Tags
Abstract, Animals, Birds, Black and White, Butterfly, Caterpillar, Damselfly, Florida, Hike, Humor, Insects, Merritt Island, Misadventure, Nature, Photography, Story, Sunset, Swamp, Video, Water, Wildlife, Writing
The Swamp may one day claim my body. This past weekend I was found sinking into the muck, yet again. I never mean to deviate out into those gurgling and gushing, reedy and thrillingly mucid marshlands but something always draws me in.
In this case, it was vultures…
A great cluster of black vultures descended right in the middle of the great sprawling mire below and I just had to go tumbling down after them.
They wheezed and grunted and hopped about in a frenzy as I sloshed near. Then in a great charcoal gust they fluttered up and adorned the palm trees above, their crinkled heads bent with sharp, bilge-water brown eyes studying me, looking like dark-frocked, feathered judges scowling down at me.
I sifted about looking for a corpse. To no avail. Disappointed, I continued on. I was soon slopping along in happy oblivion until the mire became a river and the reeds turned into mangrove trees; and even then I ventured further. A tiny gator slipped away and a flurry of silver bodies slapped the surface of the water as they swam away in a fast flash. Little black minnows danced in the golden, tea-stained waters bathed in warm sunset.
Suddenly I remembered that I do not live in the Swamp and that these ruddy parks always have a blasted time-limit. I turned and squished back toward the great sprawling knoll where the path was. I clambered and crawled up through an impenetrable green fog of knotted grass. A merry wind casually chucked vulture feathers, globs of yellow pollen, sticks and burrs into my wild, tangled mane as I clawed along like a blind bear.
At last I popped onto the trail, adorned in Swamp.
I was surprised when I heard a squeak pierce through the meditative hum of honey bees that I had just walked through as they danced from flower to flower at my muculent feet.
I began to concoct a haphazard smile, realizing the squeak had issued forth from a wide-eyed dog-walking lady that had been startled by my sudden appearance. I guess she had no idea someone had been crawling around in the somnolent mire below all this time. She rapidly gathered up her canine companion and shielded the small and thoroughly fascinated terrier from my ghoulish and slovenly sight. The pair darted away as I said with a stumble, becoming entangled in some gigantic weed I hadn’t noticed, “Lovely time for swamping, eh?!” She didn’t reply…I don’t think she heard me…
I immediately became distracted by the lake on the opposite side and soon found myself in the water, yet again, joyfully fiddling with the camera. Time was forgotten yet again as the sun was swiftly hoovered away and squeezed to rust. The phone deep in my pack tootled but I couldn’t be bothered with attempting to dig it out, so I continued to film as I slowly made my way back.
Then I heard a great booming cry warble across the glimmering waters glazed in purple dusk, “PARK CLOSING!”
It seemed to be coming from a tiny dancing dot on the shore across the way…where the park entrance was…
Oh dear…THE TIME!
I tried to assure the little black dot (that was an irate ranger) that I was hurrying as I called out, “I AM COMING! DON’T WORRY! BE RIGHT THERE!”
He was miles away…well, perhaps just one mile.
I wasn’t very near and the wind was probably erasing my calls, so I gesticulated wildly in order to encourage the ranger that I was hurrying. He continued to hop up and down.
Then I started splashing back as quickly as possible.
And then I crouched down in the water to film a rock.
“PARK CLOSING!!!!! PARK CLOSING RIGHT NOW!!!” came a very jarring, caterwauling cry.
I decided I should put the camera away…this was a very difficult chore as my arms suddenly weighed about 18,000 lbs.
I managed to make it back and even avoided being pounded by the red-faced, snowy-mustached ranger as he crammed me into the car and Sir rapidly peeled away (well, rapidly for a tortoise, that is, as Sir is a very sedate, I mean careful, driver- to the outraged ranger’s dismay…). I was able to obtain enough footage for a few wee videos featuring some minute creatures. Here is one below, shot at Pine Island Conservation Area in Merritt Island, FL. Thanks for drizzling by,
Smiling Toad
A Day in the Brine 
Wow! What an adventure!!!Loved it till the last word; enjoyed the film too. Thank you so much sharing this with us 🙂
Har har I was made for misadventure 😉 I am so delighted that you enjoyed the little tale. I never stop feeling absolutely staggered and astounded by the natural beauty around me…Thank you so much for visiting and leaving such kind words. Ebullient cheers,
-a wee smiling toad
So you really are the swamp thing! Good to know. Go take a shower. Brilliant, by the way. 🙂
Har har, you’ve found me out, blast 😉
Thanks! Cheers!
-Smiling Toad
Lovely little video! Great performance by the little black caterpillar. 🙂
I thought so, too. He kept trying to clamber onto the lens. I filmed him for about 20 minutes, chuckling away the whole time. That was the night before when there were no helicopter rangers afoot. 😉 Thanks so much for the superb comment and for fluttering by!
Smiling Toad
well done video.
Thanks so much!
I hope the vultures weren’t waiting for you to get stuck AJ and did the irate Ranger shoo all the birds and animals out of the park as well as you ? He probably did ! ❤
I think you’re right! That vulture venue probably WAS waiting for me to sink, my dear scintillating Ralph! Now that I think about it, the sharp-and-curling-billed dears DID look worried. Yes, I assume they were clustered there, watching me, to make sure I didn’t get stuck, and if I did become so entrenched I suspect they were hatching a rescue plan. Being flown out of a swamp by the talons of several black-headed vultures has always been a dream of mine… 😉
Yes, the ranger would have swept all of us out, I am sure, but he had no time since I was being dispelled from the park at the rate of an elderly slug.
He was even more irked at Sir, poor sap. Sir had just been sitting in the car, staring bleakly out into the wilderness. He’d arrived to pick me up and just roosted there with a “stuffed frog” expression. The ranger had briefly poked his cherry head through the window and bugled, “TIME TO LEAVE NOW SIR!” and Sir just placidly sat there and nodded his head, rolling the window up. He didn’t bother to tell the ranger that he was waiting for someone (er the charming individual in the water, far across the lake, in fact). So, in the ranger’s mind Sir was just nesting there as the park closed for the fun of sitting in cars in closed parks. You can imagine the ranger’s outrage when he found out Sir and I were in cahoots once I finally arrived and was javelined into the little Prius at approximately 1,000 kph.
Your comment evoked far too many grins to count. Thanks for visiting and sprinkling grins all over.
Bug hugs,
smiling toad
What a great story my friend. A post in itself !. I’m glad you both got out of there alive ! 😀
😉
Nice video and story 😊.
Thanks so much!
Poetic and amusing prose, and gorgeous video
Thank you so much. I am so happy it was enjoyed! Thanks for sloshing by 😉
smiling toad
This is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes. The caterpillar reminds me of Sir. He walks away slowly, reluctant to leave the scene, but knows he has to move on. I love the blurry pictures as you tell the story. They black and whites are so fabulous that I almost didn’t watch the video. I held my breath during the entire 2.36 minutes. The waves, washing the rock. the lapping sounds over coming the gentle guitar strumming in the background. Brilliant, my dear Autty.
Your comment is so exquisitely beautiful it makes my own eyes a little brinier. Thank you so much. I am so happy you enjoyed it. I love making these little videos. Many more to come. Yes! I always laugh when I get shots with Sir wandering around hesitantly in the background. Just like the fuzzy little caterpillar- reluctant but knows he has to move on. I was chortling away as I filmed the caterpillar. Luckily there were no rangers hovering about that time, trying to horn in and spoil the party. The odd thing was I kept looking around, not ready to leave, until I spotted him, as if I knew he was waiting for his cameo appearance, peeping out from behind some leaf, hoping I’d find him. He was quite an eager model. Believe he was a kind of salt-marsh caterpillar, which, of course, is very apt, since we were in a marsh at the time 😉 Thank you so much for these kind words. They touch me deeply. I always so enjoy sharing a laugh and a smile with you. Glad you enjoyed the photos too!! Thanks so much for oozing by, dear Marsha. Jubilant cheers to you,
a wee smiling toad
You have so much talent. It’s good to see how much you have grown in your work over the two years, almost three that I’ve known you. 🙂
Oh dear…it’s been that long eh? I’ll need a walker and some Geritol to gargle with any second now…
Thank you for the kind accolades lass. I am amazed by your progress, too. Having written one book and now I get to watch and admire the progress of your novel. I am amazed, proud and so THRILLED to be able to witness it all. 😀 CHEERS
old toad
Very soothing video. We visited Merritt Island last year, what a lovely park to get lost in and so much wildlife to observe. The gulf coast sunsets are amazing, but the staff want you to hustle right out at dusk, so no lingering for fear of being locked in.
I trust you greatly enjoyed your visit! Which park? Were you barraged with spoonbills and ibises? Did you pet any of the velvet-skinned lizards? Marvelous! Merritt Island has a number of intriguing parks to visit, sprinkled here and there. It is a very interesting place for nature, considering on one side there is the lagoon, on the other the ocean. The hammocks and swamps are an endless delight..
Gulf sunsets are amazing, I agree! Have you watched boats swim by, right in front of a blushing sun as it was sipped up by the sea? I never get over it. Where on the Gulf have you been?
I know what you mean about those scowly-faced Hurriers! Good golly. I just try to hide from them whilst I continue to snap photos, or con one into admiring the sunset with me- or do the usual- walk very quickly toward the exit until the person turns away and then back to shooting! It is a crime to close a park before a sunset and rather sadistic to do so during a sunset, let me tell you! 😀
Thanks so much for sluicing by! Delighted you enjoyed the video, and also your visit to M. Island. Ebullient cheers,
smiling toad
Curiosity drew me here and I am glad I did stop, even though I am not blogging now due to my Dad’s passing. I really enjoyed your post, and yes I even watched your video, which was quite touching. I agree with you in every way I know of, that there is so much beauty in this world and I do my very best to present it at Petals. Thank you for the follow. That really means so much to me, especially at this time of my Life. Love, Amy
Oh dear, your curiosity certainly brought you to a strange and rather impish place, I fear! Well, avid greetings and a smiling welcome to you, Amy.
I am greatly aggrieved to learn of your father’s departure. My deepest sympathy. I lost me mum a few scattered years ago. Her birthday is coming up on the 22nd. She used to love being called Toadgirl, so that is where my blogging name smilingtoad comes from.The pain of her physical loss is still very potent, but I do manage to still feel close to her through nature. I am so grateful for that. And when a dragonfly alights on my hand…I swear she put it there. She loved dragonflies as well as toadies 😉
I am honoured that you came by for a visit. Your blog is beautiful and inspirational, your photos majestic; I am grateful to have found it and you. I am really adoring your images of snow and cold rushing water. I love winter and so miss the snow. My mum loved snow as well. I have so many memories of going on long winter’s walks with her. Your images remind me of those times, so I thank you ardently.
I read some of your posts about your father. Just beautiful. It sounds like he was a man rich with love and kindness and he inspired all those around him. I certainly see that his love continues to live on though you.
I look forward to exploring more of your blog, delighting in your wonderful photos and words. I also look forward to future posts when you are ready. I am glad you are taking time. All the time you need. Thinking of you and thanks again for dropping by. Much love,
Autumn Jade
Dearest Autumn Jade, your words were like music to my ears. I am very touched you took the time to write such an indepth comment to me. I truly am sorry for your loss, which now I can truly understand. As for Nature, I know my Dad is now with me when I am out photo shooting, so my photos will even get better. I just know. As for the water and ice you are so enjoying, I am at this time editing more, and when I can, will post them. I am thrilled you are enjoying Petals and do see through eyes like mine, how Majestic and Magical Mother is. I am not blogging at the moment, but when I do, you know I will be here to see you again. I try to do that with as many of my WP friends as best I can, yes, a rather daunting job if you know how many blogs and then some I follow. My Dad had a very troubled life, yet towards the end, our Love for one another knew no bounds. I am honored I am the artist in the family and I will continue his legacy through my art. He was not a writer like I am, and his art was music and painting. I am also at this time so involved at getting ready to leave for his service, and to start the healing process with my family, which is actually happening. When I am ready to open comments again and blog as per usual, I do not know. As with all of Life, I let my Heart guide me. I look SO forward in getting to know you better. Your blog is really unique and I just fell into the “swamp”. (smile) We will be talking soon. Sending Much Love, Amy
I’m glad you were able to emerge from the mud to bring us such a beautiful post. Fabulous!! Warmly, Brenda
Har har one of these days I’ll sink down right to my neck and I shall have to ask one of the obliging gators to slosh over and pull me out 😉 Thank you so much for cursitating by and having a wee look and leaving behind such kind words! Jubilant cheers and best wishes,
smiling toad
I’m sure those gators would make you a bridge for art such as yours. 😀
Har har you are too kind. I do imagine they would though. They come swimming up to me all the time. I can only imagine the reason must be because they want to be dear friends and swim around together. I got the chance to swim with a young gator once. An Irishman joined me when I bugled that I’d discovered an alligator, his mates clustered up on the metal platform above. He guffawed up to them and blathered on about being Steve Irwin when suddenly he screamed and blenched about in a frenzy, water spurting everywhere. His chums chimed away with laughter. He had thought my flipper, which had inadvertently brushed his shin, had bitten him on the leg. The alligator and I swam off together as Steve Irwin sloshed back onto the platform to recover 😉
LOL You are a brave one all right!
I loved reading your account of the joyous escapade. I can just see the horrified look on that lady dog-walker’s face. 😯 Your video is magical and the beautiful guitar music almost lulled me to sleep. x
HAHA it was an entertaining expression, I must say. 😉 Poor lass. I’m always frightening people. I do not usually scare animals though. Her dog, a little Jack Russel terrier, I could see, was thoroughly charmed, wanting to play, and he yipped piteously to me as his startled owner ushered him away with a gurgling gasp. I think she worried I might swipe the wee hound and flee, with a wild maniacal laugh, back into the swamp to feed him to my vulture friends and to the alligators smiling below! Spooky!
I am thrilled you enjoyed the video. I thought the guitar music was just lovely. I hope it left you dreaming of friendly furry little caterpillars and colourful damselflies 😉
Thanks for swimming by, dear friend!
smiling toad
My pleasure. 🙂
Love the story and the video ! Good thing you didn’t get lost or stuck – so we can hope for more! 😉
Hahaha aye thanks very much Nil! So thrilled they were enjoyed. I have gotten lost many times, but oddly never stuck…I once sank into a creek-bed up to the waist up North, to my friend’s gleeful delight, but oddly enough that hasn’t happened yet in Florida Swamp. I guess I shall just have to keep hoping 😉 Thanks for the kind words and for oozing by!
smiling toad
Getting lost can be fun sometimes as you may discover things you would not have seen otherwise 🙂 But trying to become one with a creek-bed does sound a bit frightening… Though I might have taken a few photos before pulling you out, I think… 😉
You are quite correct about that! One time I got lost in the woods but I DID find a kindly hawk, some very wily turkeys, and a black bear! 😉 HAHA who wouldn’t snap a photo of that? This was the time before cell-phone cams and since my friend was not a photographer my merging with creek-bed remained a silly story she insisted happened and I neither confirmed nor denied. I admit, it was not the first time I’d sunk deep down into a soggy creek-bed…I never learn…
I have to wonder if you enjoy making the videos…taking the photos…writing your words…as much as we love your work???….
Thanks so much for this superb comment t smith knowles! TOO groovy! Delighted you stopped by, as always! Cheers! -old smiling toad
Love the video and your writing! Very talented indeed! Glad you stopped by my blog. Thankyou 🙂
The pleasure was all mine. Your blog is a pure delight of peace and wisdom. I am looking forward to imbibing of many more future posts. Thanks so much for fluttering by and leaving behind such kind words. Jubilant cheers!
smiling toad
Whenever I see that there is a new post from you, I make myself a pot of tea and settle down to enjoy the adventures, the photos, the beauty of it all…
Thank you so much for creating an amazing place that welcomes us all. 🙂
My dear Clanmother, thank you so much for this spectacular comment…I am so chuffed and humbled. There is nothing more gruntling than sharing adventures over a pot of tea with a dear friend. I feel very much the same way about your blogs and so enjoy and look forward to visiting your latest posts. A pure delight. Thank you so much for these wonderful sluicing words, they touch me greatly. Ebullient cheers to you,
Autumn Jade
You are too smart. So fun to read.
Thanks so much Cindy! Smiling cheers!
Autumn Jade
What an incredible adventure that was. A pity it was so short. 😀
Incredible captures as well and what a serene place to visit. The video was absolutely amazing and I loved that little black hairy caterpillar. Too cute for words. The guitar music was also soothing to my ears. Thanks for a wonderful share AJ. ♥
Har har there was more to the saga but I had to condense! 😉
Thank you so much for the kind words. I am thrilled you enjoyed the little adventure and the video. The caterpillar was an absolute charmer! My little swamp caterpillar 😀 Thank you for drizzling by dear Sonel,
Autumn Jade
Great story Toad and nice film
Thank you so much Natuur. I had too much fun! Joyous cheers!
smiling toad
Amazingly beautiful series!
Thank you so much! 😀
what a fantastic video maker you are!! It’s beautiful!! I love the story and the photos and trying to hurry back before the bus leaves lol ( which I’ve done lost in safari with camera). Lovely time for swamping indeed!! My fave is the googly eyed dragonfly silhouette on the farewell of the sun.
Thank you so much dear Dune. Haha I am avidly trying to improve the video-making skills- a work-in-progress!
I loved that scene too! He was so melancholy there and unlike his other gossamer-winged chums, he had no objection to the behemoth, winking black “Eye” poking into his darling little googly-eyed visage 😉
I am so delighted all was enjoyed. Thank you so much for fluttering by,
smiling toad
Your story and video took me back to my childhood. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for such a lovely comment! You had a wildly adventurous childhood then, I trust! 😉 I am so delighted it was enjoyed and evoked such memories. Thanks so much for winging by. Jubilant cheers,
smiling toad
Nice story telling and amazing pictures !
Thank you! It certainly was an ebullient slosh through the swamp! Thanks for oozing by. Best wishes,
smiling toad
Excellent creative post. 🙂
Thanks so much!
What a lovely sense of carefree joy. Love the photos and video, love the words.
Thank you!! 😀
Lovely story and pictures
Thank you!!
I really do love the contre jour of the dragonfly. It is a masterpiece!
Thanks so much! I was staggered when I suddenly noticed him there, with the setting sun perfectly poised just behind him. Thank you so much for such a fabulous comment. Deeply appreciated. Best wishes,
Autumn Jade