Tag: JN_Ding_Darling_Wildlife_Refuge

When the soul calls

A Fresh Look, Lens & Pens, Nature, Photography Meanderings

Today I had made plans to go to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge and take a look at the birds that may be out and about.  I woke up this morning after a sleepless night and almost decided NOT to go.  I was talking myself out of leaving the house with my camera in tow and just stay home.  That’s been the problem with this pandemic, I have become house bound except for work.  I then decided not to go to Ding Darling, but to go to Six Mile Cypress Slough, I needed green, I needed to walk in the outdoors.  My soul was not calling me to stay in my car and drive and get out occasionally to shoot waterbirds, it was calling me to walk, to smell, to enjoy the cool breeze and to become one with nature.  

“Falling in love with the Earth is one of life’s great adventures.” – Steve Van Matre 

As I was getting ready to leave my house, I still wanted to just simply stay home…after all who would really know if I went out or not? Well to answer that question, I would know!

I arrived and and began my small journey through the cypress boardwalk.  Not too many people, but enough to be a slight disturbance with their talking.  I knew I wanted to take some photos, but I also knew I wanted them to be deliberate in nature; I wanted to enjoy my experience, to breathe in and enjoy the calmness I was feeling.

“You learn that if you sit down in the woods and wait, something happens.” – Henry David Thoreau 

Sitting down on a bench I realized how much I missed this.  I missed the beauty, I missed the putrid smell of decaying debris, I missed the colors and I have missed the silence. I walked and filled my lungs with clean fresh air.  There are days I crave the silence of the woods over the noise of humans, today is that day.  

“ My heart is tuned to the quietness that the stillness of nature inspires.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan

That short hour and a half was enough to sustain me for a bit longer in this crazy world.  My happiness has returned.

“One’s happiness depends less on what he knows than on what he feels.” – Liberty Hyde Bailey

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.

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

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

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

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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!