Beautiful Day for Birding: Brooker Creek Preserve

The last couple of birding experiences at Brooker Creek Preserve took place in the cold. Yesterday, we finally got a break. As I mentioned before, we take part in a bird count census that started over 16 years ago at the Preserve. The information tracks long term trends. The wonderful weather brought out a lot of birds, and a lot of species.

This Eastern Meadowlark already sports breeding plumage. It foraged in the understory with a flock of Palm Warblers, easily standing out with the brilliant color and size.

We counted more Glossy Ibis than usual. This flock decided to join a Great Egret in the tree. The Great Egret hung around for about five minutes, they decided he had enough and flew off.

We spotted both Red-breasted Mergansers and Hooded Mergansers, Mottled Ducks, numerous Grebs, and American Robins flew everywhere. The current cold snap that started today hopefully will pass more quickly than the last few, so we can get back to our usually wonderful winter weather.

Brooker Creek Preserve Red-breasted Mergansers

We led a photography hike at Brooker Creek Preserve Saturday morning. As usual, we arrive early and Karl greets people as they come in the building while I scout the area for ideas on what we might find. As I walked the boardwalk behind the Education Center I heard a variety of birds. Much to my surprise, as I crossed the boardwalk section over the channel I spotted three Red-breasted Mergansers swimming around.

As soon as they spotted me, they started to leave. I did get a few good shots of one in particular.

This one didn't spook like the other two, and swam around a bit more before leaving.

I like the way it fanned and then lowered its crest.

They did not return, and still had not returned a couple of hours later as we walked that section with the hike. We see this merganser on some of the ponds and in the cypress domes of the Preserve, this is the first time I sighted them on the main channel of the creek.

Waiting for the Sun: Gray Squirrel

Most photography books tell us that the best light for outdoor photography tends to be early morning or late evening. While not a natural early riser, I find the early light best for most of the nature and wildlife photography I do.

At Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park a month or so ago, the morning temperatures sank lower than forecast. Still, we both had things we wanted to shoot and needed that light, so we bundled up and started walking. As Karl set up the tripod for his shot, I wandered. I watched the light from the rising sun move up a tree nearly to a hollow in the tree I saw earlier. As the sun hit the hole, I focused hoping for a glimpse inside.

The sun remained in this spot, lighting the squirrel, for less than five minutes. The hollow went back to shadows.

Being there is essential to nature and wildlife photography.

Honeymoon Island State Park: A Walk on the Beach

Once again west central Florida experienced a morning with temperatures in the low 40s. It feels like the only time we managed warmer temperatures in the past two weeks, rain accompanied them. Today the forecasters predicted bright sunshine and rising temperatures, with temperature falling again starting tomorrow. Eager to get back outside before another round of cold hits, we decided to drive to Honeymoon Island State Park for a walk on the beach, regardless of the temperature.

We parked in the north parking lot, and started walking on the beach. The waves rolled in impressively, attracting surfers trying and succeeding to ride them.

I watched them come in, enjoying my walk. The sun warmed me, and the temperatures rose quickly. Over a dozen people walked this section of beach too, all searching for and finding shells. I walked along with a camera rather than a pail or bag.

I turned and headed back toward Karl and found him photographing something on the beach.

This young hammerhead shark washed up probably a day or two ago, but was still recognizable.

We gathered our camera gear and drove to the cafe where we enjoyed coffee and a bagel on the back deck, relieved to be outside in more Florida-like temperatures again.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

We visited Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, FL the end of November. The state of Florida purchased a private campground so campsites include a sewer connection, a store that sells camp supplies and souvenirs, and a shuffleboard court provides entertainment for campers.

Of course, the primary attraction remains the 3.2 miles of secluded sand beaches complete with dunes and coastal dune lakes. A regular tram service runs to take you to the beach about 3/4 of a mile from the campground. We found it a very pleasant walk.

This pond, close to our campsite, not only looked serene, but provided habitat for the ducks.

 Looking down Santa Rosa Beach

A shell on one of the dunes

Grayton Beach State Park Florida

While visiting Grayton Beach State Park at Santa Rosa Beach Florida a month ago, we walked the Barrier Dune Trail. Located directly off the parking lot, this short trail meanders along beach dunes and through a fascinating scrub forest.

 The weather-beaten sign showing the trail. We picked up an interpretive leaflet and started.

 Walking through a scrub archway, the narrow trail continues along until it turns out of sight.

Karl stands at the farthest point on the trail, just before it goes back into the scrub.

As we started, we noticed a young couple finishing the trail. The young man was carrying the woman on his back and both laughed as she nearly fell off. We discovered why when we arrived toward the end. Water covered the trail at that point. As older, more mature adults, (OK, also heavier and one of us has a bad back), we backtracked rather than try the piggyback route.

Compose with your Feet: River Frog

We say it all time in our workshops and on our photography hikes, and we recently heard a well-known Florida photographer say it to his audience: Compose with your feet!

What does that mean? When taking a photograph, always look for every angle and shoot from as many as you can to make your composition. I encourage people to get down and shoot up, shoot straight on, shoot down, and move around to change the background. Even moving two steps forward or back can make all the difference between a good photograph, and THE ONE.

Recently a river frog kindly sat on a stick and totally ignored me, allowing me to get several shots.

 First, I shot down. It took some adjustments because the auto focus had some issues with reflections in the water.

 Next I moved up the boardwalk a few steps, got down, and shot straight on.

In my last attempt I backed off on the zoom to get a shot of the frog in his environment, with his reflection in the water.

Which of these is the best? Well, they are all technically good. The best one depends on the viewer, and the purpose of the photograph. In this case, I was documenting the hike so any or all would work for me.

Remember, with a digital camera it costs nothing to take many shots. Professional photographers shoot hundreds of photographs to get the perfect one.