Movie in the fort

This morning is VERY stormy - lots of lightning, thunder, and pounding rain.  The boys' swim lesson got cancelled, so we are watching a Disney movie under a fort I built in the living room with some popcorn and flashlights at the ready in case the power goes out.  Candles going.  Very cozy.  I love this time with my babies.

Peeking raccoon

Tonight, we saw a little raccoon walking around high up in one of the trees in our back yard from our dinner table.  I ran out with my camera while the kids squealed in the kitchen at the little guy.  He just hung out peeking at me through the branches.  What a cutie.  I much prefer seeing raccoons up in the trees where they belong instead of on my porch eating all the birdseed out of the feeders or pooping in my water bath.  

Roseate Spoonbill

Look what we saw today - a roseate spoonbill in the shallows at the beach!  He was scooping that beak through the sand looking for breakfast when we came up on him.  We took the boat out and explored around the beach and on one of the little islands off the beach this morning - snorkeled around on some hard-bottom and then walked checking out the little tide pools and rocky shoreline.  It was really nice to spend some time relaxing with the family. 

Another wildflower

I saw this purple wildflower growing on the side of the road in the grass today! I love finding such amazing beauty in ordinary places. 

Yellow ground orchid

We have the most beautiful ground orchids growing in our yard right now.  I didn't even plant them!! I thought I'd get a macro/detail shot of this beauty this morning.  Isn't this flower fantastic?

Great Blue Heron

I saw this beautiful bird (Great Blue Heron) just perched on this driftwood tonight at the beach before my photoshoot.  Isn't he gorgeous?

4th of July!

I had the best day today... my family and I went out on the boat in the morning/early afternoon, did some fantastic snorkeling, and explored the island off of the Bahia Honda bridge.  It was amazing! Then, tonight, after a nice family dinner and fun with sparklers, I went off on my own and photographed the fireworks from the beach.  It was beautiful!  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!