Working from home definitely has its privileges, but it can be so incredibly monotonous. I moved my home office out of the spare bedroom and into the family room last year, so now I have a big, bright room with a window right next to my desk. However, sitting at the computer all day, every day sometimes gives me severe cabin fever!
Once a week or so, I grab my lunch and head over to a nearby park on the water. I am so fortunate to live so close to the ocean, and this little lunchtime reprieve allows me to get my dose of Vitamin Sea without the hour-long drive to South Beach!
Neighborhood locals call this area "Snowden's" after the small bridge at the entrance to the park. While I never did it growing up, and Angeline isn't allowed to do it, it's a popular thing to do to drive to Snowden's when there's no one around and jump off the bridge into the canal.
I've never done it because...there is a great likelihood that there are crocodiles in the area at any given time! While I've never seen one, it's enough of a problem that people aren't allowed to go swimming in the area, nor are they allowed to bring their animals into the park.
There are usually a few people fishing at the park, and I've heard that you can catch snook (my favorite fish!) and mangrove snapper in the area.
I like to sit and chat with the fishermen every once in a while, they're usually a little bored being out there and as a work from home mom, I crave a little human interaction that doesn't occur on the computer!
If you're a bird enthusiast, this little park would make for a prime bird-watching spot. I usually see at least one pelican while there, and sometimes see quite a few!
Sometimes I see a juvenile blue heron, like this little guy I saw fishing in the shallows right next to me.
As I was taking pictures of the pelicans, he inched closer and closer, chasing fish along the way...
He wasn't very camera shy at all!
It's not easy to see them in the photo - I just took a quick photo with my DSLR standing close to the water - but there are tiny little fish swimming all around the marsh!
There were even baby puffer fish swimming around that day, which I found quite exciting. I've never seen puffer fish before!
Every once in a while, if I am really lucky, I'll see an adult blue heron. When I arrived at the park on this particular day, I did see a blue heron, but it was across the way, hanging out at the Deering Estate.
After the fishermen left for the day, he flew over and I was able to see him up close.
Adult blue herons are so beautiful, I think they might be one of my favorite birds that are native to Miami!
So that's how I keep my sanity during the stay-at-home workweek...what do you do to break up the monotony of the day?
Crystal
It's incredible how refreshing a change of scenery can be. I can only imagine how motivating it is to be able to work with such a beautiful backdrop.
Jenn
I've thought about taking my tablet there and doing some writing, but I usually end up getting lost in conversation with other people who go there during their lunch break. I would never get any work done! LOL!
Kait
I would love this kind of scenery!!! Being a teacher I'm lucky to see the real world after 4 pm. That's the one thing I wish I had in my job was more flexibility.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs
I sleep 😛 Wow, I love that are so close to all that nature. Love the photo with the two pelicans as it looks like the water melts into the sky.
Jenn
That is actually one of my favorite photos that I've ever taken! I took it last year with my Nokia 1520, no filters, nothing! I have taken a ton of photos at the same spot with more pelicans in the pic since then and I've never seen the horizon look the same way. I am so glad I at least caught that pic! LOL!
Colleen
This looks like a great way to spend a lunch hour!
HilLesha
So serene and peaceful! I love to break up the monotony of my day by hitting the trails or taking a walk at the riverfront.
Andrea Kruse
What a beautiful area you live in. Right now we are up to our ears in Oregon mud and rain. I really wouldn't mind a little of that Vit. D right about now.
nicole dz
Wow I am in Michigan right now, and it would be quite a scene to be in Miami in this nice weather. I would do anything to see some green on the trees.
Donna
It looks like it was a beautiful day and thank you for sharing it with us! Okay, I'm going to sound crazy, probably, but... I would give anything to not have to go somewhere for a few days. I've even wished we would get a big snow (we've not had any this winter) that would keep us snowed in for about 3 days (I don't want to lose power). After 3 days I think I'd be good and ready to get back to normal. 🙂
Raijean
Yes, I could definitely use a week or two in sunny Miami! I"m jealous!
Ty
I absolutely love the scenery. It looks very peaceful and relaxing!
Penelope
Your landscape photography takes me breath away. What a nice way to take a break, those views would break up the monotony for me!
vanessa: thequeenofswag
I too am trying to get out more instead of being home at a computer all day too. Once the family is taken care of I'm taking me time.
Tisha @ Tisha Berg INK
Wow, what a wonderful daytime reprieve! You are indeed lucky to live near such a beautiful area. I have some good scenic places nearby that I can go to during the day, but the problem is that I get so caught up with relaxing and enjoying the downtime that I don't want to get back to work, lol! Ah, work from home problems...
Jenn
Oh, I get that totally!! There are times that I just want to stay there all day! 🙂
Valerie Remy-Milora
What gorgeous photos! That blue heron is absolutely beautiful! How #blessed you are to so close to such beauty! I'm lucky to have wonderful hills to escape to when I need a breath of fresh air and a change in scenery! I come home rejuvenated and elated, ready to focus on whatever task is at hand 🙂
Matea
You took beautiful photos. I am also in home-mode so getting outside helps. Although, we don't have sea near but a beautiful river, I can see it through my window. Nature is so beautiful and inspirational!