Famous Photographer sighting II

First, a big Thank You to the Sandy Nykerk Helpline for talking me through my photoshop issue. I highly recommend this service to anyone.

We ran itno Don Jones (from Troy, Montana) down here last week. (Unlike Milo, Don Jones still needs two names to be recognized). We shot together at Anhinga Trail and Shark Valley for a few days, and went out to dinner one night. If I meet any more photograpic royalty on this trip I don’t know what I’m going to do.

We’re at Ft. Meyers now after spending a couple days at Corkscrew Swamp. Corkscrew is an Audobon preserve that protects the largest remaining stand of old growth cypress. It wasn’t too productive photowise, but it was neat to walk their 2.5 mile boardwalk and see the old trees.

There’s lots to do at Ft. Meyers (Ding Darling, Harns Marsh, Bunche Beach, Six-Mile Slough, Estero Lagoon) so that I’m plenty busy in the mornings and afternoon. Alice has been biking and hitting balls at the driving range. No rat stories here as we’ve got a very good campground. Besides, with Barry questioning my resolve in the face of the rodent, I probably won’t reeport any more incidents. All I’ve got to worry about here are giant spoonbills.

It was 40 degrees when I was out photographing snail kites yeaterday morning’ and its raining today. But I’m tough…

I’m happy (relieved is more like it) that Alice got to watch the Olympic figure skating at the rec center at the CG. Tonight we have to watch the hockey finals with a bunch of French-Canadians.

Monday we head to Myakka River SP and begin heading north along the west coast of Florida. We’re a little behind, but are still planning on making it over to Lousiana.

Homestead in the Rear View Mirror

It’s been awhile since we’ve been in wifi range, so there’s lots to tell.

Got the camera back today. They sent it to Montana instead of here, and the two-day express has turned into ten, but I’ve finally got two cameras again. The camera we bought to replace it is newer than my version of PS, so I’ve been able to download but not process my images from the Everglades and Dry Tortugas. The next time we get access to the internet I’ll have to get that squared away.
We left the Everglades after eight days. The exotic Burmese Pythons have done quite a number on the local fauna here. Bobcats, deer, raccoons, skunks are all noticeably down and even a number of Florida panthers have disappeared down the gullet of the python. I wonder how come ranchers aren’t complaining about them.

One day after shooting at the Anhinga Trail I came back to the car finding it buried under a pile of vultures. It looked like a carcass. They stripped the wiper blades and most of the other available rubber. It’s a learning experience.  When I get things squared away with the computer, I”ll post a picture of them enjoying their late afternoon snack.  Evidence for the insurance company?

The Dry Tortugas were the highlight of the trip so far. We camped out there and got a chance to see frigate birds, sooty terns, skimmers and a variety other seabirds. The tern colony had about 10,000 birds with more coming in every day. The sun rises directly behind he colony so there were good images.  Ft. Jefferson was interesting as well. The 2nd largest masonry structure in the world, it was built prior to the Civil War. and was occupied by the Union as part of the successful blockade of the South.

We came back a day early because they were predicting gale force winds and the boats wouldn’t be running. We had a rough trip back (big waves) and were glad we came the decision to leave the (not so) Dry Tortugas  with 45 degree temps, heavy rain and high winds.  But is some place definitely worth a return trip.

Not so the rest of the Keys. That was pretty much of a hassle. It didn’t help that it was a holiday weekend and there were no campsites. We didn”t have a place to park the trailer while we were camping so we took a condo on Big Pine Key.   The owner said we could leave the camper there so we decided to stay there again upon our return. We were watching the Olympics last night when a rat walked out from under the couch. Alice went ballistic and screamed all the time I was trying to set up the tripod. I could barely concentrate on focusing. Needless to say we spent the night in the camper and got a refund this morning.

So tomorrow we gladly leave the Homestead area behind and had for Shark Valley and the west coast. We’ve been here about two weeks and a lot of it has been a hassle so  . . . good riddance. 

The Glades

Well, we’ve spent a week in the Everglades – three nights in Homestead, two in Flamingo and three in Long Pine. It’s been fun, but the photographe has been pretty marginal. Just not many birds around. We’ve done a couple hikes, and some bike rides. The mosquitoes in Flamingo were pretty fierce, but they’re not bad in other places. Anhinga rail hasn’t been too bad – lots of gators and a few birds. We’ll go back to Homestead and try to find a CG with a TV for the game. Heading down the Keys on Monday.

A Month on the Road

The "Cramper" Home Sweet Home!

The Shooter

Alice tested the kayak for "tippyness" Verdict . . . it is!

Well, we have survived a month and after the last two days that is saying something!!!!!  We just stayed in the campground from hell.  Driving in I told Pete I am just not sure about this place.  It almost looked like a refugee camp.  While I went to the restroom and realized my intuitions were correct … Pete signed his up for two days!  Yikes!  We were told by a fellow camper that the handicapped restroom was the cleanest and when we checked it out wondered what standard they were using.  We spent the entire day  Sundain Everglades National Park and at a movie to avoid going back.  This morning  I went online to see who I could report this to and was shocked this campground is run by Florida City!!!!!  Get me into a national park and quick!!!!  We will spend the rest of the week (until the Super Bowl) camping in the park.  This is good because I am finding Homestead/Florida City depressing.