Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Florida, Nature's Way...


What may be the opposite of Disney World (see previous post)? A weekend of primitive camping with family and friends, six miles deep into the Seminole State Forest. Not another human in sight,we camped in a stand of live oaks near a pine wood and a small pond. I saw more deer than people, and more pine warblers than cars. There was sign that at least one black near was near at night, but we never did spot one.

It was a bit cold for Florida -- 40ish at night. but our fire provided plenty of warmth. We could hear the occasional car from the road six miles to our south and a few planes overhead. Other than that the stillness and quite was amazing. Of course we made a bit of our own noise with a guitar at the campfire and a choir of smoke choked voices (cleansed with a pretty fine bottle of wine, or two, or three....)

The photo at right is the road in to our camp, roughly five mile from civilization. The one immediately below is the pine woods at about 3:00 p.m. as the autumn sun rides low... The rest speak for themselves, I think.

A Light in the Forest

A Pine Warbler making an effort to understand my attempt at bird sounds

My brother-in-law reading fireside

Well, it was the weekend of the Ohio State Michigan game, afterall...Go BUCKS!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Disney, My Way

I have mixed opinions about Walt Disney World and Epcot and their associated resort developments in central Florida. The naturalist in me, which is clearly the stronger part, mourns for the disastrous destruction of central Florida wetlands habitat on land that was virtually stolen from its owners and politically maneuvered into a public policy exempt tax district allowing the entertainment megalith to do as it pleased (and pleases). On the other hand I really like to see kids smile.

I attended a conference there this week -- and without actually entering any of the theme parks, decided to photograph Disney my way. No mice. No rodents of any kind. I wanted to find the art in the sprawl of buildings, fake waterways, and contrived money-sucking entertainment venues. 

Here's for starters -- will add more to this post over the next few days...


Palms and balconies reflected in the water between the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels

The Disney Dolphin, after dark

Real Bird, Fake Beach...

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Night in America

Short and sweet...
Here's to hope. The possibility of a better tomorrow.
I'm an American -- and there's nothing wrong with that.

Let the healing begin.