Osprey on the nest. Falmingo Campground, Everglades NP

Roy Halpin and I met another friend, Robert Hunt, yesterday for a brief exploration of the south end of Everglades National Park. The Falmingo area suffered greatly in Hurricane Andrew is has not been fully restored even yet. It was one of those days when it would have been easy to be disappointed, because not much seemed to be happening…the trails were muddy, and the mosquitoes thick…and we did not find any crocodiles at the Marina…but when we got back to the hotel and went through our images, it became apparent that we had indeed had a good day! We had several excellent photo-ops, including a healthy adult Eastern Diamonback Rattlesnake, a Red-shouldered Hawk on the ground hunting lizards, and this nest of Osprey. The nest was right in the middle of the Falmingo Campground, surrounded by campers in tents, so the birds were pretty calm. While we were there they were being photographed from 6 different angles :). They were still building the nest, or at least repairing it for the season, and the male flew out frequently and returned with sticks and twigs. It was fascinating to watch…and delightful to photograph. Along with about 30 shots of three different species of butterflies, some flight shots of American White Pelican, some scenic landscapes of the mangroves along the bay, the Rattlesnake, the hawk in the grass, etc…this nest made for actually quite a good day!

Roy and I were talking about it…how if you seize the highpoints of any day, and celebrate them…even an apparently disappointing day becomes something to rejoice in. And that is a great attitude to take into life…to make into a lifestyle and a worldview. And, on the spiritual side, it is certainly the only way to live. We need to seize the highpoints…those times when we feel both connected to the creator of all, and blessed by creative love…and fully celebrate and fully enjoy them. If we do, our lives, in hindsight, will be full of blessing…just as full as our day in Falmingo! And that is a good thing. Happy Sunday!