Tag: Butterflies

Stepping Back

Concerts, Nature, Photography Meanderings, Rock

This past weekend found me camping and photographing a concert in the swamp; The 1st Annual The Everglades Roots Festival with headlining band Grass is Dead. It was a weekend for stepping back to a simpler life for a few days, to unwind and prepare for a busy rest of the month and Trail Lakes Campground is the perfect spot. Sunday found me back to civilization with the iconic The Moody Blues.  Their music takes me back to my teen years in the seventies and a time I often wish I could return.

Not only did I photograph them on stage, but also was hired to shoot their meet & greet!  I really do GET to do this!  I am really blessed, to be able to photograph the bands I grew up with and love.

This weekend I will be out with a local radio station and enjoying many bacon influenced dishes. bring on 94.5 The Arrow’s Bacon Jam!

Please enjoy a few of my photos from this weekend.

Ruddy Daggerwing
Little Green Heron
Reflections
Crawfish taken by Tommy Owen
Grass is Dead
Fire in the swamp
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues

Paradise Found

Nature, Photography Meanderings, Wildlife

I am so fortunate that I get to live in paradise.  I sometimes forget how beautiful our area here in South West Florida is. No matter what direction I travel I can find the natural environment I crave.  From beaches to swamplands it’s all here.  Today my travels took me to Sanibel Island and the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

While driving slowly down the scenic drive and stopping when something caught my interest, I felt so blessed to be able to have the day off and enjoy such natural beauty.  From birds to butterflies the day was full of surprises.  A lone Roseate Spoonbill and White Ibis looking for their breakfast and finding it.

Ding Darling

A curious Little Blue Heron signaling a warning of the alligator who was lurking close by.

Ding Darling-3

A lovely Common Buckeye butterfly unknowingly pollinating the flowers as it gathered life giving nectar.

Ding Darling-7

Even the pungent smell of fermenting palm berries carried in the warm breeze was refreshing in it’s erthereal own way.

Ding Darling-9

The nutrient rich tannin stained waters were bringing forth life to the White Ibis as it was searching for a quick meal.

Ding Darling-8

As I watched nature doing her thing, I was reminded that I am just a very small part of all of this, yet just as important.  Each of us have our place in this world, the birds, butterflies, the water, the land, all celebrating our creator.

Thank you for joining me on my adventure……until next time, happy shooting!

 

 

A Metaphore with Butterflies

Photography Meanderings

I did many things this weekend which were fun and exciting. As a newly “again” single I met up with friends for dinner on Friday evening “V” Day to listen and dance to some great music by Copper Head at a new place called Ter-Tinis.

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Saturday evening I went with a couple to watch some great blues with the Marty Stokes Band at a local place called Cadillac Jacks.  (I have blogged about this band before).

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Marty Stokes Band at Cadillac Jacks

Today, Sunday I hosted a small group at The Butterfly Estates in downtown Fort Myers and had a wonderful time with these friends.  Our tour began with the docent speaking about the life cycle of the butterfly and how they must have certain plants to feed on and certain plants to form the chrysalis.  As she was speaking again I was thinking about my life and what was going on within myself.  As we entered the greenhouse the butterflies were flitting about all around us and you have to feel like a child when watching the magic of these incredible creatures.  Butterflies are not the easiest fauna to photograph, I use my 70-300mm long lens because once you start getting too close they will flit off and it’s difficult to get them to lite again.  I did manage to get a few shots off of some
of the butterflies and was happy with my results.  My friend Geva attended and it was wonderful to have opportunity to talk with her.
She recently published a book which I have read and it’s exactly what I needed at this time in my life.  Geva like the butterfly transformed her life into a one of abundance, happiness and beauty in a one year experiment and in doing so chronicled it in written word.

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The Butterfly Estates

My life has been a bit like the caterpillar, sort of chugging along, doing what I need to do to keep going, not enjoying it as much I should be, and then these past few months I have sequestered myself within a cocoon because of some things that have taken place. However, recently I have started to break free of that cocoon and I am emerging into something quite beautiful. I’m in the process of spreading my wings getting ready to take flight…..it’s only a matter of time. Life is definitely getting better, but isn’t that subjective to how we view it? I know what bothered me yesterday, doesn’t bother me today. What upset me last week is really trivial and I won’t allow it to upset me again. I’m finding I am in love with my life and myself. I want to share the beauty of the world with my camera and nothing gives me any greater pleasure.

If you are interested in my friend Geva’s book please check out her facebook page and website: www.facebook.com/GevaSalerno1
http://www.gevasalerno.com/about/

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Geva Salerno – Author