We are in the Everglades

Hi everyone!
Well we are finally just on the outskirts of the Florida Everglades. Tomorrow we will be traveling through The Big Cypress National Preserve, then the Everglades. We spent the last few days in Sanibel, Florida photographing an amazing variety of wading birds at the Ding Darling Bird Refuge. We did see 1 alligator and he was about 7-8 feet in length. Absolutely beautiful! I'm sorry I don't have any photos yet. But we have been so busy photographing I haven't had time to doing any editing. I will have plenty when I get back. Which we expect will be any time after the 9th of March or so. Hang with me. I will have photos soon enough. Camping hasn't been half bad. We had one night with some serious wind. It did make me nervous but I got through it. And believe it or not it has been chilly in Florida! I think the real camping challenge will be in the Everglades this week were we are more likely to run into critters. But I trust Lori (who is an avid camper).
Well I guess that it is for now. I will post again soon. Chow!

First Day Photographing

Hi All,
Well today there was alot to see. We went to the beach and saw all types of shore birds like terns, skimmers, pelicans and a great horned owl, and osprey, as well as wading birds which were at a rookery at Venice Beach, which included blue herons, white egrets, ibis, sandhill cranes. I also saw anoles (a small lizard) and butterflies. I did alot of seashell collecting which I love to do and I also photographed alot of the seashells. The water here on the Gulf of Mexico was soooo blue! Unbelievable! I got nice and sunburned today. I guess I need more sunscreen. No sign of alligators yet. Signs are everywhere, but not yet. I also had the experience of hanging out with some storks. They are bout 3-4 feet tall, white plumage and funky looking heads and very long and can be dangerous bills. They are the type of bird that only a mother could love.
Tonight will be my first official night sleeping in a tent. Hopefully the critters will stay away.
Sorry no photos yet. I will try soon. Post more soon.

First Day One The Road

Hi All
Well so far so good. Yesterday I left home around 2pm. I was very sad to leave my Mom and the dogs and cats. All is good. Dogs are trying to adjust, but it has only been a day in a half.
We are now in Hersey, Pennsylvania and are staying the night at a friend of Loris'. No official camping yet, but I am ready for it. Lots of driving today, pretty exhausting. No photographing til maybe tomorrow. We will be heading through Virginia on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Should be very photographic with the recent snow. Then on to Florida which I suspect will be-what's today oh Friday-so probably Monday.
We or I did see a snowy owl which I thought was unusual for the time of day, but silly me it turned out to be a white garbage bag. Oops! White bag and white snow makes it a little tough to see. That is my only excuse.
Off for a good night rest. Chat more soon.

Big Day Tomorrow!!!

This will be my last post in Maine. Then I will be posting on the road letting you know all the goings on.
Tomorrow is the big day! I have an early morning meeting then by mid afternoon Lori and I will be on our way to Florida. Although I have been in informed that we will be making some pit stops along the way. We will be driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. There are a couple of grist mills she wants to stop at if the snow is fresh. They have been getting more snow there than Maine has. And it is usually the other way around.
I am trying to make sure I have everything I need for the trip. I have made a list, but you never know what you will forget.
I have created a newsletter for Cindi Ressler Photography. Which I spent all day Monday working on. I have been told that it will help improve business. So we will see. Feel Free to sign up it's FREE!
The photo above is Sebasticook Lake near my house with a heron. I call it The Herons Morning.
Have a great day everyone. I'll chat with you soon!

FLORIDA HERE WE COME!!!!

Good Morning All!


Have I told you that I am going to Florida in just 3 days! I am getting more and more excited! Although I will miss my dogs and kitties while I am gone. The dogs haven't had but one opportunity to be without me. So it will be up to Mom who I will miss too, to take over feedings and walking the dogs. I think after a couple of days they will be okay. I am still a little nervous about all the camping we will be doing. I have never camped before, but I think it will be a good experience. Providing I don't get any uninvited guests ie. snakes, bugs, and who knows what else, but I can't wait to see what kind of animals I will see and plant life. I am very excited!
Lori and I will be gone probably 2 1/2-3 weeks and I know we will have a ton of photographs to go through when we get back.
I do need to remind her that on the way home we have to stop at my favorite pizza place in Connecticut where I grew up. Pizzarama has the best pizza ever! And it is on the way home.
As I have said I will be blogging about our travels.
The photograph here is a ash tree leaf.
Have a great day!

FireFly Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunshine

When we look at sunflowers we or I think of bright sunny days with clear blue skies and happy days. I love sunflowers they are one of my favorite flowers and are always in my garden. I posted this photo because God willing I am going to Florida next week and I hope the weather is sunny days and clear blue skies. My friend who is also a photographer has invited me to drive down to Florida where we will go to the Everglades, Sannibel Island, Merritt Island and where ever else after those. She has been commissioned to do some work for a gallery in Florida. Which is why we are going. I can't wait to go and this will be an awesome opportunity! I will definitely blog on this and if I can during the trip I will add pictures, otherwise I will add pictures when I get back in March. Now getting there will be interesting with all the bad weather that has been happening on the eastern seaboard. It could take longer to drive down. We have been going back and forth with this for a few months, but I think we will actually be going! I can't wait to see my first alligator! Maybe even some manatees! Of course there will be tons to photograph! I have never been to Florida and for that matter never camped before either which we will be doing. So this will be an experience I am sure I will never forget.

Keep an eye on those posts. Have a great day everyone.

Changes

So I have made some changes to my blog. Change is good! Change keeps life interesting. Just like my photography, I never know what I will photograph. Photography to me can be a time to reflect. To really look at what I have photographed and why. I do alot of photography at cemeteries. Some people don't particularly care for them, but you never know what you will see and learn. The gravestones alone can tell a story, but the wildlife can be just as interesting. I have seen everything in the local cemetery from snapping turtles to friendly gray squirrels, groundhog, ravens, herons and more. The cemetery is also a very peaceful place even if it is in the middle of a city. The patterns and shadows are amazing too. I actually leave there feeling relaxed and peaceful. Despite the gloom that looms over these places. Although I will say I will go to one at night. Besides they close at sunset.

I have a new follower, Yeah! Welcome Aussie Bryan. I was beginning to wonder if I would get more followers. I look forward to more followers and of course your comments.

Bangor, Maine

A different perspective. I shot this photo when I was photographing for the gallery show in January. This is one of the buildings in downtown Bangor, Maine. Photography to me will always be a learning experience and adventure. Always looking for something different.
Well tonight is Superbowl night. I am not much of a football fan, but I do follow the game somewhat. I look forward to the Superbowl, not just for the game, but the commercials are pretty fun. As for the game I expect it will be a good one and I am going for the Saints. They have had a good season and deserve to win.

Marketing

Can I just say how much I dislike marketing. When you are working literally on a shoestring budget it is very hard to market as most of us who are starting up businesses well know. I try very hard to find various locations (area) to market by businesses. Frankly I think I am on over load right now and I need to relax and step away for a bit.

I did work on dreamweaver and did add my 2 calendar baskets. There is now a gift basket page on my website www.CindiResslerPhotography.com.

I sent out my Yarmouth Clam Festival application yesterday. I actually debated on this show, because it costs alot to do the show, but it also attracts huge crowds and I generally break even. I do enjoy the show and the other vendors I work with and hope I get in again, and hope that I do extremely well. I should be hearing something from the Fryeburg fair soon. I am starting to get a little anxious about the year. In a good way. I go through this every year and I keep hoping that this year will be the best year yet.

The photo above is actually a black and white slide film. He was a very good squirrel. I have been living in Maine about 6 years now. And between the Gray and Brown Squirrel hands down I would prefer the Gray Squirrel. They are friendly and less likely to have attitude. Those Brown Squirrels are just down right mean! They chat at you just walking in the woods. It is probably good that I don't know what they are saying. Mean little critters. Although I will say they are cute. But that is all I am going to say.

Have an awesome day!