Adventure Photography and Photo Walks: 08/01/2011

Tuesday

Busy Bee Lawn and Garden Center

Macro Shooting! Flowers and possibly small critters? It was the perfect place to get something good for the monthly photo challenge FLOWERS/FLORA. The owners were nice enough to let the group in early so it was a great opportunity to shoot the colorful flowers with the morning dew. In addition to flowers, the facility sells colorful pottery and other garden supplies. It was a great opportunity to be creative!

"Friendly staff, lots to shoot, loved that we were there early enough while the sprinklers were watering the plants. Was told we should come back in fall to see the plants that flower during that time." -Janice Reynolds

"I'm a plant nut, loved it!" -Eileen Taylor

"Plenty to shoot...flowers, bees, pottery and grasses. Good time of the day." -Roger Sobkowiak

"The weather turned out perfectly, the Garden Center was filled with hundreds of different and unusual plants, many interesting and beautiful blossoms, colors, and arrangements to photograph." -Carolyn Shafer

"We had a great time with all the beautiful flowers to photograph and the other items there at the garden center. I found some flowers there that I had never heard of and learned a great deal. Wonderful trip." -Linda Kupstas

reat showing of our members! It was a great place to photograph the flowers. The owners were very nice and I think they also appreciated the purchases that we made although they said it wasn't necessary. Breakfast was nice as well I was pleasantly surprised that so many of us went to breakfast after." -J. Scott Kelly

Birding-Viera Wetlands

The wetlands are a popular site for birders, photographers, and eco-tourists. The entire wetland system is accessable by automobile, making the site popular among those who find the rigors of hiking trails and summer temperatures daunting. Even better, viewing the site from one's automobile serves to screen visitors from birds and widlife, enhancing the experience.

The perimeter of the wetlands central lake was seeded with native wildflowers in March 2007. This project was made possible through a grant from the Florida Wildflower Foundation with funds generated through the sale of wildflower license plates. A covered gazebo serves as a visitors information center overlooking the lake.

"Great weather - lots of bird activity. I recorded sightings of 30 bird species: Pied-billed Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Boat-tailed Grackle, Cormorant, Anhinga, Limpkin, Cattle Egret, Red-Winged Blackbird, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Tree Swallow, Black-crowned Night Heron, Least Bittern, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Sandhill Crane, Starling, Osprey, Savannah Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, Palm Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Tri-color Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Sora, Mockingbird" -Dawn Currie

"Beautiful area with a lot if different wildlife to photograph." -Janice Reynolds

"Lots of wildlife opportunities, many different birds and animals, excellent weather and a nice brunch afterwards....a good day." -Carolyn Shafer

"Viera was an enjoyable location! The weather was beautiful and we had the opportunity to photograph many different species of animals. I will go back to this area again soon. A big shout out and THANK YOU to Dawn Currie for forwarding to me information on the location. I also thank her for printing and providing detailed maps!!" -J. Scott Kelly

Wednesday

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands

This nature center is a great place to take photographs. There is a raised boardwalk that goes the whole way around the park (I think it is either 1/4 or 1/2 mile around) and there are many species of birds, gators, fish, bushes, trees, and everything else you can expect from a wetland area. It is open from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week.

"We were very lucky with the amount of different birds and the weather was perfect..." -Carolyn Shafer

"loved it!" -Louise Jones-Takata

"Beautiful area with tons of wildlife to photograph. I would definitely go back!" -Janice Reynolds

"We got there early and it was a beautiful morning! It was the first time for me being there and I found it quite relaxing walking and shooting from the board walk. The birds seemed very relaxed with the human element so close to them and it was a wonderful experience seeing the baby offspring in the nests as well. I would defiantly go there again." -J. Scott Kelly

Thursday

Tico Warbird 34th Annual Airshow

The Valiant Air Command held the 34th annual 3-day airshow. It was dedicated to the memory of "The Flying Tigers," and the 70th anniversary of their first combat mission in China. There will be some 75 vintage aircraft on display and flying in the show; great warbirds such as the B-25 Mitchell, P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, F-104 Starfighter, F-8 Crusader, Grumman Wildcat, Avenger, F-4U Corsair and more. Additionally, they have modern military jets flying and WWII re-enactors fighting mock battles, vendors, exhibits and displays. Rides available in vintage C-47 that actually flew in the Normandy invasion. There will be helicopter and bi-plane rides as well. There was plenty to do in the morning: USO-style entertainment, warbirds to photograph, combat pilots to talk to, vendors to visit and mock battles to watch.

"Lots of airplanes, many planes flying and on the ground, weather was perfect, sunny and warm. Large crowds, but plenty of parking, porta potties and concessions, very well done and organized." -Carolyn Shafer

"Perfect weather and even more performers than last year, including a B2 flyover. Who could ask for anything more?" -Dawn Currie

Friday

57th Annual Fellsmere Cracker Day Rodeo

Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Team Roping! Professional Cowboys and Cowgirls from around the State of Florida, as well as local favorites. This is a great arena to photograph because you can get right up to the fence and catch all of the action if you are brave enough! There are plenty of exciting events with different ages and skill levels to photograph. We enjoy this event every year!

"The weather started out iffy, but once the drizzling stopped the day and the lighting was perfect. The arena was small enought that the action stayed close and I was able to get my best rodeo shots yet!" -Eileen Taylor

"The weather was perfect, they had a record crowd and lots of action with cowboys and girls of all ages." -Carolyn Shafer

"It was great fun even though it was a small rodeo. People were having fun and families were having fun." -Anne Malsbary

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