Went to Riverbend Park yesterday evening to test out a new travel camera, the Sony HX20V. I like to have a backup point-and-shoot for situations where a DLSR isn't practical, or for when I am trying to save room in the carry on luggage! So far the little Sony does not disappoint- I am amazed at the quality and zoom for such a tiny camera.

Some test shots in the yard first. The macro works well!





At Riverbend park.



Young red-shouldered hawks





Whistling ducks



Baby barred owls





In other news, started my LAST CLASS of the MBA program today!!!

When I visited north-central Florida a few weeks ago, I attended a plant identification course that took place in a state park just outside of Daytona Beach. The session was very informative but what made it really awesome was the amount of snakes seen during a relatively short walk.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake







This was the first rattlesnake of the day. There was also a yellow rat snake climbing up a nearby tree but I didn't get a good photo.

Black Racer further up the path



The second pygmy of the day was much more cryptic.



Their coloration provides excellent camouflage in the shadowy leaf litter of the forest floor.



The last pygmy was found in the remnants of an old home site.



In other news, we had our first Painted Bunting visit the yard, which was exciting.



And, only one more class until the MBA is finished! Counting down the days until graduation in June!!!

Been traveling for work for the past few weeks but I managed to take a quick break to see Discovery's final flight last week.

Getting ready to go





Morning of the flight.



Quick photo-op.



T-38 takeoff.



Ready for take off.





Final flyover before heading to Washington DC.









It was an awe-inspiring, yet bittersweet experience. Very surreal to be surrounded by thousands of people that all fell silent as soon as the shuttle came into view. The bus ride back to Kennedy Space Center after the final flyover was also eerily quiet, punctuated by the occasional sniffle. It is very sad to think of this incredible machine mouldering away in a museum. The shuttles have been flying longer than I have been alive, so it is a strange thing to realize that they will never fly again. But I consider myself fortunate to have been there to see one of the last launches in 2010, and also to have seen Discovery off to its new home.

I recently returned to Sedona for a couple of days. It was a sorely needed break from the madness that is work and school! I was physically and mentally refreshed by my visit. The scenery is stunning and there are many excellent restaurants in the area.

The hike to the Devil's bridge.











Devil's Bridge.









View from below.









Red Rock State Park

Lots of Waxwings at Riverbend this weekend:







Saw 2 Red-Headed woodpeckers too. I had thought these rare in South Florida, but this is the second time seeing them at Riverbend, and a birdwatcher there told me that she sees them quite frequently at the park.



Chomp.



Turkeys strutting their stuff.



Green Anole



Lots of cardinals about.



Irises in bloom.

Today there were two male Ruby-throated hummingbirds fighting over the Coral Bean flowers in the front garden.







I checked my blog archives to see when they arrived last year and it was much later, in mid April. The photos I took last year were of a female. It feels like summer out there and the flowers are already in bloom so I am not surprised that they are early this year.

Yesterday marked birthday number 30 for me. Things have been a bit rough lately and neither us were up to a big celebration, so we kept things pretty mellow. In the morning we went out for a nice walk, followed by a quiet lunch at one of my favorite restaurants.

Lots of amphibians out and about, it was nice to see so many native green tree frogs







We saw a family of raccoons. This young one crept across in front of us in "stealth" mode



The deer have shed their antlers. Got a glimpse of this one feeding in between the trees.





Photogenic skink







This morning the birds assembled at the feeder.

Happy Valentines Day to All!

Only three more classes until the MBA is finished! Well, three more classes plus a concurrent research/thesis project. I've got big plans for when it is finished, including relaunching this blog and perhaps starting a second blog to discuss my newly found interest in cooking. It will be wonderful to have free time to do things again.

This little cardinal has taken up residence on our patio. It is nice to see her each day when I get home.

I was out and about the other day and noticed this hawk fly down and pounce on something. It flew back to its perch with something in its beak. It was not until I got the pictures up on the screen that I realized it was a grasshopper. Don't think I have ever seen a red-shouldered hawk eat an insect before!



Anyway you may not see me very much for the next four months but I will be thinking of you all and looking forward to getting out and taking pictures again!

Friendly Barred Owl at Riverbend last weekend:





Rich recently bought a new camera so we have been going different places for him to test it out. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary provided some easy subjects, such as this bald eagle that cannot be released due to a damaged wing.









Another good place to test out a camera is Green Cay wetlands in Delray beach. I have ranted about the rude people there before, but I think the problem is getting worse. I had some uncoordinated power walkers blunder into me while snapping a photo. While you're not being physically assaulted, its a great place for experimenting with photography since the birds are close and abundant, but don't expect peaceful enjoyment of nature.

White ibis with hapless leopard frog





Most folks breeze on by and never notice the little Sora rails



I was lucky enough to catch a brown water snake in the background!













Just before the fight



We are back to 80 degree weather here. I hope it does not signal the end of cooler winter temperatures, but at the same time I am glad there has not been a hard freeze this year. Let's hope we make it through March!

Because the cold weather hit us late this year, the plants are all confused. We have ended up with "Autumn in January"

Loxahatchee River



Posh armadillo



Lots of eagle activity at the swamp.



Get outta my airspace!



The Carolina Wrens are singing territorial songs.



Face in the tree.



Deer are easier to spot since the trees are defoliating.