Cardinal, Love Bugs and Swamp

[Chip]

Some miscellaneous shots from a trip to May to Lettuce Lake Park, a place that's proven to be a great spot for wildlife shots.

Cardinal 1:



Cardinal 2 (same bird, different branch, worse light):



Love Bug Paradise:



Inlet to Lettuce Lake:



I hope this last shot gives some context for the type of environment that makes up one part of Lettuce Lake Park. Lettuce Lake adjoins the Hillsborough River, which in turn is Tampa's main source of drinking water. In April, this part of the park was bone dry. With all the rain we had in May, the inlet filled up, and (at least) alligators, kayakers, great white egrets and tri-colored herons returned to this inlet.

Thanks for looking.

[tingeliM]

cardinals are such pretty birds! We don't have 'em in Finland (not that I know of...).

[FoG]

I love the second bird shot and the river one so so tranquil ! lol at the bugs sooo many eewww! but nice captures and lovely set

[beachcomber]

Four stunning pictures, excellent work throughout and I can't pick a favourite although I do like the final one woth it's a winding water and exquisit reflections although I'm not struck on the alligators bit

beach

[Fred flyfisher]

Thanks Chip. Before now, I never knew there was such a thing as love bugs. Other than Herbie anyway. Beautiful pics on all accounts. I'm so glad you guuys are not in drought. It would be nice if the rain would just spread out a little eh? I really like the last one the best... So serene. It just looks "fishy" too. TNX!

[Chewys Dad]

What a Beautiful Set! Love the Cardinals, I'd really like to see one of your love bugs in a Macro shot! The last one is Beautiful! I'd love to be in my Kayak paddling through there!
Thanks for Sharing these
Michael.

[tycooder]

All great shots but that 1st one of the Cardinal is an incrdible capture thanks for sharing

[leonaashlee]

Nice shots of the cardinals...beats mine for sure. I really like the last shot as well....the bugs are interesting..never heard of them.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by tingeliM

cardinals are such pretty birds! We don't have 'em in Finland (not that I know of...).

Thanks, tingeliM - They are pretty, aren't they?

Originally Posted by FoG

I love the second bird shot and the river one so so tranquil ! lol at the bugs sooo many eewww! but nice captures and lovely set

Thank you, FoG. Much appreciated. Love bugs aren't so bad - they were fun to catch when I was a kid.

Originally Posted by beachcomber

Four stunning pictures, excellent work throughout and I can't pick a favourite although I do like the final one woth it's a winding water and exquisit reflections although I'm not struck on the alligators bit

beach

beach - Thanks! Alligators (from what I understand) just want to be left alone. They really aren't a threat to people, as long as the people are in canoes, kayaks, etc. Trust me.

Originally Posted by Fred flyfisher

Thanks Chip. Before now, I never knew there was such a thing as love bugs. Other than Herbie anyway. Beautiful pics on all accounts. I'm so glad you guuys are not in drought. It would be nice if the rain would just spread out a little eh? I really like the last one the best... So serene. It just looks "fishy" too. TNX!

Fred - Glad you had your first encounter with love bugs! I didn't know they were regional until I looked them up. As for the drought, we were in the midst of a 3-year one until the beginning of May. It wasn't pretty. Then, the rains started coming more frequently, and we seem to be out of the drought pattern . . . at least for the short term. Thanks for the comments.

Originally Posted by Chewys Dad

What a Beautiful Set! Love the Cardinals, I'd really like to see one of your love bugs in a Macro shot! The last one is Beautiful! I'd love to be in my Kayak paddling through there!
Thanks for Sharing these
Michael.

Michael - Thank you. There are lots of places like this in Florida, and many outfitters who rent kayaks and canoes.

Originally Posted by tycooder

All great shots but that 1st one of the Cardinal is an incrdible capture thanks for sharing

Thanks!

Originally Posted by leonaashlee

Nice shots of the cardinals...beats mine for sure. I really like the last shot as well....the bugs are interesting..never heard of them.

Thank you. These love bugs neither sting nor bite. The only real problem I'm aware of is large numbers of them splattering on your car - very bad for the paint if they're allowed to stay on too long.

[MrsWall]

KurtWall and I went to Disney a couple of years ago...we were right in time for the love bug love-in. It was...umm...ewwww!