outdoor photography

Sensitive Briar This morning I went to Marl Bed Flats, and there wasn't much wildlife to speak of--well, there was a close encounter with a Feral Hog, which I never saw, but did hear very close to me.  I think we startled each other, and we both went in opposite directions.  Out on the flats there was not much to speak of, just the usual Red-winged Blackbirds, Eastern Meadowlarks, and wading birds, with the addition of a very distant Least Bittern which I saw flying between patches of reeds at the slough.  Photographically, I turned my attention to the flowers, as there was some beautiful Water Hyacinth and Sensitive Briar blooming.  I know I've posted photos of both of these flowers recently, but they're so pretty I thought I'd go ahead and do it again. Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth The other day I was walking down a trial by Lake Jesup and found some beautiful Water Hyacinth blooms.  They really are pretty flowers, even though some consider it an aquatic weed. They are extremely fast growing, and they can sometimes cover the entire surface of a lake, choking out sunlight, reducing water flow, and lowering the oxygen content of the lake water.  Water Hyacinth was first introduced into North America in 1884, and in Florida it became a significant problem, but it has since been controlled.  So even though the flowers invasive, I do enjoy seeing them in small quanities. Water Hyacinth