Rainbow Sink

Early one cold winter morning last week, David Moynahan and I explored a series of five small cypress-lined ponds off Bice Road in the Apalachicola National Forest. The four images below were taken at a sink approximately 10 feet wide that David named Rainbow Sink. The cause of the surreal bands of rainbow colors was the refraction of light off a thin film of pollen on the surface of the water. This was a WOW, AHHHHH, MMMM, WEEEEH moment that made me laugh out loud!!!!!!!!

THE River Delivers

THE river that consistently delivers is of course the Wakulla River.

All 12 of these photos were taken yesterday on a morning river boat tour at the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. I rate the experience a 5 on my 1 to 5 'wow-rating-scale', with impossibly close views of so much wildlife. These images are but a few of the many anhingas, common gallinules, american coots, pied billed grebes, double-crested cormorants, suwannee cooter turtles, great blue herons, black vultures, and american alligators.

The Wakulla River is an incredible natural resource!

Cypress and palmetto along Rivers Road

Just south of Lake Munson, Rivers Road goes west from Highway 319 into the Apalachicola National Forest. Although I hadn't been there in years, after this walk at sunset on Thursday, I will be going back soon to explore other ponds and sinks in the area.

 

My bluebird of happines at Mashes Sands

I watched this little blue heron (through the camera viewfinder) for quite awhile.

 

Just before flying away, it leaned over, closed its eyes, and fluffed its feathers.

Seashells at the Seashore

The weather was cool with a thin layer of high clouds last Sunday. So Trudy and I took a long, liesurely walk along the Gulf shoreline of Alligator Point. A wide variety of sea shells were exposed, because of the low tide.

Shells to me could be petals of sea flowers ... in diverse colors, sizes, shapes, and textures. And water adds another layer of fascination to these cockle and whelk shells.

Live Oak Tree

This gnarly old live oak tree is in the Apalachicola National Forest, east of Highway 319 inside Capital Circle, Tallahassee.

Optionall, click on the image for a larger view

2 Morning Photos

Mashes Sands

Duck Hunters at Fiddlers Point