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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2015 17:22:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 17:37:07 GMT
And here I was expecting to see jack'o'lanterns floating on the water...
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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2015 17:58:55 GMT
So sorry to get your hopes up, Kerouac. These photos were taken the afternoon of October 29. Halloween treats are still to come, but birds and marine mammals must come first.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 7, 2015 18:12:11 GMT
Your love for this place certainly shines through in the photographs -- these are maybe even more gorgeous than ever. I'm glad you're showing people that even places sometimes considered to have no seasons, actually have beautiful subtle autumns and springs.
Can't believe you got that perfect shot of the fish going into the pelican's beak. Dumb question about those pelicans: are they that color all year round, or do they molt to white part of the year?
Porpoises are always a thrill to see.
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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2015 18:45:30 GMT
I have a lot to learn about Pelicans. I do know there are eight different types worldwide. Those I've photographed are brown pelicans, of which there are several subspecies. I believe they basically stay the same color year round, except for changes to their head/face during mating season. I also think they are the smallest of the Pelicans, even though they are a fairly large bird. They are quite different from the white Pelicans I photographed at Homosassa Springs (photos below the flamingos).
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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2015 18:58:44 GMT
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Post by mossie on Nov 7, 2015 19:36:11 GMT
The last few pictures are so peaceful. I do envy you your wildlife
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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2015 19:39:13 GMT
Thank you, Mossie. Here are a few more sunset photos.
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Post by bjd on Nov 7, 2015 20:04:03 GMT
It looks lovely and peaceful.
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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2015 20:04:36 GMT
You just never know what kind of creature will be perched on the piling outside my condo rental. Friday morning when I checked I was met by this ugly buzzard. I suppose other buzzards must think he's special. I'd kind of put Halloween out of my mind, but as I wandered into the center of the main island I could see some people were getting into the spirit. This was a private home. The Island Hotel and Restaurant One of the old buildings was being turned into a spook house. I don't think I was supposed to walk through here. Down on the pier this person was protecting herself from the sun as she fished. While this little cutie enjoyed playing in the sand at the park. Off from the park I spotted some fins. I wonder if they were the same dolphins I'd seen the night before on the opposite side of the island. Back at "home," I was delighted to spot a pair of bald eagles. I know there have been some nesting in the Cedar Key area, but don't recall ever getting a photo. The show continued down below in the lagoon.
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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2015 21:42:05 GMT
It looks lovely and peaceful. Some might actually call it boring, but the quiet was just the thing I needed. The condo property manager told me this was his favorite time of year. The population of Cedar Key was less than 800 people in the last statistic I could find so, even when the fishermen come from out of town, it's still a very quiet place to visit in late October.
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 12:50:05 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 13:03:02 GMT
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Post by breeze on Nov 8, 2015 13:17:05 GMT
I'm impressed at the detail of feathers, swirls, and ripples in #11, photos 3 and 5.
The sunset colors are marvelous.
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 13:19:19 GMT
Thanks, Breeze!
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 13:43:22 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 8, 2015 15:05:23 GMT
The birds! The butterflies! And the second pelican sequence is not only beautiful, but such an interesting look at those birds.
Love how many adults are out there on Halloween dressed up, even an entire pirate family. You've really captured an enchanting look at what must be a happy town.
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Post by mossie on Nov 8, 2015 15:28:53 GMT
Yet more super nature study, those pelicans just don't look real but something out of a horror movie. And the little girl in your last picture looks like she is smoking. I hope it is just the way she is putting her hand near her mouth.
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 17:00:23 GMT
Mossie, I'm sure she was not smoking, but think she had a lollipop in her mouth.
However, I imagine the rate of adults and older teenagers in the area who smoke is quite high. it seems to parallel low income and low levels of education. Most of the people I've met in Cedar Key are hardworking individuals, but life seems to be pretty tough for many.
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Post by fumobici on Nov 8, 2015 20:37:47 GMT
What a lovely set of photos. Oddly in all likelihood the butterfly close-up is my favorite.
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 20:41:58 GMT
Not odd at all, fumobici. I like the butterfly photos,too. I have enjoyed taking butterfly photos at Cedar Key in the past, but hardly saw any the whole weekend. I was happy to get the photo of what I believe to be a Gulf Fritillary.
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 21:16:20 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 21:28:06 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 21:47:02 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 22:04:21 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Nov 8, 2015 22:14:10 GMT
My vote for best look goes to Fred Flintstone.
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2015 22:16:32 GMT
I agree. He was cute, and had the personality to pull it off.
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Post by mossie on Nov 9, 2015 19:12:13 GMT
Cedar Key certainly made quite an effort for Halloween with some very imaginative costumes.
I have to say I don't approve of it in England and it is not so much of a spectacle. I suppose I am old fashioned because it has almost totally overshadows Guy Fawkes night, although we still got a good dose of fireworks over the weekend.
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Post by lugg on Nov 9, 2015 19:31:35 GMT
I can quite see how this is a favourite place of yours Htmb Really enjoyed going back to Cedar Key with you- it appears to me that the light is really lovely there - is the air always so clear? Is there much light pollution because if not I expect the night sky is wonderful. The photos as always are wonderful, the expressions on the pelican's face are quite amusing so I do hope he had just bitten off more fish than he could chew and that no fishing hooks were involved.
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Post by htmb on Nov 9, 2015 21:15:31 GMT
Light polution at Cedar Key is very minimal, Lugg, so it's a wonderful place to star gaze. There are maps in an old thread HERE that will give you a better idea of how the keys (islands) are scattered about off the coast of Florida. In this area, much of the land along the coast is swamp or low lying forest and owned by the state. There are several reasons I enjoy Cedar Key. To begin with, it's less than a 90 minute drive from my home. Also, it's hardly ever crowded since there isn't really much beach due to its location. It's also cheap. On most of the visits I've made, I've paid for two nights and gotten the third night free since I'm usually there during very slow times of the year.
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