Ibis trio

saw these three on and off the entire journey. Got some good shots of them circling high in the sky above me as well.

River Rise

Ahead is the point where the Santa Fe resurfaces from going underground a ways at Oleno State Park.
Once upon the top of the re-surface I did not notice the strong flow that was noticed downstream.
I usually get out and walk about but decided not this time.

knock off

this red-belly turtle was determined to sit his log and not jump off. Sure enough, I floated right on top of him, hitting him with the lens to my eye. I do not think he intended to take a swim.

Santa Fe Saturday

Took the kayak out early Saturday morning for a paddle up to River Rise from the 41 bridge out of High Springs. Nice to be the only paddler on the river early. Hoped to capture some good light rays in the early mist but the fog too soon burned off, making for a hotter than anticipated journey. The current was quite swift and so the boat would turn constantly in the stream, causing me to paddle more than I wanted when trying to maneuver for a shot. Took way too many shots just to get a few I liked.
I keep going over them and taking note of what I did right and wrong in each one.
This one was on the fly as I knew soon the red belly turtle would jump in the water. One shot only. Further along on the return trip I floated right into one on a log, knocking him off with the front of my lens.
As usual with me, always an invitation to return as something remains to be improved upon.

 

Upon a blazing star

I just love the fall days when out in the fields the butterflies are active, the golds and soft greens with the lavender blues from the blazing stars. I could stay all day in one spot and just watch. Such was the time yesterday at Cone Bridge road, a mile or so winding dirt road that gradually goes downhill to the Suwannee River. At some point in the downhill, the Blazing Stars stop and a different eco-system begins nearer the river.
The river is finally lowering and the time will soon come to venture upstream and downstream from the old bridge crossing. The upper Suwannee at low water is especially inviting as once the water levels are low enough, you are not bothered by the motor boats. All is quiet and calm.

Swinging Bend

What is it with marking trees? This is above Cone Bridge in a lazy bend in the river.
A nice place to camp or spend the day. The river is low enough now to make the swing barely make water.

Ever Aware

Walking slowly, ever aware of the waiting cottonmouth to strike, I only spotted one black snake.
Always have this Tates Hell thought of being bitten miles from the vehicle and just what I would do in the event I was bitten. Suppose start digging a hole or finding some rocks to tie to my body.

Journey up Suwannee

My walk along Suwannee took me up to the cypress tree in the bend of the river, the area where the interesting limestone shelves begin. I had paddled along this section above Cone Bridge on the way up to the "Limp Dick" bend sandbar during low water, enabling you to paddle under the overhang.

Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail with a 180mm

Used the 180mm f2.8 on this Palamedes and the Blazing Star along Cone Bridge Road.

Two Bucks!

Did not get great shots off, but two buckeyes were present in the Blazing Stars...

Gulf Fritillary upon Blazing Star

My intention was to use the legacy or old manual focus lenses on the butterflies. This one was from the 80-200 Nikon manual focus zoom lens. I soon stopped with the legacy lenses as I kept missing the exposure and focus. Plus, they are heavy as tanks.