Mark Mitchell
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trusttheroad-24.bsky.social
Mark Mitchell
@trusttheroad-24.bsky.social
1.8K followers 870 following 430 posts
Retired from service in the chips and cola wars. Motorcycle enthusiast. Just want to take pictures now, birds and landscapes. Central Florida based. Critters and landscapes don't lie. Photos taken by myself unless noted otherwise.
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trusttheroad-24.bsky.social
The Locals. Upset with me, no doubt, for not topping off the bird feeder. Better get to it, the bottom guy looks ready to come at me.

#squirrel
#EasternGraySquirrel
#photographersofbluesky
Two Eastern Gray Squirrels, perched in a tree. Two Eastern Gray Squirrels, perched in a tree. Two Eastern Gray Squirrels, perched in a tree. Eastern Gray Squirrel, facing photographer, posture as if it's ready to fight.
December 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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For Bird Of The Day - Coots and Moorhens

Some central Florida offerings.

#BirdOfTheDay theme is #Coots&Moorhens, and the Alternative is #Pigeons.

#birds #photography #EastCoastKin #naturephotography #ukbirding #wildlifephotography #naturetherapy #birdphotography
#photographersofbluesky
Common Moorhen swimming in algae covered pond Common Moorhen swimming among lily pads Flock of Coots (and a Common Moorhen) swimming Common Moorhen in a tree. Rare for this observer to see one in a tree.
December 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
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The back of this searchlight(? device?) seems a bit surprised.
#faces
#pareidolia
#photographersofbluesky
White metal, vertical column topped by a round device. Possibly a searchlight. Photo from back of device, shows black handles on either side of the round back, and a cluster of cables at bottom of circle, making it look like a surprised expression face.
December 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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You don't get to kill alleged drug smugglers and pardon a convicted drug runner. Karma will cash this check.
November 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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Timeline cleanse.
Just four favorites.
Two shots, just off in timing, love them still, herons are hard to get in motion. A dragonfly, love its color. Another heron, mouth agape like "whuuutt"
Heron, head cut off in frame, just lifting off from water Heron landing, full wing extension as if air braking, but shot missed the bottom of the legs Golden Amberwing Dragonfly, nice highlight in it's eyes. Heron, beak open as if saying "whuuuttt"
November 29, 2025 at 2:04 AM
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Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is all about #HeadShots and the alternative birds are #Swans.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate 🫶🍂🍁🍂

#Birds #birding #photography #closeup #scape #PhotographersOfBluesky #PhotographersUnited #nature #outdoors #thelittlethings #photohour #EastCoastKin
#florida
Green Heron, bright yellow eye, looking left of camera Barred Owl, looking slightly downward Tricolor Heron, looking left of camera Anhinga headshot, sharp bill profiled against blue water
November 28, 2025 at 12:24 AM
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4 for BOTD

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is all about #HeadShots and the alternative birds are #Swans.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate 🫶🍂🍁🍂

#Birds #birding #photography #closeup #scape #PhotographersOfBluesky #PhotographersUnited #nature #outdoors #thelittlethings #photohour #EastCoastKin
November 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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When the Christmas Cactus goes all "game on" for the holidays.

#macro
#ChristmasCactus
#photographersofbluesky
Close-up showing stamen of Christmas Cactus bloom. Bright pink flower with thin pink tendrils ending in tiny yellow tips. Close-up showing stamen of Christmas Cactus bloom. Bright pink flower with thin pink tendrils ending in tiny yellow tips. Sun shining through leaf blade of Christmas Cactus. Fresh buds showing at tip of blade, soon to open. Close-up showing stamen of Christmas Cactus bloom. Bright pink flower with thin pink tendrils ending in tiny yellow tips.
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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Goodnight moon.
Waxing Crescent 17% illumination tonight.
November 25, 2025 at 3:14 AM
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Two for BOTD
#yelloweyes
November 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM
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Current mood. Full vulture, top of tree, every day. Looking for that one bit of positive news, but getting this rapid descent to a bottom that has no bottom.

#photographersofbluesky
#vulture
Vultures, wings spread wide, perched on top of dead trees, backdrop of clear blue sky above them
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 AM
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The little left arm, just up, allowing for excellent shadow-play. Almost saying "you did this..."

#bright
#small
#invertebrates
#walkingstick
#BlueSkyArtShow
#photographersofbluesky
Walking Stick on orange surface. Shadow of the bug on the surface is quite distinct. Left limb of the walking Stick held slightly up, making the shadow rather dramatic.
November 22, 2025 at 11:52 PM
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Walkabout Friday (should be a thing?)
Personal 1st sighting of a Loggerhead Shrike, and a lucky shot of a Tricolor Heron gulping down a minnow. Got to spend quality time watching a Green Heron browsing for lunch also.

#GreenHeron
#TricolorHeron
#Osprey
#LoggerheadShrike
#PhotographersOfBluesky
Loggerhead Shrike (small grey bodied bird, white under, distinctive black bandit style mask on face). Seen perched on a tree near Lake Apopka Florida today Osprey, perched on a tree branch at shoreline. Back to photographer, looking to left over shoulder. Tricolor Heron, beak open, tossing back a minnow. The minnow can be seen in the air between top and bottom sides of the herons rather long beak. Green Heron walking among vegetation. Neck fully extended as it focus on a potential tasty snack in the pond.
November 21, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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Taken a few years ago on a trip to Seaside Or. Was lucky enough to catch the setting sun lighting up this starling with wonderful golden highlights. Wish my hair was that cool.

#starling
#bird
#photographersofbluesky
Starling in profile, bird looking left. Lit softly by setting sun, golden highlights on birdface. Great profile of swept back feathers over the head.
November 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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Squirrel shots for sweet dreams.

Maybe my yard-buddies will keep the thoughts brought by our current predicament away tonight.

Probably gonna need more squirrel for best results.

#squirrel
#eastern
#photographersofbluesky
Easter Grey Squirrel, right profile, right arm held against its chest. Well lit by setting sun. Eastern Grey Squirrel, left profile, snacking on a tasty nibble, both little paws holding the snack Eastern Grey Squirrel, full frontal stan, framed by blurry sections of garden plant both left and right. Almost a belligerent pose, with front paws held as if ready to step forward to punch.... Eastern Grey Squirrel, on all fours, staring directly at photographer. Ready to go, any which way
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 AM
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Casually wondering where this timelines' Ellsberg is. We need circumvention and transparency, being certain that endless fuckery of the facts continues. Take the leap, look into the dark!
Egret on wet beach sand, investigation contents of surf fisherman bait can. Mirror image of both bird and bait can shown on the wet sand
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 AM
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Two for #BlueSkyMonday
American Vulture sitting at top of tall dead tree, blue sky above, sun bright causing some lens flare effects in the image American Vultures sitting on top of a number of dead palm trees, bright blue sky above, sun flare behind one tree with palm fronds still
November 17, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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That time in Grand Teton NP a few years back. Gotta go again!
Stopped cars along the roadside, people getting out, photography of an elk family crossing the road. Bull Elk bellowing, vapor from exhalation swirling around. Bull Elk in profile, chin up, antlers back, right side to photographer. Bull Elk, left side profile, mist in morning sunshine behind.
November 16, 2025 at 7:07 PM
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Deflection. Distraction. Seems that the steps of the Desperation Samba are playing out soon (apologies to Jimmy Buffett).

Release the files, no matter the party affiliations, crime is crime. Do not start another needless war in an effort to change the subject.

'Merica is watching, closely.
American Bald Eagle, headshot portrait style, both eyes firmly on the photographer, nice straight- on gaze
November 14, 2025 at 5:22 PM
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Luna Moth caterpillar?

That little bristle face, amirite?

#invertebrates
#caterpillar
#photographersofbluesky
Small caterpillar on pavement. Brilliant green body, small brown ring at mouth area. Red points at base of long yellow hairs protruding from each ring segment. Possibly Luna Moth caterpillar. Small caterpillar on tree branch. Brilliant green body, small brown ring at mouth area. Red points at base of long yellow hairs protruding from each ring segment. Possibly Luna Moth caterpillar.
November 14, 2025 at 3:02 AM
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Four for
#Paddling
#BirdOfTheDay. #Birdphotography
#birds
#Nature
#Photography #EastCoastKin
#Photographersofbluesky
November 12, 2025 at 4:27 PM
trusttheroad-24.bsky.social
@blueskyartshow.bsky.social

Four for the
#BlueSkyArtShow
#evening
#photographersofbluesky
Bright mon shing over neighborhood homes, shot partially framed by trees Setting sun over open field. Sun causing lens flare on left edge of photo Moon showing in early evening sky, light pollution lighting lower edge of sky Lovely pink to orange pastel clouds in center of evening picture. Edge of home shown on left.
November 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
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Eastern Phoebe, standing on fence rail.
#BirdOfTheDay theme of birds standing on things.

#EastCoastKin #birds #birdphotography #nature #wildlife #photography #wildlifephotography
#photographersofbluesky
Small bird, Eastern Phoebe, light brown back and wings, oft olive drab to white underside, standing on fence rail, looking at photographer.
November 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
trusttheroad-24.bsky.social
Full Moon tonight, very nice.
November 6, 2025 at 4:11 AM
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Nice early evening November moon.

Waxing Gibbous 95% illumination

#waxinggibbous
#moon
#lunar
#photographersofbluesky
Nov 3 Waxing Gibbous moon, 95% illumination. Moon fills image frame. Nov 3 Waxing Gibbous moon, 95% illumination. Landscape view, as the moon comes up over the backyard. Moon center of picture, small white orb surrounded by overhanging trees
November 3, 2025 at 11:27 PM