determination

More Birds

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Grackle Up Close – Orlando Wetlands Park – September 2015

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Barn Swallow – Orlando Wetlands Park – September 2015

“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

More birds – shocking I know! I’m seeking inspiration – while I had a a couple of good morning shoots this past weekend, I’m not at all satisfied with the resulting photos. I feel it’s time to head in a new direction, just haven’t seen it yet.

Quote found at http://www.lifed.com/top-100-inspirational-quotes-to-live-by/2

Dragonflies

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Dragonfly – Orlando Wetlands Park – September 2015

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Dragonfly – Lake Appka Wildlife Drive – September 2015

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” – Jerry Rice

I’m not sure if the birds were hard to find this weekend or I am becoming more discriminating in what I photograph. In any case here are a couple of dragonflies.

Bird Monday

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Heron – Orlando Wetlands Park – September 2015

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Siblings – Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive – September 2015

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Happy labor day to all here in the US – Heading to Merritt Island for some early morning photography. And thanks to the solar system for a later sunrise. while the difference between 6:20 and 7:00 may not seem like a lot – it’s huge at 5 AM in the morning. |:>).

Quote found at  http://www.motivatingquotes.com/determination.htm

Who is the Next Rachel Carson?

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Great Falls National Park – Virginia – August 2015

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” – Rachel Carson
I’ve just finished reading a biography of Rachel Carson “On a Farther Shore” by William Soudor and I realized how much we need another Rachel Carson. She had a style of writing that translated technical scientific information into something that was accessible and enjoyable to non-scientific folks. She forwarded the notions of environmentalism,  ecology, and the interrelationship of all things in nature. Before her, people thought of earth as dirt, she promoted the idea of “the earth” as an entire planet with an ecosystem of interdependent life forms.
In addition to her literary prowess she was a scientist, familiar with the scientific method and capable of processing vast amounts of information. She spent 15 years working as a writer for the federal government in the fish and wildlife service. Eventually becoming editor-in-chief of all publications for that division.
When her fourth book “Silent Spring” arrived people paid attention. Published in 1962, this book was instrumental in raising the public’s awareness of the dangers of pesticides, particularly DDT and it’s derivatives.  And tangentially radioactive fallout from nuclear testing. The book ultimately led to creating an environment where restrictions on the use of DDT and the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency became possible.
Fortunately her publisher Houghton Mifflin was prepared for the backlash that would follow publication and backed their writer against industry and government criticism. Without this support the book may have failed.
Amazingly, she knew and was writing about global warming in the 1950’s. I’m sure given enough time she would have figured out what was causing it. Unfortunately she died much too young from cancer.
So where is the next Rachel Carson, who is the next publishing house willing to back that person and fight corporate and governmental issues?
Further information

Beginnings

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Gulling Heron – Orlando Wetlands Park – October 2014

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Duck Potato – Orlando Wetlands Park – October 2014

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Lao-tzu

These pictures were that first step for me. I fell in love with the wetlands on that day. Since that day I have begun volunteering at the wetlands, I started a blog and have posted at least 2x a day since January, taken thousands of pictures and 2 bird photography seminars, read many wonderful books, begun study of birds, enrolled in the first “Florida Master Naturalist” course in the fall. Met many incredible people through volunteering and virtually through blogging.

Thanks to everyone and especially my wife for putting up with me. Lets see what the next 999 miles will bring.

Quote found at http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Lao-tzu