The Burning Bush

I happened to catch this beautiful image while I was in the Collage park area. I'm so glad I decided to walk instead of drive.

Big Tree Park and Wekiva Springs

Freddy and I spontaneously planned to visit some local parks while we were stuck working the early morning shift at Starbucks. Later that same day I had a camera full of great photos. I love it when a plan falls together.

Our first stop was Big Tree Park. I was on the boardwalk and I looked over the side to see a shallow pool of water. It captured the reflection of the trees above it and became this shimmering natural tapestry.

This is The Senator - a 3,500 year old Cyprus tree. It is one of the oldest trees on the planet. Up until now I had no idea that I was living so close to it. I wasn't even able to stand far enough away to get the top of the tree in the shot. 

This is the top of the tree - 118 feet in the air.

Freddy and his friend Elena. 

We were lucky enough to spot a wild king snake. 

On the way out of the park I couldn't help but notice this wooden railing. It looks like a monkey sticking its tongue out at me. 

Marya, Freddy's girlfriend, was able to join us at Wekiva Springs.

At one point I looked up to see a banana spider so large that it created a five foot web between two trees. 

A beautiful display in the clouds as the sun sets over Wekiva Springs.

Power Lines

I was sitting with John at this warehouse downtown trying to come up with ideas for dying fabric. He went to go grab some bottles and I happened to gaze up at the sky as a flock of crows flew overhead.

I was interested in how the power lines created the frame work of the composition and I focused on them as the subject matter. I came up with a very modern shot set against the sleepy purples of a dusk sky. An elegantly simple representation of civilization and communication. 

Salt

When it comes to working with DRIP we love to experiment with unusual materials. One such material is salt. We dyed it for a pervious show and decided to play with it during a recent rehearsal. The object was to discover how many unique ways we could use it while having as much fun as possible.

Streak

I was walking out of Publix one day when I saw this in the sky.

It was like something was casting a shadow across the heavens. It wasn't smoke from an aircraft, it was more like some of the atmosphere was actually removed. I'm not sure what the cause of this event was, but it certainly made for a unique photograph.

The Sea Bird Sanctuary

On a recent trip to Indian Shores I was able to go to The Sea Bird Sanctuary. It is a rescue center for injured birds. It is unique in that it is a mostly outdoor facility that is home to hundreds of recovering birds. In addition to the captive animals the sanctuary also attracts a great deal of wild birds who seem to be visiting loved ones.

All the elements mix together for a lively experience. The birds seem unaffected by the human traffic and their chatter fills the air. I had been many times before with my family and it is a place I always enjoy visiting when I go home.

A Brown Pelican. 

I caught this little guy looking straight up at me through the mesh fence. 

This is a large Black Vulture - one of the wild birds that roams freely through the sanctuary. He was playing with the leaf in the middle of the path until I began to walk towards him. He abandoned the leaf in favor of inspecting me. 

This is a close up shot of a White Pelican. I love how the streaming sunlight illuminated the interior structure of her pouch. 

Another close up of the White Pelican. I wanted to focus on her pale blue eyes. I can't help but think about how closely she may resemble a pterodactyl. 

A very proud Red-Shouldered Hawk. 

This beauty is a Red-Tailed Hawk and she seemed quite happy to pose for me. 

Such striking features. It was very inspiring to be so close to such a powerful bird.

Leaf

At one point I found myself at the foot if the stairs of my apartment complex. I had my camera with me and I just sat in the grass grabbing anything of interest within arms reach. I found a leaf with a hole near the top right corner. I held the leaf in my hand and raised it up toward the tree before me. I let the hole in the leaf match up with the sunlight coming through the multitude of leaves in the tree and I was able to capture this shot.