Photo Journal

The Welcome Party

Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.

John Muir

A female boat-tailed grackle in the park where I walked, singing or screeching (depending on your point of view)

hopping around,

and looking for little scraps of food. She was unbothered by my camera and fun to watch.

The first iguana I saw since arriving in Miami Beach- ran up a palm tree beside my balcony. If I hadn’t seen him do it, I might not have seen him at all. His colors blend so well with the tree.

A fish crow contemplates the grass at South Point Park.

A little iguana I’m calling Ignatius perched himself on the top of a palm branch right next to my balcony - he’s been keeping me quiet company almost since I got here.

A beautiful little starling landed on the peak of a house across the alley, singing its heart out.

Ignatius pokes his head from the palm leaves yesterday - giving me a curious (or suspicious) look.

Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.

William Shakespeare

I am always a little nervous about what I’ll find when I come back to Miami. I worry that the people I know won’t be here or that construction projects may have altered the places I know and love. I am sometimes afraid that I won’t find anything new to photograph, and that my photos will become repetitious. This time was no different, but the first morning, when I walked out to watch sunrise, I saw a friend. Then on the beach, I saw another friend. Then, I took my camera out and started noticing the animals. I felt like they were welcoming me, too. I hope you enjoy the photos. I enjoyed taking them!

Thank you so much for being here!

P.S. My technical problems were mostly resolved thanks to my husband, Tom. The new hard drive that I’m storing my photos on got corrupted and he recovered everything and repaired the drive; so… whew!

It has been surprisingly overcast and rainy most of the time I’ve been here so far, but on Tuesday this week we had a beautiful sunrise. This picture was taken overlooking the jetty next to South Point Pier, where some native plants are growing in a protected area.

Wild Neighborhood

Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.

John Muir

I’ve had so many animal visitors, and chance encounters right in the neighborhood lately. I try not to move too quickly, and sometimes I get lucky. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

The Dove, on silver pinions, winged her peaceful way.

James Montgomery

I saw this dove sitting on the fence while I was walking, so pretty against the blue sky. Just as I took the photo, she lifted her wings to fly away. I thought I might have missed her, but I was really lucky.

Mourning Dove

With wind ruffled feathers,

a mourning dove

lands on the lamppost-

singing a gentle,

faraway song.

(listen)

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Mourning Doves like to land on the electrical post in the alley behind my apartment. I love not only to sit and listen to their calls; but to watch as they do it. The entire throat expands - and it almost appears as if the sound comes directly from there; they don’t open their bills. It is the male who makes the long mournful cry; a call to woo a female. Far away and longingly sweet.

On another afternoon, a little squirrel climbed onto the balcony wall, and hesitated… looking at me, then looking away, then moving a little, then looking back…and I did pretty much the same, with my camera. Mutual curiosity.

There are so many big sea birds here; it’s easy to forget the little tree birds; but this bright yellow palm warbler stood out against the concrete stairs in the park when I was walking there.

The iguana on the left is getting pretty bold - it was walking along the balcony wall one afternoon - right behind our planters. The one on the right is a little more cautious - hiding in the palm tree, trying to be inconspicuous.

A white Ibis hops onto the park fence as I pass, another lucky photo. It flew away after I got only this one picture.

Nature surrounds us, from parks and backyards to streets and alleyways. Next time you go out for a walk, tread gently and remember that we are both inhabitants and stewards of nature in our neighbourhoods. ~ David Suzuki

And here’s a little moment of zen. Hope you have a wonderful week. Thank you for being here.