Nature Photography Contest

Today I have submitted three photos to the Royal Poinciana Golf Club’s annual nature photography contest. All photos submitted to the contest must be taken on the grounds of the Club. Last year I won second place! My favorite submission this year is the morning light on the Great Blue Heron.

I photographed this Great Blue Heron around 7:15am on a Bird Tour at the Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, Florida.

On a morning bird tour of the RP Golf Course, I also observed this female osprey landing on the nest, while her partner cries out.

My third submission shows a rare sighting on the golf course: two bobcats hissing at one another. The light was very low, and the long exposure reveals some motion blur. I was grateful to have seen them and taken a photo before they slipped away seconds later.

I will let you know if one of these images is a winner this year!

Hot Blue Heron

You know it’s a very hot day in the Everglades when the Blue Heron is panting. I had never before seen a blue heron open its mouth and flutter its tongue. Its neck was undulating too, and it was making sounds. I took a video, so I could ask the National Park ranger about it. Sure enough, the ranger said that the blue heron pants like a dog when it needs to cool off.

Great Blue Heron panting to cool off at Shark Valley in Everglades National Park, Florida.

Behind the Hazard Line

The birds have the golf course to themselves early in the morning as the sun rises and begins to dry the dew. This Great Blue Heron was enjoying the tranquility at sunrise at Royal Poinciana Golf Club.

Standing on one leg, the Great Blue Heron managed to scratch an itchy spot under its chin. Great balance!

As our birding guide Brian Beckner observed, “there is a Great Blue Heron observing the hazard line” — the red line in the grass. No one wants you to address your golf ball too close to the water’s edge, as there are alligators lurking in there. It’s better to stand a safer distance from the water.