Field Log: Circle B Bar Reserve
Written by: Kyle Beers
Hello, I am Kyle, Krista's fiance and camera assistant. I also jot down notes and research the various animals Krista takes photos of. We wanted to start a field log of our little photo shoots and adventures in the world of animal photography. I hope you enjoy this new series of blog posts on KGY Photography.
On March 11th, Krista and I traveled from our home in Altamonte Springs and drove down to Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland. Circle B is named for an old cattle ranch that once sat on the property. This land, owned by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program, is a large marshy area with a number of trails that criss-cross around small lakes and shady woods. Make sure you bring your water bottles and sunscreen, and you can find yourself hiking the trails for hours on end. It seemed like new wildlife was around every corner, waiting to be captured by our camera.
A parliament of barred owls stole the show with their recently born owlets. It was hard to spot the fully grown adults hiding in the Spanish moss; but one of the owlets was making a splash into the world, slipping and falling among the palms. Krista wasn't the only photographer out enjoying the show. The baby one quickly amassed an army of bird watchers and photographers waiting to catch another adorable moment of its day. We spent a good section of our day just enjoying and photographing the owls as they looked on and explored. I can only wonder what they were thinking of all of us watching them?
Another exciting encounter involved what we have termed “Gator Fight 2016!” Two alligators that were near each other got into a fight over the fact that they were in each others respective space. Alligators were the other show stopper of the day after that encounter. I found a hatch-ling cross our trail earlier that day, and quickly pointed it out to Krista for a good group of shots. We have found many gators since moving, but this was our first baby one in the wild. We also got a chance to witness a moorhen get hunted down by another alligator for dinner with a fellow photographer and her child. The child lit up with bewilderment and wonder. The sight made me wonder what I too, would be having for dinner.
After many photographs and getting lost on a trail in search of eagles, we eventually found our way back to the car and began the long drive home. We are certain that we will adventure here again, taking the time to explore the trails we did not walk on. There is a lot to see at Circle B Bar Reserve, more than one can truly take in with one day.
Written by: Kyle Beers
Hello, I am Kyle, Krista's fiance and camera assistant. I also jot down notes and research the various animals Krista takes photos of. We wanted to start a field log of our little photo shoots and adventures in the world of animal photography. I hope you enjoy this new series of blog posts on KGY Photography.
On March 11th, Krista and I traveled from our home in Altamonte Springs and drove down to Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland. Circle B is named for an old cattle ranch that once sat on the property. This land, owned by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program, is a large marshy area with a number of trails that criss-cross around small lakes and shady woods. Make sure you bring your water bottles and sunscreen, and you can find yourself hiking the trails for hours on end. It seemed like new wildlife was around every corner, waiting to be captured by our camera.
A parliament of barred owls stole the show with their recently born owlets. It was hard to spot the fully grown adults hiding in the Spanish moss; but one of the owlets was making a splash into the world, slipping and falling among the palms. Krista wasn't the only photographer out enjoying the show. The baby one quickly amassed an army of bird watchers and photographers waiting to catch another adorable moment of its day. We spent a good section of our day just enjoying and photographing the owls as they looked on and explored. I can only wonder what they were thinking of all of us watching them?
Another exciting encounter involved what we have termed “Gator Fight 2016!” Two alligators that were near each other got into a fight over the fact that they were in each others respective space. Alligators were the other show stopper of the day after that encounter. I found a hatch-ling cross our trail earlier that day, and quickly pointed it out to Krista for a good group of shots. We have found many gators since moving, but this was our first baby one in the wild. We also got a chance to witness a moorhen get hunted down by another alligator for dinner with a fellow photographer and her child. The child lit up with bewilderment and wonder. The sight made me wonder what I too, would be having for dinner.
After many photographs and getting lost on a trail in search of eagles, we eventually found our way back to the car and began the long drive home. We are certain that we will adventure here again, taking the time to explore the trails we did not walk on. There is a lot to see at Circle B Bar Reserve, more than one can truly take in with one day.