3/7/21: Back in 2000 I had to write about my interests for a class assignment in an online webmaster course. I just ran across it again. In part it may explain my eventual journey to Flickr, so I'll share it now:

The Great Outdoors

When I first moved to Florida in 1976, I failed to see the beauty of the state and its diverse wildlife. Eventually I met a friend who enjoyed outdoor activities, and together we spent a lot of time hiking on local trails, occasionally camping, and paddling along rivers and around Tampa Bay. Instead of generic "birds," I began to see swallowtail kites, red-tailed hawks, loggerhead shrikes, ring-necked doves, ibis, wood storks, etc. I've been fortunate to have observed many animals such as turkeys, deer, alligators, owls, armadillos, wild pigs, manatees, and rattlesnakes in their natural habitat.

Some hiking highlights have included witnessing an alligator run across a road (yes, they really are fast!) and having an owl in the Everglades swoop down so close to me that I could feel the wind from its wings. A very memorable moment was unexpectedly finding myself within two feet of a coiled rattlesnake (now the expression "jumping out of your skin" makes sense to me).

I enjoyed hiking so much that I developed (this was during the days of film - no pun intended) an interest in photography as well, to record some of the wonderful experiences I had.

[https://www.flickr.com/photos/photofoolery/52721264835/]

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As you'll see, my photos aren't technical masterpieces - I'm quite technically challenged, and I'd be in lots of trouble without autofocus - they're just a glimpse into some of the beautiful nature Florida has to offer and why it's so important to preserve it here and elsewhere. Although I had planned to travel the state after retirement, life got in the way, so most of my photos are local. Thanks to eBird, I've been able to find local birding hotspots and other areas I was unaware of.

So now I am very thankful for Flickr and for everyone here who shares their experiences and photographs. It is a wonderful, uplifting community of photographers. Thank you to all who view my images, and many thanks to you for posting yours.