Beyond the birds: Some other photos

Yes, as you can tell from this site, I am certainly bird-brained in this photography hobby of mine.

But birds aren’t the subjects of my photos — just the vast majority. So, I thought I would share some of my non-bird photos from this year so far.

(A reminder, tap on the photo to launch the gallery. And if you’re coming from Facebook, it’s better to go directly to RogerSimmons.com to allow you to to zoom in on the photos)

Swan BoatOne of several swan pedal-powered swan boats on Lake Eola, near the amphitheater in June 2023.

Lake Eola FountainThe famous Lake Eola Fountain was first built in the lake in 1956, and it had a major renovation in 2011 after a 2009 lightning strike.

Royal Mute Swan and Red-bellied Cooter TurtleThis Red-bellied Cooter Turtle has reason to believe someone is watch him, as a mother Royal Mute Swan swims up behind it at Lake Eola Park in June 2023.

GaillardiaA wildflower called Gaillardia, also known as blanket flower, is in full bloom at the UCF Arboretum in June 2023.

FishingFishermen and boaters can be seen off the short of Fort DeSoto Park's North Beach in May 2023.

Cooter TurtleA Cooter Turtle comes out of the water to catch some sun rays at Orlando Wetlands Park in April 2023.

Green TurtleA Green Turtle heads to the surface in the water off St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in April 2023.

Green TurtleA Green Turtle swims along the sandy bottom of a shallow lagoon off St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in April 2023.

OpossumAn opossum stumbles out of the forest and onto a trail at Orlando Wetlands Park in May 2023.

Halloween PennantA Halloween Pennant dragonfly takes a look a me taking a photo of it at Orlando Wetlands Park in early April 2023.

Milk ThistleA believe this is a Milk Thistle plant, flowering in early April 2023 at Orlando Wetlands Park.

DeerA deer braves wading into one of the many alligator-filled ponds at Orlando Wetlands Park in April 2023.

Green DarnerA Green Darner dragonfly lands on a palm frond at Orlando Wetlands Park in April 2023.

Full MoonA full moon is still in the sky shortly before sunrise at Orlando Wetlands Park in April 2023.

Sanbal PalmsSabal Palms are silhouetted against the sky as the sun rises at Orlando Wetlands Park in April 2023.

Artemis IArtemis I on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in September 2023.

ManateeA manatee in the Indian River Lagoon near Blairs Cove in March 2023.

SquirrelA squirrel jumps in the backyard.

American AlligatorA young American Alligator strolls along Scrub Ridge Trail at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in early March 2023.

Marsh RabbitThis little Marsh Rabbit is missing part of his ears, but maybe he's pretending to be a beaver. Photographed at Orlando Wetlands Park in May 2023.

Dainty Sulphur ButterflyA Dainty Sulphur Butterfly stops on a flower along Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island.

Orlando Wetlands ParkThe sun sets over Orlando Wetlands Park, 1,650 acres of man-made wetlands in Christmas, Florida.

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Pig FrogPig Frogs, like this one at the Orlando Wetlands in August 2023, not only are colorful but they're also very loud.

American AlligatorThis American Alligator didn't see me as it crossed right behind me at the Orlando Wetlands in July 2023. There was a leaf covering its eye.

Gopher TortoiseThis Gopher Tortoise at the UCF Arboretum in July 2023 is probably the rarest species at the site. Listed as "threatened," it is one of five North American tortoise species and the only found found east of the Mississippi River.

West Indian ManateeThis manatee swimming in Haulover Canal on Merritt Island comes up for a breath of air in July 2023.

Gopher TortoiseA little Gopher Tortoise looks mighty ferocious in this close-up as he walks along Scrub Ridge Trail at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Eastern Cottontail RabbitThis Eastern Cottontail Rabbit blends in well with the forest floor at the UCF Arboretum in June 2023.

Eastern Gray SquirrelThis Eastern Gray Squirrel was watching me watch some White-tailed Deer at the UCF Arboretum in June 2023.

White-tailed DeerThough this is only a White-tailed Deer fawn, look at the eyelashes and whiskers on this little one at the UCF Arboretum in June 2023.

White-tailed DeerThis White-tailed Deer fawn keeps an eye on my while I am watching in at the UCF Arboretum in June 2023.

White-tailed DeerThis White-tailed Deer fawn takes a few tentative steps from its hiding place in the palmetto at the UCF Arboretum in June 2023.

Black BearA young Black Bear hangs out in an oak tree at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on June 4, 2023.

Black bearA young Black Bear hangs out in an oak tree at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on June 4, 2023.