Why We Live Here

Lots of meteorologists have been pointing out that Florida, with temps in the 80s, is the warmest place in the country this week.  For my blogosphere friends Up North…this is our version of a snowman!  The SDP Junior Editor stumbled across this adorable sandman at Siesta Key beach yesterday. Believe it or not, this quality shot was taken with a phone!  By the time, I got to the beach to shoot the sandman with my DSLR it was getting dark…

 …and this was the scene: beautiful night…clear and in the mid-70s.  I never found the sandman. But, with this sunset, it really didn't matter.  Happy Hump Day!

Sunset Surprise

Rounding the bend at Lovers Key State Park in Ft. Myers is like stepping into a different world.  It's a desolate beach covered with seashells, and seabirds pecking for dinner.  The last thing you'd expect  is for a park ranger to pull up in a four-wheeler and tell you the park is closed…please go away.  ((sigh))  At least I nabbed this sunset shot before my plans were washed up.

Theme Day: Looking Out

It's theme day in the City Daily Photo world!  When I heard the theme was 'Looking Out', I knew exactly what my photo would be:  Ozzie or Harriet, the bald eagles, looking out from their nest keeping watch.  (I think this is Harriet playing the role of watch eagle.)  Last week, I was excited to hear that Harriet layed two eggs this season.  So, during the long holiday weekend, I made a point to stop by and see how everyone is doing.  (This was the first time I visited the nest in Ft. Myers since last spring just before my computer crashed.) Harriet was busy sitting on the eggs, and Ozzie was helping with 'nest-orations', delivering a couple of large branches.   It was nice to see they're doing well.  The eaglets should hatch around Christmas.  Then, the real fun begins -- watching the little ones grow and leave the nest within a few months.  The live eagle cam is functioning well and an additional camera is now positioned in a nearby tree.   Once again, the live feed is sponsored by Dick Pritchett Real Estate.  You can check out the eagle cam here.  To see other interpretations of 'Looking Out' click here.  

Thanksgiving Leftovers

I believe these shoreline birds are sandpipers.  They were scooting up and down the beach last night diligently pecking at the washed up seashells hunting for food.  The bird in the middle of the pack nabbed what looked like a live crab.  But, the crustacean must have put up too much of a fight because after shaking it a few times, the bird dropped it and all three sandpipers quickly stepped away.  I suppose it's just a lot easier to open your refrigerator and select from an array of leftovers.  Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!

Golden Rays

Let's take a moment to enjoy the peace and tranquility of a sunset before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season gets underway.  I rarely see wild turkeys wandering around Myakka State Park, but the other day I spotted three in an open field.  As soon as I took out my camera, they  scampered away.  Either they were camera shy or they heard people chattering about drumsticks, gravy and other fixings.  

Spoonful of Love

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  No, I'm not talking about Christmas (yet).  It's bird migration season!  We photographers who flock toward feathery creatures for photo opps are loving it.  Already, I've spotted some migratory birds including lots of beautiful roseate spoonbills.  I love these guys!  How could you not...with the splash of pink on their feathers…their bloodshot eyes…those rounded beaks…and those long, skinny red legs?!   All in all, the spoonbills are a nice colorful addition to the area right now.  I spotted several flocks at Myakka State Park over the weekend.  According to my 'Birds of Florida' field guide, roseate spoonbills live year round throughout coastal Florida.  But, from what I've seen over the years, they definitely migrate to Sarasota when the temperature starts to drop in the northern part of the state.  We're expecting lows in the 40s by mid-week.  Bundle up, birdies!

Secret Life of Deer and Cranes

"Um…Should we be this close?!"

Sometimes seeing what really goes on in nature makes me laugh.  I spotted this deer and sandhill crane at Myakka State Park yesterday and they didn't acknowledge each other at all.  The crane seemed to be looking at his flock to the right…and the deer was sauntering by, trying to meet up with a friend in the distance, without upsetting the crane.  Silly animals!

It's been awhile since we've posted and I'm pleased to report we're back up and running (for the most part).  Hip-hip-hooray!  It took some effort, but the Apple Geniuses recovered my photo and movie files and restored them on my new computer with approximately 90% success.  (Some files are out of order, but they all seem to be there.)  I've figured out the basics of Lightroom 5, so I can import and export with few issues.   And, all my files are backed up (although, I still want to establish another back up system.)  All in all:  SDP seems to be back in business!  Having lived with this photo file fiasco for the past seven months, I can't tell you how good it feels to have control of my photos once again.  I now feel ready to get back out there and start adding to my photo library.  Life is good!   I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone in the blogosphere.  Hope everyone has been doing well.