Peggy C's photos with the keyword: glistening ripples

from elevated lookout point on the dock .. searches for supper .. good thing, too .. because (not in the photo, yet) slowly came the lurking gator .. SOOC © All rights reserved

nice to look at ... but, that's it .. not very sturdy looking .. but - many stories have seeped into the fibers of the wood slats ... © All rights reserved Tried to straighten this, but lost the bench legs -- figured it wasn't worth it..

benchenistas .. benchismos ... Benches of the World .. seeking benches from .. all corners of the Earth ! © All Rights Reserved

- may you have a beautiful - even if a bit blustery - day ! cropped/framed/signed in: www.picmonkey.com © All Rights Reserved

Juvenile Tri-colored heron (if my research is correct) .. feel free to let me know ! have no idea what the splash to left of this waterbird is .. too small for a gator .. but, it spooked this guy & he took off in the next frame ! no enhancement or cropping .. © All rights reserved

perhaps some of my Friends can answer .. this Egret is different from the others posted .. his feathers don't seem as breeding plumage .. don't see the yellow stripe on his legs .. have looked in Google and Univ. of Florida sites trying to figure out why he looks like this .. the left side of his head almost looks caved in .. but, I don't know ... it may be something simple .. IF any of you have answers, please let me know.. he is just so sad looking ... will post other views of same Egret .. Thank you ! SOOC Explore 10 Sept. 2010 # 438 © All rights reserved

two waterbirds looking for dinner .. a Great Blue in the marshy grasses .. on shore, a Wood Stork .. all waterbirds in Florida are protected .. the Wood Stork (from pages read on the internet) seems to be quite low in numbers .. but, there are many, many of them here .. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - From SouthWest Florida Water Management District (SwiftMud) "The wood stork is a large, long-legged wading bird that is white with a gray-black featherless head. It is listed as an endangered species by government agencies. This is because disruptions and loss of wetland areas important to its feeding and breeding have reduced the number of stork in Florida. Because of its distinctive black, featherless head, the wood stork is sometimes called "ironhead." The wood stork's tail and the tips of its wings also are black. These birds use their large bills to search shallow waters and wetlands for fish. They do this by holding their bills open and sweeping them from side to side as they walk through the water. The moment the bird feels the fish against its beak, it grabs and swallows it. In fact, the closing of a wood stork's beak is considered one of the fastest movements in the animal kingdom! Nesting is timed with the cycle of the wetlands. During the drier months, larger wetland areas dry up and become smaller wet areas. The fish that once swam throughout the larger wetland areas become concentrated and trapped in these smaller areas. The wood storks take advantage of this "concentration" to feast on the trapped fish and carry back food to their young at the nest. A pair of wood storks need about 440 lbs. of fish in one breeding season to feed themselves and their young! In times of drought, wood storks often fail to breed or raise young." -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- - SOOC © All rights reserved

.. Another Link in the Chain - linking a croc to a gator .. both are reptiles with lots of teeth! as many photos as I've enjoyed capturing, this is the 1st gator ... out in the lake looking for supper like all the other creatures .. quietly skimming the lake .. a prehistoric creature in modern days ... this is a Real Lurker ! #35 Project 52 group

not a feather moving .. watching for supper fo come along .. then, zap! the Egret was in this position for quite awhile .. then decided to try another area .. such an elegant bird .. SOOC © All rights reserved #36 Project 52 group

the waterbird, on the right, seems to be headed in the direction of his own bench... wonder if the folks who put the bench there to watch the sun set, know that it really is for a white two-legged creature ? ©SD All Rights Reserved