It IS Actually Winter

Posted By on January 18, 2016

I overheard someone say today that if winter wasn’t going to show up by December, it just shouldn’t bother. And, though it has been colder, it was pretty chilly for Tampa. It was nice, though, with a balmy breeze, low humidity. Like a nice Ohio fall day.

Beautiful clouds on a clear blue sky.
Beautiful clouds on a clear blue sky. How can I not photograph such a sky?

This heron huddled against the gusts of wind. I took this photo from dozens of feet away. The great white heron is one of the more skittish birds. If I approach within about 30 feet, he flies off. Blue said that in the afternoon, while I was out, one of them came up to the patio and peaceably walked around. I was pleased at this as I want the wildlife to feel the appropriate ownership of the land.

The great white heron huddled against the wind.
The great white heron huddled against the wind.

A wood stork returned, too, Blue said. Then I got home and walked across the back lawn, not paying attention. He flew across the water and perched, unconcernedly. Then, overconfident, I tried to get closer, and he took off. I can hardly ever photograph a bird in flight. Their movement is entrancing, and I am simply not quick enough to compensate.

Great white heron across the water, far up in the tree top.
Great white heron across the water, far up in the tree top.

In the evening, I saw a heron, way up in the tree tops, above the shadow line. I like to think he was making sure to get the full sun for as long as possible. Here, in the backyard, they are usually much closer to the ground. So that speck up there is the bird, also below.

Great white heron
Great white heron
Great white heron surveying its domain.
Great white heron surveying its domain.

I looked further up, and there was the moon. It always surprises me to see the moon in the daytime. It isn’t rare, so why it should be surprising, I don’t know. Nature surprises me. It is why I enjoy it, I suppose. I never expect it.

A moon in the afternoon sky
A moon in the afternoon sky
A parasitic vine on a maple tree with the afternoon sky's reflection.
A parasitic vine on a maple tree with the afternoon sky’s reflection.
Vine leaf on bark
Vine leaf on bark. I wonder what vine this is. It clung to the oak tree on the water’s edge.
The bird I believe to be an Eastern phoebe. He spent a bit of time hunting in the grass and near the water's edge and then posed picturesquely among the naked branches.
The bird I believe to be an Eastern phoebe. He spent a bit of time hunting in the grass and near the water’s edge and then posed picturesquely amid the naked branches.
  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
  • Taken: 18 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 129mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Shutter speed: 1/400s