Bending Branch of Price Creek

Soon after taking this photograph, I slipped on the embankment and slid into the water. What fun. Fortunately the camera did not get wet. No matter how hard I try to slow down and work in a deliberate manner, I find myself rushing about, working too rapidly. If I would slow down the pace to a crawl, sit and just observe, the compositions would be tightened, simplified, improved. The metering would be more accurate. The depth of field would be greater. I would notice bits of trash in the foreground, twigs and stray sticks in the background.
I could get by with taking three exposures of a scene, like in the old days of film bracketing, instead of a dozen identical photographs which only confuse and take up computer memory. Often I think of taking a film camera along, taking the digital to use as a meter, and recording onto film the images. That way, at the end of the roll, I would have twenty-four or thirty-six well exposed, properly composed photographs with the best form of archiving, the slide or the film.
Until then, I will continue at the urgent pace of the aging hurdler going for another record.

Price Creek at Possum Trot Trail

This meandering creek originates a few miles from my house before emptying into the Alligator Lake near this point. In Alligator Lake Park the stream mostly consists of straight cut dikes, built years ago by the Hill family to levy up part of the lake for farming. When the county purchased the property from the Hills, the dikes were left, but cut through in several areas, allowing once again, the waters to return to the pastures. The dikes, though never intended for recreation, now provide an excellent built up trail system about the lake for hiking and mountain biking. The deeper waters next to the dike system ensure water is always in the lake, which often completely drains due to lack of rainfall.

Friday Night Mike's

This evening Melanie and I broke from the routine and journeyed to Mikes Cafe and Grille located in the Westfield Plaza behind Cracker Barrel. At six pm we were the only partrons, and were seated in a booth in the front part of the restaurant. In years past, this area was a gift shop, but has been renovated into additional seating.
Owned by the Meade Ministries, the decor and construction is top notch, like their church. I was especially attracted to the finely double framed and matted watercolors of flowers on the wall where we sat. It is not necessary to overwhelm with huge works of art when framed in such an elegant manner. The watercolors were not larger than five by five inches.
Melanie and I both ordered the special of the night, beef tips smothered in spinach and pasta. Melanie did not like hers as it had blue cheese. I like everything so I had no complaints. Melanie had a caesar salad, me the house salad with oil and vinegar. Both of us had tea. No dessert, but afterwards, Mike the owner came over and gave us four complimentary cookies to take home, along with a lunch menu, advertising 6.99 early bird specials from 4 to 6 Wednesday through Sunday.
We have always enjoyed eating at Mikes, which does a good lunch business for the area professionals and you guessed, Meade Ministry members. Despite the quirky beliefs of this group, you certainly cannot fault the work ethic, the attention to detail, the elegance and top notch food. Nine thumbs up. One thumb down for Melanie not liking blue cheese, not Mike's fault.

Take me back

Sands of Fun TImes

Landon and Jordon wade into the Suwannee River from the base of the sandbar.

Into the Tannic

Jordon in the Suwannee River at the Sandbar with Landon looking on from the shore.

Lost in Florida

The Sandbar on the upper Suwannee River. Looking downstream.

The Sandbar

Today we take a journey upon the Suwannee River. To arrive at this special location, you first need to make it to the Cone Bridge Landing off US441 past Deep Creek. From Lake City, that is approximately twenty-five miles. Turning onto Cone Bridge Road, you travel about two miles to the steep,paved boat ramp. You can still see the pilons of the metal bridge that once spanned the river at this point, named after the former Governor of Florida, who lived in Lake City, Fred Cone.
The location of this sandbar is about a thirty to forty five minute paddle trip upstream through scenic tupelo and cypress trees that overhang the banks of the tea colored river.
Depending on the level of the river flowing from the Okeefenokee Swamp, this paddle trip can be easy or quite arduous.
The sandbar was created years ago during floods when the river would cut through this peninsula, creating a short cut stream. The Suwannee River Water Management District has made this area into a designated camping spot along the river, due to the high banks and easy access to unload. A set of metal stairs have been put in place at the top of the sandbar to allow an easier climb to the campsite off the river in an open field. What next, an escalator?
For years my family has spent many a happy day swinging and rolling into the river from this spot.
When Landon and Jordon were but toddlers, to the recent trip we made, we always took away fond memories. Before long, Landon shall soon bring his newborn child to this spot and thus the sands of fun times shall continue to entwine.

Judy's Tree

As you ride along what is now called McColsky Avenue in the Osceola National Forest, perhaps you have seen a wooden sign hanging from a crooked slash pine tree off the side of what was once called Still Road. The routed sign says "Judy's Tree".
The location of this site is roughly a half mile north of NFR278 on the right hand side of the road. The person this tree belongs to is the late Judy Hancock, 11/26/1939-6/28/2004 who died of melanoma cancer.
Judy will long be remembered as a tireless champion of the Osceola National Forest and a vast number of other conservation causes during her lifetime, too numerous to document.
If not for the efforts of Judy, this road could well have been the entrance to a vast phosphate mining operation, ruining the beauty of the forest. One of Judy's last projects was establishing a wildlife corridor from the Osceola National Forest to the Okeefenokee Swamp in Georgia.
The sign was placed on this tree by my friend Steve Williams of White Springs and I about two years ago. Steve and Judy spent many hours in meetings and hearing over the years representing things wild through the Sierra, Audubon and Florida Panther Society. Bill Sepko, a friend of mine at work, routed the nice wooden sign for us. During Judy's last days, it was my wife Melanie's honor to be her cancer care nurse. She got to know Judy and was drawn to her sweet, gentle spirit and love of God's wonderful creation. Like Steve, Judy and I were friends from back in the 1980's.
This particular tree was chosen because when Judy was alive, whenever she would be heading into the Osceola in her old beat up pick up truck, Dick Couch and other Foresty workers riding along would point to the crooked tree and say, that is Judy's tree over there.
So next time you are traveling down the old Still Road, on your way into the deeper recesses of the Osceola, slow down and thank Judy Hancock for spending tireless hours protecting the wild and scenic lands we are now able to enjoy.

NFR278

And during the months when we were training for a marathon, we would cross Still Road and continue on, often running as far as US90 for nearly a twenty mile run through the Osceola National Forest.

Miles Away

The intersection of Osceola National Forest Road 278 and Still Road. For many, just another straight limerock road leading to the Rifle Range. For a few, the scene of many days spent training for upcoming road races.
From the late seventies, eighties and into the nineties, some weeks daily we would meet at the Moose Lodge at Watertown Lake and run to this intersection three miles out and return, for a fast six mile training run.
In the day, before the road was limerocked and hardpacked, the road was a two rut sand pit. As we ran along, we could point out who had ran before us by the familiar tracks.
Joe Blewett we recognized by the one track that showed his shuffle and his Sheltie collies tracks beside the Nike waffle pattern.
Russell Plummers tracks were close together and had the Saucony pattern.
Buddy Rhodes were upon the heels of his patent Adidas Marathon trainers.
Forest Wrights Nikes were steady and precise. We knew when a stranger had entered our training grounds and wondered when we would meet.
When we were not decipering the tracks, we were usually pulling impromtu switches from the bushes and using them as makeshift fly swatters. In the summer months, the deer and yellow fly population ensured we ran at a rapid pace through the swampy section through the first mile. The weekends were usually returned to the deer and insects as we journeyed to an area road race to put our training to the test. Years pass and most of the ones who ran the path regularly have retired from running. Some of us have taken up bicycling and continue to ride NFR278 on our Mountain bikes.
Each time I ride this road, the fond memories return. I think of Bob Jones, Mark Philpot, Rick Bringger, Hambone Wilson, Steve Plymale, Roger Sessler, Bob Rossiter,Russell,Joe,Buddy, Forest, the Osceola 5K run held on this path, the hollering like one possessed with the spirit of Halpatter upon finding an arrowhead, of coming upon the man who had just committed suicide along this path. So many memories, many now so many miles away in memory.

A hand for Elia Ann

Lulu Love

Whats my line?

LULU LAND

The journey today took us seven and a half miles to the one store town of Lulu, nearly half way between Lake City and Lake Butler on a long, straight stretch of Highway 100.
Today, the journey began after six pm in order to try and escape some of the stifling heat from the day. Heading down CR252, the wind was to my back and allowed speeds on the bicycle around eighteen miles per hour.
Few vehicles passed and the journey was made without any glitches. In Lulu, I stopped at the First Baptist Cemetery and took several photographs of these tomb stones, all identical, all lined perfectly, except for this one oak tree, standing in like a contestant on whats my line.
Down the road, another abandoned church, out front, a nicely woven grape vine heart and cross hanging upon a real estate sign.
To the highway, and the view of the old country store, now reopened for business after many years being closed.
That was about it for LuLu. Down the road towards Lake Butler on the left is an interesting cemetery with crudely written signs announcing it as a slave cemetery.
So Now you can say you have been to Lulu.

Journey to Eternity

On A Hill Today

It was another extreme day for lovers of cool shady places. Unable to sit while Contador,Schleck and Armstrong stood upon podiums, for the third consecutive day, I got on the bike for a tour.
Today the tour took me through the farmlands of Feagle and Rogers. A twenty-one mile ride upon the columbus tubed Italian road bike with the Campagnolo Athena grouppo. In my mind, a swift, lean racer dancing upon the pedals.
In reality...
The road we choose to take. The decisions we make. The prayer as the tour continues onto eternity...to be worthy to cross the line within the time limit, to not be relegated to the back of the pack, not to be disqualified.
May our journey find you in this peloton of life with me.

Palmetto Blush

From the series, Beyond the Barbs by John Stokes

Nikon D40. 55-200 at 120mm. July 21st. 10:17am.
Shutter speed 80 at 4.8. ISO 200. Cloudy white balance. Center weight.

This palmetto frond against the large oak tree was at the edge of the eagle and deer trails, just before leading into my favorite swampy area.

The way the frond hugged the tree in a shy like fashion was what caused me to stop. I liked the play of the dappled light in the shadows under the canopy.

Natures Way

From the Series, Beyond the Barbs

Nikon D40. July 21st. 10:59am.

shutter speed 60 at 5.6. Fill flash. ISO 200. Cloudy white balance. Center weight.

At the end of the trail section leading though the swamp, before emering again into the sunlight, this dark palm frond against a decaying stump caught my attention. I had to use the flash to light the fronds, which seemed to be pointing with human-like fingers, toward the light.
Was it ushering me out, or ushering me in, to the secrets deeper in the swamp?
I had to use post processing to bring out the shadows without making the fronds too over exposed. The flash was held off to the left of the fronds and set at its minimum luminance.

Fairy Chairs

From the Series, Beyond the Barbs by John Stokes

Nikon D40. July 21st. 10:20am.

55-200mm lens at 200mm. Shutter speed 16 at 5.6. Cloudy white balance.
Center weight. Program mode.

On my way back to the vehicle, I went through one of my favorite sections in the park, the Eagle trail. This section goes through a thickly forested canopy of cypress and various hardwoods and is quite swampy. Along the trail are ferns and other plants. I decided to stop, get off the mountain bike and walk along.
These dried leaves resting on ferns caught my eye. They reminded me of little chairs used by fairies to oversee the forest.

We need to recover the capacity of the child to see again angels,unicorns and fairies. We live too rationally. We are void of mystery, of wonder, of awe.
It is OK to dream, to go beyond the barbs of your rational thinking. You just may find not only a little fairie, but a mighty still,small voice calling you.

Golden Silks

Photographed July 21st at 9:48am.

From the Series, Beyond the Barbs

Camera D40 Nikon. Lens 55-200mm at 200mm. Shutter Speed 60 at f5.6.
Cloudy white balance. Center weight metering. ISO 200. Program mode.

The golden silk or banana spiders are common in the woods and often have their webs sticking in my face as I walk and bike through them.

The large female and smaller male were photographed with the flash set to the left, set manually at minus three maximum so as to only slightly highlight the two. I tried various angles with the flash before deciding less was better.

Life Unto Life

July 21st. 9:40AM. Alligator Lake Park beyond the boundary.

Nikon D40. 55mm. 82mm 35mm equivalent. Shutter Priority. f4.0 at 100.
Cloudy White balance. 360ISO. Center Weight metering.

The base of this dead and decaying tree caused me to stop. The green lichen and algae slowly taking over. Yet all about the decay, new life sprouting. Even the green algae alive. Thus the cycle continues of life unto life.

Once Above

July 21st. 9:34AM. Nikon D40. 160mm f5.3 at 100. ISO 640. Shutter Priority. Center Weight metering. Cloudy white balance.

Just three minutes after leaving the one skink photograph, I started to head back to the barb wire crossing. Looking always down to avoid stepping upon a snake or other creature, I spied this turkey feather. Immediately I looked up and wondered what tree this gobbler had roosted in, and when.

At first I started to move on without photographing, but returned and tried several angles, including the flash. I could not achieve the desired affect with the flash off camera, on the ground next to the feather, and settled for this available light shot. If I would take more time, if it was not so hot and me so sweating, I would have tried harder to evoke for creativity out of this scene. As is, I am afraid it is just a recording.

Five Lined Skink

Photographed July 21st at 9:31AM. Outside the boundaries, beyond the barb wire fence of Alligator Lake Park.
Nikon D40. 200mm. f5.6 at 100. Shutter priority. Cloudy white balance. ISO 640.

Eumeces Fasciatus. The young Five lined skink displays the bright blue tail.
This was the only shot I was able to capture of this elusive skink. Soon after taking the photograph, I moved a step closer and he darted around the other side of the cypress tree, never to be seen again.

Motto being, always have camera set and ready for the unexpected. Never carry the camera in the bag, then try and take it out when you come upon a scene. Often, like this skink, the scene will develop and fade before you even have the chance to set up.

Lure of Other Side

Photographed on July 21st around 8:46AM. Old property line over Price Creek in Alligator Lake County Park. Nikon D40 at 200mm. F5.6 at 15. ISO 320.

The lure caught upon the barb wire is an obvious metaphor for our desire to reach beyond the boundaries. As goats, we tend to stretch our necks though the fence, straining for the lusher grasses upon the other side.

It is a great satisfaction to arrive at the place in life where we are content to cast our lures this side of the fence.

The bible speaks of this. Godliness with contentment is great gain. I Timothy 6:6.
Matthew Henry says, If nature should be content with a little, grace should be content with less.

Learn to love the one you are with. Delve deeper into the equipment you currently own. Do not heed the siren call luring you into the pursuit of the newest. Mend the torn, get as much life as you can from the worn. Renew old frienships. Call upon those in need. Do the simple things this side of the fence.

The fish may not be as large, the catch as plentiful, but they will be legal and taste much sweeter.