Couple of pics from last Sunday.
Random Landscape
Category: Florida
Addison Ellis Canal
Yet another monument to man’s attempts to conquer the environment. They were stopped by the Atlantic Ridge, a 120,000 year old sand bar – turned coquina rock that proved too much for them. However, not before they reversed the water flow through the Enchanted Forest from flowing westward towards the St Johns River to the east towards the Indian River Lagoon.
The Enchanted Forest is a Brevard County park, that is indeed enchanting!! As you walk along the ridge, sometimes 25 feet above the canal, you can see geological history in the coquina rock walls. This elevation and the rock walls make it an unusual site in Central Florida. This is the highest point in Brevard County.
Couple O Butterflies
“We are all butterflies. Earth is our chrysalis.”- LeeAnn Taylor
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/butterflies
Upcoming Explorations
This coming weekend I’ve found several new spots to explore. Spring Hammock Park and Black Hammock Park in Seminole county both look promising. One on the west side of Lake Jessup, the other on the east. And there’s always the Black Hammock restaurant for some lakeside lunching.
Green Heron
“What’s the use of a fine house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”- Henry David Thoreau
The more I read in Florida’s American Heritage River by Mallory M. O’Connor and Gary Monroe the greater appreciation I have for the lands along the St Johns River. I need to schedule a trip north a bit to explore Payne’s Prairie and the Oklawaha River – a tributary of the St Johns. It may have to wait until fall, dawn is getting to be too early for long range exploring, unless I leave at 4 AM – early even for me.
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/earth
Morning Gathering
I have been inspired by the Heritage Rivers book about the St Johns. So as the spring turns into summer here I’m going to focus more on landscapes. Here in Florida we are challenged by the terrain – there are vast expanses of flatness and this does not lend it self to traditional landscape photography. So please bear with me on my journey and perhaps we can discover something! But don’t worry there will still be ample birds, bugs, and flowers.
Wildflower Wednesday #2
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” – Theodore Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt was an avid sportsman who was a strong supporter of national parks in the US – particularly the western US.
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/inspirational
Dragonfly Lore
“Reflected in the dragonflies eye — mountains” – Kobayashi Issa
Dragonflies live 2 different lives. In the east they are majestic signs of strength, in the west objects of superstition. Some translations of European names for dragonflies – devils needle (French and German), water witch, blind stinger. See this blurb for more info http://www.petzon.se/dragonfly/main/just_for_fun/folklore.html. I’ll be adding this to my wetlands tour talks.
To me the fact that hexagons appear again – in the light reflected from the dragonflies eyes is a tribute to that universal shape.
Thanks to http://justkeepbrains.com/ for leading me on this path of investigation.
Some History
This was the first electric swing bridge in Florida – Over the St Johns River between Sanford and DeBary. Not much left, but at least they preserved some.
Bird Day #A
“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings” – Salvador Dali
Whistling ducks are really pretty, their feathers appear like they are painted. It’s black belly whistling duck season – so these are probably not the last ones you’ll see.
As for the owls – not a great picture, just proud if myself for spotting them. So I wanted to share. And yes, screech owls really do screech, I heard them for quite some time after they left their roost.
Quote found at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/bird.html
Picture This by Frank 