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Post by htmb on Feb 7, 2015 14:24:42 GMT
Yes, I am very lucky to live here. North Central Florida is really a wonderful place to call home.
For many years I lived on the shore of a very large lake. There was so much water that the scenery changed constantly depending on the wind and the weather. I could step outside my door and always find something glorious to see in nature, or just throw my kayak out for a paddle whenever the spirit moved me. When I moved into town that's what I missed most. Having places nearby to visit like Paynes Prairie makes it a little easier to make my home in town.
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Post by htmb on Dec 30, 2015 21:08:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2015 21:17:32 GMT
Those animals are not even shivering in the late December weather. It isn't fair!
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Post by htmb on Dec 30, 2015 22:26:48 GMT
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Post by htmb on Dec 30, 2015 22:55:49 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Dec 30, 2015 23:05:25 GMT
 Okay, I know I say this every single time, but ........... best pictures ever!!! It feels as though I could do a Mary Poppins and step right through the monitor. In fact I would, except for the primeval fanged beast you show. Gorgeous vistas, gorgeous light, gorgeous critter captures AND your Bird Queen crown remains firmly in place.
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Post by breeze on Dec 31, 2015 2:42:50 GMT
Those heron photos are spectacular.
bixa, I'm glad you raved about these because when I saw the thread additions today it was on my phone, and I thought they'd lose something on "the big screen" at home. But your remarks made me call them up on the home computer and yes, spectacular is the word.
htmb, did you sweet-talk that heron into giving you both profiles?
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Post by cynthia on Dec 31, 2015 3:18:07 GMT
I love this entire thread. By the way, the dollar weeds (which I assume have their name from the fact that they are the size and shape of an old fashioned silver dollar) are such a pest in the lawns  of many Floridians, but look so natural in these photos. Such is the difference between a modern 'fake' bit of nature, the normal neighborhood front yard, and real nature. |
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Post by htmb on Dec 31, 2015 3:24:58 GMT
Now I'm blushing. Thank you both.
Breeze, there are actually two different great herons in my photos taken today. The first heron can be seen at the beginning and end of today's photos. The second heron is next to the boardwalk with the metal handrail, and was about a half mile away from the first.
It was the second heron that landed next to me and I think it would have gotten even closer if someone hadn't come down the path and scared it off. That's the bad thing about going out to this area during a holiday season or on a weekend. There are so many others enjoying "nature" that much of the wildlife is frightened away from the path. Plus, many visitors tend to get too close to the alligators and it drives me nuts.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2015 4:35:48 GMT
It is so hard to focus on little animals in the sticks. My camera always focuses on the wrong thing no matter how many times I start over.
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Post by htmb on Dec 31, 2015 15:04:50 GMT
Yes, it can be tricky and I don't always get it right. I had a "landscape" setting on an old camera that was very helpful, I need to try and recreate it.
Funny how, during this report, I've used four different cameras. I wish, in the beginning, I'd had the camera I have now. My photos would probably have been a lot better, though there's always the case of "user error" to consider.
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Post by mossie on Dec 31, 2015 15:43:05 GMT
You are only little htmb, but if you extended your neck I would wring it. You make me that jealous when you show these magnificent nature pictures.
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Post by htmb on Jan 7, 2016 3:00:11 GMT
I love this entire thread. By the way, the dollar weeds (which I assume have their name from the fact that they are the size and shape of an old fashioned silver dollar) are such a pest in the lawns of many Floridians, but look so natural in these photos. Such is the difference between a modern 'fake' bit of nature, the normal neighborhood front yard, and real nature. I'm sorry I didn't see your comments before, Cynthia. I think we simulposted. Thanks for your kind remarks. It appears we are practically neighbors! |
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Post by cynthia on Jan 7, 2016 4:57:39 GMT
Thank you, htmb.
I first heard of Payne's Prairie on Florida Frontiers, a weekly radio program I listen to either on my local NPR station or when I miss it live, I catch it on the internet. We may have more in common. From lurking here for some time before ever posting, I take it you work for DCF, from which I retired a few years ago, when our lovely new governor took over.
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Post by htmb on Jan 7, 2016 11:37:38 GMT
No, not DCF, but you're on the right track.
I try not to ever think about our current governor.
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Post by htmb on May 22, 2016 21:09:13 GMT
The hyacinths are in bloom and Paynes Prairie is awash in a sea of purple. |
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Post by htmb on May 22, 2016 21:42:40 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on May 23, 2016 1:26:54 GMT
Absolutely gorgeous, Htmb, from the wide vistas, to the carpets of blue flowers, to the rapt kids -- wonderful!
For the record, your "hyacinths" are actually pickerel weed/Pontederia cordata. I am pretty sure the cheerful yellow flower is beach buttercup/Turnera ulmifolia.
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Post by htmb on May 23, 2016 1:33:36 GMT
Oh, Bixa! Thanks for giving me the names. Perfect!
I'll post a few more pictures tomorrow.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 23, 2016 4:42:30 GMT
 Forgot to say that the flying heron picture & the long shot boardwalk photos are perfection itself.
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Post by htmb on May 23, 2016 19:46:39 GMT
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Post by htmb on May 23, 2016 19:52:19 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 22, 2016 22:57:14 GMT
I have two cameras: a bridge type with a good zoom for photographing wildlife and creatures on the move, and a small, pocket camera to take candid pictures of people in close, "street-type" situations. After taking a few disappointing photos on my last trip, I decided it was time to replace my four year old little camera. Today, armed with a brand new camera, I went to Paynes Prairie to see what I could do and to try to learn its features. I really wanted to focus on my new camera so the bridge camera, the one I'd normally use to photograph wildlife, was left at home. That was a good move on my part, because I would have switched to the longer lens as soon as I saw the first wild creature. Here is a sampling from this morning. I took about 400 photos, but have deleted at least a quarter of them. Though this new camera will certainly not be my choice for wildlife or sports photography, I can see it has a lot of promise and I look forward to, hopefully, improving as I become more familiar with its features. I have not been out to Paynes Prairie since last May and was happy to see the butterflies were numerous, as well as some animals not typically seen on the more crowded weekends.  I felt like I had most of the place to myself.    Some of the wild horses were up near the entrance.     The mare seemed quite ready to wean her not so little one.     |
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Post by htmb on Sept 22, 2016 23:08:42 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 22, 2016 23:23:57 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 23, 2016 2:29:57 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 23, 2016 2:40:23 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 23, 2016 4:10:11 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 23, 2016 4:19:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 4:22:35 GMT
Bravo for the quality of your new little camera.
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