Low-light photo delights

Wet and humid temperatures continued into the new year. During the second week in January, the overnight temperature finally got down to the low 60s and reached 59 degrees (F) on January 10, the coldest temperature recorded so far this winter. The AVERAGE low temperature on that date is 60 degrees! Almost every morning there was the threat of rain by mid-morning. We usually start walking out about 30 minutes before sunrise. Too dark for photography, I usually bird by ear the first 19-20 minutes. 

The cool snap caused dense fog one morning. These Black Vultures rested on the abandoned utility pole, barely identifiable:



A small flock of Boat-tailed Grackles suddenly emerged from the cloudy depths and roosted lakeside:



The subdued light painted a pastel portrait:

 

A poorly illuminated Great Egret flew overhead:



An Anhinga posed and dried her wings as the fog bank provided an uncluttered backdrop:



My photo of another egret came out surprisingly bright and clear:



The fog presented a nice photo opportunity as the rising sun tried to burn through to the lake:



A few minutes later the sun had just reached the east shore:



Spider webs were festooned with dewdrops. The lack of shadows actually enhanced this macro of an orb-weaving garden spider:



The fog lifted, gradually unveiling the pine bank across the lake:





In better light, an American Kestrel roosted atop the frond spire of of a tall Royal Palm:



A newly emerged White Peacock showed off its colors:



Another Great Egret was reflected in the blue water:



A Brown Thrasher revealed its presence briefly, its yellow eyes gleaming:



In our back yard lake, a Great Blue Heron caught an Amphiuma. At first I thought it was a snake, but actually this eel-like creature is an amphibian, the largest species of "legless" salamanders in Florida:



I wish I could have seen the heron swallow its prey, but it ambled away and turned the corner behind a neighbor's fence:

 

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Linking to Misty's  CAMERA CRITTERS,

Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,

Linking to GOOD FENCES by Tex (Theresa). 

Linking to SKYWATCH FRIDAY by Yogi, Sylvia and Sandy

Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James

Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart

Linking to I Heart Macro by Laura

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Please visit the links to all these memes to see some excellent photos on display

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