Photo Blog 2011: January 2011

These guys had the biggest lenses I had ever seen! They were watching a bird in a tree, and when it took off, their cameras sounded like machine guns, snapping shots in flight! I had watched, and started walking away, when I got the idea to take photos of the lenses! I used my longest telephoto here, as my walking companions were hurrying me, and I could not go back for the shot. Passed the next two on my way out.

This one looks pretty modest after the guys in the gazeebo!

David and Cindy visited for a couple of days

We went on a beautiful walk in a wetland with a 1 1/2 mile boardwalk on a gorgeous sunny afternoon. Well, it is my new favorite place! Tons of wading birds, completely oblivious to human activity around them. Sitting on nests, stalking for fish, or just sunning. Saw a spoonbill....the first I had ever seen in the wild. An otter scampered from waterway to waterway with a Great Blue Heron stomping after him. For what purpose, I am not sure, but it was entertaining to watch. And then, finally, the alligator reared his sleepy head, to the delight of all visiting.

I am anxious to go back at a more optimum lighting time, and see what I can capture. There were folks with huge lenses arriving as we left....we had evening appts so could not stay. I left with great "lens envy!" Those things were HUGE!! On the way out, I got the idea to start shooting a few of THEM, which I did, and will post. Wish I had thought of it sooner. :-)

David and Cindy left today to go back to the snow in Boston. Oh well....they got a sun break!

Where did Sas go??

Kind of absent one day, I went looking for him. Found him snuggled up on the wicker bed in the far bedroom. Alert here, he closed his eyes and settled in when he realized I was just going to take photos....again.......and not make him get down.

...and my favorite artistic shot of the day!

My favorite flower shot of the day

Fran and Jack came to visit.

I feel bad that the weather was less than desirable while they were here, but we did have drinks outside one night, and breakfast outside yesterday morning. Enjoyed having them here, and had fun despite the weather. We went to Mounts Botanical garden in the morning, and Flagler Museum in the afternoon, and it rained while we were in there. Good timing!! A famous Florida storm overnight woke them with thunder and lightning. I didn't notice! :-)

This guy was fishing on our lake out back, so I crept out and starting taking photos. I would take one, wait, creep forward a step slowly, shoot another....repeat! He let me get fairly close, as you can see, before stalking off. He did much better than his fishing companion, a giant white heron, who flew away as soon as I got out of the screen door! I should just camp out there on a blanket with a book and my camera.

Ok, so, I am sitting here enjoying the sunshine, and she is pointing
this thing in my face, rolling around the floor and taking different
angles........and she thinks a can of tuna is payment enough for her
playing paparazzi. sheesh.....

an artistic shot for the day

Did you guess? Steering wheel from a 56 Chrysler New Yorker (that part you probably didn't get!)
In fantastic original condition....only paint redone. Had been owned by the same family for 53 years!

Drinks on the water front

Two neat eateries, right across the water from one another! Have had drinks with these friends at both. The one we are at here is a floating dock. Cool on the water, but the day was a lovely 72 degrees.

Pretty Hat

Went to a Nautical and Seafood Festival in Vero Beach with neighbors Dan and Debbie. I loved the bright colors in Debbie's hat! Returned and had drinks at Waterway Cafe, and watched the boats go by.

A FEW folks and I.........

...went for a "hike"

A day in the life of a kitty in Florida

Pink Toes and Nose.......

Loki knows where to go when the chill hits the air!

Looking for food on the dock

A chilly day, and we went looking for manatees, but could not get close enough. The birds entertained us fighting for food from the men cleaning fish.......and stealing leftovers from lunch tables.