This big dude was photographed at the Circle B Bar Preserve in Lakeland, Fla.
Tag: Florida
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Photographed in Naples. Fla. at the Corkscrew Sanctuary.
Egret Framed
Framed by the branches, this Egret was kind enough to pose long enough for me to get this shot. Photographed at the CREW Rookery in Naples, Fla.
Jaws of Clearwater
Book Review: Oh, Florida!
A must read for anyone thinking of moving to Florida. You just might have second thoughts! Author Craig Pittman (Tampa Bay Times) writes in a breezy informative style that is as engaging as it is funny. The sad, or scary part, is everything he writes about is true. It all happened. No exaggeration needed. From teachers who have had sex with their students, remember Debra Lefave, a sexy blonde bombshell, being the most prominent to crazies like a woman who thought riding a Manatee, an endangered species, as if it were a surf board would be a sane thing to do. Of course the state is loaded with crazy politicians. Now most states have a weird politician or two, but Florida seems to be growing them like oranges including the only Mayor to ever be over thrown in a military coup. We also meet Old Sparky, Florida’s famed electric chair and a long, long, long history of land swindles (swamp land for sale!). And let’s not forget the ‘stand your ground’ law. That all said, Pittman does not just focus on the crazies and the weird. While the state has more than its share of both some good and smart people have emerged and the author gives them their due.
The book is entertaining, informative and a warning to anyone contemplating moving to the Sunshine State.
Invasion of the Lovebugs
It’s that time of the year in Florida when those pesty yet romantic lovebugs make themselves one of the horrors of living in the Sunshine State. Twice a year, like many married humans, lovebugs begin to mate. Unlike humans they preform this blatant sexual activity out in the open for everyone to see. In the process, corrupting Florida’s youth and even worse making life a nightmare for drivers. While in the throes of wild passion along roads and highways they smash into your windshield like kamikaze pilots making a massive ghastly mess. Continue reading “Invasion of the Lovebugs”
Sand Sculpture at the Beach
The annual Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival (runs through April 24th) at Clearwater Beach is currently on exhibit on the beach under a 21,000 square foot tent. Inside you will find tons of Clearwater sand, sculpted into art by ten sand sculptor artists from all over the world. Every year there is a specific theme. Last year it was animation. This year, “a musical journey through the decades while celebrating America’s greatest music legends and hits,” as it states on the flyer. One problem I noticed with that statement, and its minor because all the music artists in the exhibit are worth celebrating, however, a few of the sand sculpted musicians are not American like The Who and Bob Marley. Continue reading “Sand Sculpture at the Beach”
Photographing at Circle B Bar Reserve
Last week my wife and I did an overnight trip to Lakeland. What’s in Lakeland, you ask? For us it’s the Circle B Bar Reserve, a 1,267 acre refuge filled with a variety of wildlife. A haven for photographer’s. The reserve, now owned by Polk county, was previously a privately owned cattle ranch. According to a pamphlet I picked up upon our arrival the property was originally “a wet area connected to Lake Hancock.” This was way back in 1927. During the next 70 years the wetlands was drained to make it more conducive to cattle ranching. In 2000, Polk county acquired the property and began to convert the land back to its natural landscape.
One of the many birds we came across during our time there was the Anhinga. It’s a fairly large bird, about 35 inches in height, that is mainly found in South America, Central America and the Southern Coastal United States. Many times you will find them along the coastal waters with their wings spread out drying them in the sun. Like Cormorants, which they resemble, Anhinga’s are water birds, however, lacking oil glands they are not waterproof. Subsequently, after swimming in the water they need to dry off their wings otherwise they would not be able to fly.
On this most recent trip of ours we found one particular Anhinga ready for lunch. He had a fish already in his long beak when we first spotted him. What was fascinating was how he began to literally beat the fish to death by smashing it against a tree branch. We arrived just in time to watch and photograph the ritual. It was captivating to watch, though sad and painful for the fish. I wanted to both photograph and shoot a video of the activity but naturally could only do one. Below are some of the photos I took.
John Greco Author/Photographer 