Bald Cypress Tree - these trees were used extensively for boat building many years ago and their numbers were quickly reduced especially due to their very slow growth. They are gradually increasing here in Florida since boat building has gone to other materials.
Very early one morning on the Hillsborough River in Florida - White Egret


Now this was interesting. I saw the anhinga sitting on the branch happily drying it's wings, then noticed the alligator waiting below. I'm happy to say (for the sake of the bird), that it flew away before the alligator was able to spring. I think though, that had the gator been a little hungrier, that bird would not have survived.

I've managed to get a few days with a schedule that allows some lazyness, so I've been visiting the state parks in the area. I haven't finished downloading all the pictures yet, but wanted to share this joke I heard while on a boat ride in Homosassa Springs today.

George and Gail went to the state fair every year. And every year George said he wanted to take a helicopter ride, but Gail would always say, "It's $50.00! And fifty dollars is fifty dollars!".

Then one year, George repeated his desire and told Gail that he was 85 years old and really felt he deserved to take the ride if he wanted to. She replied, It's $50.00! And fifty dollars is fifty dollars!".

The helicopter pilot overheard this and told George that if he could take the ride and not say a word, he could have the ride for free.

They went up, the pilot tried every trick he knew and every stunt he could think of to make them say something but they were totally silent during the ride.

When they landed the pilot say that he was surprised they could do it, but the ride was free because they hadn't said anything at all.

George thanked him and said, "You know I very nearly did say something - when Gail fell out, but as she always said, fifty dollars is fifty dollars!".

I found myself close to the University of Florida the other day and remembered that the university had a native butterfly display. They gave me a card with pictures and names of the butterflies, but I'm not sure if they had different butterflies than were on the card, or if some were juveniles. In any case, I was only able to identify a couple of them. I think I'll need to go to the library and get a more extensive butterfly book. When I can identify them all, I'll put together a butterfly album with names.




It was very interesting though and a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

These butterflies were so beautiful. With their wings closed, they were interesting, with their wings open, they displayed a beautiful sky blue interior. I included this shot even though the one wing was damaged because it shows the color on the inside of the wing. They were almost impossible to photograph in flight.

This one reminded me of a ballerina in Swan Lake.

And of course, the classic funny shot!

I have been doing some Photoshop work for a fundraiser to benefit the sanctuary where I am a volunteer. The idea was to change the backgrounds on some of the pictures I have taken and the resulting pictures would be used in Christmas ornament photo frames and sold at an upcoming event. They aren't the greatest, but they will only be 1.125 inches in width, so a lot of detail will be lost anyway.

Thought I would share a couple with you. First is Monju singing Christmas carols.




Then Dante contemplating the world looking past the commercialism of the season.



I got a little whimsical while I was working on the one for the bear. She was the first resident of the sanctuary and the sanctuary is actually named after her. I thought Ursa Major was a good title for it. The constellation she is looking at is Ursa Major and she is the most important bear at the sanctuary.

As some of you know, I’ve had some family issues here and have not been blogging for awhile. I think I may have things straightened out in my own mind, still a long road ahead, but at least I can see progress.

It’s been so hot this summer, I haven’t been visiting the parks, but thanks to a little cool front, I attempted a 7-mile walk with 40 pound backback on Sunday aftternoon. Not such a smart thing - at least not so early in the season. My muscles are still reminding me of this foolishness!

Actually, I call it my home style EKG test. If I can walk the 7 miles with backpack and still be able to sing "O Daughter of Zion" with all the long phrases, I guess I’m in good enough physical shape.

I don’t often choose to go Sundays. By the time church is finished, it’s hot and there are too many people in the park to see any animals, but sometimes you just have to go when you can.

I saw a few changes this year, for one thing the river was a strange color. Probably from all the flooding we've had this year. A friend of mine lives right on the river and now has a beach that has not been there before.

We seem to have a lot of butterflies this year – and big ones! Dragonflies are scarce and small, so I concentrated on the butterflies. Following are some of the results.


And a little deeper into the woods



And rather a lot of these guys too!