Alligator in the Lake

Living in Florida, and as a naturalist and photographer, I see a lot of alligators. I photograph a lot of alligators too. Visitors to the state, and even locals, always want to see an alligator when hiking or taking photographs with us.

One morning recently while walking near a lake I saw what appeared to be a small alligator. He floated half underwater, the eye, nose tip, and body above water mirrored perfectly in the still, glassy water except for one small part near the eye on which a piece of grass perched. I took several shots, varying the zoom.

I chose this one as the best. I love the reflection in the water, the small catch light in his eye from the sun, and the serenity of the scene, even though serenity is not the first thing that springs to mind when one hears the word “alligator”.

Beautiful Female Eastern Bluebirds

On a recent hike I watched a flock of bluebirds around a tree, some in the tree, and others on the ground, frequently moving around to catch bugs. The dozen or so seemed evenly mixed between male and female. Then I saw one bird further up at the very top of the tree, against a beautiful blue sky.

I realized it was another bluebird, a female. The males all sported their bright blue feathers, while she appeared mostly tan. The colors often lead us to describe the brighter colored birds as beautiful, and the others as drab.

In a perfect morning light, against the blue sky, perched at the top of a branch, and watching me working with my binoculars and camera, she looked anything but drab to me.

 

Day Trip to Colt Creek State Park

December in central Florida this year felt like spring. The temperature records broke through historic highs several days, but only by a degree or two. While the humidity remained higher than normal, it stayed comfortable for those of us who live here, and are used to it. The fabulous weather made us eager to get out more, so we headed to Colt Creek State Park in Lakeland, FL.

We last visited this park this past February. At the time, the staff told us that very soon a Family/RV campground would join the primitive camping available. Unable to find any further information on it, it was our first question at the ranger station. Unfortunately, nothing has been done these 10 months, and it sounded as though nothing would be done in the near future. As Colt Creek sits in the west portion of the Green Swamp, the location would be ideal for spending a few days to explore the swamp. Needless to say, we were very disappointed as we love camping Florida state parks.

The park offers primitive back-pack camping, primitive equestrian camping, and a youth camp. Fishing and hiking remain the primary activities here for day travelers, with very nice picnic pavilions, tables and grills available. This day fishing definitely led the pack as the preferred activity.

We hiked around Mac Lake and then part of the Flatwoods trail, taking a break in-between for lunch. This is dry season in Florida, and it has been very dry in November and December. Swamp areas that had been very wet last February showed no sign of water this time.

We saw numerous birds, especially when we first arrived. We wondered if we would see any snakes with the warmth. Sure enough, I looked down as I walked one of the trails and directly in front of me a snake basked in the warmth, watching us but obviously not too concerned. We originally thought Ribbon Snake, but after studying the photographs and comparing them to the Reptile Species List for Green Swamp which I found on the internet, it more resembles a Common Garter Snake. 

Happy 2017!

Beautiful sunrise to greet a new year.

Karl and I wish you and yours a wonderful, happy, and healthy new year.

We don’t make resolutions, but spend the holiday season starting with Thanksgiving and ending with New Year’s Day tossing about ideas for the future and thinking of things we want to do and accomplish over the next year. We’ve said some sad good-byes over the past two years, and each of us celebrated one of those ‘major’ birthdays, so we are optimistic and hopeful about 2017.

Happy New Year!

2017 Challenge: Personal Pet Photography

Sassy (front) and Midnight, giving the 'look' we get if they decide to actually let us photograph them. Karl did this one.

Three years ago we opened our home to two homeless cats, sisters, one pure black and the other pure gray. Sassy and Midnight were strays, and both remain easily frightened and skittish even after more than two years as house cats. Sassy gradually evolved into a lap cat who actually seeks us out for attention. Midnight still does not want held, though she is more than happy to rub against our legs and purr, always when we are in the kitchen and she is hoping for food.

Naturally I saw all kinds of photographic opportunities with two subjects close at hand. I forgot the first rule of cats: What the human wants doesn’t matter. Both dislike cameras, and recognize them even when they are disguised as phones. Obviously they didn’t realize they had chosen to live with two photographers. When we can get a shot, we generally get a very haughty warning look, not those cute, cuddly “awww” looks that everyone posts on social media all the time.

 

To date, most photographs are blurry backsides as they race away until I come to my senses and put the camera down. I have better luck with the small warblers during migration! After a month of attempting a reasonable photograph to use for a Christmas card, we gave up. Either they ran, or the look they gave would cause any recipient to put the card to the back of their Christmas card display.I finally got this one, with only Midnight, giving the "look", too late for a card.

This year is the year of the cat photograph. I plan to frustrate myself by attempting to do a photo essay of our housemates, Sassy and Midnight. By next December, I will have something we can put in the card. Maybe they will even give one of those cute, cuddly looks…

A New Focus and New Look for 2017

Sunrise at Fort Clinch State Park, from the beach near the campground, December 2016

This blog, and its predecessor, underwent either major or minor changes since we started blogging eight years ago. I believe that any good idea should be reviewed and tweaked where needed to reflect new interests, technologies, or directions.

We enjoyed a recent visit from our niece and her family. She has an online business and blog in addition to her day job, so we exchanged ideas. She asked why we didn't expand the subjects about which we blog. I told her I had always focused most of the entries on the areas in which we specialize in photography for our retail business, namely nature and travel. As I thought about what she said, I realized that we had been limiting the blog. The PLUS of this blog should encompass the other areas of photography and writing that we do, in addition to the nature and travel.

So, starting in 2017 Nichter Photography PLUS will feature a lot of the PLUS. I hope you can join us.

No Photography Hike in December

Our Brooker Creek Photography hikes take place on the last Saturday of each month at Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs, FL. Because the last Saturday this month is also New Year's Eve, and everyone is likely getting ready for their celebrations to greet 2017, the hike will not take place.

In January we do a photography class rather than a hike, with a short hike at the end weather permitting. That is on, and will take place on January 28. We hope you can join us.