Tag: adventures outdoors

milky way over camper
Star Gazing in Dark Sky Areas

Star Gazing in Dark Sky Areas

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Star Gazing in Dark Sky Areas, we have stopped in a little town that actually has some internet. So I am able to make a post of what I have been doing the last few nights. Most of you may know I like to be up early in the morning and I have mentioned I hardly ever see a sunset. (video below)

But, when you are in dark sky country, I have to make sure I have the energy to go outside at night so as not to miss seeing the beauty of the night skies.

This photo is the milky way over our camper. I love trying to photograph the milky way, my camera settings for these types of shots are. 15 sec ss, 17 mm lens, f 2.8, and Iso 6400. I find that Iso 6400 is a good start to bring out the most detail, it picks up more stars on this setting.

Star Gazing in Dark Sky Areas

Next, I love to photograph stars and create star trails as in the photos below. The more photos you take the more trails you create when you stack your photos on top of each other.

This photo below has 38 photos stacked on top each other, which is not quite enough to make a complete circle. Each shot is with a 15 sec shutter speed.

Star Gazing in Dark Sky Areas

This photo below has 109 photos stacked on top each other to create more of a circle.

This photo below is the milky way, but if you look to the right of the photo, you will see Elon Musk satellites passing by as well. The 9 lights in a row are satellites.

Time Lapse Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbows, Moon and Stars - Dark Sky Country Where the Noise Disappears

We are only in this little town for the weekend and we are heading back into darker sky country with no cell phone or internet for the next 11 days. So I will see you on the other side when we travel back out. Have a wonderful week.

Star Gazing in Dark Sky Areas

by Sandra J

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flock of ibis birds
We Have Moved On

We Have Moved On

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We have moved on from Alabama, but I still have some photos from that area that I will be sharing. We are headed west and here are a couple of photo of what will be coming up after I get done posting Alabama photos.

We came across a huge flock of Ibis birds. This is a new one to my list. I am now up to 110 birds photographed.

No Internet Coming Up

This duck is a Northern Shoveler, he was pretty far away so I did not get a clean photo of it. But very colorful.

No Internet Coming Up

Thank you again for all of you who view my photos and leave comments. I really appreciate it. If I don’t reply in the next 2 weeks, please accept my apologies. There are obviously area’s in the states with no internet here, even in the twentieth century.

We Have Moved On

by Sandra J

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egret bird on a post
For the Love of Birding

For the Love of Birding

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For the Love of Birding, one never knows exactly what one will see when out enjoying nature. When it comes to birding, the range of different compositions is unlimited.

Like this egret who is holding its own on a windy day, as the wind keeps ruffling its feathers. Looks like it has black stockings and yellow boots.

For the Love of Birding

Pelicans in a row, but what I like most is the bokeh lights in the background. Bokeh is one of the most popular subjects in photography. The reason why it is so popular, is because Bokeh makes photographs visually appealing, forcing us to focus our attention on a particular area of the image. The word comes from Japanese language, which literally translates as “blur”.

For the Love of Birding

On a humid day here in this photo, natural fog is surrounding this Cormorant bird giving it a natural vignette look to the photo.

I just love the brown pelicans, the photos always speak for themselves with these birds.

For the Love of Birding

by Sandra J

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the reddish egret
Portrait of the Reddish Egret

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

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Portrait of the Reddish Egret, such a beautiful bird I think. When I photograph birds I take a lot of photos at one time when I can. I put my camera on burst and hold the shutter button when the bird looks like it is in the right light and position. On average 1 or 2 photos out of 20 will be sharp, but the photos that excite me the most is when I come across one like below that looks like it is posing for the camera.

This is what I find most enjoyable about wildlife photography.

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

When I find just the right photo I will often turn it into a digital oil painting as well. My artistic side 🙂

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

by Sandra J

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alligator
Alligator and Turtles

Alligator and Turtles

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Alligator and Turtles, here at this small lake on Dauphin Island. There are lots of turtles who seem to not mind this alligator swimming right next to them. The folks that live here mention that there is just one alligator in this lake. I don’t know a lot about them, but maybe they are territorial so he wants the lake all to himself.

I placed a video below of this beautiful animal. We were standing on a dock above him and took these photos with a video on the one day he came out of hiding from the tall grass. It has been pretty cold here lately so he doesn’t come out unless it is warm outside.

Alligator and Turtles
Alligator and Turtles
Alligator Encounter - See This Alligator In Its Natural Habitat with a Lot of Turtles

Alligator and Turtles

by Sandra J

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sunrise over water
My Day Begins at Sunrise

My Day Begins at Sunrise

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My Day Begins at Sunrise for me, actually before sunrise. I am always up before the sunrises in anticipation for what is coming as the sun begins to warm the earth.

I watch the horizon, as if I am watching a movie in slow motion. The gorgeous colors of light dancing across the heavens. When you actually stop to see it, I mean really see it. You see its worth, its purpose and its power as the Light of the World.

Days Begin at Sunrise
Sunrise on Gulf, Slow Motion, Time Lapse Go Pro, From Above Drone Sunrise, Island Views, Relaxing

Have a Great Weekend.

Days Begin at Sunrise

by Sandra J

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shrimp boat
Heading Out to Sea

Heading Out to Sea

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Heading Out to Sea

Today we are traveling farther west, I scheduled this weeks post ahead of time because the campground we are going to said it does not have any internet available. So if you leave a comment and I don’t reply right away, that will be why. But I will get back to you when the internet is available again.

We have another spot coming up at the end of the month, that might not have internet either. Remember the days before internet, when we had to read the newspapers for news and I remember I would have to get the encyclopedia out to look up bird names and such. I do appreciate the convenience of the World Wide Web. 🙂

Heading Out to Sea
Heading Out to Sea

Heading Out to Sea

by Sandra J

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shrimp boats
Bayou La Batre Boats

Bayou La Batre Boats

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Bayou La Batre Boats originally known by the French name “Riviere d’Erbane,” the town was the first non-Indian settlement in what would become Mobile County, which at the time was in Spanish territory. It arose in 1786 on a 1,259-acre land grant from the Spanish government to French settler Joseph Bousage. oats

You can see the video for this post by clicking here; Bayou La Batre

Bayou La Batre Boats

 After the French took control of the area and installed a series of cannons (known as a battery) at the site, the settlement became known as “Riviere la Batterie” and finally as Bayou La Batre.

Bayou La Batre Boats

The town became part of the Mississippi Territory of the United States in 1811 and by the 1830s boasted its own hotel. It became a popular vacation spot after the Civil War for its location on the water. In 1906, a hurricane devastated the town and destroyed its tourist industry.

Bayou La Batre Boats

By the mid-1920s, the town began an economic comeback centered on the seafood industry, which remains a mainstay of the local economy today, as is shipbuilding.

Bayou La Batre Boats

by Sandra J

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shrimp boats
Shrimp Boats

Shrimp Boats

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Shrimp Boats If you have heard of Bayou La Batre, it may be because it was featured in the movie Forrest Gump when the lead character had the only shrimp trawler in this Alabama coastal town after a storm and he made huge amounts of money. It lies along the Mississippi Sound on the Gulf of Mexico in south Alabama.

We went there very early one morning and were surprised at all the colorful shrimp boats docked along the shore line. Beautiful reflections of each one.

Shrimp Boats

Starting in the 1970s through the early part of the 1990s, Bayou La Batre was the shrimp-trawler-building capital of the world, often turning out more than a trawler a day from a dozen shipyards. During the latter part of the 1990s and the early part of this decade, the business of building trawlers almost stopped in its tracks because of several economic reasons including overbuilding, cost of fuel, scarcity of boat financing and plummeting shrimp prices.

Some of the local builders turned to building offshore workboats with great success, while others divided up what fishing boat business was left. For example, Master Boat Builders built scores of fishing vessels until 2002 but only four since that time. Since 2002, over 50 OSVs have come out of that same yard and almost no other vessel type has.

Shrimp Boats

During the transformation away from shrimp trawlers, many types of commercial vessels emerged from the boatyards of Bayou La Batre including ships used in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. It was a combination of the skills of the boatbuilders of Steiner Shipyard and of the Walt Disney Company’s magicians that made realistic-looking period warships from small self-contained utility vessels.

Shrimp Boats

by Sandra J

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male cardinal
State Birds

State Birds

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State Birds, I mentioned a few days ago that we are doing some traveling this winter, trying to avoid winter. But it caught up to us, some snow and lots of ice that many people are experiencing here in the states.

But, during this ice storm as we are hunkered down in our RV, I had a wonderful surprise this morning as I open the shade on my window and saw these beautiful cardinals sitting in a tree. I have not seen a cardinal in months and let me tell you, they are wearing their brightest feathers this month.

State Birds

Below I picked a couple of my favorite cardinal photos from last summer. I also decided to try and take a picture of every state bird as we travel. Some I have already taken in other areas, but I will list them as we go.

The Cardinal is a state bird to; Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia and West Virginia.

State Birds
State Birds

Stay safe out there and have a great weekend.

State Birds

by Sandra J

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butterfly and yellow flowers
Winter Color in the South

Winter Color in the South

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Winter Color in the South, it has been getting colder even down here in the south. But on a sunny day you can still spot a butterfly or two with some yellow flowers strewn about.

Winter Color in the South
Winter Color in the South
Winter Color in the South
yellow daisies

Winter Color in the South

by Sandra J

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sunrise on the coast
In the Still of the Night

In the Still of the Night

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In the Still of the Night

Another King will leave traveling North back into the Mountains of no name to be with His Father. He leaves with Duty, Purpose, Honor and Courage. For you see he wears many faces, a Soldier a father a King.  And then, in the still of the night, when the Light is low in the heavens. Look up son, for I will call your name and you will return to Me. To stand with those who went before you. To rest in Me for eternity. 

In the Still of the Night

  Peace be with you Mark, I will forever remember the day I found your post with the simple words that caught my eyes.  The Rural Iowegian.  💕  There is no fear in the walls of faith.

In the Still of the Night

I started reading Marks post (the Rural Iowegian), back in 2019. He struggled with cancer for 509 days and recently went home to be with our Father. May he rest in peace for evermore.

In the Still of the Night

by Sandra J

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river of sunrise
Health Benefits of Sunlight

Health Benefits of Sunlight

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Health Benefits of Sunlight (Light)

Being in the sun generally makes people feel good, and there are many scientific reasons for this effect. I can attest to this theory. I worked in a factory most of my life, inside of 4 walls and no windows. But when I wasn’t at work I was outside, which works well with me being a photographer.

Take for example the two photos below, when I look at the first photo I see an ok picture, nothing to get excited over, for me.

Health Benefits of Sunlight

But look at the difference when the clouds started to clear up and the warm sun light started to bring the world around me to life. This is what excites me when I am out wandering in nature. It immediately gives me a warm feeling and lightens my mood.

Health Benefits of Sunlight

Some of the effects of being in the sun is exposure to UVB rays, which causes human skin to produce beta-endorphins, which are hormones that reduce pain. Their other benefits include:

  • promoting a sensation of well-being and improving mood
  • boosting the immune system
  • relieving pain
  • promoting relaxation
  • helping wounds heal
  • helping people feel more alert
  • reducing depression

Makes One wonder if we were not designed that way.

Darkness is always the antithesis of light Freedom Comes From the Light that is placed in our heart

  • bayou at sunrise

I am born again in the word, nobody taught me except the voice of the Creator within me.

Health Benefits of Sunlight

Let your dreams dance on the windowpanes of your Heart in the never-ending Light

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Health Benefits of Sunlight (Light)

by Sandra J

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drone photo of a beach
Looking Down at Us

Looking Down at Us

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Looking Down at Us – Tranquility does exist.  Off the beaten path, taking the road less traveled and returning to creation.  That is us down there on the left side of the photo. Husband takes care of the photos from above as I photograph from below.

A way to show any one that happens to see these photos that the beauty of creation still exist.

Looking Down at Us

I am the One who gave you hands to use your talents to create life around you.

Looking Down at Us

Looking Down at Us

by Sandra J

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egret in tall green grass
Nature Speaks to Us

Nature Speaks to Us

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Nature Speaks to Us Simplicity, beauty, purpose. That is what I see when I am in nature surrounded by the beauty of creation.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

Nature Speaks to Us
Nature Speaks to Us
Nature Speaks to Us

Nature Speaks to Us

by Sandra J

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pelican stretching its neck
Stretching Feels So Good

Stretching Feels So Good

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Stretching Feels So Good even for birds. I took this series of photos as I was watching these Brown Pelicans perched on post in the water. This one started to do a stretch and ended up looking like he was going to dive right into the water. But it was just a stretch.

Stretching Feels So Good
Stretching Feels So Good
Stretching Feels So Good

Stretching Feels So Good

by Sandra J

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flower portrait
What Will You do in 2022

What Will You do in 2022

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What Will You do in 2022, the world is an amazing place. What is your passion, mine is exploring the great outdoors. My grandfather inspired me to want to be outside all the time. He was an outdoors man. Back in the day when he had to hunt and fish to feed our family. I just always wanted to be with him no matter what he was doing.

So I am still like that today, indoors is just no fun. Fresh air and sunshine is very good medicine to take every day. I mentioned that we are skipping winter this year and this is what we are traveling in. A 28′ RV and we pull our jeep behind it so we can go exploring when we are parked somewhere. You can see my little dog in the window if you look close. Her favorite place to be when the sun comes shinning in.

What Will You do in 2022

We love trying to take the roads less traveled and there are plenty of them out there. Below is just one of the campgrounds we have stayed at. I look for the smaller ones when we can, they are cheaper and less crowded at times.

What Will You do in 2022

For me this is all created for us to enjoy and take care of. One does not always have to travel to see it, there is also beauty in our own backyards.

I made thee; go forth, a season to·to-give-birth-of

and·you, be-fruitful-you, and·increase-you, roam-you, in·the·earth

What Will You do in 2022

by Sandra J

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yellow daisies
After the Rain

After the Rain

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After the Rain here in the south the flowers come back to life even on the beaches. I want to say thank you to all of you that stop by to view my photos and read some of my words. I am not the best at writing but I have often said I like to let my photos speak for me. In a way that lets your imagination flow, a way for you to see a part of creation that is not always visible to all of us.

You may have noticed I have been posting photos from the southern states along the Gulf Coast for a few weeks now. Well, actually it has been since September. On September 30th 2021, I turned 60 years old and wanted to spend that day on the gulf coast which we did.

But, what I have not mentioned until now is that my husband and I have thought about this trip for some time now. We have been traveling for 5 months now and plan on skipping winter all together. I have always believed that life, for me, has never been on my timeline but on the creator’s timeline.

So this is the year that we are chasing 70 degree weather and so far it has been working out, is has been staying in the 70’s or less. The best part is not shoveling snow for the first time in my entire life.

Some may wonder how can one travel in times like this. It has always been my contention that the gaining of Knowledge cannot be decoupled from life experience which gives us a foundation of Wisdom. Simply put Common sense or the lack thereof of Common Sense determines one’s course or path in life.

Cognitive reasoning becomes distorted when we are given a daily dose of half truths to swallow in hopes of some redeeming value. Far to often in the realms of societal constraints imposed upon us, the daily rules and regulations, thousands of rules that regulate our everyday walk. We spend our waking hours in minute details of life.

The face of man kind is changing rapidly due to these effects. Society in large part has lost its bearings its common sense.

Opinions turn one into a thief to steal from others to maintain a feel good attitude.  A sense of superiority lording over others in a competitive spirit.

daisies

We can all have an opinion and facts have no basis in Reality because they don’t progress.  Truth lies in the opinion of the speaker and what he thinks. 

Progressions turn into distortions. We have lost respect for the construct of Creation and instead it becomes easier to explain life in what ever feels good at the time. Life becomes motionless at a standstill, you will decay, losing your bearings, your Nature in Creation.

If we leave our nature, the natural beauty that we are, we forget who we are and become someone else.

I see people creating life everyday around me. With their words and photos. Some will see the light some won’t that is just a fact of life. When your desire to live overrides what man told you on how to live. Your purpose in life might just be right in front of you. These are the thoughts that came to me by Creating my Vision.

After the Rain

Have a Wonderful Weekend.

After the Rain

by Sandra J

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osprey bird in flight
No Luck for That Osprey

No Luck for That Osprey

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No Luck for That Osprey, he did not get his fish, he came up out of the water empty handed. I did not get a shot because my camera was buffering. But next thing I saw was another osprey coming from my right side and it did have a fish in its talons.

Now this might be a sad photo for the fish. But it is nature doing what it is designed to do. Fish is the main diet to the Osprey and its talons are created exactly for what it needs to do to survive.

Included below is a video of a variety of birds I have photographed here on the Gulf Coast, including the Rare Reddish Egret and my camera settings that I use to go with some of the photos.

As the bird reaches for a fish, its outer front toe swivels to the rear, giving it two grasping talons front and back. Its long, slender, arched wings help the Osprey get clear of the water too, as it takes flight with the fish’s head facing the front—the most aerodynamically efficient position.

It is Lunch Time
Shutter Speed Settings - New Bird - Sting Rays - Cute Birds - Fish Eating Birds, Gulf Coast Wildlife

It is Lunch Time

by Sandra J

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osprey catching fish
Did He Get His Fish

Did He Get His Fish

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Did He Get His Fish? Well his head is out of the water as he tries to flap his wings to go air borne again.

Did He Get His Fish

He is almost out, the talons are right there.

The water is nice and clear on this day. I have to go, I am making dinner right now and it is boiling on the stove. 😉

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post.

Did He Get His Fish

by Sandra J

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osprey in a head dive
Fishing With an Osprey

Fishing With an Osprey

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Fishing With an Osprey, it hovers overhead looking for the fish of the day.

Fishing With an Osprey

It spotted the one it wants and off it goes.

Fishing With an Osprey

It gains speed as the wings tighten to its body.

Fishing With an Osprey

Talons are Out

And under the water it goes.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post to see if he caught his fish. 😉

Fishing With an Osprey

by Sandra J

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osprey bird
Sharp Hooked Claws

Sharp Hooked Claws

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Sharp Hooked Claws A bird’s talons are the sharp, hooked claws at the end of the toes. Birds have one talon on every toe, and they may differ in overall shape, curvature, and thickness depending on how the bird will use its talons and how worn individual talons may be.

Sharp Hooked Claws

I was walking along a pier and this beautiful Osprey was perched on a pole. It wasn’t to spooked as I got closer and closer so I was able to get a wonderful photo of this beautiful bird.

On tomorrow’s post I will show you this bird going into a head dive to catch a fish. It actually went full body into the water. I thought they just swooped down like an Eagle to get their fish.

Sharp Hooked Claws

Sharp Hooked Claws

by Sandra J

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pelican stretching its neck
Did You Hear

Did You Hear

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Did You Hear , One pelican is asking the others this question; ” Did you hear the saying that humans say about us?”

“No, what”?

They say; ” How beautiful is the pelican who’s bill holds more then their belly can”.

Did You Hear

Ba ha ha ha, ha, ha, ha,

Hmm, George seems to really like this joke 😉

Still laughing 😂

Have a great weekend.

Did You Hear

by Sandra J

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pelican stretching
Birds Can Make You Smile

Birds Can Make You Smile

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Birds Can Make You Smile, they sure do lighten my day and that is why I love birding. Not only is it a challenge at times but some photos you just can’t help but smile when you see their expressions.

The pelicans of course, if you can catch them while they are doing a stretch, makes it look like they are smiling.

Birds Can Make You Smile

Take this photo of the Reddish Egret, it looks so regal and beautiful the way it holds its head up and the feathers blowing in the wind.

But you take a photo with it looking right at the camera does make one smile. Taking a photo of a bird looking at the camera is usually a no no just like photographing a person looking right at the camera. You always want the person to have a bit of a profile look, as they turn their head slightly and chin up is usually the best way for people and birds.

reddish egret
  • reddish egret
  • reddish egret

I don’t know what this bird is below, but looking right at the camera makes it look like it has a lot of feathers on top of the head.

yellow bird

Birds Can Make You Smile

by Sandra J

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birds on a beach
New Bird at the Beach

New Bird at the Beach

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New Bird at the Beach, when we got to the end of the Pelican beach, I first noticed all the orange bills again. I knew I had stumbled across more Royal Terns. I had not seen any of them in days and here at the end of this long walk they are hanging out with gulls and pelicans.

But to my surprise after I got home and looked at the photos on the computer there is a new bird in the group. I did not see them when I was out there with them taking photos. I was quite far away from them, hence the blurry photos. But the birds with the black wings are Skimmers. A very unique looking bird with an orange and black bill.

New Bird at the Beach

The strange, uneven bill of the skimmer has a purpose: the bird flies low, with the long lower mandible plowing the water, snapping the bill shut when it contacts a fish. Strictly coastal in most areas of North America, Black Skimmers are often seen resting on sandbars and beaches.

It is hard to tell in my photo the bill so I will add a photo off of the internet so you can see it closer.

Unlike most birds, their eyes have vertical pupils, narrowed to slits to cut the glare of water and white sand. Flocks in flight may turn in unison, with synchronized beats of their long wings. The world’s three species of skimmers are sometimes placed in their own separate family, although they are clearly related to the terns.

New Bird at the Beach

New Bird at the Beach

by Sandra J

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mountain or beach
Mountain or a Beach

Mountain or a Beach

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Mountain or a Beach, a little fun with forced perspective photography. Sometimes you have to get down low to the ground and take your photos. It can give a new perspective on what you are looking at and lets the imagination think of a world that is beyond what is right in front of us.

When I see this photo it looks like a mountain range along a lake.

Mountain or a Beach

So this is what I imagine. I added a small person silhouette to give it my perspective. But picture him smaller and it will look like a mountain.

Mountain or a Beach

All it takes is One spoken word or written to change Ones world into a different perspective then what they have become used to.  Or One spoken word or written to destroy Ones world.

Mountain or a Beach

This is what it looks like from above.

drone shot of a beach

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 

Mountain or a Beach

by Sandra J

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Sandra J

Sandra J

I am a traveling photographer, I like to travel rural America, the roads less traveled when I can. I love the great outdoors, my Photo Galleries contain Landscapes, wild life and a few just for fun photos. Thank you and have a great day.

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