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I am not sure where you would launch a kayak, maybe from the only house in this photo. Can you find it? This would be a great place to explore. West of Burnt Store Lakes in Punta Gorda, FL are mangrove islands edging Charlotte Harbor. In the far off distance you can barely see Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve which is technically part of Boca Grande. This image from a drone flight. https://youtu.be/cH_RmA15QFc  DJI Mini, 4mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec, ISO 100
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Looking north along the Tamiami Trail (Route 41) into Charlotte County. Beyond the Prairie land. In the distance, on the left is the great Charlotte County Landfill. It has been know to create small dust storms and a smell worse than death. It is home to vast quantities of buzzards. To the right of the highway and beyond the prairie is a surface mining operation which digs vast areas for the ultimate goal of creating concrete. Leaving behind holes that eventually fill with water, an odd colored water rich in nutrients and not the good kind..  DJI Mavic, 4mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec, ISO 100
A real beauty! Webb Lake in Charlotte County, FL was created by man dredging the area for fill for Interstate 75. Biologists designed suitable water depths and sloping edges to provide wildlife. It stretches 5 miles north to south with paved access along one side. Boating and kayaking is permitted. No gas engines however.  Nikon Z6, FTZ, 17-35mm, 17mm, 1/80 sec, f/22, ISO 100; Merged Panorama
I always thought this was a common gecko, but I now believe it is a brown anole, in this case a female. These guys are plentiful here in Florida, but they are actually new to the area arriving here from Cuba or a nearby island. They are quite happy here. Beware, they are ferocious stalkers and avid hunters with lightning reflexes, and they can change colors a bit. With little suctions on their feet, they can climb on anything including glass. We befriend them because they eat little bugs, spiders and worms. They are good to have around. Prehistoric no doubt. Fun to watch the males court the ladies.  Nikon D610, Tamron 150-600mm, 500mm, F/6.3, 1/45 sec, ISO 800
There is something timeless in this picture. Subjective, I know, but I can see the Cisco Kid or Wild Bill Cody or maybe the Lone Ranger riding into frame. The scraggly old trees add the backdrop and a perch for the buzzards which were flying over head when this photo was taken. It could have been taken in the high desert in Arizona or Nevada. Proof that It is just as much fun developing pictures as it is taking them.  Nikon Z6, FTZ, 17-35mm, 32mm, 1/1500 sec, f/5, ISO 100
Half of what you see is the Galt Preserve is a 265 acre parcel purchased by Lee County Florida between 2002 and 2007 for $4.4 million. The invasive plant melaleuca was removed and it is now mesic flatwoods and a mangrove swamp bordering Pine Island Sound. It is home to many birds including a nesting pair of bald eagles as well as racoons, opossum, bobcats, alligators and turkey vultures. What a gift we have in the preserves of Lee County Parks & Recreation Conservation 20/20 program land management plan. The northern portion is agricultural land owned by King Ranch of Fort Myers owning 100 acres just north of Galt Preserve.  DJI Mini FC7203, 4mm, f/2.8, 1/1250 sec, ISO 100
This is a turkey vulture. We have a lot of them in southwest Florida. Can locate decaying flesh of dead animals by odor: Unlike most birds, has a well-developed sense of smell. But it sure is ugly. Photo taken at Powell Creek Filter Marsh, another Lee County Division of Natural Resources property.  Nikon D610, Tamron 150-600mm, 600mm, f/6.3, 1/125 sec, ISO 100
This is a man-made water filter in Lee County. Water from Pop Ash Creek is pumped into a filter marsh structure which is surrounded by rocks providing aeration and it then percolates through the marsh plants taking out excess nutrients, metals and suspended solids. This marsh, which spans 307 acres, was dug with sloping sides and a deeper hole in the middle. Fish and frogs can gather in the deep waters during dry season and wading birds, alligators, otters, opossums, foxes, wolves, raccoons, deer and turtles can easily approach from all sides. As far as I am concerned, this is $1,561,846 of well spent money. Bravo Lee County! "Take only pictures and leave only footprints".  Nikon Z6, FTZ with 17-35mm, 17mm, 1/80 sec, f/11 ISO 100
A live oak is awesome and majestic. It's reach is as wide as it is tall. It allows just enough light through its canopy for some ground brush, but not too much for fear that something might interfere. Its bark is weathered and aged, but its leaves are young and full of life. Why do they call it a live oak? Because as soon as it drops its leaves in winter, new leaves are ready to take center stage leaving the live oak in full dress all year long.  Nikon Z6, FTZ with 17-35 mm, 17mm, 1/60 sec, f/13 ISO 100
Sunset is an extraordinary time. People come from far and wide to witness the grandeur. They bring camera's, chairs, cocktails, friends and loved ones. I think birds often do the same. Normally flying in groups, but sometimes alone, the pelican floats in air, barely moving a feather. They appreciate the end of a long day in the magic light of sunset.  Nikon Z6, FTZ with 17-35mm, 1/160 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400
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June 2020
CategoriesI am Robert McKay Jones, a photographer from Sterling, Massachusetts and North Fort Myers, FL. I take photographs almost every day. I post my favorites here. |
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