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

I spent several hours touring the Volusia County Fair with friends from the Southeast Volusia Camera Club, from late afternoon to dark of night, after enjoying and photographing a glorious sunset.

We captured our memories with pictures of animals, antiques, the colorful midway rides and booths, fair attendees, and so much more.

In fact, there was so much to see that I decided to go back the very next day on my own to finish touring the exhibits and practice some more night shots. A Fair midway after dark is about as colorful as it gets!

Also, I wanted to try to capture some of the antics of the two week old pygmy goat kid who won my heart, and the hearts of all that saw him.

Snapshots of the little cutie were just not enough. Here is the video I took and posted on YouTube. Pygmy Goats, Mom and Kid

The pictures here are mine; there were many more captured by the Camera Club members during our fun-filled visit. To see some of these, go to the SEVCC website at http://sevcameraclub.org , and then go to the Field Trip Photo Gallery page. There you will find a link for the November field trip album, with several more of our photos.

We are pleased to share them with you. Lyn

Rocks Rule!

Nature, modified by man

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.

Shore line at low tide

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.

The dominator!

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

Bright sails on a bright day!

The day of the SEVCC field trip to Mt. Dora dawned with bright sunshine and no predictions for rain. It was as if we knew that this would be the one perfect day that week. Fourteen members and guests arrived at 9:00 AM at Gilbert Park, the loading and launch site for the annual Mt. Dora Sailing Regatta.

Wating for the race

The picturesque setting became more crowded and lively as the 12:30 PM race time approached giving us ample opportunity to photograph the crews as they rigged sailboats of many shapes, sizes, and colors before setting sail on Lake Dora.

In addition to sailboats, we photographed the park lighthouse, a nature garden, birds, interesting structures, a sea plane (landing and taking off), each other, and yes, even some snakes. Although warned by a sign that a hungry alligator lurked near the shoreline not far from the dock, the reptile did not make its photo shoot.

Children's Artwork on Tiles

Antiques and history were on the agenda after lunch – antique shops, an antique car show at the Lakeside Inn, historic buildings and the Royellou Museum downtown set up in an old jailhouse. A few ventured off around Lake Dora to Tavares, where skiff races provided shots of different kinds of boats.

Just a few of the many antique cars in the show..

Thanks to Andrew Mullen, President of the Mt. Dora Historical Society, for providing an informative and entertaining tour of the Royellou Museum.

Thanks as well to Tommy Stevens, VP Administration of the Mt. Dora Yacht Club, for helping us to plan the visit.

No doubt many of us will return to Mt. Dora again, as there is so much more to see and do in this charming Lake County town. Lyn

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