Reflections in the Creek

Creeks and streams here in Florida often take on a tea-colored hue due to the tannins in the water from constantly decaying vegetation. This makes an interesting pallet for reflections when all the conditions come together. In central Florida, this most often happens in the early winter, when the skies are usually a cloudless blue, the sun bright, winds remain calm, and the spangle fern often called duckweed no longer covers these waters.

This very tall maple tree with red leaves still clinging to the upper level branches looked wonderful against the blue sky, and its reflection in the creek took on an even more interesting look.

No, this is not an upside down Black-crowned night heron. The heron remained partially hidden behind branches on a log and the reflection was all I saw clearly. As the bird was grooming, it took some patience and a few shots to get a reflection that included the signature eye.

Several fish surfaced as I tried to take the reflection of this Anhinga, making faint ripples in the still water. After several tries, I ended up with an almost soft-focus like reflection.

December Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve

Great Egret on a log in Brooker Creek Preserve

Our guided photography hike for December takes place at Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs on December 30.

December weather in our part of central Florida tends to be mostly sunny days with low humidity, punctuated by the occasional several days in a row of what we call cold temperatures. Even those cold temperatures, which rarely dip below daytime highs in the 60s make for beautiful hiking.

In the wetlands areas the cypress already shed most of their summer foliage so the sun shines into the swamps and naturally lights up many areas usually in shadow because of the dense canopy. We walk about a mile at a leisurely pace, stopping often to photograph a wading bird, interesting fungus, unique flower or mysterious lichen. We answer questions and help with shots throughout the hike, and stop at intervals to discuss photography or cameras with the group.

We hope to see you at this month’s hike!

Season's Greetings to Everyone

Wishing you and yours the best of the season, for all the holidays you celebrate!

Cat in the Christmas Tree

Midnight just can't leave the tree alone, even though it is artificial. I also can't get a shot with any of the SLR cameras, her and her sister Sassy hide when those come out. So, I used the Canon G16 and even managed a brief video.

Perhaps next year I can convince them to become camera-friendly cats.

Birds in Flight

Capturing birds in flight, and getting the eye still in focus takes practice. I hand-hold my
Canon 100 - 400 mm zoom usually right out at 400mm for these shots. I  hadn't this in a while, and it took a few shots before I got one I liked.

Luckily the bird decided to do a few fly-bys and give me the opportunity.

James E Grey Preserve in New Port Richey

We visited this Preserve in New Port Richey, not too far from where we live, several years ago. Many enhancements occurred over the years, and a friend encouraged us to visit again. We took some visitors there earlier in the year and recently returned for a longer hike. This visit, we walked the loop consisting of the boardwalk and dirt trail along the water.

As we walked along, listening to the birds and just enjoying the day, we realized the flock of small birds caught up with us. We stopped, and watched as the raced back and forth pursuing bugs and the best perch. 

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher peered at me from a leafy branch, and a Yellow rumped warbler in its Autumn coloring posed just exposing the patch of yellow that gives it that name.

Cone's Dike Trail Part 2

The 'twins' as we approached, eating and standing together

Everyone we met coming from the other direction stopped to tell us that the horses were just ahead. We kept walking along the trail, and noticed a lump alongside the trail near the turn. As we got close the “lump” got up and shook itself off. It revealed itself as one of the horses. We slowed and walked carefully, and sure enough, as we approached the turn we started seeing more of the horses.

I saw the horses up close several years ago on the Bolen’s Bluff trail. While used to people, they definitely seemed skittish, probably due to the presence of several colts, and I gave them their space. This time, perhaps because of the flooding and the presence of only one youngster, they appeared more placid. Several hikers went by, admiring but not approaching.

We watched them for a while, eating and wandering around. The ‘twins’ as I silently named them caught my eye. Two horses, standing and eating together, and very similar in appearance.

Last I heard about twenty five of these wild Spanish horses live on the prairie. This group consisted of seven or eight.

 

The tail started moving as one reached over and took a mouthful of Spanish Moss

They remained eating, with one standing watching us and others but making no move, as we turned and headed back along the trail. From our vantage point we saw water in the trail ahead, so decided to save it for another day.

Cone’s Dike Trail Part 1

We arrived at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park early. Check-in for the campground starts at 3:00 officially, and those leaving are required to depart by 1:00. We drove in just after noon. We talked to the ranger and checked in, with the understanding we planned to go to the Visitor’s Center and then on a hike until we could occupy the site.

Flooding still closed the right lane in each direction along US 441 where it cuts through the Prairie. This area, now a prairie but a lake earlier in its history, received a lot of rain from Hurricane Irma two months prior. The natural world takes time to recover. The high water caused much of the wildlife to spend more time in the higher areas, like near and on the trail.

As we headed to Cone’s Dike Trail, we met several groups of hikers returning, all talking about the wildlife they had seen including the wild horses. On the first part of the trail, dragonflies buzzed and zoomed by everywhere. My camera worked overtime as I tried to get a few stopped, or at least slowing down. Birds called all around, flew by, and dove into bushes looking for food. Plops into the water as we approached certain areas let us know that either frogs or turtles heard us coming and decided to take a swim. Plenty of vultures soared overhead, crows called almost constantly, and a Phoebe followed us darting in and out of sight.

The cloudless blue sky, bright sun, and lower temperatures and humidity made even this mid-day hike pleasant. At one point Karl stopped and pointed down on the trail. A ribbon snake slowly crossed in front of us, stopped and checking the air with its flicking tongue before continuing.