Project 365 - May 13, 2023

 Early Morning at Flamingo Gardens

Strike a Pose

I can't even remember the last time that I went on a photoshoot. But thanks to my former teacher and now friend, Jeremiah, I accompanied his current class to Flamingo Gardens this morning. 

It was a stunningly beautiful spring morning. Although the temperature was in the 80s by 10am, there was a breeze and the humidity was fairly low so it was very comfortable walking around.

It was great to be challenged. My camera didn't want to work at first and I struggled with the settings because in manual mode, something was wrong and I couldn't get the light meter to work properly.  However, after a brief struggle and toggling between manual and program modes, I finally got the camera to comply. I do think that I am on borrowed time with this camera. it is now about 14 years old and has done a great job for me until now.

I haven't touched my camera in so long, I have been using my iPhone for all of my photos and videos.  Nothing wrong with that, but there are some things that are difficult to control, like camera speed and depth of field. Although I know that Andy would argue with me about that!

These images I made are the best of the bunch with only a bit of minor Photoshop.

Air Dried

Hanging Around

I Have My Eyes on You

Naptime

Portal

Royal Crest

Wild Weave

Wings

Project 365 - November 27, 2022

Spiritual Day

Starting with my morning walk and this lovely sunrise with mist cascading through the grass of the old golf course set the tone for my day. A very spiritual one. 

Lists. Yes. I always have my lists. And today was no exception. 

My goal was to get all the Halloween decor up into the attic and take down the Christmas decor. I did accomplish that and more. 

Throughout the day, I had music playing in the entire house. Sometimes it was classic rock and Beatles and sometimes it was acoustic guitar with poignant lyrics that spoke to me. Later when I got the house all decorated, I moved to holiday tunes. and now as I prepare to go to sleep, I have very peaceful piano music playing. 

I feel quite accomplished and feel like I have turned the page and started a new chapter in my life. It is exciting, scary and very interesting. More to follow in the coming weeks. But for now, I am at peace, I am happy and I can’t wait for Thursday when I fly to Indianapolis to see my daughter and her baby bump!!!

Project 365 - October 30, 2022

It’s a Heron Sunrise 

Along our morning walk this heron made a beautifully smooth landing on the top of this tree. We waited until he turned his head just so that could see the profile with a touch of the sunrise peeking up over the golf course. 

There were two more herons just out of the picture. But this one provided a much better composition. 

Project 365 - October 16, 2022

A Visit to Morikami Museum

Today was the continuation of my birthday celebration. What started out as a one-day event has now turned into a month-long event!  I don’t mind at all, especially since I turned 65 this year. 

I feel like it is time to celebrate every day that I wake up feeling good. There has been too much sadness in my life over the past two and a half years. Now is the time for me. 

After a perfectly lovely lunch with my really good friend, I was driving home and suddenly decided that it was time to stop at the Morikami. This would be the first time since I finished my grief, journal writing program at the museum. It really helped me and since it was a beautiful and a bit less humid day, why not?

These are my images. As I was entering the nature trail there was a wedding party coming off of the path. They looked so joyful and I congratulated them. 

I spent about an hour and a half walking the trails, staring into the water at the fish and turtles and then going onto a very lonely path where the solitude was glorious and the scents of nature completely overwhelmed me.  At the end of the walk I was so relaxed that I could have taken a nap. But instead, I turned on yoga music in the car and drove home silently reflecting on my day. 

Project 365 - September 17, 2022

Random Inverrary Wildlife

I never know what I will see when I am in and around my home in Inverrary. Yesterday, as I was about to pull into my driveway, I saw this beautiful heron sitting in the ficus tree that was just next to Adina's car.

I stopped my car, and then opened my window and moved very slowly to get my camera open. As I snapped, the heron took off giving me a nice wingspan shot.  Although it isn't a great photo, I like the feel of the movement.

This morning, when I was sitting on the screened-in porch with my neighbor having breakfast, I was about to take a photo of the three iguanas on the rooftop but I looked down and the sun was shining on this spider and spiderweb.  I usually have a hard time focusing on tiny creatures with my iPhone, but this time it worked.

Then I took another shot at the iguanas on my neighbor's roof.  Just a nice quiet Saturday morning.  Followed by an afternoon of cloudy skies and rain. But that is typical Florida.  If you don't like the weather, just stick around for about 15 minutes!

Project 365 - September 10, 2022

The Brilliant Colors of Sunrise

Today was an exceptionally warm and humid morning.  Probably because yesterday was a very rainy afternoon. I could barely see out of my window at work. But all of that moisture creates a lovely mist on the grass of the former nine-hole golf course.

These images make me think of sherbet and tangerines. 

Project 365 - August 21, 2022

Morning Walk

My best friend in the world came down to visit me for the weekend.  We have been friends since the fourth grade! So when we get together, the world melts away and it is like no time has ever passed at all.

Of course, we know, in reality, life has happened.  We are now parents of adult children. I am now a widow.  We both lost one of our pets, me -- this past December and she -- the other day.  

So, there was a lot to talk about.

Of course, in the middle of last week, just before she flew down, I was diagnosed with vertigo. Let me tell you, it is not fun. But, I am dealing with it with exercises and some medicine. But I still don't feel right.

However, yesterday and today, I felt good enough and steady enough to get up and walk.  So, Susan, Greg, and I did our morning walks!  It was extremely hot and humid, but I drank tons of water.

Then after our walk today, we made iced coffee and then headed out again.  My camera battery was dead so I used my iPhone and Susan used her camera. 

Then we spent most of the morning and early afternoon sitting in the kitchen editing our images and these are the result from my iPhone.