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Posts tagged ‘photography’

Sep 17

50 Comments

Hello, You Gorgeous Gator

Lots of people talk to animals…. Not very many listen, though…. That’s the problem. —Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything about alligators,  and I feel withdrawal coming on. So for my sake, here’s a gorgeous gator we encountered on a recent hike in the northern section of the Everglades.

{As always, please click on the image for expansion!}

Florida Everglades Alligator: Helllllo, gorgeous!

Here’s how one of these lovelies appears in the wild — in this case, full and slow after a meal, catching some sun. Which is why we ALWAYS have an eye on the water’s edge throughout our hikes — especially when water and bits of swamp suddenly pop up out of nowhere, *wink*!

While they are certainly admirable and fierce predators, there is absolutely no need to assume that they will eat your face if you encounter one in the wild. We’ve never been bothered by gators — even during mating and nesting seasons. If we see an active alligator mound (nest), we steer clear, knowing a momma gator is diligently protecting her eggs or young. The most disconcerting experiences I’ve ever had with these amazing creatures have occurred when I wasn’t watching the water’s edge as closely as I should have been, to put it mildly — or when we’ve startled or frightened them, causing uproarious splashes into the water amid the silence of the ‘glades.

Leave wildlife alone, because they want nothing more than to leave we humans alone….

Resting at the water’s edge — or, in my words during our hike: “Oops! Lookie there!”

Another view of the big lizard

Sep 12

37 Comments

The Little Least Terns

There are birds a-plenty in the South Florida swamps and wetlands, and they’re not always the towering waders. Least Terns are the smallest of the American terns, native to North America and northern South America. They’re migratory birds, and live in such habitats as sea coasts, bays, lagoons, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and rivers.

{As always, please click on any image for expansion!}

Least Tern in the Florida Wetlands: I may be small, but I can holler with the rest of ’em

These birds are colony nesters, breeding between April and August. Like many other birds, they usually return to the same breeding site year after year. Least Terns are ground nesters, and situate their nests on the open ground, usually at higher elevations and away from the water’s edge. In flight, they hover and dive into the water for small fish and aquatic crustaceans, occasionally skimming the water’s surface for insects. They fly with fast, herky-jerky wingbeats in their signature hunchback display. Males and females of the species look alike: They have a forked tail, with pointed and narrow wings. Their bills are yellow in the summer, which turn black in the winter.

Yes, I see you

Special spiky tail

When I see them in our wetlands, it’s nesting time — so they’re often together, as nesting pairs.

I don’t like that tall thing near us; You can stay there on the edge of non-safety while I sit and glare

Sep 10

54 Comments

Storms over the Wetlands

I love to take advantage of cloudy weather — one quickly learns to appreciate the clouds of South Florida, especially on longer hikes. But a sublime dark afternoon can quickly turn, forcing one to skedaddle for safety. But NOT before visiting with some perfectly wonderful critters. Here, in the protected wetlands I spied a momma gator and her 2-week old babies, and some lovely preening waders, preparing for their evenings. Images forthcoming; I was happy to contend with the rain for them!

Approaching storm over the Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Cloud cover isn’t dissipating. Hm. But I’m still with momma gator…

Florida’s clouds are fantastical and fabulous

Sigh. Guess it’s time to leave… Lightning over the Everglades, approaching the wetlands

Always a show

Sep 7

64 Comments

Mr. Personality

Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way. —John Muir

I adore the Tricolored (or Louisiana) Herons: They’re colorful and spirited characters of our wetlands and swamps. This fellow landed beside me on a recent walk, and proceeded to hack up a recent meal — something had obviously gotten stuck in that long, elegant throat of his. All was well eventually, but not after a 20-minute show.

{As always, please click on the image for expansion!}

Tricolored (Louisiana) Heron, Florida Wetlands: I am so lovely and elegant, yes?

Excusey, I seem to have something in my throat….

Haaaaaaaaaaack!

Shake it off! Shake it off!

Sep 4

47 Comments

A Friendly Face in the Trees

“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” —Eden Phillpotts

On a walk through some wonderful Florida woods recently, we were visited by an exceptionally personable squirrel — even after realizing we had no food to offer, his quirky and friendly presence captivated us for quite some time.

I thought he was a nice beginning to a short week — so happy and relaxed in his beautiful trees — and sure to bring a smile.

Perhaps I can see better like this…

HEY!

S’up.

Done with you, human. Time for my nap!

And in honor of this most adorable and friendly critter: Fairies tending to their squirrel!

John Anster Fitzgerald, “The Wounded Squirrel”

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