SOOC

a 551 acre site - publicly owned & operated as a conservation area- provided as part of Florida Communities Trust Preservation 2000 Program - one of the largest undeveloped scrub communities on the Lakeland Ridge - part of a series of elevated sandy ridges - along the backbone of peninsular Florida - the Scrub rises more than 230 feet above sea level - there are many waterbirds in this photo - some found only when made larger - a pair of Sandhill Cranes - one on a nest - Egrets - Ibis - shot taken from the boardwalk - we took lots of photos - a peaceful, old Florida place - © All rights reserved

behind a barbed wire fence .. just one chair .. as we hiked the trail .. at Lakeland Highlands Scrub Preserve .. there was a barn and a house further down the trail .. guess it is used by someone from that home .. seems an odd place to sit.. SOOC © All rights reserved

.."Gopher tortoises are long-lived reptiles that occupy upland habitat throughout Florida including forests, pastures, and yards. They dig deep burrows for shelter and forage on low-growing plants. Gopher tortoises share these burrows with more than 350 other species, and are therefore referred to as a keystone species. Conservation of gopher tortoises depends not only on the efforts of FWC and other conservation groups, but also on Florida's citizens. There are many ways to co-exist with these gentle lands tortoises." - from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation SOOC © All rights reserved

down one of many paths .. in the Lakeland Highlands Scrub Area .. set aside for Preservation of plants .. and animals found only on the peninsular ridge .. of the State of Florida .. a beautiful place .. just as this path .. SOOC © All rights reserved

decaying tree of many layers - probably many termites housed within - on the lands at Lakeland Highlands Scrub Preserve - letting nature re-claim this tree - © All rights reserved

defining life is difficult - life is a process - - "a property or quality of plants and animals - a living being - a kind of plant life - a time a person or thing is alive or exists - a manner of living - an individual's animate existence - a specific aspect of an individual's activities - a love of life - an existence of the soul - a period of flourishing, usefulness " ... parts taken from Your Online Dictionary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - we all have a different view of what Life is or is not - perhaps some of the definitions above make sense .. maybe not - life is being - it is more than existing - it is taking an active form of being on this Earth - doesn't require great accomplishments - do believe Life should be part of our deep soul - we do what is right.. because it is right - be it animal, vegetable, mineral - we are caretakers of the Earth - it belongs to none of us - Earth-on-loan - should be given to our children better than we found it - it is a beautiful world Namaste, Peggy © All rights reserved

view .. AA13 Archive Airings what do you do when you have to wait .. read a magazine .. a book .. do a crossword puzzle .. or - use your camera .. what would you do ? on the inside looking out .. this is my answer .. [ cropped for size ] © All rights reserved

feathers in the breeze ... ---- linked to the eyes of an Owl ---- - signed only SOOC - profile of heron - up close feather view - he was so cooperative - probably about 6ft away - zoom details - it was a great day for feathers - all colors ! © All rights reserved

- this is what I saw - nothing has been done - can you imagine sitting here - drumming to such beauty? - have a great week, my Friends © All rights reserved