30 Minutes in Life: July 2013

30 Minutes in Life

This is my monthly challenge.  One of my favorite things to do when I need to get out and relax is to head to the wetlands. Green Cay is a beautiful wetland to just walk slowly around and soak in nature and enjoy the peace of the environment.  Every time I go there I feel myself relaxing.  Nature has become one of my favorite parts of life to photo shoot.  No stress involved in that.  Just head out, walk slowly and become one with your environment. 

The walk can take me up to 2 hours along boardwalks as inviting as these.  Quiet moment of reflection fill my mind.  Time to let go and enjoy what life has to offer.  Today my time frame is shortened but I still soaked up all I could. 

While I go there to view the animal life, very often flowers, trees and insects will catch my attention.

New shoots...

Or tiny pine cones...

Dragonflies have taken up a spot on my attempt to capture list.  I love getting up close the them.  They have the most incredible features on their faces and bodies and their wings are paper thin.  I was unable to identify this particular dragonfly but was happy that I was able to capture it.

Butterfly's are another hard to capture on my list, and this particular Danaus plexippus - Monarch was no exception.  It flew from plant to plant never quite settling long enough or in the right position to get a clear picture of it. 

  

Birdlife is always abundant and I love to stop and watch them in the trees and on the walkway.  Sometimes they will stay still long enough for you to capture them and to step up quietly closer to them.  Other times they fly away before you can even focus.

The Red Winged Blackbird is typically found in the North and Central part of America.  The male is all black with a red shoulder and a yellow wing bar.  The female is a all brown.

The Little Blue Heron is blue grey in color except for a purplish color around the head and neck. They are typically found in sub-tropical swamps

The American White Ibis is a medium sized bird with plumage that is white in color with black tips that run along the edge of it's wings.  They have a bright red orange bill that curves down. 

This young Mallard inadvertently disturbed a turtle while diving for it's food.  The male mallard is far more colorful than the female Mallard.  I have to confess these are probably some of my favorite ducks.  I have the pleasure of feeding them daily on my own home canal.  However, I have discovered that when food is being provided they are pretty territorial.

 

This Red Winged Blackbird flitted around from stalk to stalk until I finally managed to capture him without the picture being blurred. 

 

Sometimes you take a photo because something catches your attention, and when you are editing the picture you find so much more.   I loved the branch above.  The branch has texture that appealed to me.  When I edited it, I found a spider web.

I love trees with roots such as the one above.  I can see so many images in my mind.  Eyes peering out, creatures climbing.  I obviously read too many strange books.  

Of course, a walk through the wetlands would not be complete without viewing the silent predator, the Alligator.  Hiding in the edge of the rushes this alligator is probably cooling down or waiting for some food to appear.

Reflections are a favorite part of my photoshoot.

This Florida Red Belly Turtle would typically be hanging out on a tree that sticks out of the water.  There is a gentle slope to the tree and you will often find up to 5 turtles on the branch sunning themselves.  Today the branch was empty and the only turtle I could find was this little one amongst the reflections.

Finally the next few pictures are my favorite of the day. 

While I am not totally sure, this looks like a male American Kestrel. This is probably the closest I have ever been to a raptor and it was pure beauty.  Small in size, beautiful in color.  The males have blue grey outer wings with white underneath. Their natural habitat includes meadows and grasslands, typically what is found in the wetlands. 

Last but not least I came across a Raccoon, often referred to as a "coon".  I have to say that I love these guys.  Yes, they are a nuisance, and they steal your food, and dig in bins but I love them.  I mean, how can you not love this face?

They are timid and yet determined.  This little one wanted into the bin and I kept taking pictures of it.  But it persevered and finally found its way to the bin. I first spotted it in the bush near the main office.  I was looking for the bobtail that normally hangs out there, thinking that would be a great shot to walk away with.  However, best I could get was a raccoon.  I was pretty happy with that. 

If you are feeling weary, tired, stressed, take time out, head to a wetland and enjoy the peace that nature gives you.  Clear the cobwebs, breathe in the fresh air.  Be one with the beauty that surrounds you.  You don't even need a camera, just walk and enjoy. 

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”   - Rachel Carson

When you are finished up here, make sure you go and check out Karen Hunt - a Virginia Family and Child Photographer at http://karenhuntphotography.blogspot.com/2013/07/30-minutes-in-life-of-july.html