Another day comes to an end on Anna Maria Island. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit down on the sand and stare out into the water and let time go by. Nothing wrong with passing a little time on the beach.
Sarasota Island Park
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An afternoon at Sarasota Island Park is a nice way to let the day wind down. Everyone is friendly and willing to stop and chat and say hello. Kind of unusual but I guess some places are like that. This afternoon there were photographers working on portraits with clients, people walking their dogs, sailors tending to their boats and others just sitting on a bench watching the sunset. Like I said, not a bad way to let the day wind down.
Streaming Clouds Above the Pond
On a cloudy day I took a walk through a forest and came upon this pond. The wind started to pick up as though to rain but lucky for me it wasn’t to be. The clouds were thick and heavy and reminded me of Florida back home. Even though it’s over a thousand miles to the south, on this day the weather was probably nearly the same.
Heron on a Palm
Herons like to find a perch up high to preen and watch. I know because we have one that sits on an oak branch out back. He typically shows up in the afternoon to scratch and decide what to do next. This one however I found at Emerson Point which is a local preserve. We are fortunate to have these birds in such close proximity. Years ago when I lived in Canada, Heron sightings were rare and a “big deal”. It’s still great when I see them down here in Florida, just not so rare.
Sunset Thunder
This evening I waited way too long to capture this. It’s not a good idea to stay outside when the clouds look like this. As I waited for the sun to appear in the break above the horizon, a thunderstorm approached from the east. Most everyone else scattered but I wanted to capture the combination of colors before me. Nonetheless, I lived to tell about it and I have the image that I made a bad decision for. Not sure if that’s good or bad.
Coquina Beach Stragglers
It always amazes me to see people leaving when I show up at the beach before sunset. To my way of thinking the best is yet to come, yet to scores of others it’s time to load up the car and leave. I guess that’s understandable especially if you have small kids or commitments. After the exodus there are two types of people left, folks like me who came for the sunset and, the rest of the beach stragglers that will not leave until they’ve seen the final act. In the end I suppose all that matters is that we all had fun and got what we came for.
Enders Pond
A little north of Hartford is Enders State Forest. If you drive too fast you’ll miss the parking lot at the side of the road, I had to break quickly. Down a little trail is a series of cascading waterfalls and moss covered rocks. One amazing waterfall after another, a magical place. This garden of Eden is right in the middle of New England. If you like waterfalls, then put this on your list, just be sure not to drive too fast.
After the Rain
The best time to get out and take photos of nature is right after it rains. There are pools and ponds to create reflections and of course everything feels refreshed. I’ve posted other shots from this exact spot but lucky for me the clouds are always different. Clyde Butcher, perhaps Florida’s most well known photographer, said that the clouds are our mountains. It’s true, the clouds here are spectacular and ever changing throughout the seasons. The main thing is to get outside after the rain and you will not be disappointed.
Into the Light
I believe we are so much more than we think. That we are intrinsically light and that while here in this life we have an affinity with things that remind us of that. We stare at the fire, watch the sun go down and marvel at the colors of the clouds. It’s more than just that, I believe that the light is love and so we are drawn to reminders of love also. I see love in eyes. Eyes of people, but undeniably eyes of animals. My best friend passed today, my four legged sidekick named Marley. He gave me and so many more unconditional love. And today he returns into the light.
Last Rays of the Sun
The last rays of the day before dusk at Fort DeSoto park in St Petersburg Florida. Everything was idyllic on this evening and I thought this is a moment I want to remember. Of course I was busy taking pictures, but I have this souvenir. For me, just being there to take the picture was enjoyment enough.