Feral in Florida: More than a catchy title, that describes yours truly in such a vastly different environment from my rugged and isolated stomping grounds. I made a visit to the Tampa...

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

More than a catchy title, that describes yours truly in such a vastly different environment from my rugged and isolated stomping grounds. I made a visit to the Tampa area six months ago and my resolve never to leave New Mexico only strengthened during this most recent trip. Since I drove myself there this time the temptation to flee was mighty, but again I was there to see a dear friend who needed some cheering up; I'm not sure I was the one for the job, but I stayed for the promised time frame.

Here is a handful of photos I took there. I was gone for nearly five weeks and only took 78 photos in the first place. I have learned that I simply do not care for beaches (or for seeing so many bodies with so little fabric to cover them). In this group is one rather bizarre beach image (from Fort de Soto Park) that I almost discarded because it was, for some reason, wildly overexposed, until I realized it sums up my feeling about being at a beach.

I will not attempt to show these in any order--there really was no order to my time there--but I can tell you that we visited numerous beaches on the Gulf as well as the mangroves along the Gandy Bridge, the Florida Botanic Gardens, something called Sawgrass Lake Park, a McGough Nature Park where to my delight they had an entire turtle section, and other places that ran together. I became so overwhelmed by all the traffic and people and constant chatter with no time for myself that I tended to concentrate on small scenes and details, which is one way to quiet my mind. We spent some time at the Heritage Village within the Botanic Gardens, which is where some of the old-timey images came from (the rocking chairs, the old church organ, the checkers game with bottle caps), and it was satisfying to feel that I was channeling my dad with his eye for the sometimes overlooked.

In a separate post I may share some cell phone photos from the trip; generally I had more fun with those. But we shall see. All that driving, at my advanced age with joint problems...I may be a while getting back to normal. I have, however, now that I'm home, been out to check on a couple of my trail cameras, but I can tell that I am now deficient in red blood cells.

Anyway, please enjoy this unremarkable offering from a tiny stretch of Florida's Gulf Coast (and by the way I am more drawn to its inland freshwater areas, with the opportunity to see snakes and gators). I know you will enjoy my beautiful canine friend.

(Download)

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

An example of your good eye and execution! An eclectic treat.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

UTMike wrote:

An example of your good eye and execution! An eclectic treat.

What a nice compliment. I thank you.

13 Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what

Nice shooting!!!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

13 wrote:

Nice shooting!!!

Thanks--I'm glad you enjoyed them.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Welcome back. Isn’t the air better here? I really enjoyed this set.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

NMGal wrote:

Welcome back. Isn’t the air better here? I really enjoyed this set.

The air is AIR here! And though I missed most of the fall color, I'm just glad to know it's fall. I can't believe I extended an already too hot summer by spending October in Florida!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

SWFeral wrote:

More than a catchy title, that describes yours truly in such a vastly different environment from my rugged and isolated stomping grounds. I made a visit to the Tampa area six months ago and my resolve never to leave New Mexico only strengthened during this most recent trip. Since I drove myself there this time the temptation to flee was mighty, but again I was there to see a dear friend who needed some cheering up; I'm not sure I was the one for the job, but I stayed for the promised time frame.

Here is a handful of photos I took there. I was gone for nearly five weeks and only took 78 photos in the first place. I have learned that I simply do not care for beaches (or for seeing so many bodies with so little fabric to cover them). In this group is one rather bizarre beach image (from Fort de Soto Park) that I almost discarded because it was, for some reason, wildly overexposed, until I realized it sums up my feeling about being at a beach.

I will not attempt to show these in any order--there really was no order to my time there--but I can tell you that we visited numerous beaches on the Gulf as well as the mangroves along the Gandy Bridge, the Florida Botanic Gardens, something called Sawgrass Lake Park, a McGough Nature Park where to my delight they had an entire turtle section, and other places that ran together. I became so overwhelmed by all the traffic and people and constant chatter with no time for myself that I tended to concentrate on small scenes and details, which is one way to quiet my mind. We spent some time at the Heritage Village within the Botanic Gardens, which is where some of the old-timey images came from (the rocking chairs, the old church organ, the checkers game with bottle caps), and it was satisfying to feel that I was channeling my dad with his eye for the sometimes overlooked.

In a separate post I may share some cell phone photos from the trip; generally I had more fun with those. But we shall see. All that driving, at my advanced age with joint problems...I may be a while getting back to normal. I have, however, now that I'm home, been out to check on a couple of my trail cameras, but I can tell that I am now deficient in red blood cells.

Anyway, please enjoy this unremarkable offering from a tiny stretch of Florida's Gulf Coast (and by the way I am more drawn to its inland freshwater areas, with the opportunity to see snakes and gators). I know you will enjoy my beautiful canine friend.

More than a catchy title, that describes yours tru... (show quote)

Great set!!!!

chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx

Nice set!

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

nice

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

UTMIKE said it all.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The beach scene is perfect! The overexposure makes me feel the hot, humid weather as if I were standing there, burning my feet on the sand

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

The images are ferally telling (the piano detail, noice!) and are commendable. What you wrote, though.... is where I hear (or see?) you. Yup squared.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'm afraid that's how I would feel also. But you got better pictures than I would have.

Wasabi

Glad to see you didn't leave your great eye for composition and subjects out in the arid SW. Great shots.