Summary

Dennett shares a personal journey of a week's exploration in nature, capturing the beauty of wildlife and flora through daily photography, as a means to combat the "virus blues" and engage with the environment.

Abstract

In a weekly photo journal titled "Flight, Feathers & Fruit," Dennett documents the natural wonders encountered during walks and observations in various neighborhood settings in Florida. From the first cold morning of the season to the sighting of a variety of birds and the changing of seasons marked by the golden raintree's seed pods, each day brings a new subject for Dennett's lens. The challenge, dubbed the "Photo-a-Day Challenge," serves as a therapeutic practice to notice and appreciate the surroundings, with Dennett inviting others to join in the experience. The journal entries are accompanied by vivid imagery and reflective narratives, highlighting the transformative power of nature and photography in daily life.

Opinions

Dennett expresses a preference for variety in daily walks, appreciating when Syau chooses a different path.
There is a sense of wonder in the observation of wildlife, particularly in the vibrant colors of male ducks and the stained-glass-like appearance of their feathers.
A curiosity is presented about the gender-specific coloration in wildlife compared to humans.
Dennett finds the juvenile American White Ibis and other birds to be particularly noteworthy subjects for photography.
The author shows concern for the dynamics within the group of ducks, noting the smaller females sometimes being pushed aside by the males.
There is an appreciation for the changing seasons as indicated by the golden raintree's seed pods.
Dennett values the community aspect of the Photo-a-Day Challenge, acknowledging other participants and encouraging new ones to share their environment through photography.

© Dennett ~ Sunday, October 17, 2021 ~ **Majestic**

Photo-a-Day Challenge

Flight, Feathers & Fruit

My week in nature

Sunday was our first cold morning — 56 to be exact. Definitely sweater/jacket weather for this Floridian!

Syau took me for a long walk in a different direction. She tends to repeat the same routes with me and other routes with Captain Argentina. I was thrilled when she looked down the street of our ordinary path and chose to go a different way — we all need variety. Her choice led us to the pond in the back of a neighborhood and there we found the Great White Egret above.

© Dennett ~ Monday, October 17, 2021 ~ **Glass Art**

I wasn’t feeling well Monday and it was cold — 48 degrees. I stayed indoors, wrapped in a blanket or wearing a heavy sweater until I went to work in the evening. Before I left, The Quacklings came for dinner on the patio, and I was able to capture the rich colors that are appearing on the males. Their feathers look like stained-glass windows in a cathedral.

Cosmic question: Why is it that the males in wildlife are the colorful ones while human females carry the burden of attraction?

© Dennett ~ Tuesday, October 19, 2021 ~ **Breezing In**

At sunset on Tuesday, two Whistlers sailed in and landed in our lake.

© Dennett ~ Wednesday, October 20, 2021 ~ **Stretching**

I worked extra hours Wednesday for a once-a-quarter client before going to my regular Wednesday night office. Before I left, Syau and I took a shorter-than-usual walk and I found these Jerusalem Artichoke Sunflowers growing along the fence belonging to the neighbor who is a Master Gardener.

© Dennett ~ Thursday, October 21, 2021 ~ **Stripling**

Thursday evening, Captain Argentina, Syau and I took a walk together. That walks deserves 3 photos! We found the juvenile American White Ibis (above) in the drainage ditch along the walking trail.

© Dennett ~ Thursday, October 21, 2021 ~ **Moody Blues**

And, this Little Blue Heron in a neighborhood pond.

© Dennett ~ Thursday, October 21, 2021 ~ **Reflected**

And, this Cormorant at the same pond. Do you see the little fish in his beak?

© Dennett ~ Friday, October 22, 2021 ~ **Naptime**

Midday on Friday, I found The Quacklings napping on the shore where the lake comes almost up to a sidewalk. Although it isn’t clear in this photo, all 12 were there. I am so impressed that they’re staying together most of the time. The three smallest ones — females — sometimes travel alone — I think because the males push them aside when they’re eating. Most days, the males come to eat first and the petite females show up later.

© Dennett ~ Saturday, October 23, 2021 ~ Lanterns

The golden raintrees now have their pinkish-brown seed/fruit pods that look like tiny lanterns, a sure sign of fall.

A little more than a year ago, I started the Photo-a-Day Challenge to help combat the virus blues. I take photos every day and choose one (maybe, two) to represent the day. Then, add a one-or-two-word descriptor and maybe, some narrative. A simple way to observe and preserve.

Want to join the fun? It’s all about noticing and appreciating your environment and sharing it with us, as these photographers and story-tellers have:

Erika Burkhalter / Eileen Vorbach Collins / Anne Bonfert / Sasha Meyer / Tracy Aston/ Lisa Bolin / Juan O. Aguilera / David Wade Chambers / June Nguyen / Mia Verita / Susan Alison / LensAfield / Barbara Radisavljevic / Diana Lotti / Barbara Dalton / Kim Zuch / K. Barrett / Sandra Barrett / Shruthi Sundaram / Gustavo Mendez / Olive Wilson

(If you participated in the Photo-A-Day Challenge and your name isn’t listed above, please let me know.)

Please follow the Snapshot rules:

Lead with a photo/title and subtitle follow No more than 10 photos per post No more than 750 words per post Yes, we know that the photos are yours but you still have to state that they’re your work

And, have fun!