Beetle in Flower at Selby Gardens, Sarasota.
I don’t do a lot of macro photography but really enjoy seeing other photographers’ macro shots. On a visit to Selby Gardens, I practiced using my macro lens but with limited success. Definitely needed a tripod! But I found this image was interesting as the beetle appeared to be floating above the flower when actually he was crawling around among the pollen filled petals.
Schooner in Penobscot Bay off the coast of Camden, ME
We spend our summers in Rockport, Maine, and there is never a lack of boats to admire in waters that provide some of the best cruising in the world. Penobscot Bay, where this schooner was captured, offers perfect cruising grounds, with over 200 islands large and small, intriguing harbors, quaint fishing villages and stunning coastal towns and summer resorts. We never tire exploring Maine’s extraordinary coastal beauty.
Flamingo at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Florida.
There’s no better place to take young and old alike than to Sarasota Jungle Gardens. With over 10 acres of lush landscaping, one can get up close and personal with all kinds of native and exotic animals, with my favorite being the beautiful flamingos like the one above. I was scheduled to join our photo club this week to visit the Sarasota Jungle Gardens but unfortunately I was unable to attend due to a conflict. As disappointing as that was, fortunately I had been there a few times over the last couple of weeks, enjoying each and every encounter. I have no doubt that many more visits are in my future!
Spiral Staircase, The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, FL
One of my favorite sites in the area is The Dali Museum with its expansive spiral staircase. This image was taken looking up through the center and I liked capturing the young man leaning on the rails. If you’ve never been there, it’s a spectacular building that compliments Dali’s extraordinary vision.
Below is an image of the staircase I grabbed off the web. Isn’t it grand!
Flamingos, Sarasota Jungle Gardens
I caught these two flamingos dancing with their lovely long necks swaying in little loving nuzzles. Standing among the Sarasota Jungle Garden’s flock of pink pandemonium was an exhilarating event of observation.
A little flamingo fact: The backward bending “knee” of a flamingo’s leg is actually the bird’s ankle. The actual knee is very close to the body and is not visible through the bird’s plumage. Our photo club is returning next month and I look forward to capturing these beauties once again!
Nikon D850 and edited in Lightroom with adjustment brush to create black background. And that’s a wrap for 2019!
St. Pete Beach Sunset
I can’t think of any holiday lights that are better than a Florida sunset. It was a perfect evening on St. Pete Beach the other night as the sun began its descent into the sea. As you can see in the image, there were very few folks standing on the horizon but within a few minutes, it was peppered with couples and kids and friends who came out to bid another day farewell. Nothing like a sunset to renourish our spirit and stand in awe of our amazing planet. The best of holiday lights!
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Northern Male Cardinal
A few years back I was an avid bird watcher … that is, from my office window looking out upon our Philadelphia back yard which was full of feeders. My camera was always within my reach and I had great fun capturing all the critters that came to visit through the years, like this puffed up Cardinal. I miss not having bird feeders here at our Lakewood Ranch home, (not wise with all the wild critters and gators in our backyards), but what I DON’T miss are those cold, dreary winter months. Love our sunny Florida winters and all its bountiful beauty!
Anna Maria, Florida Sunset
The Holidays are upon us and with all the hurry and flurry of the season, I find it an important time to pause and take in moments of joy. For me, that would be sunsets on the quiet beaches of Anna Maria. It’s the best gift I can give myself!
Joy exists in the ordinary.
Captured with an iPhone 11 Pro Max with minor edits in Luminar 4.
Net casting, Anna Maria, Florida.
We are celebrating this Thanksgiving week on Anna Maria with family. Kids and grandkids from Utah, Alaska and New Jersey made it, but we miss our other family members from Iowa, Ohio and Maine. Even though time and distance keep us apart, we always have a great time when we all come together. Everyone in motion …. kayaking, biking, swimming, sand castle building, story telling and sharing glimpses into the lives we lead while away from each other. It’s a time to catch up, a time to share, a time to be thankful for being able to come together another year.
Reena Walkling 