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

Roseys

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Roseate Spoonbill – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Family? – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” – John Wooten
The spoonbill is a success story here in the US. In the 1930’s there were estimated to be 30-40 breeding pairs remaining. They were hunted almost to extinction for their feathers, coveted by women for their hats. I often wonder how I would have behaved back in those days. Would I have seen the implications of what was being done to our environment or not. After all John Audobon was an avid hunter himself. While he most likely wasn’t the guy sitting on the front of the boat shooting whatever moved, he still would kill birds so that he could study them.

Bird Day #4

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Mama Killdeer – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Pretty Bird – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Everyone wants to understand painting. Why is there no attempt to understand the song of the birds?” – Pablo Picasso

This bird’s nest was right on the side of the berm. Killdeer make their nests in very precarious spots, I hope she made it through the day. I’m not sure how they survive because, unless the chicks are ready to go right from the egg, they will not make it. The nest is too open. I saw another nest fail that was farther down the berm. Nature will provide.

Quote found at http://www.searchquotes.com/quotation/Everyone_wants_to_understand_painting._Why_is_there_no_attempt_to_understand_the_song_of_the_birds%3F/12452/

Six in One

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Six in One – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015
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Got One – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.” – Buddha

There was great abundance at the wetlands last weekend. Top pic has 6 species of birds in it. Great and Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, and a Wood Stork. The last two are endangered.

Obviously an abundance of fish. See Great Egret in the second picture with one in his mouth! So except for the alligator fight – which was epic, there was only some minor squabbling if some of the birds got too close to each other.

I’ll also have an abundance of pictures – expect more.

Quote found at http://www.abundancetapestry.com/20-inspirational-abundance-quotes/