Egret Warning

I followed this Great Egret all over the place and took many shots of him...but this one is totally my favorite.  He hung out on this piling for the longest time...as if he was just dying for me to get him and his message.  Before we headed to the fishing spot this day, I bought a guide to Florida's Gulf Coast Birds at the bait shop...thank God I did or I would have had no idea what he was.  Also...it shares that during mating season this wading bird displays long lacy plumes on it's back...that was one of the things that most drew my attention when I first saw him was those beautiful strands feathering off it's back.

Pelican Stare Down

 We went to Mom's for her birthday and spent Sunday afternoon under the Sanibal bridge fishing...well actually I was chilling, taking in some sun, breeze and a few pics.  I found a couple piers and while I was looking at them...this pelican swooped down and landed on the end of the pier in front of me.  So I inched out toward him.

He noted me...but didn't seem intimidated...although he kept an eye on me.

After awhile he seemed to get comfortable and settled in.

Then I guess I got a little too close...he extended his neck and stared me down...and showed off that wicked claw on the end of his beak...yikes! So I decided to leave him be...it was a gift to have gotten that close to begin with.

Christmas Eve Sunset

Mom and I headed to the Sanibel causeway to catch the sunset for Christmas Eve...the beach had quite a few folks doing the same.  The sun was huge and such a contrast to the cool blue water. Merry Christmas to you and your families! May you all be blessed.

Dark Sky

This was taken a couple summers ago from the water at the Sanibal lighthouse beach.  Clearly there was a storm brewing...but it was so awesome in the water...we (along with a lot of others) stayed until the rain came. But I just had to get a photo because the dark sky against the blue/green water was too much for me to resist.
To see more skies from around the world visit Skywatch Friday.

Leafy Structure

This is another taken at the Fairchild Tropical Gardens.  There were a lot of these plants with HUGE leafs...like big elephant ears...they were such a beautiful green (I love green!!) and when I looked at them against the sun, I could see this cool pattern...I didn't notice the couple of little nicks on the leaf I selected...I'm kind of sad about it...BUT I became a member that day...so I'll go back again and get another shot of a more perfect model.

Hobie Beach Trees

 
This beach is on the south side of the Rickenbacher Causeway on the way to Key Biscayne.  It's called Hobie Beach. It used to have a bunch of pine trees...alot of shade to sit under and people would bring their dogs to the beach...really a cool place to park at night and just listen to the waves lap along the shore.  About a year ago, the city started a project to improve the beach.  The trees are all gone, except for these two...which stand in the water most of the time.  Not sure this is an improvement...I'm sure the contractors think so.

Fairchild Tropical Gardens - 3

This one was taken of a plant during my recent visit to Fairchild Tropical Gardens.  I really like it...the colors...the direction of it...but I have to say...the mix of teal, green and pink reminds me of this hideous couch we used to own...totally 1980's...but it did the job :o)