Blog

Snowbird Run 2015

Circle B Bar Reserve excursion

Friday morning we got up early and I loaded the motorcycle up with camera gear and headed east to Circle B Bar Reserve.  I had to leave the dog behind as pets are not allowed.  I rolled out about an hour before sunrise thinking I would arrive long before the sun came up.  Uh . . .  Lakeland traffic is just about as bad as Brandon and it took me longer than I’d anticipated.  It was a chilly ride (Florida’s damp 45 degrees is like 30 degrees at home.) but since I brought my riding clothes along, I arrived with functioning fingers and toes.

When I arrived, only 3 vehicles were in the parking lot so I figured I was early enough to capture some wild life shots.  Not 100 yards out of the parking area I spied a large silhouetted bird in the thick of an old live oak tree. I grabbed the camera and looked closer and was pretty sure it was an eagle so I set up the tripod and began shooting some pictures.  I probably stood there for 30 minutes hoping that either the sun would climb high enough to properly light the bird or that he would take flight and I could capture him in all his glory.  He never moved out of the thick of the tree and the sun did not shed good light on him.  I had never walked that trail so in hopes it would wind around where I could get a better shot, I grabbed my gear and walked on.  Unfortunately the trail led away from the tree and I did not get a good photograph  But, I did get to stand and admire this symbol of our great country for a while.  Maybe next time.

I probably walked 5 miles all together and when I returned to the parking lot several hours later it was full.  Circle B Bar Reserve is a very popular place and rightfully so.  It is a wonder nature preserve that is free for the public to enjoy.

Here are a few shots from the visit.

Bald Eagle

Capturing a good shot of the eagle just wasn’t in the cards. It’s a good thing am not a bird photographer because I’d have to invest a small fortune in glass (lens) to do a proper job.

 

Searching for breakfast
Searching for breakfast
Southern Cuisine
Southern Cuisine
Enjoying that warm Florida sunshine
Enjoying that warm Florida sunshine
Shadow Puppets
Shadow Puppets
Baby sitting
Baby sitting
Turkey Vulture Toofer
Turkey Vulture Toofer
Browsing the breakfast buffet
Browsing the breakfast buffet

 

Snowbird Run 2015

Checked out Circle B Bar Reserve yesterday

Friends have told me about this remarkable nature reserve in Polk County near Lakeland and Winter Haven.  Yesterday I rode the motorcycle out there to check it out.

This is a fantastic piece of nature in the heart of Florida that is home to all kinds of wildlife. It is well maintained, has clean facilities, picnic area and a nature discover center where you can learn about the reserve and its wildlife.

Since I didn’t get there until late morning, I did not have the best light for photography.  I think the critters had also settled in by then.  I will to try to get back there close to sun up and see what kind of photographs I can capture.

Here are a few from yesterday’s exploration.

Group photo Black and White Knee Deep Contemplating Lunch Hunting Lurking

If you ever are in the area, Circle B Bar Reserve is a “Must”.  And if you live in the area and are not taking advantage of this remarkable place, you are truly missing something.

Snowbird Run 2015

Departing Fort White

I’ve been here a week now. Each day I hope for good sunlight (or at least sky clear enough to see the clouds) so I can shoot the springs at Ichetucknee. Unfortunately it has been gray and foggy or terribly overcast. I looked at this morning’s forecast and it is pretty much the same so we’ll be pressing south in a couple hours.
Regardless of weather or photography I have had time with one of my dearest friends. We have known each other since high school (maybe even junior high) and did a lot of crazy things together as kids (adults also). It has been great fun reliving our glory days.
So, I’m giving our next destination (Tampa Bay) warning. Lock up your whiskey and hide your daughters. I’m coming to town and I feel like a teenager again.
Ciao.

Snowbird Run 2015

Devil’s Millhopper

We went on a short excursion yesterday to the Devil’s Millhopper. Just north of Gainesville in the midst of north Florida’s sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest.

IMG_1162.JPG

 

It has has been years since I visited Devil’s Millhopper. I don’t recall this much water at the bottom then. It must have been a dry year.

Events

And we’re off

We slipped out of the mountains at 05:43 yesterday morning. It was New Year’s Eve. Atlanta posed no threat and we breezed through listening to a medley of Aerosmith tunes.
Shortly after noon (12:23 to be exact) we mixed in with a crowd of tourists and snuck across the border into Florida. By 15:00 we were in Ocala where we enjoyed dinner with friends and then enjoyed the new year celebrations.
I had planned to do some mechanical maintenance here in Ocala. I am driveway camping at a friend’s place. A friend who has several huge toolboxes full of fancy tools by the way. Using his tools, I changed the spark plugs and plug wires on the T.O.A.D. I’m not sure what VW’s engineers were thinking but it is pretty clear they thought one would never need to change the plugs.
Mission accomplished. While here, I can admire his 79 Corvette (with matching serial numbers) and the 27 Model T in his garage.

IMG_1264.JPG
HeyLeigh The Wonder Dog and me rolling down the road in the T.O.A.D. yesterday.

Events

Snowbird 2015 Run is about to start.

It won’t be long now. Dog and I are getting ready to begin our Snowbird 2015 run.
Stay tuned and we’ll keep you posted on where, who and perhaps why. As usual, pictures will be posted and may even be worth a word to two.
Cheers
Paul and HeyLeigh the Wonder Dog.

Rialta

We did a little test run today.

I wasn’t certain the T.O.A.D. would haul the Harley easily. So, today I loaded it up and went for a spin. I guess that 140 horsepower is adequate because we had no problem climbing some of the hills close by.
This means that I can bring the bike along when we do the Snowbird T.O.A.D. trip in a few weeks.

IMG_1249.JPG