DoubleEspresso

Weekend Update #2

2012-02-12T09:49:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - On Sunday morning, with the temperature a bit below 40-degrees and a wind blowing off the Halifax River, the locals were trying to stay warm. For this snowy egret that meant one-foot-at-a-time in the water. (Actually, they stand on one foot a lot of the time). This pigeon was also 'footing it.' And there is always someone who doesn't mind the wind or cold water...like this merganser (duck).

Weekend update

2012-02-12T09:41:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Lake Woodruff NWR didn't have much activity this weekend. There were lots of Glossy Ibis...with a few regular ibis and a snowy egret thrown in to make the flight pattern look nice. Note the hawk (bottom right) playing flight controller.
Then there was 'papa' sand crane out looking for food. (See mom, pop and two soon-to--be little cranes on Lydia's More Pics link). To add a bit of color we had a cardinal stop moving for a moment.

Black & White

2012-02-07T19:49:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Things look different in black and white...one of the 'toys' which my Apple MacBook Pro has in the Aperture photo application. So we have a heron and its shadow; a snowy egret posing with breeding plumage flowing and a great blue heron keeping an eye on things from a roof top.

Going, Going, Going...

2012-02-05T14:17:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - When we moved in to our house 16 years ago, we had plenty of shade trees. The trees were old and big, with wide canopies...nature's version of air conditioning. Now, we don't have so many. They've been lost mainly to old age and/or a beating with nature's help.
When we arrived home this Fall from our Summer job in Glacier NP, our big bay tree in the side yard look fine. Recently, it became apparent that the tree was dying right before our eyes. Laurel-wilt disease, a fungal disease carried by beetles from Asia invaded Florida in 2005 (and many other areas) decimating the bay trees. There is no cure, but injecting a fungicide into (what appears to be) our other healthy bay tree may save it.
The four pictures above show the Tree Guy way up near the top of the highest limb cutting and then easing down a big limb section via rope. All we have now is a six-inch high base where the tree once stood.

Flying, landing and looking good

2012-01-29T18:40:00.001-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - These Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks put on a good air show, but not whistling while closer to the ground the Great Blue Heron clan were nest building at Viera Wetlands. Closer to home we found this Snowy Egret with the breeze ruffling his breeding plumage.

Pelicans splash, heron reflects & woodstork has an appetizer

2012-01-29T18:30:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year...only a week late

2012-01-07T15:57:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Today's visit to Lake Woodruff NWR was all about the color red in various shades and configurations (top to bottom). First we have a red head; a red stripe on a lost bobber; a red-headed sand hill crane; a red shouldered hawk and finally, sunrise on Lake Woodruff

Christmas Day 2011 in Ormond Beach

2011-12-25T11:24:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The sun is shining. It's 80-degrees. It's Christmas Day. The tourists are happy. This is the weather they've come south for. We're happy too, but we wish it was a bit (60-degrees) cooler. In the past. we've gone to Fort Desoto Park (near St. Pete on the other coast) to camp. This year, it's stay home and feed medicine to the elderly royal household - - The Queen and The Princess.

So, we've been out and about near home lately, but not too much is happening. Even the usual flocks of migrating birds seem to think it's too hot to be winter so they've stayed away or gone some place else. Of course, we do have a few Royal Terns looking for snacks and plenty of butterflys out for nectar.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2011-12-18T15:42:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - From our home to yours, a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year. Thanks for reading and following the blog. 2012 and new adventures are just around the corner.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-11-26T15:12:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Wandering around on Thanksgiving weekend: (1) St. Augustine Lighthouse; (2) Sunrise on the Halifax river in OB; (3) Great Egret on the St. John's River near DeLand trying to find the right place to scratch...without sticking itself.

Back to work

2011-11-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The Princess casts a long shadow

Egret in the bush at Merritt Island NWR

Pelican lift-off: Port Canaveral

Back in the Sunshine State

2011-10-05T14:28:00.000-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We're back in OB after five months, 15,000 miles, two jobs and lots of roaming, rambling and wandering. We've avoided high humidity and temperatures for as long as we could. Florida has welcomed us back with great weather (if you're on vacation) but we've been used to wearing fleece and long pants for so long that t-shirts, shorts and sandals with no socks takes a bit of time to get used to. Fortunately, we have at least 6-7 months to do that before we plan to head out again.

Update

2011-09-25T22:46:00.000-04:00

ST LOUIS, MO - - We're alive and well in St. Louis visiting Lydia's relative. To get here we crossed the rolling plains of Kansas; camped in Ellis and stopped in Lawrence (think Kansas Jayhawks) before working our way into Missouri for another night of camping. Now, we're eating home cooked meals and sleeping in rel bed...for another night at least. After a short detour to the Chicago are it's off to north Carolina and then home. The days of great scenic photos and animal shots are probably over.

Cars and scenery

2011-09-21T21:03:00.000-04:00

MANITOU SPRINGS, CO - - Today's travels took us from early morning ice-covered windows in Leadville over a couple of 9,000' plus passes to Mantou Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. (We were here on our way to Yellowstone in the Spring and got lucky that the same in-town campground had a vacancy.) On our way we stopped for lunch at a US Forest Service info area where the view sums up our day's trip. Quaking Aspen bracket a look out across the South Park Valley. In the background is Harvard peak, one of the over 14,000' peaks in Colordo.

The 1926 Ford Model T Tudor Sedan (below) was gassing up in Leadville just before we left. Note the wood spoke wheels. It certainly is in better shape than the slightly wrose for wear model pictured in an earlier post.

Interstate facts

2011-09-20T23:34:00.000-04:00

LEADVILLE, CO - - We spent a good portion of today (Tuesday) on I-70 as we made our way from Filmore, UT to Leadville. At the Spotted Wolf Canyon viewpoint one could get a good idea of therigors of building the road. On the left is the San Rafael Ridge, a 30 mile long ridge; on the right is Spotted Wolf Canyon. When the road was started, workers could stand between the two and touch each side. Once completed in 1970, the two lane road connected Fremont Junction with Green River Junction (UT). An additional two lanes were added in 1980.

Low milage, good air conditioning

2011-09-19T21:52:00.000-04:00

FILMORE, UT - - Spotted in a field near the entrance to Great Basin National Park in Baker, NV. Probably need little work. Given that we were in an area with 'rattlesnake' in it's name I didn't venture any closer than the front seat of the Magic Bus...it was Lydia's turn at the wheel.

Colorful bush, BIG problems

2011-09-18T14:22:00.000-04:00

TONOPAH, NV - - This colorful plant - - rabbit brush - - is seen everywhere here in Tonopah. We first encountered it in the Eastern Sierra mountains when we worked at Yosemite NP in 2008. To some, it's just a nuisance. To allergy sufferers like me, the pollen is a catalyst for bouts of sneezing and puffy, itchy, watery eyes. And allergy remedies, both over the counter and prescription, don't have the firepower to combat this nasty weed.

On the road to Tonopah, NV

2011-09-17T13:13:00.000-04:00

Catching up #2

2011-09-17T13:01:00.000-04:00

FLORENCE, OR - - A shiny Caddy and a "Low Rad" Merc before the invitation-only car show.

Catching up #1

2011-09-17T12:57:00.000-04:00

FLORENCE, OR - - The day before the invitation-only car show in Florence.

Wave viewing

2011-09-08T18:58:00.001-04:00

FLORENCE, OR - - Pacific Ocean waves pounding on the volcanic basalt shore of the Devils Churn create spectacular images. Signs warn of rogue or sneaky waves with enough height to sweep unsuspecting photographers out to sea if not careful. The area is part of one of our favorite spots on the Oregon Coast - - Cape Perpetua in the Suislaw National Forest. The area was named by Captain James Cook, who in 1787 passed the headland on St. Perpetua Day (in honor of the third century (female) Christian martyr and eventual Saint.)

All revved up

2011-09-08T12:33:00.001-04:00

WALDPORT, OR - - It's amazing how a double espresso can get things all revved up...like this Puffin in the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport Beach, OR. Actually, the Puffin is taking a bath. The Aquarium was yesterday's main stop on our way down the coast. Today? We'll see what happens when the coastal fog lifts. For now it's a coffee shop with wi-fi. Check Lydia's blog via the link on this page for more photos.

On the trail of Chief Joseph and Lewis and Clark

2011-09-05T10:36:00.000-04:00

THE DALLES, OR - - We spent Sunday following a scenic byway along a number of rivers including the Snake and the Columbia which Lewis and Clark traveled on their Northwest Passage to the Pacific. Earlier in the day the trail combined with that which Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce traveled in a vain attempt to escape the U.S.Army and their orders to return to tribe to a reservation and away from their beloved land of their ancestors. On our was we visited the Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spalding, ID.

Heading West

2011-09-03T22:20:00.000-04:00

OROFINO, ID - - Our jobs at Glacier National Park are behind us. We finished yesterday and hustled away. Two out of the final three days the weather was cold/windy/cloudy On Logan Pass; while some miles below the summit there were flowers to see (Fireweed) and green vistas. The construction work on the Going-to -the-Sun road left our buses pretty muddy. Note the "termination dust" on the peaks behind the bus...fresh snow was very visible on the high elevations. But on our final day, it was mainly clouds and sun. Now, we can get back to playing vacation for a month before getting home to Ormond.

Views from Piegan Pass hike

2011-08-13T13:09:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Friday, we hiked to Piegan Pass. The photos are in reverse order so...going from bottom to top: This is the trail once you get out of the tree line; (mid) Once out of the trees we could look west. Down in the middle of this photo, if you use a magnifying glass, is where we and others parked. Once on top of the pass we could have continued on another 6+ miles to Many Glacier Lodge. Note the blue melt ponds, still with plenty of snow, in the lower left of the pic. This is the area where we met our Columbian friend from the previous post, before turning around and heading back.

Don't feed the annimals.

2011-08-12T22:22:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Columbian Ground Squirrels will eat just about anything. They are good at begging...especially at places on the trail where people stop for lunch/snacks. This fellow spied us as we stopped atop Piegan Pass. You're not supposed to feed these guys or any of the animals in the park, but our buddy had his act really worked out. First he got a crust of bread; then a cheese cracker with peanut butter and when these were scarfed up he put on his best "Please, just one more crumb" face.

There are camper vehicles and then there are CAMPER VEHICLES

2011-08-04T20:50:00.000-04:00

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC, CAN - - We spent two nights camping at Tunnel Mountain Campground near Banff. Besides a proliferation of very high dollar motor homes vying to be noticed most, there were the one-off types. The Mercedes-Benz ark, above, was shipped over from Holland. The rolling hotel, below, we've seen before in Canada. This German-based company has at least two of these registered in Alaska and is quite popular with German tourists. It comes with its own kitchen and everyone aboard gets their own little crypt to sleep in.

Revisiting

2011-08-04T20:39:00.000-04:00

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, AB, CAN - - There are plenty of things you can do on your days off. This time we chose to head to Banff and Lake Louise (in Alberta, Canada) to check out some places we haven't seen in 4 years. Emerald Lake Lodge area was just one stop. The quiet is fine for those who like to canoe and the flowers are blooming everywhere.

Weather or not, part 2

2011-07-28T19:32:00.001-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - The weather (Tuesday) on our trip to the Canadian side of Waterton-Glacier Interntional Peace Park ranged from heavy storm clouds at the top of Logan Pass to a passing rain shower and rainbow at Chief Mountain to strong winds on Waterton Lake....Waterton was our final destination.

Baby pics

2011-07-28T19:22:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - This week's adventure took us to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in Waterton (Alberta), Canada. In Waterton, the young mule deer roam the neighborhood lawns and backyards looking for something tasty to eat. In Glacier, the mountain goat youngsters have a harder time finding lots to eat.

Weather or not

2011-07-24T11:13:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Some days at work it seems like the clouds are pouring down so much rain it feels like a waterfall...then minutes later the sun pokes through...and just when you think it will get better the clouds come rolling back in

Flowers

2011-07-20T22:21:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - There were no animals venturing within any distance of us on our days off, but flowers were everywhere. Winter is gloomy here so when the sun finally shines just about everyone gets out the flower seeds for both home and town landscaping.

Going To The Sun Road opens

2011-07-14T11:09:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - The Going To The Sun road opened yesterday, connecting the park's West Glacier and East Glacier sides and saving about 80 miles of driving. Construction slowed traffic a bit as did the mountain goats frolicking and fighting on the side of the road near the top of Logan Pass.

Pronghorn display

2011-07-10T09:48:00.000-04:00

MISSOULA, MT - - We've worked 4 days and now we have 4 days off. So we left our campsite outside Glacier NP and headed toward Missoula. On the way we took a drive through the National Bison Range Wildlife Refuge near Ronan, MT. While the bison were out in far smaller groups than we saw in Yellowstone, we were more interested in the Pronghorn antelope who were just lying around...if you could spot them. These two are a good example of why they are called pronghorn.

Out on a limb

2011-07-03T20:23:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Good balance is a trait you had better have if you're out on a limb...or a couple of thin limbs like this cinnamon-colored Black Bear. Lydia and I spotted this animal having a late breakfast while we were on a walk up a closed portion of the Going To The Sun road. We left before the reality of getting down overcame the urge to gorge on greenery. Check Lydia's blog link for more pics and other info.

Man's best friend

2011-07-02T21:44:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - The campground where we are living next to Glacier NP is very equal-opportunity. Whoever gets to the couch or the chairs first in the 'community break room' sleeps there. In this case, Pork Chop has squatter's rights. The man on the floor works/helps out in the campground and usually can be found around 7pm snoozing away...on the couch. Not so tonight. So, he apparently grabbed a pillow or maybe wrestled it away from Pork Chop and racked out.

Purple

2011-07-01T20:28:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - This neat purple flower is unnamed,,,for now. In other news, we are now have jobs as (Dodge Sprinter) drivers for the free shuttle/transportation system in Glacier National Park. By the numbers, we were out of work for five days. When we quit Yellowstone last Friday, we were starting our two days off. The main route...Going To The Sun or Logan Pass, its correct name...is still closed from record snowfall. We'll probably start 'real' work about Tuesday. Until then we're doing some training and getting paid better than (YNP base pay) to do so.

Images of Glacier NP

2011-06-29T17:00:00.000-04:00

WEST GLACIER, MT - - We've been out of wi-fi territory for the past 4 days or so. We left Yellowstone NP and headed to our favorite NP - - Glacier. The first picture is of Two Medicine Lake and lots of Glacier NP. On our hike to Grinnell Lake we encountered a number of miniature waterfalls descending from snow-melt higher up. And then there's the Horse Family portrait.

On the road, again

2011-06-25T09:41:00.000-04:00

BOZEMAN, MT - - We've left our jobs at Yellowstone. Today is the first day of our wandering around seeing the country. To get the full report, click on the link to Lydia's blog. More as the miles roll by.

Bubbling hot spring

2011-06-21T12:27:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - This bubbling hot pool, the Firehole River and the rust colored water streaks running into the river - - caused by bacteria in the hot (160-degree) water - - are only a 10 minute walk from our dorm. I have the morning off before leaving OF at 2:30pm for a tour from another lodge.

Birding on the Madison River

2011-06-18T20:43:00.001-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - On our weekend we found Greater Scaup ducks with orange legs; a Sandhill Crane with rusty feathers and a red winged blackbird. The weather forecast for Sunday and Monday (June 19-20) calls for rain and snow showers. No global warming here.

Geyser Art, 2011

2011-06-11T14:46:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - Geothermal art comes in many forms, like the geyser at top (a repeat pic), or the gold colors in the middle shot to the paw print (probably wolf) which is 200-300 years old given the depth of the impression. The colors come from the water temperature. Lighter, more brilliant golds on the geyser signal that the water temp is in the 190-degree range. The two other pics probable temperatures are in the 160 to 140-degree range given the darker hues.

Catch up

2011-06-08T09:39:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - As you can see from the above pics we do have some sunny weather...just not much right now. On our off day travels we've come upon American White Pelicans parked in formation heading into a stiff wind; an ever-vigilant Yellowbelly Marmot and White Dome geyser which has built up it's cone over hundreds of years and will either become extinct as all plumbing gets filled in or blow it's stack.

Off the road again

2011-06-02T22:15:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - We're back from our final days touring the park as part of our training. Of course, we couldn't go everywhere we needed to because of (1) heavy snow; (2) avalanche danger on a road that has been cleared and (3) a rock slide which blocked another road. This is normal life as winter (hopefully) heads our of here. In the meantime, the bison still like taking steam baths and, when the sun come out the scenery is spectacular.

Snowy delight

2011-05-28T22:19:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL,WY - - It was snowing when we got off work late Friday afternoon. It was snowing harder when we finally turned out the lights about 10pm. So we expected some white and fluffy on Saturday morning....which was our day off. But not the 3-4 inches covering the 'bus' (second vehicle from left) at 6:30 am. We wandered over to Old Faithful where the snow on the benches was undisturbed and OF was teasing folks with small steam bursts.

We needed to go to Bozeman, MT to shop but the snow and the various cloudy spots in the sky made us think about leaving .... for about five minutes. We made the trip, ran into snow, sleet, hail and combinations thereof. And when we got back to OF nearly all the new snow had melted.

On the road

2011-05-24T09:11:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - It's Tuesday morning, 37-degrees and snowing. It's not sticking, yet, but we can see the mountains in the distance having their white mantle replaced. We've got class this morning and afternoon. After that we jump in a bus to head out to the high country for more touring and classes and where the weather forecast shows nothing but rain and (maybe) 40's as the high. People who fail as Florida weather people easily find work in Wyoming and Montana.
The trip is a good news/bad news thing: Good - we get to see parts of the park Lydia have never been to; Bad - three days without computers.

Hot and cold

2011-05-22T23:11:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - On our day off, Sunday, we went exploring some places in the park where we won't be stopping on our tours. Norris Geyser Basin, has plenty of up-and-coming beginner geysers...the ones just learning to spout hot (180-degree) water.

On the other side of the coin, there are a lot of streams carrying snow melt runoff which makes the water pretty cold. This elk was tentative in her first steps into the stream and then moved quickly to the other side in search of green-ish vegetation.

The Grand Canyon reappears!!

2011-05-21T23:33:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is impressive, just not quite like the real GC. Hers's The Lower Falls on an overcast day with a little green to add accents to the photo

It's yellow, but it's not the bus

2011-05-20T21:32:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - Today's training ride took us the Grand Teton National Park. At the height of the horse-and-buggy era (1888 - 1916) in Teton and Yellowstone NP nearly 400 carriages toured the parks. The above example resides in a barn in Jackson Hole.

Steam bath or, how to warm up on a cold day

2011-05-16T22:02:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - A maid in the mist...Lydia seeks a warm spot.

Geyser, steam, morning light and snow

2011-05-16T20:10:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - The early morning sun (27-degrees), good light and Jet Geyser at Black Sand Basin combined to kick off our second day off. now, it's tour guide school time so no double clutch shifting for few days.

Theater time

2011-05-16T18:58:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - We went touring on our first day off, Sunday, and came across plenty pf photographic items. Some actually liked posing like this Uinta Ground Squirrel. Home sweet home is usually a burrow but there was also evidence of condo dwelling.

How to make the evening news

2011-05-14T21:56:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY - - You see plenty of things when you're out on the roads in Yellowstone. The example above is one way to get on TV: Park half onto the road; set your camera tripod in the middle of the road; set the timer for a remote shot; turn your back on the two bison ambling toward you (I know, it looks like only one); and wait for the timer to go off. Fortunately, the bison walked around which is not always the case as bison cause the most injuries to park visitors.

Hidden deep in the snow

2011-05-13T22:46:00.000-04:00

OLD FAITHFUL, WY. We hope the fire hydrant buried in shadow and about 8 feet of snow works better (if needed) than the internet connection and the cell phone service where we are living in Yellowstone NP. Time spent training for our bus driver / tour guide positions is leaving little time afterward for much of anything else so far. There are plenty of American Bison, coyotes, elk and big horn sheep around....but only at times when we are driving or don't have a camera handy.

Update

2011-05-09T10:47:00.000-04:00

BOZEMAN, MT - - We're sitting in a coffee shop in Bozeman sucking in free wi-fi to check up on things. It's about 45 and raining here so it will probably be snowing in Gardiner, WY where we are headed later today.

Little Bighorn

2011-05-07T22:23:00.000-04:00

BOZEMAN, MT - - Two nights ago, we styed in Rocky Mountain NP, where the campsites came with elk at no extra cost. Between there and Bozeman, there's been a lot of rolling interstate and lots of grazing country for the cattle and the pronghorn antelope.
Today, on our way to Bozeman, we stopped at the Little Bighorn Battle Field National Monument near Billings, MT. After reading books about the battle of the Little Big Horn it was very interesting to see the actual place where the battle took place. Today, the rolling countryside, cut by ravines, is inhabited by wild horses and dotted with gravestones to show where the native Americans, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, fought Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his US Army troops to maintain their way of life. A video introduction to the site, a very informative museum and visitor center plus a five-mile drive among the sites of the many battles made this a worthwhile stop.

It was snowin' and blowin' at the top

2011-05-04T21:22:00.000-04:00

MANITOU SPRINGS, CO - - Today dawned bright and clear, but we could see snow covering and blowing on top of Pikes Peak from our campground site. We called the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway info line: yes, there were still seats available and sorry, but the railway would 'only' ascend to about 12,000' rather than the top at 14,115'. due to heavy snow and strong winds. The above picture shows the work train with the snow plow in front waiting for the 'go' signal to plow ahead. So our train reversed its action and trundled back down. Unlike a powered locomotive, the train depends on cogs/gears which rotate through a groove of teeth in the middle of the track.....something like watching a bicycle chain and gearing work.

We made a stop on the way back at 10,000' to stretch legs and take photos. A dandy three level bird condo (top photo) with duct tape accents had plenty of activity.

Mississippi lunch

2011-04-30T18:35:00.000-04:00

LAKE D'ARBONNE STATE PARK, LA - - We're on the road headed to Yellowstone National Park for summer jobs. This is Day Two. We left from near Pensacola, FL this morning and drove thru a small part of Alabama and into Mississippi and now into Louisiana where we are camped for the night. Road food can be boring unless you ask the locals where to eat as we did in Pensy and hit on a good catfish place. Today's lunch was a crayfish po'boy sandwich in s little place in Seminary, MS which caught our eye as be blew past, turned around and were glad we did.

Moving into the neighborhood

2011-04-13T19:50:00.000-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - A Yellow-crowned Night Heron family has moved in nearby and nest building/renovations have begun.

Bumble breakfest

2011-04-10T14:38:00.000-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - These bees were buzzing after all the nectar they found at Lake Woodruff WR. Note wing movement on bee right.

I think I can, I think I can

2011-04-02T20:29:00.004-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This Sandhill Crane chick had plenty of confidence. We found him/her working on dance steps and doing a bit of wing movement at the same time. Viera Wetlands.

Airborne styles

2011-04-02T20:08:00.002-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - There was plenty of activity at Viera Wetlands today. In the 'soaring' category we had Ospreys overhead; a Great Blue Heron skimming the water and a Tricolored Heron powering away from us.

No Fly Zone

2011-03-21T14:42:00.002-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This Anhinga chick (above) threatened to leave home...his mom went back to sleep. The two fuzzy Great Blue Heron chicks (below) aren't old enough or big enough to try the "leave home or else" blackmail threat...yet.

Family time

2011-03-20T17:30:00.003-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Our wandering took us to Viera Wetlands in Viera today. It's Spring. It's new family time. And, (above) it's FEED ME!! time in this Anhinga's nest. The next photo shows a mom with two chicks near her right foot. Click on the photo and see the wide eyes. In the bottom photo, dad is off to work, mom is standing guard and one chick is visable in the nest between the two.

Moon shots

2011-03-19T21:01:00.003-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The new, improved and closer to the Earth moon as seen through the haze near the horizon (bottom) which made it appear orange-ish and a clearer shot once it had risen somewhat.

Sunrise, sea shell and schooner

2011-03-18T18:52:00.003-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This week's adventure: A short camping trip to Fort Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach, about two hours north of OB. A Friday morning sunrise: a still life with sea shell; a beautiful twin-mast schooner anchored in the harbor.

Transportation issues

2011-03-15T17:02:00.003-04:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - While wandering around in West Volusia we came across the Swamp House Restaurant on the St. John's River in DeBary. Among the birds flying by was this Snowy Egret who now looks like he/she is in a painting. To balance this out, we have the Muscovy Duck (below) which is twice as ugly with two heads as with one.

Fishing, egret-style

2011-03-13T14:33:00.002-04:00

DE LEON SPRINGS, FL - - The Snowy Egret (above) and the Great Egret display the styles used in 'dunking for snacks.' We encountered these splashers at Lake Woodruff NWR.

Hangin' out

2011-03-12T17:17:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - A contest between a Great Egret and a Great Blue Heron to see who could stand the longest on one leg held our attention until this hawk landed in a near by tree and stayed where he was while we carefully moved in very close.

Spring colors

2011-03-12T17:07:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Azalea blooms.

Shrimp for breakfast

2011-03-12T11:40:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Shrimp for breakfast. The blackbird / grackle steals his while the Great Blue Heron has to work for his meal.

Close to home

2011-03-06T16:57:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - It's Bike Week in Daytona Beach. Traffic is lousy. What better reason to stay home and check out one of our favorite places close by. There was plenty of action around the Granada Bridge walkway on the Halifax River. The Brown Pelican (above) was trying not to get his feet wet while the Snowy Egret (below) was keeping a sharp eye out for food while heading into the wind as it ruffled its breeding finery.

Honey, I'm home

2011-03-03T15:18:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Wing flaps out, talons out, prepare for landing. Osprey at Central Park

Watch and wait

2011-02-27T10:16:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This is the same Osprey nest in Central Park as in last week's blog...but both parents were at home today. From the intensity of the watching maybe they think babies are delivered by the stork.

Still Life...with fishermen and wood stork

2011-02-24T15:22:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Today's trip took us to Lake Woodruff, but the area was closed for a controlled brush burn. So, we wandered around and ended up outside De Land at a park on the St. John's river. People were fishing. You can tell how much action there was because the fisherman in the bottom photo is talking to the inquisitive wood stork.

Osprey art

2011-02-20T11:53:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This Osprey is heading home to the nest he/she is building. We noticed this bird last week but the sky was either gray or the light was bad. Today, the sky was blue and the light quite good. Still, I liked this action shot better than a number of 'static' ones on the nest even though I clipped off part of a wing.

The eyes have it

2011-02-17T20:07:00.002-05:00

VIERA, FL - - An Anhinga showing breeding color around the eye(s) at Viera Wetlands.

Viera Wetlands color

2011-02-17T15:42:00.004-05:00

VIERA, FL - - The Red Shouldered Hawk (above) and the Glossy Ibis (below) took advantage of the morning sun to show off their colors.

Renovations to the nest

2011-02-17T15:29:00.003-05:00

VIERA, FL - - We found this pair of Great Blue Herons nest building a couple of weeks ago at Viera Wetlands. They have finished the nest and 'mom' has settled in....but would like a few renovations so 'dad' is still out fetching twigs and vines to finish the job.

Early morning at Lake Woodruff

2011-02-13T15:27:00.003-05:00

De Leon Springs, FL - - Another morning at Lake Woodruff NWR. It was 30-degrees when we arrived, but the gang was all there. Otters were giving us the 'tail' when we tried to take photos; the buzzards tried to get picturesque; a red shouldered hawk gave us the 'cold' shoulder and there was some early mist to make things seem soft and fuzzy.

Off I go, now I'm back

2011-01-28T19:34:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Nest building is a joint project for this Blue Heron family in the Viera Wetlands. The female does the placement and weaving of the twigs and the male finds all the building supplies. He also takes orders on when to 'get his wings in motion and stop standing around.' (I know I chopped off a bit of his bill, but I felt that the clarity and sharpness negated a little bit of bill.)

Just ducky

2011-01-27T20:15:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - One of our favorite 'birding' locations is the Viera Wetlands area about 85 miles south of OB. Not quite sure what this Northern Shoveler (a member of the duck family) was shoveling, but he sure got his bill mucky. Then there was this Snowy Egret in breeding plumeage facing a stiff breeze and the Little Blue Heron (at bottom) who posed in water plants.

Trip time

2011-01-24T19:20:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Last week I took a trip 'home' to Poughkeepsie, NY to visit. Naturally, the weather cooperated - - three snow storms in 4 days. The above early morning scene is from Friday's storm which dropped another five-inches on top of the base snow/frozen slush from previous days. To change things around a bit, I took the train (Amtrack's Silver Meteor) from DeLand to NYC's Penn Station with a connection onward. It was an interesting 20-hour trip from DeLand to Penn Station each way. So, how do you beat terminal boredom - - an Ipod with enough tunes to not play the same song twice...counting trips both ways - - and a Kindle e-reader with a couple of recently downloaded new novels. The trip price was right with my 'geezer' discount and I'd do it again.

Cool kitties keep warm

2011-01-24T19:09:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The cooler weather in OB brings out the 'keep warm' styles of the Queen and the Princess. The Queen prefers the coiled up and tuck everything in mode while Princess has her radar tuned in on the arrival of warm laundry.

Nostalgia in the snow

2011-01-23T16:07:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Stockbridge, MA, is a quaint New England community known for (formerly) Alice's Restaurant where "you can get anything you want" as Arlo Guthrie sang; a museum dedicated to Norman Rockwell and his uniquely all American art style and natures art in the form of ice and snow covered branches. The snow covered trees are in color....or lack there of.

3 Herons

2011-01-08T15:33:00.004-05:00

DE LEON SPRINGS, FL - - There was an abundance of Great Blue Heron activity at Lake Woodruff NWR this morning. We found them hiding in plain sight; taking off and landing or on alert facing into the 15mph-plus breeze blowing.

Wrestle-mania

2011-01-03T17:16:00.002-05:00

DE LEON SPRINGS, FL - - Early Monday morning at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Reserve proved to be quite entertaining although we had to wait awhile before the action started. There was a red-shouldered hawk who kept flying ahead of us once we got close until tiring of the game. The black vultures hanging out at Woodruff are ugly, no way around it. Although when lucky you can get an interesting picture.

And then there was the mud wrestling show...which didn't phase this egret's breakfast stroll. The two otters in the fore ground put on quite a long show...she was not happy with his advances; he wasn't giving up.

Central Park breakfast

2011-01-02T12:32:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This tri-color heron was more intent on finding breakfast than expanding the energy to fly away. He (or she) had just pulled back from stabbing at something with water droplets still in the air. (Click on the photo for a larger copy) Central Park, a wetlands area with three bodies of water inter connected by walking trails, is a favorite haunt for our birding expeditions. Sometimes we actually find something more exotic than regular egrets and herons.

A few more pics from our camping trip

2010-12-29T14:06:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The cold (for Florida) weather outside is a good excuse to look through the photos taken (and not posted) over our Christmas holiday camping visit to Fort De Soto. Sometimes simple is best as this greenery with sea shells decorating a stair railing in Pass-A-Grille shows. The feathered friends below include an elusive American Kestrel; a swooping sea gull and a cormorant (with freen eyes) drying his wings.

Don't laugh at my bill

2010-12-25T15:11:00.003-05:00

TIERRA VERDE, FL - - Sure, having fancy pink feathers is pretty neat, but try scratching or feeding with a bill like mine. And it's not the most aerodynamic piece of equipment when you are flying. I think the other wading birds make fun of me. How would you like to be called 'spoonbill'??

Grouchy

2010-12-25T15:07:00.003-05:00

"There won't b any holiday spirit if I don't get some shrimp real soon"....quoth the yellow-crowned night heron.

Tough love for Santa

2010-12-25T14:39:00.003-05:00

TIERRA VERDE, FL - - This house in Pass-A-Grille apparently has plenty of Santa lovers....but they probably want him to work a bit to get into the chimney. The pelican wind vane got plenty of use during our time on the Gulf Coast as the wind never really stopped blowing.

Tampa Bay #2

2010-12-24T10:29:00.003-05:00

TIERRA VERDE, FL - - OK, I did these posts backwards. Please read the previous post first and then things will make sense.

The Tampa Bay Pilots work with plenty of different ships and situations. There's the freighter (above)...big, but straightforward. And then there are boaters who either stray close to the shipping lane or run right across it in front of oncoming traffic as the individuals in the bottom photo. It probably wasn't as close as it looks in the photo...but then we weren't on this vessel trying to coax as much wind into the sail as possible.

Tampa Bay

2010-12-24T10:22:00.003-05:00

TIERRA VERDE, FL - - Our (almost) annual trip to Fort De Soto (Pinellas County park) for Christmas came with better weather. Last year the conditions on Tampa Bay weren't good enough for the ferry to Egmont Key to run. But yesterday (Thursday) we were in line to head out and bounce around on the way out and back in the green boat in the bottom photo. Since Tampa is a big shipping port there is heavy ship traffic and the 'pilot' boats are busy as they ferry individuals to plot the course into the harbor docks.

Lunar or loony

2010-12-21T14:20:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Lydia thought I was a bit crazy getting up at 2:30a.m. to attempt to take photos of the total lunar eclipse. It didn't help when I didn't hear the alarm go off and received an elbow in the ribs as a reminder to turn it off. But, faithful partner did get up; walk outside and look up and then walk back inside without a word. In all, I was up until 4:00a.m. 'playing' because without a tripod to make stable rather than shake-y time exposures you don't really have a chance of getting a good shot of the colors (reddish hue) when the eclipse was total. In the above shot - - with a bit of imagination - - you can make out the image of the moon just before it goes totally into shadow. The shot below (a hand held 24 second time exposure) gives an idea of the color....and also the impossibility of holding still for very long. In all, I had fun. The eclipse was impressive and worth getting up for. I knew my chances of a good photo were between slim and none before starting but trying different things to see how they work is what it's all about.

Egret play time

2010-12-18T10:14:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - There were too many good shots from our Thursday trip to Merritt Island NWR to just post two on the previous blog. So here are some more egrets in action.

Reflections

2010-12-16T12:01:00.003-05:00

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - - For the 500th post of this blog I figured I'd do a bit of reflecting. For those of you keeping track, my first blog on this meandering journey of retirement was posted April 16. 2006

Our Christmas Parade

2010-12-11T20:18:00.002-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - No snow here, but plenty of floats in our annual Christmas parade to get everyone in the holiday mood.

Eagles 'R Us

2010-12-08T12:06:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Our usual Wednesday morning breakfast walk takes us through Central Park on our return trip. Lately, we've had good luck spotting hawks and, last Sunday, a bald eagle. Today was no exception. Two red shouldered hawks were resting in different locations. So we hurried home, got the cameras and returned. While one hawk posed for Lydia, I spotted an eagle in the same dead tree as Sunday. But this one (above) looked different. Sure enough, it was an immature (young, before their head and tail feathers turn completely white) bald eagle was on alert.

Sunday's mature eagle (below) was majestic even under gray skies. Check the link to Lydia's blog for more on our eagle / hawk sightings.

Building things

2010-12-04T15:52:00.003-05:00

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Today was a day to look for construction projects. First, it was a hungry Pileated Woodpecker munching on leaves/bugs/moisture in a tall tree in a nearby park. Normally, we hear and then see these builders pounding away at the outside of a palm tree. Later in the day on a trip up the coast on A1A to St. Augustine I stopped to check out the little 'toy' at a heavy-duty marine repair and boat builder in Palm Coast. Today, they had the usual canvas draw in front of the construction area open. Anyone got an extra few million for a yacht? This is not your average pleasure craft....and, I doubt, they build vessels this size on spec.