There are not many buildings like this around any longer. And yet here we have two, almost in sight of each other. I have seen a few others, but they were in colder climates.
This was a temporary place to hold the remains of the recently deceased. Buildings like this were important in areas where the ground was frozen.
Another ‘found on a walk’ series.
Being a very cooperative model.
Sometimes a bird will stay and almost pose, like a model.
I try to shift and move, just a little, to get a different angle, maybe change the shadow. All the time being careful not to scare him away.
And then suddenly, I realize I have 50 photographs almost exactly the same. He has infinite patience and knows I’ll just leave him sooner or later LOL.
At that point it’s time to develop some in new ways.
I guess Pelicans can read. Why else would he sit up there with a flag.
While out the other day this Tricolored Heron perched in a small tree along a trail. The sky was flat and I hoped it might make a good background for a silhouette shot.
It turned out there was much more detail captured with the image.
This was the first photograph of the day. I wanted a simple image to start with.
Not only did the sky, and marsh brighten in a few minutes, this Heron keep his spot for hours. I also have a few nice color ones, but they were taken hours later when I walked past leaving the trail.
It’s summer and the big guys lay low. As long as the water levels are deep enough they will stay cool in the water.
Around now this is the only type of photograph you can get. If lucky you might catch one walking by on a trail.
Earlier in the year they were active in the mornings. Now the temperatures don’t change much during the night. No cooler mornings here.
Behind this Heron is a huge marsh, salt and tidal. When low tide a good spot for them to hunt. Crossing over the dike, like here, goes to a fresh water marshland.
A dirt road runs along the dike top here and is a small highway for the birds and Alligators. Each side is lined with ‘gator trails’ going up and down the sides.
Woods can be seen at the end of this curve. With the different types of environment all meeting here there is any number of animals around.
Not particular about what they eat, this young bird was slowly working the shallows.
Also he is probably still learning how to hunt, so any food is good about now.
People always ask about the Alligators out here. Depending on who am I talking to it’s good to mention the things you don’t see, not the obvious Alligators.
Now this one is easy to spot going across the water. However once he reaches the other side in the reeds he is invisible.
It’s very quick and easy for this snake to go by water from one marsh grass stand to another. This is an open canal, maybe 40 yards (37 meters). Click above for details.
I was interested since we walk the dike, and reeds, where this guy was heading.
From what I can tell it was OK. The eyes make me think it is a Brown Water Snake, not a Cottonmouth.
Snake size is maybe 5 feet (1.5 meters), mid sized.
