EcoGlimpse

It appears that I am a closet festival fanatic. How else can I explain the fact that I have been to two festivals in the last two months and have the urge to look for more?

On April 19, I visited the Indian River Festival, Titusville, Florida. In addition to the typical carnival midway action, this venue offered the Crosswinds (Rubber) Duck race and Bull Riding. People had adopted ducks to benefit Crosswinds Youth Services.

Just imagine the vivid scene as Boy Scouts with paddle boards pushed and guided hundreds of bright yellow duckies toward the finish line at the end of a canal, cheered on by the spectators. I wondered (out loud, I fear) if the Scouts were on their way to earning a coveted duck badge.

I missed much of the bull riding but did catch the “tail end “of that, plus the antics of the Rodeo Clown who cracked the usual one-liners, tumbled around the ring, and led youngsters in a crazy dance contest. And, I took lots and lots of pictures of the whirling rides.

On May 16, I could not resist attending the First Annual Potato Festival in Bunnell, Florida. Although on a smaller scale than the midway and festival in Titusville, friendly locals and hospitality won my heart.

A friend and I arrived early in Bunnell and decided to tour the Holden House Museum before the Festival activities were in full swing. The museum docent graciously spent much time with us, providing not only a full narrated tour of the House and local history, but also took us through the adjoining Museum Annex.

At noon, my friend and I wandered into the potato / beef recipe cook off. Both of us hoped to sample the food, for a fee, of course. Imagine our surprise when the event organizers implored us to sample for free and to vote for our favorite in the People’s Choice award. Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch? The portions were ample, the cooks charming, and the food wonderful. We were stuffed.

I went home with a bag of locally grown potatoes and big smile on my face.

What, you might ask, is a grown woman, who states that she is a nature photographer doing at festivals with a gaudy carnival atmosphere? My excuse is that these provide great photo opportunities, with all sorts of brightly colored attractions, rides, and interesting people. After all, digital photography is my latest hobby, and I need lots of practice.

However, my inner child is loudly chanting “liar, liar, pants on fire” in my head. So to quiet her down, I need to admit that they were fun when I was a kid, and they are still a blast.

Happy summer! Lyn

I enjoy introducing people to little gems that showcase Florida… its history, culture, or nature. Last January, I visited Washington Oaks Gardens State Park on my own and posted a blog entry.

I returned there May 02, but this time accompanied by photographers from the Southeast Volusia Camera Club. Our group of ten took many photographs, not only in different natural settings but also in changing light as we moved from the bright light of the beach to the deep shade in the park as the morning passed. I share some of my photos with you here.

Washington Oaks is truly two parks in one as it spans the extent of a barrier island from the ocean to the (estuary). The field trippers gathered around 9:00 a.m. at the rocky beach portion of the Park at dead low tide, the best time to see the exposed coquina rock formations. We explored and photographed tide pools and the rocks, covered with algae and encrusting organisms, such as snails, barnacles, and limpets. Seabirds and a large, blooming yucca plant provided more photo opportunities.

[caption id="attachment_684" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Life on the rocks "][/caption]
After spending time in the bright (and warm) Florida sunshine, we eagerly sought shade in the Gardens portion of the Park.

Here, we found a mix of formal gardens and typical barrier island hammock vegetation. Roses bloomed in the formal gardens; a variety of plants flourished along paths that wound around spring-fed ponds. A gazebo, fountains, foot bridges and small statues provided additional evidence of human maintenance. Huge live oak trees covered in epiphytes, such as ferns and bromeliads, dominated the natural vegetation.

[caption id="attachment_686" align="alignright" width="239" caption="Under the biggest oak in the park"][/caption]

On the beach, life battles harsh elements – wind, waves, and heat as well as erosion. The algae and small creatures survive by clinging to rocks, waiting for relief as the tide moves from low to high twice daily. Each rock is covered by these tenacious organisms; every tiny spot is prime real estate. Competition for a foothold on the rocks is fierce.

Environmental conditions in the Gardens are more moderate. The plants provide shade and moisture, and enrich the soil as they live and die. But, competition for space here is as fierce as it on the beach. Seeds and seedlings claim turf and try to dominate green competitors as well as outlast hungry herbivores. However, some animals have evolved to assist plants as pollinators, a win-win relationship with the plants. Tall trees serve as habitat for not only animals but also other plants.

As an ecologist, and college instructor, I have often taken students to Washington Oaks to investigate how plant and animal communities change and blend along a continuum from lagoon to beach. This time nature photography and artistic expression were the goals.

While all of us enjoyed the lush park setting, a few did not find artistic inspiration on the severe beach landscape, where geology rather than life seems to dominate. Many photographs recorded the strikingly different settings on the beach and in the gardens, but perhaps, it is macro photography that best captures the less obvious battles for life in both places. Lyn

I do not consider myself to be an artist. If asked, I would say that I am a scientist, both by inclination and training.

Nevertheless, as a child, I wrote poetry and short stories and have “played around” with photography off and on for most of my life.

Since creativity is the essence of life, I want to embrace and nourish it in my own life.

Nature is my muse; digital photography is my medium. This blog is my platform.

Often, when looking at landscapes, I think about how I can determine easily what has been fashioned by humans vs. nature.

Human landscapes tend to be orderly, perhaps arranged in geometric patterns with elements separated by clear boundaries. Think about agricultural fields, gardens, and parks. Humans select species for these areas based upon their size, shape, texture, color and scent to please human sensibilities, or to serve human needs.

Nature produces disorderly landscapes with overlapping, unclear boundaries. Think about forests, shorelines, and wild grasslands. Elements in natural settings arrive there carried by the wind, water, or migrating animals. Species that survive and reproduce do so because they grab what they need without concern about displacing competing species or individuals of their own kind.

Human landscapes persist through maintenance; natural landscapes change dynamically.

Thoughts such as these inspired me to take the photograph that you see in this post. I tried to capture the contrast between human and natural forms. At that moment in time, these features meet roughly in the middle, but will the standoff continue?

My money is on nature as it relentlessly covers the awing with sand and beach daisies. To maintain the status quo, the human owner must invest energy, time, or money, (maybe all three), to save his or her belongings. Or, perhaps the mighty Atlantic Ocean, just several yards away, may overpower all in one tumultuous event.

But is the photo artistic? Some might say the complementary colors are pleasing but that the amount of detail in the photo detracts from artistic composition. It is messy, not clean.

I agree. But then, my muse is Nature. Lyn

Hello, all.

In honor of Earth Day 2009, I would like to share with you one of my favorite poems, The Peace of Wild Things, by Wendell Berry.

I hope that you like the poem as much as I do and that you can get outdoors sometime today to enjoy the natural beauty of our world. Lyn

Several weeks ago, I was debating (with myself mostly) about whether or not to set up a bird feeder in my new backyard. I was eager to watch and photograph birds as so many bloggers do. I knew that several birds lived not only my yard, but also in dense vegetation close by.

Curiosity and visions of close-up bird photos carried the day.

First, what kind of feeder should I buy? After looking at several, I purchased one made of recycled material that would not rust or corrode, an important consideration when living on a barrier island. Salt air is relentless! The hanging variety seemed like a good choice since I have many trees in my backyard.

Next question: where should I hang it? I wanted it close to trees and shelter so that my little visitors could hide or flee from predatory raptors. But would I also attract seed-loving squirrels? I did not know how many squirrels also lived in my backyard habitat.

I decided to try an experiment and hung the feeder from a hook firmly affixed to a tree trunk. Overnight, a trio of squirrels not only found the feeder but dumped it and its contents all over the ground. Strike one.

The next spot I chose was under the eaves of the house near the porch. I surmised that this was close enough for me to watch the birds, but not accessible to climbing squirrels. But this turned out to be too close, not only to the house, but also to my porch-loving, bird-watching cats. No visitors arrived, feathered or furry. Strike two.

Undaunted, I followed Internet recommendations to hang the feeder between two widely spaced trees. Squirrels would be discouraged from making a scary jump from the trees to the swinging feeder, I hoped.

Present set-up, suspended between 2 trees

Success at last! The birds have been visiting the feeder regularly, at least one pair of cardinals, some finches, and a beautiful male painted bunting and his less colorful mate. The squirrels have been eying the feeder longingly, but seem content to eat the seeds under the feeder that I scatter there for them.

This morning, coffee cup in hand, I peered out from the kitchen to see “my birds” at the feeder. Instead, and to my horror, I saw Mr. Squirrel firmly settled on the feeder, happily feasting on bird seeds. It appears that tightrope skills are part of this squirrel’s bag of tricks.

Strike 3 and out? No, I am not ready to give up yet!

And, you ask, what about those beautiful close-up bird photos? Sadly, my little point and shoot cannot zoom in quite close enough from my kitchen window to the feeder. But, since this is a matter of equipment, I could easily solve that problem.

I will be sure to let you know when I win the lottery so I can buy all that expensive “stuff” that I so clearly need. No doubt I will then have some gorgeous bird photos to share.

Until such day, here is my painted bunting photo. Can you see him? Isn’t he pretty? Lyn