Stop & Smell the Flowers

Nature, in all her beauty, offers us a poignant reminder to slow down in life; to stop and smell the flowers, if you will.

Over Valentine's Day weekend, I received such a reminder. Needing a bit of R&R, we headed to a State Park to enjoy the delicate sweetness of Spring lingering in the air as Yellow Jessamine blossoms hung in clusters from their vines.

Trodding down well worn paths through acres of palms, palmetto's and scrub oaks, I was thoroughly enjoying the peacefulness of the scenery. In all honesty, I am most at home when I am in a remote area photographing something that is potentially deadly. Luckily, I soon found myself face to face with a colorful beauty, a full size adult Eastern Coral Snake.

Amusingly enough, the moment I spotted her, my thoughts were, "Red to Yellow, Kill a Fellow", my second thought was, we're 3 hours from the nearest hospital and miles from the car, probably shouldn't attempt to pick her up. I settled for moving the boys back from strike distance and inching close to her to snap a few photographs.

Throughout the weekend I was blessed with several close encounters with wildlife including a gorgeous red fox (who was intent to dig small critters out of a stump and seemingly oblivious to the weird lady snapping photographs from several yards away!), several Anhingas, Cormorants as well as a Crested CaraCara.

Isn't it amazing how a day in the woods can put perspective back into ones life and make everything else, all the worlds problems, seem insignificant.