Camping – Life, Love & Passion Through the Lens

Into Nature

Nature, Photography Meanderings, Wildlife

One of my passions is camping and if you add my camera, then it’s simply incredible. I have not camped all season simply because I have not had a free weekend to do so and now it’s almost too hot…..almost.

I decided to camp over Mother’s Day, this way I get to spend time with my youngest son, and as a bonus his best friend as well. The boys got me the most beautiful card and wrote the most beautiful sentiments on it, I was also graced with a bouquet of flowers and a scrumptious meal prepared by my son and we went to breakfast the following morning.

Because I was in the Big Cypress, of course I have to drive Turner River Road, Wagon Wheel and Birdon Road. Didn’t see much when it came to wildlife although I did see a deer, but he moved to quickly for me to get a photo. I was downcast to see several dead snakes and a dead baby alligator, I wish people were more careful.

Tommy and I also walked the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk and were invaded by Deer Flies, but we persevered and were graced with a young Barred Owl, of course on this trip I only brought my iPhone so there are pictures, just not close up; I did get some great cell phone shots from our walk.

This is a time lapse photo, but it’s a bit jumpy (sorry)

I love being outdoors, I need to do it more often.

Until next time, I’ll see you behind the lens!

Time Off

A Fresh Look, Photography Meanderings

Autumn through Spring has me hopping when it comes to photography work. Lots of concerts keep me from having very much free time and when I get any, it’s only for a few hours at most. I do a lot of traveling and with editing my personal time is at a premium.

The past few weeks I have had completely free weekends and I took advantage and went camping.

My first adventure was over Mother’s Day weekend where I spent a lot of time with my youngest son Tommy Owen at Trail Lakes Campground where I stayed in one of the wonderful cabins.We took an adventure and walked through an area where no one really goes. It was around a lake that was full of alligators and nesting Green-back Herons. Sometimes we didn’t really have a path to follow, we just allowed the lake bank to guide us.

We finished the day with dinner then off to Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk to attempt some night photography.

Mother's Day Weekend-49 — The streak is an airplane

This past weekend I went camping at Myakka River State Park, it’s been a few years since I have been there and I made sure to secure my favorite spot. The first evening was beautiful and I did a lot of shooting.

Saturday I went to The Ringling Museum for the morning and afternoon.

Upon returning to my campsite a heavy rainstorm ensued. The rain continued all through the night and into the early morning. I ended up leaving a little early because of the rain. It was still a great weekend to be away enjoying the natural environment.

This weekend will be back to my concert shooting, so watch my Facebook page for some upcoming photos. Until next time, from behind the lens.

Maybe Someday…

Nature, Personal, Photography Meanderings, Wildlife

This year I decided to take at least one weekend per month and either do some day trips or camp. I really prefer camping because I can incorporate day trips into the camping and that get’s me out and away. This aways refreshes my soul and helps with my creativity and simply makes me a better me.

I prefer heading to the Everglades, it’s where my soul belongs, even though I left it years ago, I do sometimes long to go back. The people are fascinating and the stories are many. I could sit for hours (and sometimes do) listening to the locals talk about the “way it used to be”. I long for a time much simpler than how I live today. I could live as a minimalist, in a tiny house somewhere in the woods. I really don’t need much and I think I would be just fine. Maybe someday.

I love being outdoors. I am in an office five days a week for eight hours a day and on the weekend I find I must get out. When I am camping, I get to sit by a campfire, share a meal with my son and his girlfriend and just do nothing or say nothing if I don’t want to.

I go to bed early and arise as the sun is coming up and the birds are beginning to sing.

I overheard a camper yesterday lament about how they hated the birds in the early morning, because they woke them up. Really? how can you hate something so magical and beautiful as birds singing in the new day. I could wake to that sound every single day and be ecstatic for another day. Maybe someday.

Coffee is always better when it’s a cold brisk morning and you arise to the sun shining and the birds flitting about and the dewy freshness of a new day. I so enjoy sitting in the quiet of the morning when I am camping and allowing my body to awaken with nature. I would love to do this every single day for the rest of my life. Maybe someday.

I find I don’t miss the television with it’s mundane programming, or the radio blaring; campers around me always seem to have a radio going, and I just don’t understand why? Why do you need that outside element of noise when there is so much more to hear? and if you just look around life is more exciting than anything the television has to offer. in my short few days, I was able to see a baby raccoon climbing a tree. Birds feeding, alligators lounging around in the sun trying to get warm after a few chilly nights and I got to experience real conversations with people. I learned so much more than if I had been at home in front of a little box. I hope to experience this more and more. Maybe someday.

Thanksgiving Adventures

Photography Meanderings

Again this year I went camping down in the Big Cypress. I have needed a really good stint away from all that’s electronic, my phone, computer etc. and totally disconnect for a few days. I have been really busy the last few months and just felt my body calling me to get away and to refresh and relax, and that I did. My youngest son lives/works in the Big Cypress and I went to Trail Lakes Campground/Everglades Adventure Tours to spend Thanksgiving with him and friends. I brought a dish to share at his request; candied yams & marshmallows. I was able to go to sleep early and wake up just as early pretty well rested and ready to simply do nothing or to take my camera and capture whatever caught my fancy.

I left late Wednesday afternoon and got there with plenty of time to set up camp which takes less than a half hour; simple is best for me. I went to sleep fairly early and woke up Thursday morning ready to head to Turner River Road to check out their boardwalk. Took a few photos, but later that evening was what I was waiting on. You see Thanksgiving evening was a full moon and I was excited to capture it in a really dark place.

For the rest of the afternoon I hung out at the store and talked with the people as they came in to check out this little piece of nostalgia. I also took some photos of my son’s butterfly garden which was quite active.

We had dinner around 4pm and there was so much food, most made by campground residents and probably the best turkey I have ever eaten. It was so good, and lots of tasty sides to accompany the main bird, all the traditional things, plus some really good repeats from last year. I was definitely in a food coma and really wanted to sleep, but I waited for the moon to rise…..and rise it did simply stunning.

The next day I wanted to go to where my oldest son works as an alligator wrestler/handler and check out he and his best friend’s show. I got some great video and photos of the two of them working.

My son Jimmy on the left and his best friend Dylan

Jimmy

Saturday I went to the Fakahatchee boardwalk and took a few photos there, it was late in the day so not much was out and about except this mama and one of her little ones.

Later in the evening my youngest son (the adventure guide) took me out on one of his tours and I was able to take some breathtakingly beautiful photographs. I also took photos of his clients and I will be sending those photos to them. I also met a nice woman and her son who was out at the same time. Really nice people. When we returned Tommy’s girlfriend had dinner ready for us when we got back to the campground and it was so good! Nothing beats dinner prepared on an outdoor fire. Later Tommy was trying his hand at candle making, and was quite successful, looking forward to some future creations from him.

Tommy our guide and my son

Sunset on the River

Golden hour

Sunday came too soon… it’s always sad to leave when I know I will be back at the grind for another month and a half without much of a break. I will be heading back down in January. I love going down there, I learn a lot of history from Jack who was born there and he is a wealth of local knowledge of the area. I come away always with something new learned.

On my way home I drove part of Jane’s Scenic Drive and captured a few good photos of the drive and prairie.

Jane’s Scenic Drive

Fakahatchee with MoWen Dome

What a fabulous few days, I am so blessed and thankful for the time off and that I got to spend time with my two favorite people; my handsome sons who I love and am so proud of the young men they have become.

For all of you who follow me and live in the United Stated, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and for all of you who are from outside the US here is to a blessed and beautiful holiday season.

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