Summertime in South Florida

I don't know about you, but I am ready for summertime. Yes, South Florida becomes a hot and humid environment, and the sand is so hot you can burn the bottom of your feet. BUT, the ocean comes alive beckoning me to cool off. The tourists and snowbirds have all returned home. The locals roam. It is almost as if the seasonal change brings an entirely new part of the tropical life. My summer field work can be buggy; although, I value my alone time with little interruption. Maybe I just enjoy the slower pace heat brings. There is something to be said for being still or at least moving slower. I think we become more present when we are not stretched in a zillion directions. Of course, mindfulness is my consistent antidote.

As I am looking forward to the swimming weather, my Oceanana portfolio is really coming together. Since I am such a stickler for presentation, I am creating 15 BW's and 15 Color prints that will be for sale individually and as a portfolio encased in a bound linen book(10 editions) . This has been a great portfolio to work on since I wrote a new course curriculum for those advanced tween and teen artists wanting to create a body of work, use as an application portfolio for the local Art Schools/programs, and for those wanting exposure into the process. I do offer this for adults as well.

HERE'S TO SUMMER:

Summer is here in South Florida

I spent a good part of yesterday at the beach. I say this not to incur any jealousy, but to remind myself that as summer is finally here in South Florida. To most, summer brings welcome warm weather, seasonal shops, tourists, and the like. Here in Florida that usually means rain mixed with muggy hot, hot days. I spend more days inside at the computer working on archiving, optimizing, and putting images together. As much as I love being in the field, I am looking forward to this summer as my studio begins to expand. I have my first book coming out this summer, entitled "Avian Wilds." My personal photography work is primarily conservation based. This particular series is a focus on South Florida's birds. I just sent the final proofing off to the publisher! Keep you posted.