Osprey detente

I had a bad experience-traumatic-but now I can look into the steely eyes of the fish-hunting raptor without diving for cover.

It began innocently enough; a balmy evening, the swing of the bat at G.T. Bray, the setting sun.

Then, it hit me.

On the side of the head.

I reached up to explore what it was-and smooshed it into my hair.

Osprey poop.

Or more precisely: the droppings of ‘Pandion haliaetus.’

The baseball players I was photographing laughed and pointed; my feelings about the situation were less amused.

But that’s all in the past now. I’m on good terms with the fishermen of the sky.

As long as I have my hat on.

--Tiffany Tompkins-Condie

Never Forget

Fred Fisher carries a flag as he walks down the Green Bridge onto Eighth Avenue to the Tribute to Heroes Memorial Service on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 at Palmetto's Sutton Park.

Fisher lost a good friend, Jerry Olcott, on Sept. 11, 2001, when a plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center.

Eleven years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, many of us remember where we were that day when we heard the terrible news. I was with members of the Secret Service at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport watching it unfold on a small television in a security room, then rushed onto the tarmac where Air Force One was waiting to take off with President George W. Bush.

In reality, this is trivial compared to those, like Fisher who lost loved ones in the attack. Their memory is not so much where they were, but who they lost. Yes, may we never forget their loss and remember the strengths of our great nation to carry on.

-Grant Jefferies

Shhhh....

 

While making a rather noisy trip down the stairs while shooting photographs of the first day of school at Palm View Elementary, I rounded the corner and was greeted by a wall of kindergartners. 

The young students, with a finger over their lips, put the fear of the principal’s office in me. Behaving in line was never my best subject. It was a good thing the principal was my escort and she showed mercy on the first day of class. 

The start of a new school year and the end of the summer vacation is an unofficial season that should be marked on calendars right there with spring, summer, fall and winter. 

And the best thing is, there are only 179 days of school left.

-Grant Jefferies

Fueling Up for Football

As the summer winds down and a new school year looms on the horizon, armies of warriors prepare for a new season of battle on the gridiron, as high school football gets set for its opening kickoff.

Practicing during the day with heat indexes often soaring over 100 degrees, staying hydrated is just as important as hiking, punting and passing.

Here, thirsty players at Bradenton Christian School gather around a watering station, half drinking and half showering in the cool water to temporarily escape from the heat.

But not to fear, by the final weeks of the football frenzy, we will all be wondering where our jackets are and trying to stay warm.

-Grant Jefferies

Peaceful and Powerful

A lone helicopter flies over west Manatee County, dwarfed by a background of clouds rising thousands of feet into the air.

In heat of summer, the immense canvas of blue sky is painted with flowing mountains of white and gray.

Observed from the distance the array of soaring moisture appears peaceful and delicate. But as the distant battle on the horizon moves closer, the crack of lightning and the roar of thunder quickly remind us of the awe-inspiring forces of nature.

-Grant Jefferies

Something to flap about

At a recent assignment Way Out East...(anything east of I75 for those who live in West Bradenton) I was surprised by the frantic display of this sandhill crane who was dancing around and acting funky.

The bird was leaping and flapping and generally behaving in an un-birdlike manner, which can make for an interesting image if you actually get your camera up and firing instead of standing and gawking with incomprehension.

After finally getting a look at what all the fuss was about, it seems to be a piece of hay or grass.

Not something that I would flap about, but if you're a sandhill crane, maybe.


--Tiffany Tompkins-Condie

Teaching the next generation

Childhood and politics.

Not really sure they go together, but teaching our children the political process and making them aware of how America selects the folks who ultimately shape the country's future is probably a good idea.

When I was a child, I remember asking my mother a lot of questions "why."

Why is there war, crime, poverty, sadness...things that, to a child, seem to have easy answers:
Be kind; don't take things that don't belong to you; respect others; share if you have extra.

Too bad solving all the world's ills isn't that easy.

Or is it?

While covering a recent Presidential campaign stop in Tampa, I came across Breanna Duhart, 8, reading "Barack Obama, Our President" as she waited in line with her family to see President Obama at the Hillsborough Community College in Tampa.

Maybe when Breanna grows up, she'll have some ideas.

--Tiffany Tompkins-Condie