Waiting... 

I was happy to be taking this picture from this direction... 

I'm not sure why turtles do this kind of one point balance and leg extension posture. I often observe it. They usually climb out of the 72 degree water to warm up, so perhaps he is just having a good stretch and at the same time getting more of his dark body exposed to the sunlight. 

Perfectly adapted for stealth! I felt like this guy was perfectly aware of me at all times. Finally he revealed himself (see next image). 

Gators control their buoyancy with great precision. This one finally let me see enough to earn my respect. Maybe that's why he broke the surface! He turned out to be pretty active, departing with a great splash, a minute later. 

The backwater fed by the river is very shallow, but my canoe only draws a couple inches and I can usually find my way through. I like to just find a spot in the solitude and sit with the camera on my lap. It usually isn't long before something starts to happen... 

I was eating my lunch when this guy crawled out of the water. See his wet carapace? Usually they are far more skittish and head for the depths as soon as you get too close. Maybe he didn't see me, since I was already stopped and quiet, or perhaps mating season made him bolder. 

You can see by the back of his shell that this young turtle has already see some hard times. Most hatchlings never make it this far. Tough, persistant little dude... I wished him long life, as I snapped his picture!  

It's turtle mating season. This female is being chased and courted by a male below. They were so oblivious to me and the camera that I could almost have scooped them up! (And then I would have capsized...) 

Great Blue Heron... The poetry of take-off. 

S0 in her element... When she climbs out on the lily pads, her huge feet will make walking easy! 

Among the fishermen at Moss Bluff, a string of cormorants... 

New Cypress "knees" among Spring growth. 

Spring! 

Ouch! Be careful while walking through Northern Florida undergrowth... 

Tent catapillars, almost ready to emerge. 

Best friends... 

Black-Eyed Susan... 

Day Lilies... 

Moon over Marseille... 

Sunsoaked... 

Timeless shore... 

Spring...

Crossing the mountains of Corsica provides views like this one... but don't take your eyes off the road for more than a few seconds... or you'll join the scenery! 

Once you've taken you life in your hands by switchbacking down narrow roads with heart stopping drop-offs, you arrive at a place like this..