Now that my “puttering” buddies have rigged up my solar panel, I can capture ready kilowatts to power my computer here 20 miles deep in the Everglades in the Big Cypress National Preserve (
http://www.nps.gov/bicy/). I used to have to wait til I was in a motel, but now I can download and edit my digital captures of what nature has to show me right in my RV. Amazing stuff! It’s Feb. 4th, the day of Bear Island’s monsoon in 2006 when at least four inches of rain fell and put the camp ground under water except for a couple places, one of which was where my tent was. That was the seventh year of my tent camping here for the month of February, so I knew where the high spots were! No rain today, so I’m off on my morning walk. There seems to be a storm like that each year, here. As I drove from Islamorada, mile marker 82 in the Keys, a couple days ago to here, it poured rain by the bucket-full all day, but my nest in my slide-in camper will be dry and warm no matter what! I hope Mother Nature has gotten it out of her system. Nicely enough a chill did not follow and there’s no hawk out of the north to snatch the warmth away.
Now, my attention can concentrate on capturing nature’s displays. There’s a subtle pink glow of sunrise to the sky overhead as I trudge along Perocchi Grade Trail waiting to see what nature will show me today that most people will never see in a lifetime. This trail has showed me panthers and bobcats other years frequently. This year about two miles from the gate in a wet marshy area I saw several fresh water otters that were as big as German Sheppard dogs, but with short legs. They were as curious of me as I of them. They are so fast, in and out of the water, over there and over here, and if they’d wanted to take a piece out of me, they are quick enough to do it!
On up the trail deeper into Big Cypress is a big pool where Methuselah, the twelve foot alligator, used to hang out. He’s been replaced by several not quite as big. The stench of the decaying tilapia killed by the winter’s freeze keeps me moving. I see fresh “calling cards” of bobcats or maybe panthers, their droppings, but don’t see the actual beast, but I’m sure they saw me! I notice there is no thistle or other flowers, plus no butterflies; another result of the freeze. Just past there, one morning as a red-shouldered hawk’s call attracted my eyes, I saw an American Bittern, a very rare sighting for me. Then on another morning... I’ve never been this close before. Why is it happening now? I didn’t even know it was here! Standing motionless and blending into the surroundings on a decaying branch. I’m not sure what attracted me, but seeing this guy astounded me and whatever I was pursuing is forgotten. It’s only 10 feet away ... why hasn’t it fled my presence? As I stand here squeezing the shutter button, it has to hear the camera firing, I know it will make an outstanding photograph and an eye grabbing picture with the impact of a keeper. As I zoom in to take a head shot close up, I think I know why this photo op, “Kodak moment,” is being possible. It’s simple. I can feel it, too. The sun’s rays hitting my back and the feathers of the Snail Kite are delightfully warm. So pleasant that putting up with me being so close is immaterial to it. Birds have a normal body temperature of 106 degrees, so they really mind the cold more than humans, and this is an absolutely new experience. It has never been this cold for this long here. Being warm enough to survive is tantamount in their existence and many types of wildlife have not survived. The abundant sunshine of the moment is being savored by both of us and the Snail Kite is oblivious to me and its surroundings. The warmth of sunshine is more desirable than avoiding the risk presented by a picture taking human! Once in awhile I hear the screaming of limpkin, but I can’t photograph a sound.
On another morning as I slowly made my way along this trail examining the vegetation for movement, I was startled again to be so close. This time it was the zoomer, a snipe, only six feet away. The only other times I’ve seen it is when it’s flying about 60mph away from me! Wow! Again, it was enjoying nature’s warmth and I got the picture, another natural capture. I captured the limpkin, too, later. That photo and more are at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/o.c.fotoguy2009.
