Tricolored Heron

This Tricolored Heron was created on my trip to Gatorland last Saturday. She was perched on her nest. I like the beautiful blue on her lores (the area from her eyes to her beak).

I also like the way her crest stands out and that alarmed look on her face. Her chicks were below screaming for her attention. If you've never watched chicks when they're hungry, you'd know how mean they are to their mothers. It's a wonder they stay and taken care of their young. All they do is peck at her (really hard) and pull at her for something to eat. The mother just sits patiently, ignoring them. A few minutes after this shot, she flew away to get them some food. It was amazing how fast they shut up as soon as she left. They're just like our babies who shut up the minute we pick them up.

If you like my photos, you can see more by visiting my web site at: http://LoyceHoodPhoto.com.

You are welcome to comment and/or critique my photo.

Loyce

Emu

I know it's been more than a week since I've posted anything new, but I've been busy shooting and editing.

This photo was made at Gatorland in Orlando last Saturday. I got really lucky on this shot. These birds are constantly on the move, so it took a lot of patience just to get him to cooperate long enough for me to capture him.

Gatorland is a place I hadn't visited in years, but I'm glad I did this time. It's amazing how much can change over time. We spent a lot of time in the marsh checking out all the roosting birds and of course, the gators. We opted for the photographers tour, which for an extra $7, we were allowed to stay after hours and had a park guide show us the best spots to photograph the gators and the birds. He even fed the gators while we shot photos. I came away with many keepers, some of which I could never have gotten on my own, since it's against the law to feed Alligators in Florida.

While all the editing is very time consuming, I'm happy with the amount of "keepers". It was definitely a trip worth taking.

If you like my photos and would like to see more, visit my website. It changes on a monthly basis, so be sure to come back often.

Loyce

Tampa Skyline

Saturday night, I went out with a group of photographers from my meetup group to photograph the Tampa skyline. You can find the group here.

There were 21 photographers in the group and we were all trying to capture the same photo. I wanted mine to be different, but it was the only view we had because we were all photographing from a narrow dock across the Hillsborough River; so I set my White Balance on my camera to tungsten. In my opinion, it worked out great.

Let me know what you think by posting your comment.

If you like my photos and would like to see more, please visit my website.

Loyce

"Globetrotter" Dragonfly

Actually, "Globetrotter" is a common name for the Wandering Glider Dragonfly. They get this name because they are the only dragonfly found worldwide, according to the National Audubon Society's Field Guide to Florida.

This guy was hanging around at the edge of the water just long enough for me to capture this shot. These particular dragonflies are nearly always flying. They are not known to stay very long in one spot.

I love their little faces. They always look like they're smiling.

If you like my photos and would like to see more, check out my website here. Comments and/or critiques are always appreciated.

Loyce

American Black Duck

This little American Black Duck was looking at me as if to say, "What are you looking at?" He or she was foraging in my yard under the bird feeder for any stray seeds. Usually, they take off when I come out, but this one and her/his mate stayed around for a while. A few of these ducks come back year after year to breed here on the lake.

The Moorhens, who are very territorial, chase them, but the ducks keep returning. Mostly they just fly off a little ways when the Moorhens start after them and the ducks keep coming back--much to my enjoyment. I don't like to see them fight, but it's interesting how such a little bird can get these ducks on the run.

It is so educational living here with all the wild life and birds. I've been here for a little over 2 years at this location and I've photographed more than 40 species and about 30 species with their young. I've learned so much about their habits by observing them. What a great place to live!

Your comments and/or critiques are always welcome and appreciated.

If you like my photos, bookmark this site or visit my website here.

Loyce

American Alligator with Plastic Bag in her Throat

I am so frustrated! This is what happens when we, as humans, litter. This poor American Alligator, who I'm pretty sure is pregnant has a plastic bag caught in her throat. I think she's pregnant because I've been watching her build a nest at the edge of my bank under some brush.

She's been laying at the bottom of my bank since this afternoon with that bag in her throat. At first I thought it was just next to her until she moved and it moved with her. Once I got a better look, I could tell it was half swallowed. I called the animal rescue people, and they told me that since it was getting dark, if she was still alive, they'd come out in the morning. It's so sad. It's now 11:30 pm and I just checked on her. She's still resting there in the same spot. When I talk to her she comes up on the bank a little closer to me, but there's no way I'm going to try to pull it out.

We all need to be more mindful of what we're doing to the environment when we carelessly throw our trash on the ground. Littering hurts. If it was in your pocket when it was full, what's the harm with carrying it back out the same way you brought it in and disposing of your litter in a proper receptacle. Pay attention to what we're doing to our wildlife and our environment, please!

UPDATE:
I spent the day today with the Animal Rescue team trying to lure her in so they could catch her. She's not afraid of me because she knows me and knows I won't hurt her. When I talk to her she comes closer, but as soon as she sees the rescue guy, she takes off back into the water and doesn't surface very soon. At least I know she's still alive. The rescue team said he'll keep coming back to check on her and hopefully he'll be able to catch her. Unfortunately, he thinks the only time he'll be able to get her is when she's half-dead and too weak to escape.

It's so sad. I was thinking of contacting the paper and giving them the story as an environmental issue. I'll see if they're interested in running it.

UPDATE 5/10/08:
I haven't seen her since the animal rescue guy said he'd keep trying to catch her. I'm thinking he must've got her because she hasn't turned up belly up and I've seen no vultures around. Alligators are creatures of habit, so I know she's not here. I could set my watch by her coming to my bank everyday at 3:00 pm for her sun and snooze. I miss seeing her, but I'm happy that I'm nearly convinced that she isn't dead. He must've saved her.

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Mother and Babies

We have two pair of Mottled Ducks that come back every year to breed and have their young. This is the first time the mother has taken them for a swim in the lake this spring.

It's always so exciting to see the new chicks. There are so many birds on the lake where I live and I always look forward to the spring when I can meet their young.

She looks so proud to be showing them off for all to see. The Mottled Ducks will be here for about 2 more months before they start to head back to where ever they came from.

I've lived here 2 1/2 years and this is the second clutch I've seen from this pair. They're so adorable, aren't they?

If you like my work and would like to see more of it, check out my website here.

White Flowers

Usually I tell you about what I've photographed. Today, I'm asking you to tell me.

I captured these flowers on a shrub just outside of the hospital where I work. I have quite a few books on wild flowers and garden flowers, but I haven't been able to identify this one.

Anyone have an idea what it is?

If you enjoy my blogs and my photos you can visit my website for more. It can be found here.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. Please leave a comment.

UPDATE: I found the name of the flower, it is a White Crepe Myrtle. Thanks, Larry, for your help.

Memorial Causeway Bridge, Clearwater, FL

This was taken during a meetup with my group. I decided to experiment with white balance settings on my camera. I used tungsten lighting for this one.

This site will look very different in a year or two. The city of Clearwater is planning to add slips in this area sometime in 2009. This is called progress?

If you enjoy my work, you can see more at my website. Just click on the title of this blog and it'll take you to my site.

Anhinga Drying his Wings

A view of an Anhinga drying his wings in Largo Central Nature Preserve and Park, Largo, FL.

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), soars often resembling a flying cross. Rests in trees or sticks over water; holds wings out to dry because they lack oil glands for water-proofing. Anhingas are caled "snakebirds" for their habit of swimming with just their neck and head showing. They stab fish in the side, then flip it up to swallow head first. They nest in small colonies, often with cormorants and herons. They can be found in freshwater marshes, swamps and rivers and are resident in Florida.

Wood Duck Couple

About a week ago, my friend, Kathy, who belongs to my Meetup Group (Florida State Photography Meetup Group), and I went to Lowrey Park Zoo in Tampa for the afternoon.

There were so many things to capture there, I could've stayed a lot longer, but, we had to get home before rush hour.

Kathy and I are both passionate about photographing nature. This pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) can be found anywhere from Brittish Columbia south to CA, and from Montana east to Nova Scotia and south to TX and Florida. They are absent in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. They winter near the Pacific Coast north to Washington, and to New Jersey in the East. They rarely go further north.

Their habitat is in wooded rivers and ponds, wooded swamps and they visit freshwater marshes in late summer and fall. They nest in cavities, which enable them to breed in areas lacking suitable ground cover. The young leave the nest soon after hatching, jumping from the nesting cavity to the ground or water. Once out of the nest, they travel through wooded ponds with their mother. Snapping turtles take a heavy toll of the young.

I was thrilled to capture this couple. This is the time of year that they form pairs and begin to look for nesting sites.

Anhinga

This Anhinga looks surprised, but actually, he's preening. He was just about to grab his feathers on his lower neck.

Anhingas (Anhinga anhinga), soar often resembling a flying cross. They rest in trees or on sticks over water; holding their wings out to dry because they lack oil glands for water-proofing.

Anhingas are caled "snakebirds" for their habit of swimming with just their neck and head showing above the water. They stab fish in the side, swim to a log to bang it against the log to kill it, then flip it up to swallow head first.

Anhingas nest in small colonies, often with cormorants and herons. They can be found in freshwater marshes, swamps and rivers and are resident in Florida.

I found him while on a meetup with my Meetup Group. You can see more photos from this meetup by checking out this link: Florida State Photography Meetup Group,

I organize this group and we have 166 members. We go out a minimum of twice a month (most of the time more) to photograph events, nature (at nature parks), architecture, etc. Usually, there is an average of 12 people that go out together. As a matter of fact, tonight, 8 of us are going out to photograph the lunar eclipse. It ought to be fun and challenging. By going out with a group, we can share tips and techniques and learn from one another. It's one way to feel safe in this day an age, when it could be dangerous to go out alone to desolate areas with all our photo gear. If you live in the Tampa Bay area, and are interested in photography, or would like to learn to take better photos--or just want to have fun, check out the link and consider joining us. Everyone at every skill level is welcome.

If you've enjoyed this post, and would like to see more of my work, check out my website at Loyce Hood Photo.

Banana Trees

When I moved into this house a year ago September, there was 1 small banana tree near the bank at the edge of the property. The tree kept sending little shoots and before I knew it, there were 5 trees.

The first one flowered about 6 months ago, and produced close to 40 lbs. of bananas. I ate so many, I threw my Potassium levels out of whack. It couldn't be helped, they were soooo good.

Bananas aren't really trees. They're herbaceous perennials that grow from corms (or pseudobulbs). Thick, fleshy stalks (pseudostems) emerge from the large corms and can increase in height anywhere from 1-30 ft. in a year, depending on the selection and location. Each stalk carries spectacular broad, 5-9 ft. long leaves. Each also produces a single flower cluster, which develops fruit; the stalk dies after fruiting, and new stalks then grow from the corm.

There are now 5 stalks. This photo is the latest harvest--it, too, is close to 40 lbs. There are two more bunches of bananas coming out. These bananas taste a bit more sweet than the ones found in the grocery stores, and they have a slight bite to them, but they're 100% organic. Once removed from the stalk, they take about a week to ripen, then they all ripen within a few days of one another.

If you've enjoyed my blog and photos, please visit my website at http://loycehoodphoto.com.

American Alligator

If you read my blog yesterday, you'd have seen a closeup of this 'gator. This spot, at the bottom of the bank in my back yard, seems to be his preferred spot for his afternoon nap. I can see him most every day around 3:00 pm.

This one is fairly young, probably only about 4 1/2 - 5 ft in length. I think he's getting used to me, because he doesn't bother to move when I snap his picture.

Poor thing is missing his front leg; but seems to do fine without it.

American Alligator

American Alligator

I found this guy snoozing on my lawn. He must've been pretty tired, because my camera or my movement didn't wake him up.

In Florida, we cohabitate with 'Gators. They're very afraid of people, so when they see us, they usually make a quick get-a-way. Once in a while, due to people feeding them, they loose they're fear of people. This is a terrible injustice to the 'Gators, since they are then considered a nuisance Alligator and they're usually shot. People need to understand that these creatures know how to get their own food, and they we shouldn't interfere with nature.

Alligators are normally quite docile; but can become aggressive when people come up quickly on them, or when people are near the nest.

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiens) Alligators hibernate to the muddy wallows in cooler months in Northern Florida. They can be found in ponds, swamps, rivers, freshwater and brackish marshes, mangroves, canals and occasionally in the ocean. They are resident in Florida.

Downtown Tampa From the UT Campus

This is only one of many beautiful views of downtown Tampa that can be seen from the University of Tampa campus.

The buildings, from left to right are, the Sykes building, the Bank of America building and the Regions Bank buildings.

Arch Detail

Arch detail and reflections in window of Regions Bank, which is in downtown Tampa. The University of Tampa campus is one of the preferred places to create "out of the box" images of downtown Tampa.

These arches are over the main doors in Plant Hall at the University of Tampa.

Backside Plant Hall, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL

This is another image from Plant Hall at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. This building is so ornate it's hard to know what to shoot. It shows detail of some of the Gingerbread design that was so popular in the Victorian age.

Plant Hall, University of Tampa

This is one of the many porches on the backside of this amazing building. I've been there twice now, and still haven't been able to capture everything there is to photograph.

The University of Tampa campus is one of the most amazing campuses I've ever seen. The architecture appears to be a combination of Russian and Victorian, yet it also resembles Middle East architecture.

If you're ever in the Tampa area, this is one place to put on your list to see.

Minarets Atop Plant Hall at University of Tampa

Well, it's been a while since I've updated my blog. I've been on an extended vacation.

This photo of the Moorish minarets atop Plant Hall at the University of Tampa is only a small part of the beauty of this campus. I went there about two weeks ago and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the beauty of this place.

Plant Hall was once the old Tampa Bay Hotel. "On June 14, 1898 Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and the first United States Volunteer Calvary, known as the Rough Riders, embarked from Port Tampa for victory in the Spanish-American War: The Tampa Bay Hotel was used as headquarters for general officers who came to organize an invasion force for Cuba , and it gained national attention. Lt. Col. Roosevelt and his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, were hotel guests for a brief stay. Later, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States 1901-1909." - as stated on a plaque in front of the entrance to Plant Hall.

As you can see it is only fitting that this beautiful building is now used as one of the main buildings on the University of Tampa campus.