Happy Earth Day
“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility.” — Rachel Carson
Snowy Egret, Brown Pelican, Great Egrets
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
With the last few days of rain and clouds, I was in need of a sunset to enjoy myself!
These sunset photos were taken back in the middle of February from under the Chokoloskee Bridge to Chokoloskee Island. It is a favorite location to fish from land by the locals. And a perfect place to take sunsets.
I met and chatted with the fisherman, Branden, who is featured in my photos.
Fishing pole at sunset
Fisherman at sunset
Reeling in the sun….
Still reeling….
Reeling in the sun….
Sunset over Chokoloskee Bay
Something was hooked but lost, so no fish photos. But is does appear the fisherman is trying to reel in the sun! 😉
Green Heron On The Run
It happened so quick, a female Green Heron flushed out of the mangroves and flew a short distance to reland.
The male decided he would just run along the embankment in pursuit!
Male Green Heron chasing a female
Green Heron hot on the trail
Green Heron sees me and his excitement vanished
Oops! So sorry, Mr. Heron! He gave me a nod and continued on with his pursuit!
Florida Red-bellied Turtle
With the busy scene, I almost missed this red-bellied turtle taking a break from the water.
Red-bellied Turtle
(Photo taken February 2020 in Big Cypress National Preserve)
Tricolored Heron – Preening
Prior to this past winter vacation in Florida, I’ve not had many other opportunities in photographing Tricolored Herons; so any time I saw one in the past few months, I tried capturing as many photos as I could of this gorgeous heron.
Tricolored Heron
With the surrounding brown mangrove roots and reeds, it wasn’t the greatest to compose the Tricolored Heron’s profile with anything else in the frame. Darn. We always like a pretty scene or background.
But wait! After a little bit, my beautiful subject decided to do a little preening.
The Twist (song)
“Come on, baby
Let’s do the twist
Come on, baby
Let’s do the twist”
“Take me by my little hand
And go like this
E-yah, twist
Baby, baby, twist”
“Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss, and do the twist….”
Lyrics by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters 1959
(which gave birth to Chubby Checker’s Twist dance craze in 1960)
Tricolored Heron – “Doing The Twist”
A scene that seemed dull unfolded into a beautiful shoot with just a little patience on my part.
Three Butterflies and A Dragonfly
In the Florida insect world, I succeeded with just these three butterflies and a dragonfly while down there this past winter.
Kudos to you insect photographers, these are not easy subjects!
White Peacock
Zebra Longwing
Blue Dasher
Queen
Queen
Great Egret – Reflections
Another one of my favorite hangouts was in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. The strand’s forested canopy and dark waters were perfect for mirror reflections.
This Great Egret was an incredible opportunity for me.
Great Egret Reflections
Everglades City
Situated between Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve along the Barron River, lies Everglades City, a remote fishing and crabbing town, with a resident population of approximately 400.
If I heard the fishing boats coming in to unload their catch before sunrise, I had opportunities to photograph pretty reflections. It would take them many hours to unload. You can see the net full of fish in a couple of the photos.
Arriving before sunrise with their catch
The sun begins to rise while unloading the fish
Unloaded at noon finally and heading back out of the river
Reflections at sunset
Removing fish from the net
Fish were removed for hours
Nice size fish
Before sunrise, preparing nets for departure
Before sunrise, preparing for departure
Before sunrise, preparing for departure
Everglades City is known as the Stone Crab Capital of the World.
Stone crab pots and a dinner of stone crab claws
In the center of this small town, standing tall and prominent, is their “lifeline to the world” communication tower surrounded by three 1920’s historical buildings still standing after the many hurricanes that plummeted this town over the years.
Bank of Everglades Building
Bank of Everglades Building
Bank of Everglades Building
Everglades Community Church
Everglades Community Church
Everglades City Hall
We fell in love with this endearing, quirky small town, reminding us of home along Maryland’s Eastern Shore that has its share of quaint Chesapeake Bay fishing towns.
A photo gallery of some other things that caught my fancy in Everglades City.
Historical boat lift
Kayak til your heart’s content
Just love the colors!
One of several air boat companies
Cabbage palm trees
Rusty truck
Rusty truck
Rusty truck
Floats
Remnants of bridge
Decor
Decor
Decor
This way to the beach bar
Cool VW Bug!
Northern Cardinal introducing home circa 1925
Of course, I ended with a bird!
Smallest Post Office in the United States
Located in Ochopee, Florida, in the midst of Big Cypress National Preserve is the smallest United States Post Office.
Smallest Post Office in the United States
Erected on the Post Office’s property
I spoke with the postmaster briefly, he was kind soul and obliged me with a quick photo. He also assured me he had air conditioning for the hot summer months.
Postmaster of Ochopee Post Office
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
Framed with mangroves, this sunset was taken back on March 1st from along the road at low tide, just a little tuck between those trees, down some secured rocks to a small, rough beach opening.
The rocks were perfect for sitting on. This became one of my favorite spots to watch the sun set this past winter. 😊
Sunset over Chokoloskee Bay, Florida
“Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bay Photos by Donna 