Twisty

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Osprey Twist – Apopka North Shore – June 2015
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Anhinga Profile – Lake Apopka North Shore – June 2015
“I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the “lower animals” (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me.” –  Mark Twain
Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive is an 11 mile drive through a rich wetlands and upland habitat. Very lovely and lots of places to stop for walking or pictures.

Florida

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Leavenworth’s Tickseed – Orlando Wetlands Park – May 2015

“Alone with uncovered head I bared my life, my all to the Great Power of the Universe, call it Nature, God, Jehovah, Allah, Brahma or whatever you will, and reverently worship.” – Charles Torrey Simpson

This is how I feel – early in the morning – camera in hand – walking in the sunshine. The quote is from the book Out of Doors in Florida written by Charles Torrey Simpson in 1923. He was a naturalist and who, like me, has made Florida his adopted home. More on the book over the next couple of days.

The tickseed is Florida’s state wildflower.

Monday is Bird Day!

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Dad – Warriors Path State Park – May 2015
Mallard
Mom and the Kids – Warriors Path State Park – May 2015

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ― Pablo Picasso

First of the Tennessee pictures. This park is in Sullivan County in Eastern Tennessee it is built along an ancient highway originally used by native Americans and later used by early settlers to open up the land west of the Appalachian mountains.

Quote found at http://dailyinspirationblog.com/inspirational-pablo-picasso-quotes/

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.

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/