hayfields, and all the birds and other critters you could want.
You may see raptors, from American Kestrels to Cooper's Hawks. Gallinules and Coots like the ponds, Little Blue Herons, Anhingas, and Great Egrets are common.
Just move slowly, and sit a lot. Look in the bushes, not just at the bushes.

Rising Tide

2008-03-20T03:51:00.002-04:00

I rolled in to town Wednesday just as the tide was ready to turn. This is a big event for the shore waders, the groceries are delivered. The Snowy Egrets hadn't arrived at the Mission, but there was a Great Blue Heron waiting, and willing to pose. I went to the county boat ramp next, just in time for a flock of White Ibis to sail in. There is a freshwater pond next to the marsh, many shore birds drink and bath there. The Ibis inspired a bathing frenzy, some Boat Tailed Grackles showed up, and some Fish Crows, and a Great Egret, all splashing around. They all were on the way to fish the early tide rise, but it was time to meet my grandson at the high school, and I moved on.

Little Wild Ponds

2008-03-19T12:27:00.003-04:00

Just a small pond near I-95, banks all grown up and brushy, floating mats of water weeds all over, what a mess! Thing is, it isn't a mess, it's about perfect, just like it is. If you sit still for a while stuff starts to move, heads pop up out of the water weeds, frogs jump and fish splash. 30 minutes, with a bush hog on a tractor, is all it would take to tame it, and kill it. I'd rather just sit there and watch it. I put in a couple of flower shots from the yard too, just because. They bloomed steady all winter.

No Eagles, Again

2008-03-17T10:16:00.003-04:00

I loaded the motorscooter up Sunday morning, burnt up the roads, at 45mph, to Moultrie Creek. You can see the nest, you can see the Eagles, sort of! It is almost a 900 foot shot, across the creek and flats, and backlit. Can't get a view from the South, it is all gated communities over there. I'll forget about that!
I rolled North from the creek, eventually hit the flats behind Mission Nombre Di Dios, Snowy Egrets all over, and a few Red Breasted Mergansers on the way North.

Magnolias and Turtles

2008-03-13T04:29:00.002-04:00

My buddy Joe from the ag center emailed me, said that the Saucer Magnolia was blooming, come take some pictures. Little bitty tree, no leaves, but flowers all over. While I was there, and looking around, my first Ladybug sighting of the year showed up, and the Little Blue Heron was after the Crawdads again. Got home, sat on the steps, next thing I knew I had company, big Cooter Turtle was just coming along up the driveway. It was still covered in sand from being buried all winter. I think it was headed for my neighbors big pond, it was aimed that way.
The Squirrel was around too, like always!
IT'S SPRING!

Stay at Home Sunday

2008-03-10T01:13:00.002-04:00

I never left the yard. It was bright and cool and the yard was full of birds. The bird blind is super, I can see where it will be hot in there this summer, I'll run a cord out and use a fan. I'm thinking about getting another one to carry on the scooter, and leave the one in the yard set up. Photography is all I do, about all I can do physically, so I don't mind spending a few bucks for something useful. I've got all my gear ready for the nesting season at the alligator farm, I can't make the trip often so I try to make it count.

Water tight and wind resistant

2008-03-09T04:47:00.002-04:00

The blind rode out the wind and rain on Friday night just fine, my chair didn't even get wet. There were some pretty strong wind gusts too, it sways, but holds.
The yard was alive with Goldfinches Saturday afternoon, giving the Cardinals a hard time. They aren't afraid to move a Cardinal out of the way to get a spot at the feeder. The Tufted Titmice and Chipping Sparrows were around, but staying out of the way.

Wet Friday, Soggy Saturday

2008-03-07T22:18:00.004-05:00

I woke up this morning to the sound of a Bronze frog singing it's heart out, and the beat of rain on my tin roof. I just rolled over and pulled up the old quilt. That Bronze frog didn't see the same weather report I did, mid to low 30s tomorrow, and more rain to boot. My new bird blind was shedding water like a duck out there, 60 years ago I could have run out to it with a mess of comic books, and just sat in it, listening to the rain on that taut canvas, things were more fun, 60 years ago. I may sneak out and sit in it some tomorrow, just to check for leaks!

Bird Blind

2008-03-06T23:38:00.003-05:00

Closer is always better than all the lenses you can hang on a camera, image quality degrades with every foot you are from your subject. I've had a screen house in the yard for several years, one of the portable models, but it takes time to set up and take down, and the weather took it's toll on things. It worked OK, the screen was hard enough to see through from outside that the birds didn't notice me so much, but you had to sit very still for the shy ones.
I found a small hunters blind on sale at Gander Mountain, 60 second set up and take down, rainproof, 6 pounds, and fits on the motorscooter. There is room for a lawn chair or stool, and a tripod, just right! It needs some screens added to keep skeeters from coming through the viewports, but that's a simple job.
New pics in the galleries, I just haven't had time to create slideshows.

The Yard Crew

2008-03-03T20:48:00.003-05:00

This isn't all of them, I didn't include the bugs, spiders and furry guys, or any snakes, turtles, lizards or gators, or fish. I'll cover them later. It's never lonely out here, the hammock vibrates with life, just sit and watch.

Big Wet Birds

2008-03-01T13:24:00.002-05:00

It's common to see a big, dark colored bird sitting near the water, all spread out, sometimes turning slowly, head up. It may be an Anhinga, could be a Cormorant. They don't have oil glands, their feathers are not water repellent, but they hunt underwater. After several dives they must dry out their feathers, and in winter, warm up.
The Anhinga has a spear pointed beak, the Cormorant has a hooked tip. Around here the Anhinga is also known as the snake bird, or water turkey.

Sunny Thursday

2008-02-28T22:21:00.003-05:00

Since I retired I seldom go anywhere in a straight line. My route winds around, past good roost trees, little ponds, small creeks and briar patches. I set out for SAHS at 3:00 PM today, with an ETA of 4:30 PM, allowing time to look around and do some sitting. I'd put in a lap around Maria Sanchez Lake, found a few pics there, and was headed north, along the bayfront, checking out boats and other cool stuff. My cellphone rang, after school activities cancelled again, grandson already caught the bus home. Since I can't head west without first going east, I rolled into the county boat ramp, found some immature White Ibis, and Pelicans. No sense in wasting a trip.
Never follow me, if you're in a hurry!

Winter Storm

2008-02-27T16:23:00.004-05:00

I'd started hearing about power outages downstate fairly early yesterday. Just after lunchtime I could hear thunder coming, it sounded like it was near Palatka. Not long after that the wind started screaming, and it felt like we'd been hit by the shockwave from a big explosion. The power shut off, instantly.
Yesterday was one of my days to pick number one grandson up at SAHS, at 4:30. I left here at about 3:00, got a hundred yards down the road, FPL trucks and fire trucks all over it. One of the power poles had snapped like a toothpick, hot wires on the road, I wasn't going anywhere fast.
FPL had the road opened in no time, I took off for the high school, but here came the grandson walking down the road. The after school activities were cancelled and he managed to catch the bus.
The power was on by about 9:00 PM, I woke up about 4:AM, I had power and a phone, but no internet connection, my modem was cooked.
The FPL linemen had a long day yesterday, but darned if they don't do some fine work.

Alligator Farm Report

2008-02-26T13:10:00.004-05:00

Word from the gator farm is that the Great Egrets are getting down to business building nests. The other birds will be right behind them. This Saturday the season photo pass will begin to allow early admittance to the park. If you plan on several visits this is a great way to save some money.

The Steps, Again

2008-02-23T17:52:00.004-05:00

Cloudy and damp today, warm, it's 75 now, at almost 6PM. I figured that about time I got out from under the trees on the motor scooter a toad strangler would come along, and I'd end up with a bunch of wet photo equipment.
If I sit on my old wooden front steps long enough, something will come along. I've got some lawn chairs, but the steps work better.
A couple of years ago I bought a gadget called Xtend a View. It clamps to the tripod mount, and puts a hood over the screen on the camera, with an adjustable magnifying lens. It really gives a much better view of what the camera actually sees, you can judge focus and exposure more accurately. I'd never used it much, finally gave the camera it fit away, and it was just sitting. Last night I pulled it out and modified it to fit the Panasonic FZ30. Wow! I don't know how I was getting along without it.
My eyes aren't the best, they're old like the rest of me, the Xtend a View sure is a help. It eliminates glare 100%.
The shots of Boss Cardinal on the ground are recent but not from today. Today, he posed in the Oak tree, singing to his lady.

RETENTION PONDS

2008-02-23T03:24:00.001-05:00

The concept behind retention ponds is a good one, but doesn't go far enough. Retention ponds tend to be holes in the ground, surrounded by sodded banks. All natural border vegetation is discouraged, no reeds, rushes or weeds allowed. As a result, there are no frogs, no dragonflies, little resemblance to a natural pond. There is a small pond nearby that had a fringe of small trees and brush, lots of Pickerel Weed and Cat tails. Last year, birds nested around it, frogs thrived along the edges, small mammals lived nearby, and hunted around it. Someone mowed the banks last week, and it's value as habitat is now much less.
I am sure that no one set out to do any damage, likely they just wanted things to be "neat", but the damage is real.
This area is experiencing an influx of folks from large urban areas, accustomed, I suppose, to neatness, they love order, no weeds allowed. This isn't natural, and it is, over the long run, destructive.
If you ask these folks, most of them will tell you how much the environment means to them, but how do you convince them to change their habits?

Experiment

2008-02-22T12:25:00.002-05:00

I have pics squirreled away all over the place, I learned a lesson with a hard drive crash. Let's see if this Photobucket slideshow works here. My dialup is slow, so I may have trouble seeing it myself. Please let me know if it works for you.

They're in the Mood

2008-02-20T21:20:00.002-05:00

The Mallards are doing it, the Grebes are doing it, and the Double Crested Cormorants are doing it, Spring is gonna come again! Time to watch for baby critters.!

FEBRUARY 20, 2008

February 19, 2008

2008-02-19T18:09:00.002-05:00

I made the regular rounds, checked the roost trees, filled the feeder, rode down Cabbage Hammock and Pellicier Road, ended up back at the ag center pond. Way out in the middle of the east bank I could see a dark spot, you've heard that line before, put the TC lens on the camera, and it was the neighborhood Anhinga. Sometimes she is in the ponds around the Outlet Mall, sometimes I don't know where she goes, so far she has always come back. The shot with the spread wings is from today, the other from earlier, when I could get closer.
The area where she was today has all been planted with wildflower seeds, it will be a pretty place this spring, if people quit walking through it, LOL. I've seen several folks stomp through there.

Rolling Tripod

2008-02-18T23:19:00.004-05:00

I've been retired about 5 years now, and early on it became obvious that maintaining my old Jeep, and keeping it insured, was going to eat up much of my retirement income. I love to just go out and roam around, until I find a good spot for some camera exercise, but an afternoon of roaming could eat up $15.00 worth of gas, to say nothing of other expenses.
I bought my first motorscooter in 1958, a war surplus 47 Cushman, and have ridden motorcycles off and on since then. I bought a little 50CC scooter about 30 months ago, but soon found that it was just too small, and too slow, for more than very short trips.
In January of last year I bought a 125CC Motofino. It's made in China, what isn't, but in almost 6000 miles it's proved to be a decent vehicle. Whatever you think about this, it is something I can afford, and not go around hungry and barefoot. I can even buy a new camera, every so often. If I need to carry something bulky, or the weather isn't good, I can call a cab, or put some gas in my daughters car, and still come out ahead. Some folks don't know what to think of an old guy on a scooter, but I'm not an old guy stuck in front of a stupid TV set, because I have no other choice. The scooter keeps me, and my camera, on the move, I love it!

SCOOTER

How to Cook a Pig

2008-02-18T19:30:00.002-05:00

There will be room for much discussion on this, lot's of opinions.
My choice is a little sow that has been feeding on White Oak acorns, just rubbed with some crushed garlic, bay leaves, well I've tried everything on the shelf, really, it all seems to work, just don't overdo things. I take my limb loppers and go around the yard, always plenty of little Red Maple suckers needing trimmed, cut a bunch, chop them in short chunks, and soak them in water. I build my fire at one end of the smoker grill, the pig on the grill at the other end, and, in the middle, a big can of water. Keep adding Red Maple chunks to the coals as they burn away.That water steams away, carries that Red Maple sweetness right into the meat. Don't get things too hot, don't try to hurry, use a thermometer, look for about 170 degrees in the meat, near the center. You won't need much sauce, and that's another thing to argue about, heck some folks even use ketchup, but not around here!

Almost Like Summer

2008-02-18T06:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was almost like summer, blue skies, even some butterflies. I plonked myself down under my favorite tree, and just sat. Not much was moving, for a while, but then, over in the pond, I could see a dark spot on a floating mat of dollarweed, so I moved. Little Blue Heron was hunting crawdads again. I never can get as close as I'd like, had to dig out the extra lens, it works ,but closer would work better.
I got home just in time for the afternoon air show, when the Cardinals show up for dinner. they are as fat and sassy as ever.

BLUEBIRDS AND FLOWERS

2008-02-16T16:59:00.006-05:00

Warm, sunny day, just right! The Bluebirds are finding plenty of mole crickets around the pond. The Master Gardeners have been planting for spring, time to sit back and watch it grow. There is almost always something blooming. This is Florida!

BLUEBIRD

ARBORETUM

STOPPITDAMMITGOAT!

2008-02-15T18:19:00.002-05:00

My neighbors pasture is right near my north window. He has 3 horses, and a Billy goat. Every once in a while old Billy decides to chase horses. It sounds like an old Lone Ranger movie, the thunder of hooves, the neighing of horses, everything but the William Tell Overture. The horses usually end up in the pond, old Billy just takes a break. I guess my neighbor has figured out that they won't hurt each other, haven't heard him yell at old Billy lately.
I was talking with one of the Master Gardener Ladies at the County Arboretum, and she pointed out the Black Racer, soaking up the Sun. Really, a cool Lady, she doesn't get hysterical about snakes.
The Cardinal is one of my yard critters, teaching a Chipping Sparrow how to act.The Anhinga was sunning on a piling in the Agriculture Center Pond.

Sharks teeth

2008-02-14T16:59:00.003-05:00

I got outside with a camera this afternoon, had a pair of Mourning Dove, several Chipping Sparrows, Tufted Titmice and Cardinals around. With so much of the foliage thinned out by winter the yard is a mix of dark shaded spots and blazing sun drenched strips. The birds are in and out, and it drives you nuts keeping up with exposure settings. In summer it is more evenly shaded. Anyway, no bird shots today.
I'd mentioned fossil sharks teeth in an earlier post so I dug some out of the junk drawer and took a picture. St. Augustine's beach is divided by St. Augustine Inlet, Vilano Beach to the North, St. Augustine Beach South of the inlet. Vilano Beach has deep deposits of little Donax clam shells, and sometimes you can find a lot of fossil sharks teeth mixed in. Sometimes you can't, I don't know where they go, the ocean currents do strange things. Sharks constantly shed and renew their teeth, but these teeth are old, maybe thousands of years old. I've been told that the blacker they are the older. Sometimes a larger tooth shows up, but most are about like those pictured.
Click on the pic to see a larger version

MACRO

NEST MATERIAL

2008-02-12T07:27:00.000-05:00

I knew this shot was lurking somewhere in this computer. This Great Egret found a reed, was looking for a balance point before flying away with it.
Click the pic for larger view

NEST BUILDING

NESTING SEASON

2008-02-11T17:38:00.000-05:00

Amanda Whitaker, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, has reported the first nest building, a pair of Great Egrets. Activity will build up quickly now.
If you've never seen a rookery in full swing, and you are a nature lover, it's time to plan a visit.
In years gone by, the roads in Florida were spotted with Alligator exhibits, fake indian villages, bears chained to trees, you name it, if it would attract a tourist and 50 cents, it was there. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm stands far above that, it is a first rate zoological park. You won't find any elephants or giraffes, the Alligator Farm is about Florida, for the most part, just a few side exhibits of non native critters.
No, I don't work for them, but I wish I could just pitch a tent in the middle, and live there!
http://www.alligatorfarm.us/

ROOKERY

Labels: birds, nesting, spring

Drowning Worms

2008-02-11T06:25:00.000-05:00

While I was on one side of the pond, sitting in the sunshine, these folks had their spot, too. I couldn't see if they were catching much, but I don't think it mattered. It was just a great day, to be sitting in the sunshine.

LANDSCAPES

Hawks and Flowers

2008-02-10T15:45:00.000-05:00

I rolled back to my favorite sitting spot, the St. John's County Arboretum. A life time of hunting taught me to sit still, for hours if need be, and if you're observant, it isn't boring. All sorts of little details catch your eye, tiny birds moving leaves, Anoles moving on a tree trunk, or a Squirrels ear twitching. You can notice all these, and still keep your mind active, there is always something to contemplate, if you have the habit.
I don't hunt these days, I tried to pass it on, but, today's kids have music stuck in their heads, the wrong music. They twitch, they shake, they pop their fingers, and every critter for a quarter mile knows they are there. There are exceptions, of course, I just never found one personally. My daughter grew up as a hunter, my grandson has little interest.
I had my little old Olympus C2100 with me, got a few shots of a bee in a flower, watched birds fly by too far away, and soaked up the Sunshine.
Way down the road I saw a little speck coming in, and it seemed to land. It was getting near time to come home, so I headed out, the speck turned into a Red Shouldered Hawk, most likely a male, on the power line. I can get pretty close to those guys, they all know I'm harmless by now. He let me get several shots. The males are angular, gnarly, and sinewy little guys, the females run to the plump side. Not a thing wrong with that, LOL. A couple more generations of hawks, and they won't know how to land, unless there is a wire somewhere close. A bird on a branch makes a much nicer picture than a bird on a wire, but the wires are just too convenient.

ARBORETUM

RED SHOULDERED HAWK

Another Pretty Day

2008-02-09T18:21:00.000-05:00

I rode to the Agriculture Center again, about noon. It was warmer and just a little cloudier than yesterday. This wasn't the best time of day to be there, everything seems to take a midday nap, but there were several Palm Warblers moving around. Instead of choosing a nice photogenic perch they insisted on walking around on the road. Oh Well! They even build their nests on the ground, they sure were avoiding trees today!
One of the Kestrels was next to the road when I was coming out, couldn't see the wing color. I got one pic, was going to slip in closer, or try, and some lowlife idiot came roaring by, boombox blasting, and started blowing their horn. Idiot might not be strong enough language! I actually said a lot more, hope they heard me! We are up to our armpits in barbarians, and more being born every minute.

WARBLERS

RAPTORS

Light

2008-02-09T04:55:00.000-05:00

The light, yesterday afternoon, was awesome, clear, pure, perfect, no smog, no haze, just plain old basic Sunshine. I wasn't ready for it, but I noticed.

BLUEBIRD

LITTLE BLUE HERON

Maria Sanchez Lake

2008-02-07T18:31:00.000-05:00

Maria Sanchez Creek once ran a lot further North into St. Augustine, then Henry Flagler started building hotels, and the creek was filled, to where it ends today, in Maria Sanchez Lake. The lake is shallow and not large, there is a spillway at South Street to keep the lake reasonably full at low tide. South of there the creek meanders through the mudflats, to the ICW. On a tide change you can often find examples of several different water birds, Cormorants and Anhingas are often there, Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets are common. These two don't get along, they compete for the same food, there will be some distance seperating them. They both tolerate other birds, the Little Blue Herons and the Night Herons are crab hunters, for the most part, the big guys will tolerate them.
The birds are usually approachable, if you do it right, slow and easy.
Look to the South of the spillway too, the Roseate Spoonbills and White Ibis hunt there at low tide. You may also see an Osprey there.

HERONS EGRETS