Two parks in one morning

On November 15, 2018October 22, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography6 Comments

A very hot morning at North Shore Park in downtown St. Petersburg. The beach was busy with volleyball players. On a Saturday morning you can find a lot of joggers and dog walkers on the sidewalk but not many people in the water. Since this is the bay, the water here is not nice but you can usually get a breeze.

Across the bay, you can just make out the energy plant with steam coming out.

After walking around at North Shore Park, I stopped by the Safety Harbor fishing pier before heading home. They have a new boardwalk that goes along the mangroves next to the pier. This small area is a little piece of Florida that hasn’t changed much over the years (with the exception of that big condo building going up next to the old Safety Harbor Hotel in that first shot).

SkyWatch Friday

Bright colors in late April

On July 24, 2018July 24, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

Things were in full bloom at Hollis Gardens in downtown Lakeland in late April.

Linking to Wednesday Around the World.

South Florida

On June 7, 2018May 19, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn Vacation5 Comments

Late afternoon on Hallandale Beach, north of Miami. A quick walk before dinner.

Things on the beach. The beach was littered with Portuguese man o’ wars. I would not want to come close to one of these in the water. They are known to have a painful sting.

Tile on the walkway and hibiscus near the parking lot.

Big boats are common along the inter-coastal waterway.

Heading home before crossing Alligator Alley.

Some parting shots from our quick trip to south Florida to visit Brett’s relatives.

SkyWatch Friday

Things in my yard and neighborhood

On August 29, 2016August 30, 2016 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography4 Comments

I went for an after dinner walk and found this duck family in the pond near my house. I’ve been seeing this pretty creme mallard for a while now. I saw the family recently and the babies were getting big. Sadly, there were only 4 left.

Frog on our downspout after a storm.

Saw this lizard next to our dock. This is the first one I’ve seen with a rust head. Can they really blend in that well?

Here’s the same creme mallard back in May. She was floating around behind our dock.

Curious blue jay.

Hibiscus poking through the fence.

I took this through the kitchen window.

Taken through the bedroom window, the juvenile night heron was creeping around our neighbor’s dock.

Our neighbor a few houses down has an almost dead palm tree in their backyard. I came home from work and saw the tree full of crows eating the berries (or are these nuts?). Taken directly into the sun.