SouthFloridaDaily

Every year I grow these tall, leggy tithonia. Not just because they have these gorgeous, saucer-sized blooms, but also because I love watching the big fat bumble bees wallow in the pollen!

When you are photographing wild animals turn your cell phone off. When my daughter called it startled this fellow as much as it did me!

Marty Robbins said it best! After all the rain Tennessee has had in the last few months there was not a stream or creek bed that was dry!

Was searching for a particular photo when I came across this one and remembered how much I liked it… So I thought I would share. Am leaving in 2 days for a bear and elk hunt. NO NO, with a CAMERA only! Hope to find something really incredible to share.

His little face just looks so wizened and knowing!

Who knew that they had such individual faces?! And that’s not all, did you know that they lay their eggs in or near water sometimes submerging themselves to put eggs on a good surface. But wait, did you know that while in the nymph form (before they leave the water to fly) they breath thru gills in their rectum and they move themselves rapidly by propelling water thru the anus! No, I’m not making this up! Straight out of Wikipedia!

I attended the first Scottish Games to be held in Marion Co. Had a really good time, but was not impressed with how the event co-odinators had set up the various shows. I had to wonder how many of these young women needed a chiropractor the next day! That hammer was heavy and the long handle did not help make it any more manageable.

Working with a new camera (Olympus E-30) and trying to “explore the possibilities”. The sunset at Bayport and along Bayou Drive helped a lot!

Plus, when I got home I found this little “present” at the top of the tree!

We were looking for a “safari” destination when Beau found Falling Creek on the web. It talked about white water kayaking during high water levels and a waterfall, right here in Florida!

So off we went to Columbia County, just north of Lake City. We were disappointed with the creek because the water was barely flowing. But the find of the old church made the trip worthwhile.

The church sits on a little rise and evokes the greatest sense of peace and tranquility you could imagine. The small cemetery at the rear of the church told many sad tales. I chose to photograph one that tells of the loss of a young son. You can see by the dates on the headstone just how short his life was. You have to wonder what brought about his death. Maybe a rattlesnake bite, or an illness brought through by a traveler, or just a simple cold that became too complicated for Mothers’ home remedies.

We called the Columbia County Parks office and asked someone to let us know when the water levels rose to the height needed to make the falls live up to their name. I was really surprised when they called but we headed on out and it was worth the trip. I could hear the water long before it came into sight. It was not a raging river, but it was enough for me to take some shots to practice “blurring” water.

So, enjoy the photos, and maybe take a moment to think about a family dealing with the hardships of the time, to include losing a young son, and be grateful for the amenities we have today.