River fog before sunrise

One of the best parts of camping is waking up and being at the location you want to photograph without having to get up at crazy o’clock and drive hours to be there in time to see a sight like this.

Cormorants in the trees

Late summer into autumn the cormorants begin to gather into groups and off in a distance they decorated the cypress trees like holiday ornaments in this peaceful landscape.

Black skimmer

White waterlily

A single white waterlily poses high above the lily leaves during a light rain.

Magical morning

Some mornings begin ever so plain and when the conditions are right magic happens. The air temperature was cool and there was enough moisture in the ground that as the sun rose above the horizon mist began to fill the air making a magical moment in the pine flat woods.

Tiny green frog

This little green tree frog was about the size of the upper part of your thumb, it was really tiny so much so I nearly missed noticing it.

Pileated woodpecker

An obliging male pileated woodpecker posed in the sunshine while taking a break from drumming and foraging.

Green pond hawk

On a chilly morning this dragonfly was found on the underside of a leaf utterly motionless for an hour or so until the air temperature rose.

Retreat from the heat

Florida Sandhill crane takes a break from the blazing heat of summer under a tree canopy. Keeping a comfortable distance between us the crane continued to rest while on one leg and kept it's eye open as a safety precaution in the event I moved closer to it.

Roseate dragonfly

This is one of those once in a lifetime moments. This roseate dragonfly landed on a tree trimming saw blade long enough for me to go get a camera and take a photo. And just as unexpectedly as it arrived it flew off never to be seen again by me.

Resting raptor

This red shoulder hawk flew in to perch on a broken limb of a water oak in a most picturesque setting on a late summer day in Florida.

Blue dasher

This dragonfly landed on the tip of a twig and sat motionless for the longest time giving me ample time to get the perfect shot.

Isn't she lovely

Courtship

Nesting season is underway as the photo shows. This pair of Great blue herons are demonstrating gestures of courtship and they are bonding as a mating pair.

Annie's fawn

Beautiful light

An afternoon drive was interrupted when I came upon this scene in the flatwoods. The late day light lit up the tree trunks that are normally in shade and looked so serene.

Playful fawns

Hibiscus petal

A soft dreamy macro lof a hibiscus flower petal

Pitcher plant

Foraging red-bellied woodpecker

Alligator hatchling

This alligator hatchling is exhausted from swimming through the duckweed in the marsh and is taking a rest on a log. Newly hatched alligators are approximately 6 to 8 inches in length.

Florida scrub jay

Alligator siblings on log

These two alligator hatchlings are in a cypress swamp and the only two survivors from the nest. They are basking in warm winter light while mom keeps a watchful eye out of sight.Hatchlings are approximately 6 to 8 inches in length when they emerge from the egg.

Snuggle time

Twin fawns snuggle close together on a chilly morning as they wait for their mother to return.