luciwest:
I used to think running was the best to "get away from it all". Then I discovered floating through nature among fish, manatees, birds + dolphins (not in this river oc but out on the Gulf) and paddling just enough to feel like you're still in control. Also
luciwest:
Individual, but not alone. . (royal terns and least terns on Honeymoon Island) #birdnerd #happierplace
luciwest:
Finally caught one in the act! Pelican diving between Honeymoon Island and Three Rooker Island - which means I walked 4 km of beach to where no roads lead just to get this shot. Well, I also walked back. Also, I took a lot more photos... a lot... That sun
luciwest:
One of my favorite Florida sites: Gang of Ibi Fly-By! More commonly known as a: flock of ibis in the sky.
luciwest:
Pile'o'gators! Lest you forget: even alligators are cute... when they're kids and their eyes are still bigger than their teeth.
luciwest:
Why is it that people keep associating the flamingo with Florida (despite it being pretty much extinct) - and not the equally pink + uniquely-beaked roseate spoonbill? Where's the love for the Rosalöffler*? Oh, you think the bright red eyes, that only a m
luciwest:
Changing perspective can reveal the unsuspected. For example: it turns out alligator eyelashes look like teeth. Then again, not that surprising, is it? . #everglades #gator #naturephotography #wildlife #Florida_greatshots #wildlifephotographer #yourshotph
luciwest:
Tense on the beach this early in the morning. Winner: Great Blue Heron Aggressor: Snowy Egret Onlookers: pile of Pelicans Drone view: some Gull Prize: that inedible stick in in front of the Great Blue. . This is the first Sept. 11 on which the current eve
luciwest:
... and here finally the finished masterpiece: a Little Blue Heron all grown up and blue - stalking through the River of Grass aka the Everglades. That bird has come a long way from the plain white of childhood and the blue-white "camo" of youth. . #happi
luciwest:
Look what I just found from earlier this year for this "show + tell"... Even more of a rare sight: the almost-adult Blue Heron in the middle of changing from a white to a blue bird. Because this photo was taken at dusk, the bird appears a bit bluer than i
luciwest:
A rare sight on several levels. The juvenile Little Blue Heron is actually completely white - before it matures to its striking dusty blue coloring. It's the only heron that completely changes its coloring from juvenile to adult. I was half-way to complet
luciwest:
Don't mind me. Just stalking through. . Close (but safe) encounters in the @EvergladesNPS Turns out that these gators mostly just wait around for fish to swim into their jaws. So yeah, not safe for fish who are also hunted by the Snowy Egret. . #happierpl
luciwest:
With however much at times, I might miss the mountains, canyons, or forests of the last few places I called home: the spaciousness of the big open sky above Florida reminds me of the big summer skies of my youth and seem to fill my lungs with extra air, m
luciwest:
Baby gator napping along the Shark Valley Trail in Shark River Slough of the Everglades National Park. . I just published a photo essay with many more photos on LuciWest.com (link via bio) - and wrote a comprehensive guide to Shark Valley for the @happier
luciwest:
Two Eastern Tiger Swallowtails doing what Eastern Tiger Swallowtails like to do when they get together: mud-puddling.
luciwest:
Went into the Appalachian Mountains the other day. They've got trees up there that can block that merciless summer sun and create the most delicious shade - all green and fresh.
luciwest:
Uh. Yeah. We totally got the picnic table bird feeder. After all, on a rainy day, no other bird feeder matches the colors of a young female red cardinal as well as the table feeder. For the true bird nerd: just a few weeks ago this female and her brother
luciwest:
Are you also seeing more sparrows than usual this summer? I got reports of sparrow masses from Germany, my Florida neighbor, and of course our own backyard. Maybe it’s because everyone got bird feeders during covid - to bring the thrill of bird action to
luciwest:
What? . For those who have ever loved someone with a mullet. And for those who think long blond hair is a must. . And for the bird nerds: even though you can't see the yellow feet, you can tell that this is a Snowy Egret by the black bill. The Great White
luciwest:
Every dollar counts. I'm sending out this red-winged black bird as a reminder to support local makers, creators, artists and businesses. While it might not be safe, comfortable or possible to participate in your community face-to-face, there may be online
luciwest:
"Time to take off..." or "Get me outta here!!!" I couldn't decide. . Maybe: "One more silly title out of you and I'm gonna fly right into your face"? . Just the facts? It’s a tern. I think it’s a Royal Tern - but a little hard to tell when the crown feath
