Even Too Hot for a Gator

The heat is on. It's time to curtail some outdoor activities when the indigenous wildlife look for refuge. No relief on the river unless you don't mind jumping in the water with the gators. Our summers in Florida are the equivalent of northern folk's winter cabin fever.

If you keep a watchful eye, you can watch these eyes as the alligators stay afloat in the cool waters of the Silver River.

There's always someone who doesn't mind the ninety-eight plus degree sizzle. Good thing hunting is prohibited when you're sporting that big fat meaty tail.

This Little Blue Heron quietly bears its discomfort in the stifling heat. Still pretty despite the agitation.

“If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?” - Stephen Wright

The Bucket List Bekons

Here in Florida, if you use a silent, electric battery-operated motor on your canoe, the state requires that it be registered. The last sticker date on my canoe is May, 2010. That's how long it's been since I last went canoeing. What a shame. As we age, the bucket list increases.

Although the weather was a bit cool, there were lots of turtles, birds, hungry fish, a few gators but no snakes. This is on the Silver River.

 Mistletoe and air plant inspired winter nakedness.

Cypress knees...sculptural little fantasy villages.

Hungry cichlids enjoy crushed up yellow corn tortilla chips.

You know about the monkey decendants on the Silver River, right?
Surprising visitors with this alien species is always great fun.

And now for a few pics of why I love to canoe...some of my favorite critters...

This gator became cranky that we got so close, yet he didn't relinquish the sunny log.

You never know who you'll run into on the river...

“Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known." - Winnie the Pooh

6 Things I've Learned in 2010

Instead of the usual yearly list of "What I Did" accomplishments for 2010, I thought I'd make a bit of a shift in my thinking and contemplate "What I've Learned: 2010". For your thoughts and comments as well:

 1. Persistence is key if you have ambition without resources. Goals are attainable with a bulldogged mindset and focus, but it does require...time. It takes longer to launch a project requiring capital and the lack of funding means the components must be executed in affordable increments. So, my multi-canvas pieces are created on carefully graphed paper and gradually constructed as my budget allows. That's okay because I know if I stay firmly committed to my ideas, they'll come to fruition eventually. They always do, even if they're stacked up in the sky like commercial aircraft on holding patterns.

2. Less is more. I'm living the simple life through necessity, not choice. The recent recession took away a lot of things from me. Yet in the present moment, I have everything I need. That's empowering. When you finally realize that the latest gadget with unlimited apps will never fulfill your basic longings, life takes on a new clarity. I choose to stay connected to the life force surrounding me, not the things.

3. I know who I am as an artist. I am finally aware of what drives my urge to create. I possess vision that is uniquely mine. Although I'm not 100% sure of the source, I recognize that speed, motion and direction inspires me and I can express passion in my paintings without succumbing to sentimentality. Take that, all you romantics!

4. I'm good enough. Although we as artists constantly strive to achieve excellence which is a healthy goal, we must also balance a respect for our own accomplishments, intellect and abilities. A self-pat on the back is reassuring and makes us a little less crazy. I'm doin' okay. And you're doin' okay.

5. A strong support system is imperative. My husband, friends, family, peers, and neighbors provide encouragement and bolster strength. Yes, I will disappoint. Sometimes the more you do the more is expected. I am making amends to those that deserve it. Integrity compels me to do what is right and good even though...life lessons happen. When I become anxious and impatient, affirming this truth sets me back on the path to acknowledging my divinity. Thank you, thank you God.

6. Goals for 2011? Of course I have a business plan in place that evolves as necessary. I'm learning to relinquish my iron fist control (just a little) as I accept that I work too hard, try too hard, never sleep enough and never play hard enough. Where's my canoe?

"Stand in the middle of a crisis to invite the next stage of evolution to appear." - Michael Bernard Beckwith

After the Extreme Cold

Fast and wide, the Oklawaha River put on an extraordinary show today. Our very wet "dry season" combined with an unprecedented cold winter created conditions of rarity and delight.


The water was incredibly high and the current swift.

And oh, the alligators! The critters were out in numbers as the air finally warmed above the water temperature.

Most were timid, however, as if the extreme cold had left them feeling vulnerable. Even the usually congenial turtles who adore striking a pose would have nothing of our stalking canoe. Snakes were not to be seen and I searched for them in earnest. Most likely still sleeping away the deep chill.

Only the big guns allowed approach and even they slid into the watery depths as we neared. Nervous was the atmosphere.

Next month will mark the beginning of breeding season and caution will be the operative word. The gators will become territorial and hold their ground making even a seasoned reptile lover such as myself hesitate. But today I was queen of the river!

“I have an underwater camera just in case I crash my car into a river, and at the last minute I see a photo opportunity of a fish that I have never seen.” - Mitch Hedberg

P.S. As we returned to Gore's Landing, a big fish suddenly propelled itself high out of the water towards me - barely missing the canoe. For a micro-second, in mid-air, our eyes met with astonishment and our mouths went agape. It was the heart-pounding moment of the afternoon.

Back to the River

A bad day on the river is better that a good day in___(fill in the blank).

As we electric motored our way up the Oklawaha, we realized that a dredging company was fishing out the submerged logs and other flora to clear the waterway about two miles upstream from us. This made the water thick and murky and the big gators jittery. Saw a couple of biggies, probably 8-footers, but they hauled butt from us with annoyed attitude upon sighting the canoe. So, we had to settle for the wee ones sunning on the log pictured below. These were babies, and I apologize for not getting closer. Mama was nearby, no doubt.

Florida Wildlife authorities have been capturing these feral monkeys over the past year but missed this crewe. These rascals are several generation descendants of the escapees from film and TV productions at Silver Springs in the 50's and 60's. Think Sea Hunt and Tarzan.

This is the alpha male keeping a close eye on us.

Females with infants crossed the river over our heads.

Forgive the shakiness of this photo, but it is a...a...snake. This is a Florida Water Snake, unfortunately often confused with cottonmouths. Their color and markings are similar but the head shape is different. This sleek-headed snake was docile and ignored us.

“Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats - all human life is there” - Henry James

Running with Scissors

When we were kids, my dad would yell at my brothers and I: "Stop that running! Somebody's gonna lose an eye!"

As a grownup, here's how you lose an arm:

It's called: let's see how close we can get to the very big alligator.

As the one who usually sits in front of the canoe, you could say I'm the very willing sacrificial lamb. Before you dismiss me as a whacked out danger junkie, let me say that I'm morbidly fascinated by these prehistoric holdovers.

For your mild amusement, a couple of very lame shorts. I am just not convinced that I'm actually recording, therefore you'll always get a sky shot early on. Turn on the speakers.

"Don't taunt the alligator until after you've crossed the creek." - Dan Rather

Florida Suntan Club

As the weather cools here in central Florida, sunbathing becomes a pleasurable pursuit. The sweltering temps have subsided and the Silver River is swamped with members and their guests in this sub-tropical resort. Come early as the best spots are claimed quickly.

In the euphoria of sun-kissed bliss, unlikely romantic liaisons often occur. Sometimes the emboldened advancements are embarrassing...

Water aerobics are popular. Yoga and other stretching exercises are encouraged.

If you prefer solitude in the sun, consider your own private island, available to elite members on demand.

Serious athletic-types enjoy access to unlimited space and opportunity for long distance swims.

“When you come right down to it all you have is yourself. The sun is a thousand rays in your belly. All the rest is nothing.” - Pablo Picasso

Derby Musings

Nick Zito makes no excuses for War Pass. Now that's integrity. Maybe he's not quite the super horse we were hoping for but he's certainly a horse that demands everything his way.

Denis of Cork ducked the heavies in an attempt to maintain his pristine record and ended up rating on a speed bias track. Not so good.

Colonel John passed a valiant Bob Black Jack in the final strides of the Santa Anita Derby. Am I the only one who doesn't take the prep races in California seriously? Hey, didn't the purse used to be a million?

Florida-bred Ginger Punch faded badly in the Apple Blossom. So now you know who I was rootin' for. Nope, I refuse to open an account with TVG. I've got a magnet on my fridge that says: "I used to have money, now I have horses."

Yes, with a modicum of hesitation, I did take last Thursday off. My excuses are always front and center, so I just made myself do it. It's been awhile since we canoed on the Oklawaha. Great day, but strangeness pervaded as the gators and other critters were uncharacteristically shy. Traffic was non-existent and it IS almost gator breeding season when they tend to haughtily stand their ground (or waters). Michael recorded an owl very near on our digital camera. This is cool:

Museum Exhibits and More

Yesterday we headed down to Deland early to deliver my paintings to the Museum of Florida Art for their Equus IV exhibit next month. The opening reception is Friday, April 10th from 5-7pm if you happen to be in the area. I thought the museum was part of Stetson University but no, just very close neighbors. Anywho, the museum has expanded and updated and looks terrific.

We also loaded the canoe in the van and on the way home put in at DeLeon Springs. Odd place, very shallow water, only saw one small gator in the water. However, there was a huge and healthy population of birds.

Osprey with fresh catch.

Coots were in abundance such as these flying/paddling away from our approach.

Michael says I must get back in the studio Monday. The time away has provided an opportunity to be introspective of my current affairs, heal my body and fall in love with my garden. It's okay to have goals and desires, but not to the extent of my over-the-top obsessiveness. Being this driven has proven to be unhealthy - it's stolen the joy of painting and the joy of living. Many sleepless nights have paid the price of my ambition. Because there are no accidents, I happened to pick up a copy of Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth" after hearing Oprah touting it. Illuminating, thought-provoking and life-changing. If you're restless and uneasy as I have been, I highly recommend it.

Canoeing Instead Of Pontooning

Morning brought dense fog, cool temps and a strong breeze so we shifted plans to rent a pontoon boat out at Cedar Key. Instead, we headed back to the Ocklawaha River and put in at the Outpost. The river was a bit busy on a Sunday but the weather turned out gorgeous. My friend Lynn came with and as I've stated before, she is photographer extraordinaire.

We only saw a few gators due to the boat traffic. This was the biggest we spotted, about a four footer.

Juvenile ibis were plentiful. Lynn didn't see the gator behind them until she edited the photos back at home. One of those rare, lucky events.

Turtells abound.


When we we got back to the boat ramp, we met Capt. Natural-Lee who had rigged his canoe out quite creatively. A self-described author, adventurer, philosopher and all around nice guy, which he is, it was a hoot to spend some time talking with him. Moments like these are what make life so fascinating.



<---This kills me.