Canaveral National Seashore
We are indeed fortunate to have Canaveral National Seashore as our neighbor to the south. Only several miles from our home in Florida, this wonderful stretch of unspoiled beach will be forever wild and is home to many species of wildlife.
Anytime we visit the refuge (which is often!), one of our first targets is the Nine-banded armadillo which is often seen digging in the soft sandy edges of the road leading down through the park. The armadillo is a strange mammal with a body covering of bony plates which make it appear somewhat prehistoric. Today, I was greeted by a welcoming committee of 5 of these little guys along the 6 miles leading down to the end of the drive.
Another common denizen of the wooded areas along the seashore is the Turkey vulture. Vultures are one of the most common birds found in North American. They are sometimes referred to as Nature’s garbage disposal and serve an important role in the ecology of the natural world. The red face and long tail of this bird tells us that this is indeed a Turkey vulture, one of the two species we might see in Florida….but more on these fascinating birds in a future post.
Among the other species observed today was this beauty, the Common yellowthroat. These little warblers are more often heard than seen. Their melodious song seems to say “witchety, witchety, witchety”. Throughout most of North America, where there is a body of water there is very possibly a Common yellowthroat….hence the name “common”. Listen to the call of the yellowthroat in the following video and see if you might hear this bird in the wild on your next trip into the field.
Tech Tip - A tip regarding composition today. Diagonal lines in photography serve as powerful compositional tools that can add dynamism and depth to an image. By guiding the viewer's eye through the frame, these lines create a sense of movement and energy, often drawing attention to the subject or focal point. Diagonal lines can be found in various elements such as roads, landscapes, and vegetation, enhancing the overall composition by breaking the monotony of horizontal and vertical lines. Utilizing diagonals effectively can evoke emotion and tension, ultimately leading to more compelling and engaging photographs. Notice in the still image of the yellowthroat above, the branch upon which the bird is perched forms a diagonal from the botton left to the top right. If the situation presents itself, take advantage of this compositional technique.
