So last I heard they’re going to build a water park here. This is right next to the freeway so I suppose it’s a good location as far as exposure goes. But I can’t help but feel a twinge of loss at another open space in this beautiful state. However, as hot as it gets here in Florida it doesn’t sound too bad. In any case, this is the “before” shot. Not sure how the “after” shot will end up looking.
You Lookin at Me?
Does anyone know what type of bird this is? I saw this fella at the Tampa zoo. His half whimsical half challenging look seemed to say (in a Robert De Niro voice) “you looking at me?”. Something tells me he was no pushover. I’m no dummy, I know when I’ve met my match.
View From Anna Maria
Another picture from my favorite place. At this spot on Anna Maria Island you can see a sunrise, sit in the beach or watch cruise ships pass under the Skyway Bridge. Its pretty close to perfect and a provokes the frame of mind that allows you to forget about the troubles of the world for a spell. Lord knows they’ll be there when you get back.
Skyscraper
To me this looks a little like a scraper of the sky. These are the clouds just as a thunderstorm passed only a few minutes earlier and just as the sun was setting, casting hues and colors across the sky. At that moment it looked so awesome that I had to scrape a bit of it up for myself. Lucky for you I saved a little.
Fireworks Over Bradenton
Found a great spot atop a parking garage to watch the fireworks over the town of Bradenton Florida. In fact, not only could I watch the main attraction, but those of all the neighboring towns and neighborhoods. A good time was had by all.
Just Before Dusk
I took this from a kayak launch just before the bridge to Anna Maria Island. This little guy was out feeding alone but I’m sure he knew where the others in his flock were. These waters are shallow enough that you could walk several hundred yards out with your fishing pole, as long as you keep track of the tide. Kind of a nice way to end the day.
Empty Pier in the Afternoon
I came here to walk yesterday evening. This is the pier in St Petersburg Florida which is empty while the planners decide how to fix it up. In the meantime it’s still a great place to walk or ride with the cool breeze of the bay on a hot afternoon. I love empty open places in the middle of a busy city. A few steps away from the noise and you have a place of quiet and solitude.
Sunset Fishing
Perhaps because I live in Florida one of my main subjects are sunsets. Good sunsets can be a little elusive. Only about half of the time I go out do I even get one due to offshore cloud layers. And then much less than half of those are what I’d call “good ones”. Maybe it’s like fishing, you’ll usually get a nibble and occasionally get fish. But if you keep doing it you eventually get the “big one”. I hope the fisherman in this photo was as lucky as me.
Florida Polytechnic
Every time I drove between Tampa and Orlando I’d see this under construction. Finally completed I made it a point to stop here to get a closer look. From an architectural perspective there isn’t anything in the region that compares, an icon of design and innovation.
Lone Palm in Myakka
A lone Palm in an open field in central Florida’s Myakka State Park. These open spaces are necessary for the ecology so its nice we have parks where nature can thrive.