I have been driving myself to seek all things outdoors and capturing images of the creatures that inhabit Northwest Florida. I find the pursuit to be innocent and deliberate. There is no malice in my pursuit. My love of animals is reflecteded in how not only how I perceive them, but how they perceive me.

My Encounter with Wild Bobcats at St Marks FL NWR

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cathy_hennessy/sets/72157628628720915/

I grew up finding ways to be with and around all kinds of creatures. As a kid, salamanders, frogs and snakes were my delights. The animals just got bigger, and horses overwhelmed everything.

I bought my own first horse by babysitting the neighbor's kids. .50 cents an hour and I saved $300 before I turned 12 years old!!

My first horse - Candy

I seem to have the ability to create environments where animals thrive. My 31 year old Paint stallion that I became a partner with when he was 18 months old, died just a few weeks before Christmas 2011.

Preacher's Jet Bar - 4th Level Dressage

Many human relationships could envy the time and wonder we had together. I hope there is a heaven where we can be together again and fly across the clouds as one. I miss you and love you PJ!

I retired in 2004 and moved to Florida after 30 years in law enforcement. A respectable career which offered me a way to retire at a younger age and then pursue a secondary life. Believe me, you do NOT want cops on the beat or in investigation after 25 or 30 years!!

I worked against all odds a good part of my life, and when I found law enforcement to be a career of choice in the '70's - you can imagine nearly everyone's reaction - "Well - you have to be a man!"

NOT really!

 After a chapter of my life that may be revealed, that involves running away from Augsburg College in Mpls and landing in LA, CA  where I received an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Los Angeles Valley College (while working at Universal Studios); I ended up back in Minnesota.

I dunno. Most times our decisions are based on money or love as to where we eventually end up. At that time I couldn't get hired by LAPD because I was too short! You had to be 5'10" and have 20/25 vision.

LA Sheriff's Office offered me a job, when I turned 21 (about 11 months) and guaranteed I would serve a minimun of 4 years in the LA Jail before ever getting a chance to move to a subdivision or patrol.

I had broken up with a boy friend, had the insight of a 20 yr old, and packed my faltering car, 2 cats and moved back to Minnesota.

Part of this reminiscence tonight  has to do with an encounter I had with what we in LE call DOT.cops. You know here in FL - the uniformed guys out there catching the over- weight and under slept truckers??

Well, apparently now since I am sure our goof- ball, screw State- worker Governor Scott has thrown a scare at the lazy DOT.cops, they have decided to be the new freeway speed enforcers!!

Just what we need - more revenuers!

I was moving with traffic on a rural section of a divided freeway, rather imperatively trying to get a to a medical supply that was only available in Fort Walton, from Milton, FL. After days of hauling camera gear on miles of trails .my pinched nerves in my back were leading me to another round of bed rest and I found a traction device that alleged it would help to alleviate some of the back pressure.

DOT cop was in the median. I guess the car on my bumper was the smart driver since he was tail- gating me. DOT cop must have been in ticket heaven. Even though I did let him know I was retired LE after 28+ years, it appears that DOT cops really don't share the same concerns and camaraderie that real blue cops hold.

I worked way too many nights with only two or three other single officer cars on patrol when serious trouble could happen. There were a number of times in my 28 years where off-duty or retired police or firefighters bailed my ass out of a jam or at least helped me manage a situation.

I'll never beg a cop to be given a break for speeding on a freeway. It's a God Damned  FREEWAY! Let's get the revenuing off the rural freeways!! However I do sometimes find it hard to justify the fact that  these single, out there on their own LE people, might just need my trained, (licensed) armed  help in the future. They too will be retired one day and will find that their driving behavior which  they were tirelessly trained to perform and were allowed to perform nearly without discretion, will become an unforgiving liability that the new street  uniforms will  make criminal.

The sad part of being a retired cop is that basically you are nobody.

Cathy

A Day at Gulf Breeze Zoo

Sunday, January 15, 2012.
I have been out and about the past several days searching for all things outdoors to photograph. On Saturday I stopped by Navarre Park and found an extreme low tide and literally 3 birds that seemed to be stuck in place. I didn't wander out since there really was nothing to shoot.

I decided that I hadn't been to the Gulf Breeze Zoo in quite some time and maybe it would be worth checking out. Last fall the new owners had been making headway at improving and expanding the zoo and after yesterday's visit, it appears they are doing a pretty good job.

 They have an expanded farm-type children's area, but even I found the llamas and water buffalo quite charming and amusing.

All the semi-domestic animals could be hand fed and were quite amiable, albeit the llamas took offense if they thought a patron was holding out on the feed and tended to spit at a few of the fathers in family groups.

I found it interesting that they have a lot of pretty chickens running freely throughout the zoo. I know from my own farms that they are great for cleaning up everything from spills to manure so maybe they are part of the maintenance team.

The zoo has three giraffes now. I was saddened when they inexplicably lost one a while back.

Again patrons are allowed to freely feed these big blue tongued creatures. It really is astounding to walk up and stand nearly next to them and see just how enormous they really are. My visions of being a zookeeper got a reality check.

One of the Chimpanzees on Chimp Island has taken over the role of viewer vs viewee. He parked himself on the grass at the end of his island and propped himself against a branch as if it was a pillow, and then proceeded to wave, smile, make faces and laugh at  the people on the upper boardwalk that thought they were there to watch him. It was absolutely hilarious!

They had a lot of new animals and the grounds were well kept. I even peaked at their hay and it received a big pass for clean and green. The only grievance I have is that nearly every animal is behind either chain link or tightly woven metal fencing - a photographer's nightmare. I got great shots of the tigers and panthers, but they have that grey stripping on them that takes forever in Photoshop to remove.

When I acquire some patience I will fix them....

All in all it was a very nice day. There were quite a few visitors even with the somewhat chilly temps. It didn't seem to faze the kids one bit.

                                   A few new critters that I did not remember from the past;

Muntjac Deer

A group of Scarlet Ibis in a new display area

A herd of Thompson's Gazelles

And finally, a few fun shots from the peanut gallery.....

But they have FOOD over there!! Let me out!

Ohhhh that feels sooo good!

It's pink and it's sticky. hmmmm...

Hoe- dee -doh-dee- doh!

Me Tarzan!

Finally a use for all those fallen pine cones!

A herd of Dama Gazelles

If you are in the neighborhood or have some out of town guests, a trip to the Gulf Breeze Zoo is fun for both young and old. Don't forget your camera!