Felted Fawns
I’m going on travel for a week and leaving Regis with the dogs. I hope to see Jason (my son) and Dan in Seattle tomorrow. The weather may not cooperate, but I am hopeful it will work out somehow.
Before going, I wanted to finish a felting project I had been working on and I managed to do it. I mentioned earlier that I love felting some of my favorite photos and I love many of the deer photos I took in Port Townsend. Recently, I took some nice photos along the Silver River and hope to felt some of those animals when I can.
I find it meditative to felt and it causes me to pay attention to the details of the animal. I like that. I see things I might have missed otherwise.
Final Camping Dry Run and Monkey Grooming
We went for a local two night camping trip to ensure we tried out everything in the trailer. Regis cooked some trout on the stove and it was delicious. We both took showers and found that the hot water heater shuts off before we are finished with our shower. I went first and it was not surprising that it happened to me, but it also happened to Regis. He remembers having a similar problem with a prior RV and is thinking about how it was solved.
The first evening I sat outside, the flies would not leave me be.
The dogs are often reactive to new people and things and they bark. Whether we can make this work is left to be seen. As we were exiting the camper the first morning we, and the dogs, saw an armadillo in our campsite, the dogs went crazy.
I had the opportunity to kayak the Silver River again. I hauled the kayak 1/2 mile, through the woods to the launch site near the campground. From the launch, I took my time heading downstream to the pull out where Regis and the dogs met up with me. I didn’t pull the kayak out of the water fast enough to satisfy Raven who started whining. But, I saw a snake near by and had to pull out my camera further delaying my reunion. The cause for the delay was something the dogs did not understand.
We are having trouble keeping my kayak strapped down without the straps loosening up. There is something about the design of the Hobie Lynx that makes it difficult to strap down. We tried four straps on the way home and it seems to be working.
While kayaking, I heard loud noises ahead and was a bit scared. I was alone along the river and it sounded like Sasquatch was ahead. It turned out to be a bunch of monkeys and it was grooming time.
Later, I heard similar loud noises and thought I would see some monkeys, but it was a bunch of squirrels.
Here are a few other favorite pictures from my kayak trip along the Silver River.
I came upon some activity on the water which I thought was insects. I had trouble getting a photo because of how quick they are. This is my best photo and it appears to be fish. If anyone knows what it is let me know. I tried to upload to iNaturalist but it isn’t able to give a preliminary guess.
Bobcat
I sometimes have a trail camera set up on our property and last night got our first picture of a bobcat.
The momma Muscovy duck who made a nest in the neighbors El Camino was a victim of a predator. When we walked by recently, her nest was obliterated and there were no eggs. She was perched on the vehicle. Very sad. Our neighbor finally used his car today.
Local Wildlife
We have Muscovy ducks in our neighborhood that regularly try to nest and raise young. Unfortunately, we rarely see them succeed. Even when eggs hatch, predators often pick off the ducklings before they reach adulthood. This year, however, we have watched a group of ducklings defy the odds and grow to a size where they have a much better chance of surviving. We are rooting for them.
One of our neighbors owns an old El Camino, and a Muscovy duck decided the bed of the vehicle would make an excellent nesting site. Fortunately for the duck, the owner has allowed her to take over his vehicle and has not driven it since she built the nest. As far as we can tell, she is sitting on four eggs. The owner doesn’t have another vehicle, so he is making quite a sacrifice in hopes that the duck will be successful.
I mentioned in an earlier blog post that I led an iNaturalist project for the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. The goal was to photograph and document as many life forms as possible within the GTM watershed. Forty-four participants submitted nearly 7,000 observations representing almost 1,300 species during the month-long project.
One of the most rewarding outcomes was seeing how the project changed the way people observe the world around them. Participants began paying closer attention to the small details of nature that are easy to overlook. Regis and I walk our two dogs, Raven and Clover, three times a day. Since the project, I rarely leave home without my phone camera. During our walks, I stop whenever I spot an interesting plant, insect, fungus, or other life form so I can photograph it and submit the observation to iNaturalist.
Some examples are noticing the large number red-shouldered bugs gathered on a fence. Because I photographed them, I was able to notice that two of the insects look different (sex, age, ?) than the others. Clover was particularly interested in a section of our garden covered with leaves. Upon closer inspection, I saw a box turtle. I consider myself someone who usually pays attention to the wildlife around me, but I feel even more focused now.
With the completion of the iNaturalist project and some other volunteer commitments, I recently found extra time to focus on personal interests. One of the things I have been enjoying is creating additional felting projects. I choose some of my favorite photos and use them as a reference. The photos I used for the following projects were taken in Port Townsend, Washington. We will be visiting the area again later this summer.
A Diamondback Terrapin and a Duck
While walking the dogs today, we noticed that a Muscovy duck has chosen an unusual nesting site—our neighbor’s truck. The neighbor appears to have accepted the situation and is letting her do her thing. Once the ducklings hatch, I’m not quite sure how they’ll make their way out of the truck bed, but if they need a little assistance, we’re ready to help.
Unfortunately, Muscovy ducks don’t seem to have much success raising young in our neighborhood. On the rare occasions when ducklings hatch, predators usually pick them off one by one until none remain. It’s a harsh reality of nature, but I’m hoping this determined mother beats the odds. There are plenty of challenges ahead for her and her ducklings.
Meanwhile, Regis had a wildlife encounter of his own today. While visiting his boat at the marina, he spotted a Diamondback Terrapin. Growing up in Maryland, we know this brackish-water turtle well as the mascot of the University of Maryland. What makes the Diamondback Terrapin especially remarkable is its ability to thrive in environments where fresh water and salt water mix.
Despite spending countless hours outdoors, I’ve never seen a Diamondback Terrapin in the wild, so I have to admit I’m a little envious. Regis was lucky enough to have the encounter while I wasn’t there. Maybe my turn will come one day.
A Photograph, an Illustration, and a Shared Love of Wildlife
About a year and a half ago, an illustrator contacted me to ask permission to use one of my photos as a reference for an illustration in an upcoming book. In exchange, we agreed I would receive copies of the finished book. The photo was one I had taken of baby Carolina wrens I was raising under the license of the Ark Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in St. Augustine, Florida. He had discovered the image through a blog post I had written.
Yesterday, I was thrilled to receive two copies of The Weedy Garden, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. I love Billy Renkl’s beautiful illustration of the wrens, but I especially appreciate the theme of the book itself — how much wildlife benefits from native plants and “weedy” gardens. It feels especially meaningful to have an illustration based on one of my photos included in a book that celebrates the value of creating habitat for wildlife.
Billy also included a copy of The Comfort of Crows, also written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Moments like this remind me how photography can help tell the story of why native habitats matter.
I’m using my photos as references for felting projects. I photographed this beautiful pronghorn in Custer State Park in South Dakota. Today, I completed a felting based on the photo.
Recent Gifts of the Day
One of my favorite things to do is immerse myself in nature and photograph the beauty around me. I recently took a boat trip on the Silver River with some photography friends and the day was filled with unforgettable moments. A few of my favorites are below.
Today marked the final day of our BioBlitz challenge, so I headed to Vaill Point Park this morning to see what I could find. I added a few new species to my personal list, but one encounter stood out above the rest.
While standing on the dock, a red-shouldered hawk landed about ten feet away carrying a branch in its talons. It pecked at the branch for a moment, almost as if it were practicing how to handle prey, and then remained perched nearby long enough for me to admire such a beautiful bird up close. I suspect it was a juvenile learning to fend for itself. A branch may be good practice, but it will need something a bit more substantial to fill its stomach.
Bioblitz
I mentioned in an earlier post that I’m leading a month-long BioBlitz challenge across the GTM Reserve watershed. It’s been a fantastic collaboration, with participation from the Saint Augustine Camera Club, Beaches Photography Club, GTM Reserve, and St. Johns Regional Audubon. The challenge wraps up next Sunday, May 10, and I thought I’d share a few of my recent favorite images from the field.
Closer to home, I’ve been continuing my effort to incorporate more native plants into the garden—and the results have been immediate and unmistakable. The pollinators are not just visiting; they’re thriving. Almost without exception, the best pollinator photos I’ve captured have been on native plants, reinforcing just how important these species are.
A recent trip to a local native plant nursery was supposed to be a quick stop for a single false indigo. That plan didn’t stand a chance. I left with nine plants and a full afternoon of digging ahead of me.
Everything was going smoothly—until the final plant. My shovel struck what I assumed was a stubborn root. With a bit more determination (and perhaps a touch too much confidence), I powered through it… only to discover I had just broken a drainage pipe running from the gutter.
Regis may have had other plans for the day, but instead, he found himself repairing the damage I enthusiastically created. To his credit, he took it all in stride—and I now have nine beautiful new plants and a memorable reminder to dig a little more carefully.
Silver River Camping and Kayaking
We took our second “dry run” camping trip with the trailer to Silver Springs State Park – a chance to test systems, settle into a rhythm, and see what worked. I brought the kayak. The dogs came too, of course.
The campground has a kayak launch, but it some with a catch: a half-mile walk to reach it. Before committing to hauling the kayak, we decided to scout it out the first evening.
That turned into an adventure all its own.
The dogs immediately took off down the trail like they had somewhere important to be. Despite the heat, they never slowed—trotting with purpose while I half-walked, half-jogged to keep up. Regis has long legs and I had the feeling I was the least prepared member of the group.
By the time we reached the launch, the dogs were thrilled, we were sweaty, and I had my answer: yes, the haul would be worth it.
That evening, we settled into the quiet of the campsite. Birdsong carried through the trees as the light softened. I laid out a mat for the dogs, envisioning a cozy setup. They ignored it completely and stretched out on the rocks instead—perfectly content, as always, doing things their way.
Early the next morning, I committed.
I strapped wheels onto the kayak and made the half-mile trek back to the launch, this time with purpose. The effort faded the moment I pushed off into the water.
The river was calm, the kind of calm that invites you to slow down whether you intend to or not. I drifted nearly three miles downstream toward Wayside Park, carried more by the current than by any urgency to paddle.
Wildlife appeared quietly, as it does when you’re willing to move at the river’s pace. Limpkin calls echoed from the shoreline—distinctive, almost haunting—and Wood Duck pairs slipped through the shadows along the banks. Moments like that are why I bring the camera… and why I keep coming back.
At the end of the paddle, Regis was waiting at Wayside Park, completing what felt less like a “dry run” and more like a reminder of why we do this at all.
Below is a video from that morning—one of those quiet, memorable stretches on the water, with a few of the wild residents who made it special.
At the home front, we have been seeing manatees frolicking and resting in the marina where Regis keeps his boat.
Florida’s Photo Fest
Florida’s Photo Fest starts Wednesday in St. Augustine, Florida. I will be speaking and conducting workshops at the event. On Sunday, I’m doing an all day beginning photography workshop. The link is below if you are interested.
In addition, vendors will be there to fix/clean your camera equipment, buy your camera equipment, try out camera equipment and sell camera equipment.
I’m also leading a month-long bioblitz for the GTM Reserve. It is called the 2026 GTM Reserve Through the Lens Challenge. The goal is to photograph as many life forms within the GTM NERR watershed as possible. The challenge runs through May 10 and we have 2,483 observations and 654 species so far. If you are in the area and interested, more information can be found on my website at
Linda Burek Photography 