Florida Wildlife Studio :: March 4th 2010

March 4th 2010 - Carillon Boardwalk

Another beautiful morning and I am not about to allow it to pass by without getting outdoors for some photography action.

I have mounds of work piled on my desk, its 42 degrees, but not enough to keep me here.

I decide to head over to Carillon Boardwalk since it has been a while. Its close to home and gives me just enough exercise around the mile around loop. I have put on three layers of clothing and I soon discover it is not enough. The wind is blowing harder than I thought and it is soooo cold! I do need to remember to grab a pair of gloves on these cold days, the backside of my hands take no time at all to feel the affects of old man winter.

Wildlife photography is NOT for the faint of heart by any means. It requires a huge respect of the power of nature when trying to get those perfect shots in challenging conditions such as this. Sounds as if I am on some big arctic hunt with "0" degree weather!! Sorry folks! It just is abnormal for us Floridians...

My first shot was this poor Seagull trying to land on the lamp pole. The wind was whipping so hard against him, preventing any success at all. He finally gave up and flew off to another less stressful task.

I hear the Ospreys above my head and notice three of them challenging the wind as well. Its fun to watch them as they hover on the air with the air current under their wing holding them in place. I think they were really trying to figure out a way to dive in that cold water in hopes of food but again the wind was keeping them from doing so. Instead they ride the air. Ospreys have always been one of my most favorite birds to photograph. I have a ton of shots in my database but always trying to capture one better than the previous. I guess that is what photographers do. I also try and capture at least one great shot in the time I am out shooting to add to my "One of a Kind" collection.

I am moving along a little faster now than usual. This cold air is about to freeze me to death.

But I think I am not the only one as I spot this Great Egret huddled on the edge of the water in the sunshine trying to stay warm. He has one foot tucked inside and shifts from time to time when the other is to cold and needs warming.

I have also noticed there are still quite a few Warblers here. They are migratory birds and I first spotted one back in mid August which seemed a bit too early at the time. Our weather must have them a bit confused as I am thinking most of them are gone by now. I will need to check last years notes in order to verify my thinking. None the less, they are always a treat to have around. Not always easy to capture as they are fast moving little creatures but a delight to watch. The Black and White Warbler is the most challenging to shoot. Good shots are hard to come by.

OK, time to get out of here but not before I take this shot of the Anhinga here wearing make-up. Well, it looks that way. Anhingas are indeed plentiful here in Florida. And I have enough shots of them for sure. I typically pass them by but he had the funniest expression and that is what I usually look for in a bird. The face. In fact I am doing a series on "Those Amazing Bird Faces". which I hope to be released soon. So another shot I will add to the collection.

I am outta here....

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Yea, I'm not so symp...

Comment from: Missy (Guest)

Yea, I'm not so sympathetic. It's 42* here in Colorado and I'm going outside to read in the sun. It's warm here! Perspective is everything.