Reminiscing

I can close my eyes and remember exactly
what was going through my mind when I took each picture.

CONFUSED

Try as he did...and he DID try...over and over and over again before realizing there was

zero chance of success!  As I watched him peck a while, then lean back and stare at it

like he was trying to figure out why it was so hard, then start pecking again, I just knew 

that at any minute the tip of his beak was gonna snap off, fling through the air, and land

at my feet!  And he either wasn't very bright...or played a trick on a buddy or naive mate

because the next day he (or the one being played a joke on) was pecking away!

STUBBORN

Though surrounded by water on both sides of the road, this guy decided he

preferred the small puddle left from a brief afternoon rain shower.

Whatcha gonna do when it's a one lane road and you can't go around?!

(a) Run over him?  (b) Drag him off to the side?  (c) Get out and take pictures?

ALERT

This Yellow Crowned Night Heron stands at the ready.

SELF-ASSURED

This Great Blue Heron could have cared less that I was so close clicking away.

FRUSTRATED

This Chinese Goose must have had something on her back that wouldn't come off

because this is definitely not a normal behavior pattern for them.  Plus, several times

she completely submerged herself.  After four dunks though, she waddled to shore.

I felt sorry for her, but I will admit that I still laughed.  (I know...shame on me!)

DAINTY

I love Roseatte Spoonbills.

FOCUSED

DETERMINED

I watched this magnificent Great Egret flying in with this branch for her nest.

Twice she dropped it but instead of the typical choice of just going to get another

one, she swoopd down to recover it both times. 

(It must have been the perfect size and shape for what she needed!)

SERIOUS

Tri-Colored Herons always seem to be on a very serious mission.

SHY

Woodstorks are a lot more shy than the other big birds.

I wonder if it's because their heads are featherless and their bills

look like a piece of petrified wood?

GRACEFUL

I apologize for this picture of a juvenile Great Blue Heron's head being out of focus;

I had just changed batteries and was hurrying to get her in full wingspan.

COORDINATED

I realize that Monk Parakeets aren't big, but I still think it can't be easy balancing

on a limb by one hand while eating a berry out of the other! (I love their little claws!)

PATIENT

This Little Blue Heron's patience was rewarded a few minutes later.

OBSERVANT

This Cattle Egret observes all the nest building going on around her.

NERVOUS

Green Herons are very skiddish so I'm always excited

to catch one being still long enough to photograph it.

CREATIVE

Reddish Egrets have a very synchronized fishing ritual they perform several times a day.

They dance wildly around with their wings spread over their head, creating a shadow

on the water which allows them to see the fish better.  It's hilarious to watch.

I just wish they'd fish closer to the shore to make a better photo op.

MATERNAL

Last year on Sanibel we were fortunate enough to see baby ospreys. Their nests are up

so high and so deep that it's not easy to get pictures.  This was one of the lucky days

when the kiddos poked their heads up and out enough for me to photograph them.

 CURIOUS

The Sanibel raccoons weren't scared of people at all, which provided great photo ops,

but you had to be very careful because they WERE so friendly and curious.

Unfortunately, all but a handful died early last year due to distemper.

The remaining few are now being threatened by the arrival of a coyote, which has

everyone trying to figure out how it got on the island (swam from Ft. Myers or

just trotted over the causeway bridge during the middle of the night when one of

the guards was probably napping) and if more than one made it over.

FRIENDLY

Every morning and evening when we'd walk along the shore, Ibis would walk

right beside us...not worried that we would try to steal their snacks!

INDESTRUCTIBLE

At the incredible speed a pelican hits the water diving for fish,

I'm always amazed that it doesn't break its neck!

SNOOTY

Unlike Yellow Crowned Night Herons, Black Crowned Night Herons are very anti-social!

FRAGILE

Whenever I find a Star Fish that's still alive, I carefully and quickly carry it back to the water,

going out far enough to place it on the ocean's floor so it won't get washed back up.

ANGELIC

I shall close with this angelic Snowy Egret soaring through the heavens,

making her way home as twilight creeps closer.

Thank you for joining me. I hope you have enjoyed it, and I hope that you, too, 

will periodically take time to experience once again the places and people

who have imprinted your soul with indelible memories.