Thursday, January 2, 2014

Happy New Year!!!

And 2014 is here already! Over this past month, I was very happy to take a few trips to the wetlands and spend some time away from the hectic daily pace.


As I walked along a section closed to vehicles, I came across this River Otter frolicking in the dirt. With a giant grin, I quickly sat down to watch one of my favorite, playful wetland dwellers in action.



Some dirt + some sun= one happy otter!!!


One day as I was pulling into the Click Ponds, I caught a glimpse of this beautiful Bald Eagle flying straight towards me! And then I realized that my camera was still zipped up securely in the camera bag....I did manage to get it out in time for one quick, somewhat blurry shot as the eagle passed.


 After a low pass of the ponds waters, sending the pond occupants scattering in mutliple directions, the eagle landed nearby on a utility pole. I soon thought to my self if the eagle is looking up, perhaps I should be too.


Sure enough, the eagle's mate was circling and soon the pair departed together.


And, yes it's that time of the year again...






While I do miss having different seasons in Florida, it is fun to still come across butterflies in December. Following this rapidly fluttering little blue, I assumed it was a Ceraunus Blue, as most little blues I come across are. I was excited to discover it was actually a similiar species, the Cassius Blue. Both species are teeny, tiny (wingspan 15-25 mm) with violet blue (inner) wing coloring.



I was able to capture a few photos (my first of this species) and the tiny butterrfly disappeared. As I was attempting to relocate it, I came across the more common Ceraunus Blue.


New Years is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the feeling of a new beginning, writing resolutions and goals for the new year...I wish you the very best in the 2014...


My your coming year
be filled with
magic and dreams
and good madness.
I hope you read some fine books
and kiss someone
who you think is wonderful
And don't forget to make some art
write or draw
or build or sing 
or live only as you can.
And I hope, somewhere in the next year,
you surprise yourself.
~Neil Gaiman

28 comments:

  1. Tammy, as always, your photos are absolutely stunning! It is with great delight that this is the first blog I am reading this morning with my hot cup of coffee cupped in my hands, my eyes still trying to wake up, my head still a little foggy. What a wonderful way to begin a brand new day! Happy New Year to you! I so look forward to more of your inspiring posts.

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  2. If this is the first post of 2014 them i sure am excited to see what the rest of the year brings.
    Excellent series of photos, i especially love the one of the female baldie circling.
    Hapy new year Tammy

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  3. Very nice photo's Tammy..... a great post to start in this new year.

    Wish you a fantastic 2014.....with nice photo moments.

    Greetings, Joop

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  5. dit is heerlijk genieten wat is dit mooi Tammy geweldig om zo het jaar te beginnen.een heel fijn fotojaar gewenst. cobie en bas.

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  6. What a beautiful pictures Tammy, a very good start as of 2014.
    Especially the bald eagle.
    I wish you and all your loved ones a happy and healthy New Year.
    Best regards, Irma

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  7. Happy New Year Tammy! Great posting. I love those Blues ... I will look for them on my next trip!

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  8. gorgeous butterflies. always awesome heron shots. love that you got to see the eagles. but the otter just made me smile. :)

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  9. Happy New Year to you. I wouldn't mind a 'blurry' shot like that Tammy.

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  10. Great post- hard to believe the herons are working on nests already! I'm glad to know you'll have some baby heron shots in the future...

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  11. Great shoots :)

    Happy New Year :)

    Greets from Polnad :)

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  12. Frohes Neues Jahr wünsche, ich tolle Bilder von dem Reiher und auch die anderen sehr schön.

    Gruß
    Noke

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  13. Hola Tammy echaba en falta tus fotografias y tus magnificos reportajes,esta vez subes a una especie que aqui en España se ve muy poco,la Nutria de rio y tu la has sacado de lujo com siempre.Un fuerte abrazo y que este nuevo año te porte mucha felicidad.

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  14. Oh what a delight it is to view your happy otter photographs. They really are a joy to observe. The Great Blue Heron nest shots are truly a work of art. Love the Bald Eagles, too. It's always a pleasure to visit your beautiful blog. Your posts certainly brighten my day. Warm wishes for a healthy, happy New Year to you and your family!

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  15. Tammy, these are all awesome shots. What a treat to see the otter! That would make my day! Love the eagle and heron shots. Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  16. Hapy new year Tammy.
    Greetings from Spain.

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  17. Preciosas imágenes Tammy. Feliz año 2014 desde Extremadura

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  18. Tammy, these are breathtaking! Those Great Blue Herons are amazing on that huge nest! Tammy, I changed my blog to Wordpress. My new URL address is: http://thetropicalfloweringzone.com
    Have a great New Year with your family and loved ones.

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  19. Hi Tammy,
    Lovely photos my favorites are the otter.
    Happy New Year to you and your beloved ones
    /Ingemar

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  20. Beautiful images, Happy New Year to you too Tammy :-)

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  21. Such a lovely post Tammy!
    Many thanks for sweet wishes (I love the madness part... I won't forget!),
    mine in return!
    May 2014 bring you all the happiness possible, good health and plenty of great pic opportunities!
    How lucky you got otters!
    Brilliant photos!
    Your blues are different from ours!
    We have a few in France but to manage a pic is extremely difficult and... lucky!
    Cheers, keep well!

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  22. Hi Tammy, as always your images are gorgeous.
    The Otter is so cute, the Eagles look regal, and the Great Blue Herons breeding plumage is absolutely breathtaking.

    Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year :) xo

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  23. Hi Tammy, I remember looking at your Heron pics last year, OMG does time fly, in the mean time you haven't lost your touch, as you have turned out another awsome set of pics. Love the Eagle, and the Otter, and of course the Herons, great.
    Take care and all the best for 2014, Gordon.

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  24. Great shots of the otters and I see a great pic of the eagle.. Good job as always. Happy New Year!

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  25. Hi Tammy !
    Magnificante pictures of the otter and the eagle !
    Happy new year to you !

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  26. These are all excellent shots. Eagles, otters, owls and butterflys, that's enough to keep you busy for a while!

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  27. Hi Tammy.. Wonderful pictures to celebrate the new year.. Best wishes to you and your family.. :-)))

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I greatly appreciate your comments!