Dredge At Sunset

Dredge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

More than once I have been told by mentors that "in the right light even a garbage can can make a great photo". Sooo....why not a dredge in the "right " light?

Idle Speed

Idle Speed two, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Found on the upper reaches of the Loxahtchee River where rather shallow twists and turns take one deeper into the wilderness, a "No Wake" posting. I'm sure that there is a portion of the boating population that requires such a reminder.... :)

Turtle Release

Turtle Release, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Melba the turtle heads home: Melba hit the sand running and never looked back as the hard working volunteers at Loggerhead Marine Center smiled at yet another successful rescue/rehab/release story. Good job, gang!

The Photographer

The Photographer, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Perhaps it's cosmic...seems like every where I go this beautiful photographer appears in my view finder. Life is Good.

Loggerhead Marine Center

Release, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Turtle release: Another healthy patient is sent home after a successful hospital stay! The Loggerhead Marine Center located in Juno Beach is a caring rehab center for injured sea turtles. A return to the sea is always a big celebration, tagged turtles can be tracked via the center's website.

Down The Beach

Down The Beach, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

The perfect recipe of sun, salt air and crashing waves....the best method of "clearing one's mind" Life is Good!

90 and Counting

90 and Counting, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Could not help but post this 90th Birthday shot! Happy Birthday, Mom...keep those birthdays coming.

Jupiter Light Hill

Jupiter Light Hill, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Fisheye fun at the base of the hill....Builders of Jupiter Light wisely saved on material costs by building on top of the highest point in the area. Playing with my fisheye lens..

That Time Again!

That Time Again!, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Vernal Equinox 2012... Nature's celebration that is Spring has begun!

Fishing Silouette

Fishing Silouette, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

It would be great to catch a few fish...AND sometimes just being there is it's own reward.

Beach Morning

Beach Morning, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Listen to the quiet! Silent applause for the peaceful combination of a rising sun and the gentle roll of the waves. Life is Good.

Happy St Patricks Day

Happy St Patricks Day, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Reef Rat

Reef Rat, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

I was struck by the contrast of old/new, hard work/leisure look of this shot. Hard working fishermen have always impressed me and this boat is a frequent sight along the ICW.

Deep In Thought

Deep In Thought, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

I could swear that this guy had something bothersome on his mind.....

Osprey Pair

Osprey Pair, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Our favorite couple are still busy starting a family. It's very entertaining to watch this guy dive into the water and return with a fish. He certainly gets high marks for being a "good provider".

Morning Light

Morning Light, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

A very wonderful sunrise on the beach...The magic of the early light changes constantly and is a real treat! The best show in town is still produced by Mother Nature.

Angry Blue Heron

Angry Blue Heron, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

This great blue heron became very aggressive at our fish cleaning station. After several attempts to compete with the pelicans for scraps he became combative. I was surprised to witness him using his beak for something other than fishing. Usually elusive and private this great blue was very assertive in getting the meal he was looking for!

Late Afternoon

Late Afternoon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Daylight Savings Time...it's that time again. I'm not sure if it's magic or some form of time travel but it gets later earlier tomorrow morning. I'm also not sure if we all get an hour older tomorrow or not but I'm a huge fan of the light. Daylight Savings Time declares that we have survived the early darkness of winter, spring is on the radar and the afternoon light will linger a bit longer. So, spring those clocks forward and enjoy the gift of later sunsets!

Beach Dune

Beach Dune, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Solitude on a Florida beach...very nice indeed. There sure is plenty of development in south Florida and discovering peaceful, uncrowded beaches is well worth the effort. Time for a quiet stroll...Life is Good.

At Anchor

At Anchor, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Transient sailors awake to a cloudy and still morning along the ICW. Traveling boaters headed in either direction are always in search of protected anchorages to spend the night. Smells of morning coffee and bacon can drift in the air getting the attention of sunrise fishermen. Life is Good.

Stark Park

Stark Park, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Florida's natural areas are beautiful and at times very harsh. Periods of draught and excess heat can be tough even for native flora.

Wild Florida

Wild Florida, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

The view is from atop the Hobe Mountain observation deck. "Hobe Mountain" isn't a mountain at all, in fact it is a rather large sand dune that mark's the highest point on the Florida coastline south of Lake Okeechobee. The expansive state park offers visitors a chance to experience pre-development south Florida.

Gopher Tortoise

Gopher Tortoise, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

The only tortoise native to Florida, the Gopher Tortoise is protected under law. This guy was nice enough to stick his neck out for me. For more Info: Gopherus Polyphemus

Jonathan Dickinson Park

Jonathan Dickinson Park, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

This walkway leads to the Hobe Hill observation tower in Jonathan Dickinson Park located just north of Tequesta, Fl. With over 10,000 acres and a "National Wild and Scenic River" the park offers an impressive look at the "real native Florida". This landscape can get rather warm by mid-day and I imagine that the original settlers of this area held fresh water in high regard.

Alligator Below

Alligator Below, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Look down but don't fall....This young alligator was sunning himself under a roadway/footbridge in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. No "alligator farm" alligator, this guy and his bigger companion are the real deal and call the 11,000 acre park home.

Shore Bird

Shore Bird, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

An Eastern Willet looks for breakfast in the marsh. These guys were almost hunted into extinction the past two centuries but the population has recently begun to recover. It was a real treat to watch as he went about his business unfazed by my presence.

Cato Bridge

Cato Bridge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Quite the ego boost when they open bridges for you....BUT, I looked over my shoulder and realized that it was opened for the mega yacht behind me. Oh well...Life is Good!