However, like many of my “little” projects, this proved to be a bigger job than I thought, and it continued well into the New Year.

I have only myself to blame for making this a challenging project by setting up rules for selecting the twelve monthly photos. (Everyone enjoys a challenge, right?)

I decided: rule 1 – that the photo selected for any month had to be taken during that month. (Photoshop keeps track of this and kept me honest.) And, rules 2 and 3 – these should be nature shots only, and not previously displayed in any of my blog posts or EcoGlimpse galleries.

These guidelines revealed several things about my photographic efforts in the past year. First, my best, or at least my favorite shots had already been posted. This was expected. However, I did not anticipate that some months in my organizer would contain more pictures of events or nonliving objects than of nature.

Looking back I can see that I was (and will no doubt continue to be) beguiled by carnivals, state fairs, balloon festivals and the like. Also, many of the pictures were taken for my local camera club competitions.

For example, I would not likely set out to take shots of “cars or car parts,” but since that was one of the assigned themes last year, off I went to car shows, and even parking lots.

No matter what the subject matter turned out to be, I have enjoyed the past year, the events, the places visited, the company of many friends, and especially, learning more with every picture taken and subsequently edited. My resolution for 2010… keep on shooting and learning, but be more mindful to look for nature shots… everywhere.

I have posted the photos in a special gallery called “year in review – 2009″ which I hope you will visit. I have scattered a few of the twelve throughout this blog post.

Happy New Year! Lyn

How dramatically the seasons can change! The seasons do change in Florida, but more subtlety and are discerned better perhaps by local eyes than by tourists or part-time residents. What marks the arrival of Central Florida’s Fall?

The temperatures start to cool down a bit, high in the 70s, lows in the 50s this month, although October was above average this year.

The wet, tropical summer pattern is being replaced by our “dry season” which lasts until late Winter. (In honor of this change, residents can water lawns only once per week now, instead of twice per week.)

The ocean is getting colder and Northeast winds can make that morning or evening stroll on the beach seem a lot less inviting.
We still track hurricanes in October and November, but the peak of hurricane season is traditionally in the months of August and September. (As I write this, however, Hurricane Ida is “out there” and may produce some wet weather next week.)

Fall migration brings not only birds in their non-breeding plumage to Central Florida but also birders – ecotourists! The State’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has established a program called the Great Florida Birding Trail, with 489 sites in Florida, 135 of which are in the Eastern section where I live. I hope to visit several of these over the next several months!

But what about Florida’s Fall Foliage? I have been noticing some changes. My lawn is browner as it slips into dormancy. Have a nice sleep, grass plants and summer weeds! See you next Spring!

Some grass finds itself harvested and rolled up in hay bales.

Fall blooming flowers add color to the landscape. For example, I see yellow flowers and red or yellow leaves on shrubs and trees where I did not see them before. A quick perusal of the Internet shows that many plants, both native and horticultural, add splashes of color to the Fall landscape here.

But the true measure of Fall anywhere may be the decreasing hours of sunlight each day. After all, changes in the amount and intensity of sunlight are what drive seasons in both hemispheres. This is compounded by the fact that daylight savings time ended here on November 1, and night falls much “earlier.”

No worries! Fall festivals abound, the night will soon be lit up by cheery December decorations, and I need to practice my night photography anyway.

Hope to get some fun shots at the Volusia County Fair this week– the animals, the fall produce, and, of course, the gaudy midway lights after dark.

Stay tuned. Lyn

Like many others, I enjoy birding and often point my camera in their direction.

In the summer, snow birds have flown north from Florida and have not yet returned. Birds are in their less colorful, non-breeding plumage, and humans wear as little as possible when ever they can get away with it. Nature and au naturel in all of its glorious diversity!

Since I am often on the beach, I have several photos of gulls, terns, willets, and snowy egrets.

Three of many, New Smyrna Beach

Part of a flock of terns, New Smyrna Beach

Willets taking it easy, New Smyrna Beach

The gulls, terns, and willets like to hang out in groups whereas the egrets are more solitary.

One curious snowy egret ventured so close to me that the resulting photo, taken in bright morning light, looks unreal, almost like it was cut and pasted onto the background. (It reminds me of those famous moon walk shots.) But I assure you this is a real photo, of a real bird, on real sand.

Egret at my feet! New Smyrna Beach

A visit to Ponce Inlet Jetty provided a shot of a larger white egret, aptly called the Great Egret. As it stalked the rocky pools for food, my daughter, visiting from Denver, remarked that its neck looked like a skinny rope, and just as flexible too.

Fishing, near Ponce Inlet Jetty, Ponce Inlet Park

Earlier that week, while waiting for my daughter’s flight in the Orlando International Airport cell phone parking lot, I was amused to see two Sandhill Cranes land in the adjacent disturbed field just feet away from cars and humans. Luckily, I had my little point and shoot camera with me to record them as they strutted around with studied indifference.

One of two cranes, near cell phone lot, Orlando Airport

Let’s finish up with a shot of a bird we all know… the rock dove, more commonly called the pigeon. This bird is loved and fed by many and has adjusted well to humans and their structures. But, sometimes when I see them perched on high, I envision their cliff dwelling ancestors.

I observed this pigeon and others roosting above the Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach boardwalk. It was taking a rest, no doubt, from scavenging crumbs left by messy, human beach-goers. It seemed fat, sassy, and content.

Roost above the boardwalk, Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach

I was fortunate that it did not grace my head with pigeon poop as I took its picture, but was soon less pleased to see that the hood of my car had been liberally used for pigeon target practice!

Squab anyone? Lyn

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.

First try, feeder on tree.

Second try, feeder on house

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

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

There really is a painted bunting in this picture!

Buccaneer

Hard at work!

March 07, 2009 not only commemorated the historic sack of St. Augustine (1668), but was also the date that twelve SEVCC “Raiders” stormed the city, cameras at the ready.

The group gathered first at the Colonial Spanish Quarter in Old Town. There we found an encampment site set up by colorful Sack of St. Augustine reenactment participants (Searles Buccaneers) dressed in period costumes and displaying historic weaponry, utensils and other gear.

Then the enthusiastic SEVCC group set out in various directions and spent the rest of the morning exploring historic sites in Old Town, Tolomato Cemetery, St. George Street, Flagler College and Memorial Presbyterian Church (built by Henry Flagler), to name just a few.

So much to see! Finding ourselves at different locations around lunch time, some dined at the picturesque Mill Top Tavern while others enjoyed a hearty meal at a Drug Store Museum / Restaurant.

A group of four tireless explorers, including me, remained through the afternoon. First, we visited the serene grounds of the Nombre de Dios Mission where we found an old cemetery, religious statues, and a vine-covered chapel.

The last stop was the Fountain of Youth Park, home to resplendent peacocks, both colored and pure white. Although all four of us drank the rejuvenating waters, only one reports any change in appearance. (Scientific evidence is still pending on that claim.)

Reports from the field indicate that hundreds of shots were taken by the dauntless SEVCC raiders, some of which I happily share with you! Lyn

Child's Grave, Nombre de Dios Mission

White Peacock, Fountain of Youth Park