Song Sparrow

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Song Sparrow – Warriors Path State Park – May 2015
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Singer – Warriors Path State Park – May 2015

“Why do you try to understand art? Do you try to understand the song of a bird?” – Pablo Picasso

I found taking photos difficult in Tennessee – number one the birds were smaller and faster. Also, the mountains and trees seemed to block me in. I guess I just need the wide flatness of Florida.

Quote found at http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Bird_Song/

Wildflower Wednesday

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Thistle – Seven Island Bird Park – May 2015
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Wild Sunflower – Seven Island Bird Park – May 2015

“In wildness is the preservation of the world” – Henry David Thoreau

Seven Islands State Bird Park is a Tennessee state park on the French Broad River. It is reported that 180 species of birds have been spotted here. Pretty good for 425 acres.

Quote found at http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Henry_David_Thoreau/21

Return of the Red Belly

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Red Belly Woodpecker – Warriors Path State Park – May 2015
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Right Light – Warriors Path State Park – May 2015

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Still no belly check. The red on this woodpecker’s head is magnificent, I wonder is it a regional difference (Tennessee vs Florida) or breeding plumage?

Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/conservation

Sunday Morning

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Special Spot – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Female Boat Tail Grackle – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Just back from a week in Tennessee. Lots of pictures to sort through. Lots of history visited there – lots of sadness about the destruction of the old growth forests and treatment of the native Americans that the early settlers did. Much like what was done here in Florida only a century before. But first a visit the wetlands and see what’s happened there in a week.

Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/inspirational

Whistlers

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Black Bellied Whistler – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Couple – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Conservation is now a dead word” – Marjory Stoneman Douglas

The above quote came from a 91 year old Marjory in the early 1980’s. Still trying to rally the troops to protect her beloved everglades. Perhaps our (Florida) legislators will listen to the will of the people and continue current conservation efforts.

Quote found at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marjory_stoneman_douglas.html

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

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Gator among the Birds – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Swimming – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is” – German Proverb

These birds, while cautious were not afraid. Fortunately there were plenty of fish about. Alligators prefer fish since they are much easier to catch and deal with than birds.

We counted 8 alligators among the flock of over 150 birds feeding in this area.

Quote found at http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/wolf/

Out of Doors

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Sunrise – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Dawn Flare – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Nature is not easily discouraged, she recreates again and again that which has been destroyed” – Charles Torrey Simpson

Current read is a book about Florida called Out of Doors in Florida by Charles Torrey Simpson. Simpson was a naturalist who lived and studied Florida’s environment in the first part of the 20th century. While the above quote was specific to the roll fire plays in the Florida environment, it is true no matter what or who is the destroyer. And it applies to us as well.

Wildflower Wednesday

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Interesting Plant – Lake Monroe Park – May 2015
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Interesting Leaves – Lake Monroe Park – May 2015

“My progress was rendered delightful by the sylvan elegance of the groves, cheerful meadows, the high distant forests, which in grand order presented themselves in view” – William Bartram

William Bartram, my favorite naturalist, traveled these paths in the late 1700’s seeing wonders we can only dream about.

Quote found at http://www.great-quotes.com/quotes/author/William/Bartram