Nature Shots

Pink Hydrangea

Up close

Mexican Petunia

Lady Bug

Manatee says hello to me

I have been working on some photography in my spare time. I wanted to share some of favorite shots from the past couple of months. I have been playing around with the Macro setting on my point and shoot and am really pleased with the results. The shot of the manatee was pretty incredible I was taking a break from motherhood for a minute and grabbed my camera. I sat down on the dock to put my feet in the water and the manatee scared me with his gasp for air. It was too cool to get the shot!

Gone Gator Gone

The past few months we have been watching a gator off of the docks in the backyard. In March we first noticed the 2 foot gator swimming by a floating dock at the end of the canal. The gator has been growing and has become more aggressive. Yesterday, my mom and I watched as the gator ate a raccoon and played with the dead carcass. My mom called the authorities and today trappers came to catch and remove the gator. Here is a play by play of the action!

The trappers used a recording of a gator mating call to lure it out.

The trapper then used a fishing pole and snagged it in.

The trapper used a pole with a loop to control it.

The gator measured 5'6" from tip to tail.

The trapper straddled the gator from behind and grabbed the jaws closed.

The trapper's wife duct tapes the mouth.

The arms and legs are tied up.

Me and the gator!

Dave and Lela with the gator!

The Trapper and gator

Grandma's Flowers

Verbena

 My mom is always gardening in the yard and loves to have a variety of blooms going continually.
Throughout my time here I have been taking photos of her handiwork and wanted to show you some of her beauties. It is hard not to look at the flowers and think of God and all He created. These photos call to mind a scripture. Matthew 6: 28-31

Dyanthis

 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not clothe you, O of little faith?

Snapdragon

Peace Lily

Looks like three ladies in a row

Bleeding Hearts

So bountiful

4 o'clocks

Trailer Treasures

 A few months back I picked up this vintage post card from the 1940's for $1.00. I was immediately drawn to it because it depicts a very glamorous young women in a distinctly Florida natural setting.
The Nature Coast is really filled with wonderful scenery like this with Cypress trees and Palm trees growing right out of saltwater coastline. I could just imagine someone receiving this little jem in their mailbox one afternoon and thinking how exotic Florida must be. There really is something magical about living here and I am blessed every day to wake up and have a similar view.

Not quite the same pose, but similar setting

 Psalms 104 & 148

Sunsets

Local fishing pier

The Bird holds the sun in her hand

Meebs

The Bird

Almost gone

One thing that never gets old about living in Florida is sunsets. It is funny how when you live in a land locked city with a lot of trees you forget about watching the sunset. But since moving here, we have been trying to take advantage of going to the local fishing pier to get a glimpse of the sun's goodbye at least once a week. The girls love seeing all the different colors and they are always looking for dolphins in the distance. One thing I have always wanted to do is to see the sunrise on the east coast of Florida and then watch the sunset on the west. These are a collection of shots from different trips to the pier.

Mother's Day

The Aluminum Nest celebrated Mother's Day with special guests. I was finishing up brunch preparations for Grandma when the girls and Grams spotted five manatees playing in the water. The most touching part of the visit was the mother manatee and young calf. Grandma did a great job getting some precious shots of the mama and baby together. They were rolling, splashing and chasing each other for about hour in front of the docks. It made me realize how special it is to be a mother and what a blessing children are. I hope your Mother's Day was filled with touching moments and celebrations for the special moms in your life.

Peepers the Duck

Feeding Peepers Oatmeal

The Bird asks questions

The Bird trying to pet Peepers

Peepers The Duck

 The girls are making friends in the neighborhood quickly. They noticed a little girl down river that likes to kayak and swim and they introduced themselves one day while she was paddling by. The other day she came by boat and she had brought her pet duckling, Peepers. The girls and I so enjoyed their visit. The duck followed them everywhere as they played in the yard.

Friends

Water for Peepers

Jules meets Peepers

Waiting for his "Mom"

Too Cute!