January 2011 Photo of the Month Contest - post entries here

[Runmede]

Originally Posted by havalotta

Ti's a rare shot that places the viewer into a setting.
Attachment 22005
Giving one the feeling of being there..... looking out.

Where is this taken? Just curious. It doesn't look like January in Michigan.

[havalotta]

Oooo Pretty one Sage..Looks like he just got done preening himself.

Runmede..You are correct. It was NOT taken in Michigan. Oh how quickly one forgets... (maybe you didn't take notice) I was in Florida not long ago.
Where it was WARM! Oh how I long for summer but the rest time is well appreciated... as well.

[Runmede]

It was actually in the 40s here today. A real shock after weather below freezing. Time always go slow in the winter. I can't wait for warmer weather. It is nice seeing pictures of warmer areas. Thanks.

[havalotta]

A huge blizzard has me yearning for the the tropical regions

where the Hibiscus thrive.

[bridget1964]

Originally Posted by Sage

Another visit to Sanibel's Ding Darling~ I think we should have a WG meet-up here next winter, but if any of you can still get here this winter, we'd love to meet up with you!

Here's an enticement - a Great Egret~ Also in the shot was a Snowy Egret which I cropped out. It will be the subject of its own shot!

Attachment 22072

Sage,
Ding Darling is in my top three favorite wildlife refuges! I will definitely come there for a WG meet-up any day of the year! Oh man, I am so jealous!

I applied for a teaching job on the island about ten years ago. They don't pay much in Florida, but it would have been worth it living in that beautiful place!

Only problem is: John dislikes Florida, really anyplace that doesn't have four seasons. I'd probably have to come by myself.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by bridget1964

...John dislikes Florida, really anyplace that doesn't have four seasons.

We visited Florida once, and I had fun, but can't imagine living there. As much as I complain about winter, I'm with John...I want my three season--er, I guess I mean four.

I just wish winter were only two weeks long.

[Sage]

havalotta, beeyoootiful hibiscus! That's one of the great things about Florida...it's always colorful!

bridget, maybe you need to take John to Sanibel! What's not to love? We've been to Ding Darling twice this month! Tomorrow we check Osprey nests on Fort Myers Beach and Bonita.

dapjwy, there is quite a range of climates in Florida plus wildlife, birds, things always blooming, coastline to enjoy! I did live here for twenty years, 70s-90s, and would move back in a heartbeat! Now we just escape Buffalo winters by staying in this gorgeous place where we can go out exploring nature every day.

[bridget1964]

Sage,
I have told him about Sanibel many times, but he is difficult sometimes. You know how men can be!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Sage

dapjwy, there is quite a range of climates in Florida plus wildlife, birds, things always blooming, coastline to enjoy! I did live here for twenty years, 70s-90s, and would move back in a heartbeat! Now we just escape Buffalo winters by staying in this gorgeous place where we can go out exploring nature every day.

Aside from visiting Disney and the Universal parks, Jeff and I went to a nature preserve or two, but hardly explored the whole state. I guess I'm used to the seasonal changes here, and I'm familiar with many of the trees and flowers. I'd hate to have to learn a whole new set of them--same thing if I moved to the West Coast.

Buffalo winters must be a bit worse than what we deal with here.

[Sage]

Alligator today at Myakka River State Park