Sarasota Daily Photo

Fiery Pair

2012-02-13T00:04:00.001-05:00

Sure, almost anyone can have a fire hydrant in front of their house. But, what about a fire truck mailbox to go with it? Clever, indeed! I wonder if a firefighter lives here....

Recovery

2012-02-08T20:49:00.000-05:00

We're back! SDP was unexpectedly shut down for the past week due to an external hard drive malfunction. During that time, my entire digital photo library was MIA. (That's 17,000+ pictures!) Well, I located them (not in my refrigerator) but on my backup drive...and I successfully recovered them. Whew! Two nicely chilled 1664s have been tucked way in the back of the fridge, ready for the photo recovery celebration. But, since I started enjoying an alcohol-free diet before this nerve wracking incident, they shall stay put for awhile. Gosh, it's nice to have all my photos accounted for --- and SDP up and running again.

Computer Woes

2012-02-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

I'm experiencing problems with my external hard drive which stores all my photo files. I'm also having problems with my back up system. I was stood up by one computer tech yesterday, and I'm having problems getting others to call me back. This could take awhile to resolve. So, please stand by.

We Trust

2012-02-02T00:02:00.017-05:00

If you were hoping to unload this thing (which appears to be some sort of a cooking device, perhaps a smoker or barbeque), would you leave it by the side of the road with a sign declaring "WE TRUST" and asking $25 for it....

...with a clearly labeled money jar in which to place said cash? I spotted this over the weekend while taking a walk in a neighborhood in Ft. Myers. I was so fascinated, I returned several hours later to see if either the smoker or the jar were still there. (They were...thus, the photos.) This leaves me with so many questions to ponder: Who does something like this nowadays when neighborhood crime watches are being organized here due to....theft? Did someone buy it? If so, did they deposit $25 in the MONEY JAR and just leave it in plain view on the sidewalk ...or did they knock on the front door and personally deliver the cash? Or was this a sociological experiment to see how people would respond to the situation? So many questions....so little time!

Theme Day: Animal

2012-02-01T06:23:00.002-05:00

Sure, I could have posted a bird, a dog or an alligator...or some other critter for today's City Daily Photo theme day. But, I'm opting for a completely different take. I give you the tennis animal: Novak Djokovic, the #1 ranked player in the world. With last Sunday's record breaking Australian Open win, prowling the court for nearly 6 hours of mind boggling endurance tennis, he was....well...an animal out there! Unbelievably impressive. I've been fortunate enough to see him play several times, including on Centre Court at Wimbledon, where I took this photo. Lots of bloggers in the CDP community are participating in today's theme day. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Primary Day

2012-01-31T00:02:00.004-05:00

The Republican primary is today in Florida. We have a closed primary system here, which means you have to be registered as a Republican in order to vote in the Republican primary. Sarasota County is still considered Republican territory, although, as I recall, the McCain-Palin ticket carried it by just 200 votes or so in 2008. (Sarasota city residents are another story, voting quite Democratic.) A rally for Newt Gingrich supposedly drew 4,000 people here last week during a work day. Personally, I haven't seen much interest here in the primary. (I found this yard sign down in Ft. Myers, a Republican stronghold.) For the most part, the political ads I've been seeing on TV are anti-Newt. The latest poll I read has Mitt Romney defeating Newt by double digits. Whoever takes the primary, I'm sure I'll hear it dissected 552 different ways on Wednesday. The Republican National Convention is up the road in Tampa this summer. Buckle up! It's gonna be a bumpy political ride until November.

Winter Bloom

2012-01-30T00:04:00.003-05:00

I don't know what kind of tree this is, but it blooms during the winter here in Florida. And, as you can see, it's quite eye catching. The tree is the size of a large oak and it's filled with these beautiful colorful flowers -- just one of the many reasons I love the Sunshine State this time of year.

R & R

2012-01-26T13:04:00.001-05:00

In this case, R & R stands for Roger & Rafa. One of the greatest sports rivalries played out yet again on Centre Court at the Australian Open today (in the wee hours of the morning -- 3:30 a.m. EST): Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal. Gosh, I enjoy watching them in action! Recently, I framed a few of my favorite pics and they're in the mix. It's rather nice seeing Rog & Raf smiling over my desk, especially during those hectic work days. By the way, in case you missed the news...it was another good match between them, although Rog lost in four sets.

Banana Rama Produce

2012-01-25T00:08:00.000-05:00

I stumbled across this produce stand in rural Sarasota County, when I went for a drive a couple of weekends ago. Between the rusty tin roof, weathered paint and American flag flying, it was just too irresistible for me to pass by. It's called Bananarama Produce. And even though it's located way out in the country, they're quite busy selling beans, bananas, oranges, tangerines and more. Linda, the co-owner, didn't mind me snapping pics and even was kind enough to give me a tangerine plucked from a nearby tree which was quite tasty. Thanks!

Spike

2012-01-24T00:05:00.001-05:00

During the holidays, gasoline prices were on a downward trend dropping quite nicely (although no where near what they should be in reality). Just before Christmas, it was $3.27/gallon for regular unleaded. And, now look at the price. Up 24-cents in one month. If this trend continues we'll be at $4/gallon by April.

Miakka School House

2012-01-17T00:03:00.009-05:00

I just love little old school houses, like this one, the Miakka School House. According to an historic marker, it was constructed in 1914 for a whopping $1,400. It was the first public school to be constructed using school bonds in Manatee County, which is a little confusing because this site is located in Sarasota County. (Turns out, 7 years after the school opened, the area became known as Sarasota County.) Although the school house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, I'm not sure about its status now and whether it's open to the public.

MLK Day

2012-01-16T00:02:00.022-05:00

This bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. is located at MLK Park in Sarasota. Inscribed below is a quote from the civil rights leader which reads, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." If you happen to be in the Sarasota area, there's a celebration of MLK's life at the park noon - 6 p.m. today.

Budding Bud

2012-01-15T08:49:00.000-05:00

About 50 yards down the road from yesterday's photo, I spotted this sight: a flower poking out of a Bud Light bottle securely fastened to a barbed wire fence. The flower was fresh and a few cigarette butts lined the bottom of the bottle. Makes me wonder why someone would take the time to tie this to a fence in the middle of nowhere.

Tangerine and Blue

2012-01-14T00:04:00.001-05:00

It's a perfect time of year to go for a drive in the country here. I was in the middle of nowhere, east of I-75, when I encountered this citrus scene. I love the bright orange tangerines against the cobalt blue winter sky. It makes me wonder if perhaps this is how the University of Florida, a land grant college, came up with its school colors: orange and blue.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

2012-01-11T00:07:00.005-05:00

Granted, I could not see the rose color that's supposed to be on this woodpecker's belly to indicate that it is indeed a red-bellied woodpecker, but after scouring through my trusty Birds of Florida manual, I've determined it cannot be: a pileated woodpecker, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker or a red-headed woodpecker, which leaves the red-bellied. Anyway, I heard this little fellow pecking on a branch at Selby Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota. Affter staring upward for awhile, I finally spotted him. Even with that shock of red, he wasn't easy to locate. One of my loyal followers in Houston (who happened to miss her flight from Tampa back to Texas due to a triple overtime football game - oops!) mentioned she recently saw a beautiful woodpecker and wished I would have been there to capture the moment. Well, I missed that one....so, I offer this red-bellied instead.

Hari

2012-01-10T00:03:00.039-05:00

As soon as I saw this guy sitting outside Whole Foods in downtown Sarasota I had to meet him. Look at that face...those droopy jowls...blood shot eye and unusual combination of colors! Adorable. His name is Hari and he's a 15-month-old English setter with a very sweet demeanor -- such a gentleman. I've encountered a lot of Irish setters, but never an English setter. I must say, he's representing his breed well. He just moved here from St. Pete (with his mom, Rosemary) and I think he'll fit in quite nicely in this dog friendly town. During my brief meet-and-greet, three other people came up to say hello. Welcome!

The Early Bird...

2012-01-09T00:04:00.000-05:00

...gets the bald eagle! Armed with my Christmas binoculars, long lens, tripod, and a mug of hot coffee I set out before sunrise yesterday morning in search of my elusive eagle. I drove by Ed Smith Stadium, spring home of the Baltimore Orioles, and didn't see him. In the few minutes it took me to park and look up again, he had materialized high up on the third base lights just as the sun was rising. (Oh, he's tricky!)

After basking in the warm sun for a bit, he took off heading south, most likely in search of breakfast. Since I had my camera locked down on the tripod with a 2-second time delay, I was happy to get this one shot. He's big, but he's fast! I waited around for about 30 minutes, expecting him to return clutching a large fish in his talons, but alas, that will have to happen some other day. By the way, there are no signs he has built a nest at the stadium (which he, or another eagle, did last year causing some issues).

Thunder By The Bay

2012-01-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

The first weekend in January typically is when Thunder By The Bay occurs in Sarasota. Thousands of motorcyclists descend upon downtown. Although this is the 14th annual event, it's the first time I've attended. Let's take stock of the event:

The bikers couldn't mask their excitement to be in Sarasota.

They admired motorcycles...

...and strolled around downtown. (I'm quite certain I was the only one in Ralph Lauren (turquoise tennis sweater) --- but no one seemed to notice or mind.)

We all made our way to lower Main Street where a large stage was erected....

....and The Boneshakers, a Sarasota cover band, belted out some awesome Loverboy and Journey songs.

I stopped bopping and singing long enough to capture this shot of the drummer wailing "Doooon't Stop Belieeeevin!" Great stuff! If you happen to be in the Sarasota area, Thunder By The Bay is still going on tomorrow. Check out the schedule of events, which includes a blessing of the bikes at 9 a.m. By the way, I bumped into two loyal followers, Martin and Pat, who immediately inquired if I was going to post Thunder By the Way on SDP. How nice is that?! Great seeing you. And, thanks for sending so many people to SDP. (I'll mention it during my annual review with management.)

Bird on a High Wire

2012-01-07T00:08:00.001-05:00

Excluding the Photo of the Year, it's been quite awhile since I've posted a bird photo. I spotted this handsome red shouldered hawk along the "Hawk Corridor", which is what I'm now calling a portion of Fruitville Road. On this journey, I encountered 9 red shouldered hawks in a 2-mile stretch. Bird bonanza! In other ornithology news, a bald eagle has taken up residency near Ed Smith Stadium. I first noticed him a couple of weeks ago sitting atop the third base lights, and then, the other day he buzzed right over my car when I was driving by the stadium. Each time I've returned camera in hand, but he's proven to be elusive. I think I'm going to grab my new Christmas binoculars, long lens and tripod and head out early in the morning to find him.

Frost & Fog

2012-01-06T00:02:00.003-05:00

For those who think it doesn't get cold in Florida, I offer this photo. I was on my way to work yesterday morning when I noticed this blanket of frost on the ground and steam fog rising from the pond. Temperature: a chilly 34 degrees. It's not every winter day you see this sort of thing in Florida, so I couldn't resist pulling over for a quick pic (even though it meant parting from my toasty seat warmer). Fortunately, I had a camera on hand since I recently decided to store an old point-and-shoot in my car for unexpected photo opps like this one. Also, luckily, this cold front blew in after my friend from Michigan left, otherwise I suspect he'd be requesting a refund from the Chamber of Commerce.

Plaza Art

2012-01-05T00:02:00.000-05:00

This oversized sculpture sits outside Plaza at Five Points right along the Five Points roundabout in downtown. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I like it, as well as the water feature. The flagpoles you can see through the sculpture are in the middle of the roundabout...and just beyond that is the Zenith building.

Collegiate Spirit

2012-01-03T22:36:00.000-05:00

There's nothing quite like a college football game! In my last post, I mentioned I attended the Outback Bowl, convenientally located in Tampa less than one hour north from SDP Headquarters. It was a great venue. The game itself...well...all I can say is 'WOW'. I've endured many Michigan State football nailbiters, but this one one takes the cake (or perhaps in this case the bloomin' onion). MSU pulled off a come-from-behind victory (down 16-0 in the 3rd quarter) to win in triple overtime. What I love about this Spartan team is their never say die attitude and Spartan spirit. After blocking a field goal to win the game, the players celebrated on the field and made their way to the MSU fan section where, beaming with pride, they sang the Spartan fight song. Fight! Fight! Rah team fight! Victory for MSU! What a sight to behold. (By the way, I was so caught up in the moment I'm amazed any of my pics are in focus.)

So Far So Good

2012-01-02T21:48:00.001-05:00

So far, 2012 is shaping up quite nicely here at SDP Headquarters! During the long holiday weekend, two good friends visited from Michigan and Texas. Of course, we stopped by St. Armands Circle, where we spotted Neptune clutching a handful of fading balloons from the New Year's Eve celebration the night before. It was such a fun, unexpected sight, I immediately thought it was SDP-worthy. We also went to the Outback Bowl in Tampa yesterday to see my alma mater, Michigan State University, take on the University of Georgia. More on that as soon as I recover from my team's heart stopping triple overtime victory. (Hopefully, within the next day or two.) Go State!

Photo of the Year - 2011

2012-01-01T00:03:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! After much discussion, the SDP staff selected this as the 2011 Photo of the Year: a great blue heron with a fish head which had been tossed into Sarasota Bay by a fisherman. What a fun capture! As for my personal favorite for the year, which wasn't posted on SDP, here it is: Roger Federer on Centre Court at Wimbledon -- amazing! I hope everyone has a safe, healthy and prosperous 2012.

This is the first theme day of the year for the City Daily Photo community. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Encore!

2011-12-26T15:12:00.000-05:00

We're enjoying holiday leftovers here at SDP! I showed you two portions of this display before Christmas: sailboats and blue and green scullers. For our encore presentation, the SDP staff presents red scullers and a sailboat heading to shore. The entire display includes three sculling boats (all of which are animated -- very cool!) and two sailboats. Hands down, this is the best non-residential display I spotted this season. By the way, I agree with Jack at Hartford Daily Photo: the Christmas season continues for several more days!

Joy to the World

2011-12-25T00:02:00.014-05:00

I spotted this nice nativity scene in front of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Ft. Myers. I hope everyone is enjoying a peaceful day with family and friends. Merry Christmas!

'Zat You Santa Claus?

2011-12-24T09:34:00.003-05:00

The low lighting on yesterday's Santa photo may have been what prompted several people to comment that he looked a bit creepy. This one, on the other hand, looks like a member of the paparazzi caught the Big Guy having a jolly 'ol time on someone's balcony, waving to revelers below. I sure hope Santa is well rested for tonight!

Special Guest

2011-12-23T11:01:00.000-05:00

Imagine driving down the street and seeing a life-size Santa standing on a front porch. I did a double take when I spotted this jolly guy. He's quite realistic at a glance. Ho ho ho! Is everyone ready for Christmas?

Still Dropping

2011-12-22T00:03:00.000-05:00

Well, this isn't a very festive photo (although there's plenty of red and a hint of green), but I'm committed to posting a picture every month showing prices at the same gas station in Sarasota. During the past month, we nudged downward a smidge more -- 4 cents -- to $3.27. Santa, I'd like $2.49/gallon gas. (Please?!) To see gas price trends over the past ten months, click here.

Colorful White

2011-12-21T00:03:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't like a splash of color on a white picket fence this time of year?

Captiva-ting Santa

2011-12-20T06:52:00.000-05:00

If you're on the west coast of Florida this time of year, a must-stop is Captiva island. It's located less than one hour from Ft. Myers with not a lot to do but relax -- and enjoy the Christmas decorations. They usually go up by Thanksgiving and I'm always excited to see Santa scaling this palm tree next to Tween Waters resort. I'm never quite sure what Santa is up to: picking fresh coconuts for a tropical drink...conducting reconnaisance in search of chimneys...or scanning the Gulf of Mexico for frolicking dolphins. Whatever he's up to, I love this jolly 'ol elf!

Lighten Up!

2011-12-19T00:03:00.000-05:00

I spotted this message at some tennis courts in Punta Gorda, just south of Sarasota, and had to return with my camera to snap a pic. When I saw it, I immediately thought of a few less than friendly drivers I had recently encountered on the roads. Sheesh! 6 days 'til Christmas...enjoy!

Palms & Presents

2011-12-15T00:02:00.001-05:00

Back to Christmas decorations! These palms and presents are situated in the middle of a roundabout at a retail development near me. Actually, it's the same development that has the really cool Christmas rowers and sailboats, but this display is across the road. Anyway, all the decorations are new this year. Traffic was heavy going in and out of the mall when I was out shooting this picture last night. Maybe all the festive lights are putting people in the shopping mood.

Indy Hardware

2011-12-14T07:15:00.000-05:00

Sarasotans like independently owned businesses. Off the top of my head, I can think of five independently owned bookstores. And, then there's this business: Sarasota Hardware. Located on Main Street in the heart of downtown, it's been part of Sarasota since 1934 -- that's 77 years! Quite impressive for any business! With regard to this photo, I like the reflection of the parked car. It just seems to add to the small town feel of the scene.

Rowing into Christmas

2011-12-13T00:03:00.001-05:00

Row, row, row...and, ho ho ho! This Christmas display of scullers rowing presents to their destination, while very cool by itself, probably is better understood and appreciated with a little backstory. It's located at a retail area created by Benderson Development. (On the same retention pond where I showed you this sailboat with gifts.) Across the road is a relatively new park called Nathan Benderson Park, which has been hosting popular rowing events. Sarasota County recently agreed to invest $19.5 million in tourism funds to help transform the park into a world class rowing venue for tournaments. Row, row, row!

When Gators Fly

2011-12-12T00:05:00.001-05:00

Without question, this is one of my favorite Christmas displays in Florida: a team of five alligators pulling a sleigh between palm trees. (Gosh, I wish the fronds were lit!) It's so clever...only a Florida Gator would think of it! Truth be told, this display is down the road in Ft. Myers. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing it every year. Dash away...dash away...dash away Gators!

Fast Life...Fast Controversy

2011-12-11T10:37:00.000-05:00

What do you think of this mural? It has become a bit of a controversy in Sarasota. As part of the Chalk Festival, an international artist, simply known as MTO, agreed to do some work elsewhere, including on this building where the Tube Dude company is based. It happens to be located in a transitional part of town and many people immediately were incensed with the message 'Fast Life' and the hands displaying what appear to be a gang symbol. To make it more palatable, a local artist connected with the festival added the words "It's A ..... Let Love Express It'. Well, that seemed to attract even more attention (and controversy). So, the building owner announced that in the spirit of not offending the community, he would paint over the mural within 72 hours. And....that's when the other side came forward and pleaded for it to stay. According to news reports, the owner now says it will remain for the next month as he tries to figure out how to make it acceptable for all. I'll keep you posted.

Lighting the Way

2011-12-09T00:07:00.001-05:00

These beautiful Royal Palm trees are lighting the way to lots of retails stores. (Wouldn't want Christmas shoppers to get lost, would we?!) The trees are so pretty lit up, I wouldn't mind seeing them like this year-round.

Sail into Christmas

2011-12-08T00:02:00.002-05:00

A shopping development down the road from me really kicked it up a few notches this year with Christmas decorations, like this sailboat in a retention pond. It faces a major highway, so it attracts a lot of attention with passersby. It sure grabbed my attention! And, I wasn't the only one to stop for a photo opp. Who doesn't like to see Christmas presents loaded up on a festive, glowing sailboat?!

And The Winner Is...

2011-12-07T00:07:00.000-05:00

The City of Sarasota is now the proud owner of this sculpture, known as 'Fractured Migration'. It was created by local artist Dennis Kowal and was one of 12 sculptures in a popular public art campaign. The intent was to display the pieces for one year and then purchase one for the city's permanent public art collection -- and this piece was selected as the winner. It's particularly popular at night when it resembles an ice sculpture. (Click here to see 'Fractured Migration' in the daytime during the kick-off event.) It will remain right where it is....in Selby Five Points Park (where all the cool colorful lights are).

Gotcha!

2011-12-02T00:04:00.001-05:00

Shrimp...it's what's for dinner! Upon further review (thanks to my neighbor and fellow blogger Ernie), I have determined this fisherman (shown plunging yesterday) is ~~a little blue heron sporting its breeding colors.~~ an unknown bird. But it is a bird! Honestly, there are so many different herons and egrets here...I give up trying to identify this one. On a different note, for those of you who like Christmas music, I encourage you to visit Ernie's blog ErnieNotBert. He collects old vinyl Christmas records throughout the year, then rips them, scans the covers and shares them on his blog. It's a great way to find little known renditions of holiday classics. One of my favorite shares from last year is an album of Christmas songs from an Irish pub. Good stuff!

Theme Day: Action Shot

2011-12-01T00:03:00.000-05:00

I believe this is a tri-colored heron on a fishing expedition in Sarasota Bay next to Ken Thompson Park. I had just bumped up the shutter speed in hopes of capturing the bird popping up with a flailing fish. Turns out, I really like the water drops frozen in mid-air, which depict the quick force of the bird shoving its beak into the water. It also shows action...and, that's today's theme in the City Daily Photo community. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. And...check in tomorrow to see what the heron caught for dinner!

Doorway Wednesday: Carefree

2011-11-30T09:44:00.000-05:00

This doorway along an alley near Central Ave. caught my attention because of the name: "Carefree Design Center". It sounded so inviting...just a carefree place to create whatever you want to create. Well, as it turns out, behind this door beautiful walk-in closets (and other storage spaces) are designed and manufactured. Check out their website. Very interesting! I never know what I'll find when I'm out wandering around.

Five Points at Night

2011-11-28T00:01:00.001-05:00

When I posted this photo of Selby Five Points Park last week, a few SDP followers were kind enough to request a nighttime view with the tree lights aglow. Alors...voila! The lights alternate colors every few minutes and last night I caught them midstream between red and orange. Pretty cool! By the way, this isn't just for Christmas. The trees are lit year round.

Downward Trend

2011-11-25T09:24:00.000-05:00

Gas prices have dropped 12-cents here over the past month, with a nickel of that in one day just before Thanksgiving. Any chance we'll see $2.99 by New Year's Day? To see an archive of my monthly gasoline reports, click here.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:31:00.000-05:00

It's officially Thanksgiving when Pilgrim Manatee arrives on DeSoto Road! I hope you're enjoying a relaxing day and pause a moment to reflect upon all your blessings. I've already logged a 5K walk this morning --- gosh, I'm so thankful just to be able to do that! There's so much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with family, friends, food (preferably turkey...NOT manatee), football, parades --- and a nap. Happy Thanksgiving!

Teddy Bear Run

2011-11-21T00:03:00.002-05:00

Not an image you expect to see on the road, is it? This biker (and his fuzzy friends) was part of the 14th annual Teddy Bear Run yesterday morning. Hundreds of motorcyclists roared down the road, complete with a police escort, as they delivered stuffed animals for a charity event benefiting children with cancer. There's something about a burly biker with a cuddly Pooh bear that makes me smile. And, knowing it's all to help sick kids...makes it even better. What a special delivery. To see more of my pics from the event click here.

Full House

2011-11-20T08:59:00.002-05:00

Recently, I was shooting a construction site near downtown when I heard really loud chirping emanating from a tree in a busy parking lot. So many house sparrows were tucked inside, hiding on the branches, the tree was actually shaking! It took awhile, but I managed to get this shot (above)...of what I believe to be a female house sparrow. And also this photo...

...which I believe is a male house sparrow. (Apparently, he was going out on a limb to see what I was doing.) I was staring at that tree for probably 20-25 minutes in a fast food parking lot, and believe it or not, not a single person inquired what I was looking at. They all just walked and drove by, oblivious to nature's abundance in that tree.

Lights at Five

2011-11-19T00:06:00.002-05:00

5 o'clock....and Five Points Park in downtown, that is. It's almost been a year since the park was renovated and colorful decorative lights strung through the trees. It looks great year-round and is especially inviting this time of year --- even before the sun goes down.

Employee of the Month

2011-11-18T00:03:00.000-05:00

I did a double-take when I saw this reserved parking sign at Sarasota Architectural Salvage. That's a faux police mugshot identifying the employee of the month. It seems the store owner has a good sense of humor as he goes about acknowledging a job well done. Very amusing! For the record the "mugshot" indicates Pennenga G. is the employee of the month. Congrats!

Autumnal Nuptials

2011-11-16T00:05:00.000-05:00

I'm back! I enjoyed a getaway to Mt. Dora, a quaint little town northwest of Orlando. Besides oodles of charming B & B's, and a good old fashioned downtown (filled with American flags for Veterans' Day), Mt. Dora hits the spot for me because it's just far enough north for the mercury to drop in the fall. Yes...it was sweater weather! (A very exciting change for those of us who live with 70-degrees plus most days.) While I was relaxing on a balcony overlooking downtown, this wedding party trotted into my viewfinder. Could this be any more quaint?!

Less Talk....More Chalk

2011-11-10T00:03:00.000-05:00

As promised, I'm posting more photos from the Sarasota Chalk Festival. This is Pineapple Avenue, where most of the artists were performing their magic on the pavement. Including...

...this very cool 3-D piece of a boy poking up from a tall bookshelf, which probably was my favorite. I believe it was created by a team from Brazil. It really popped off the pavement. And, then, there were pieces with incredible detail...

...animal as well as...

...human. Some made you feel like...

...you could walk on water. And, I continually had the feeling...

...I was being watched. It was another great event. 24 hours after it concluded, the street sweepers came through, and that was it --- until next year! After posting nine photos in the past two days, SDP's editor in chief is giving me a few days off. See you next week!

Pileated Woodpecker (aka: Woody)

2011-11-09T00:04:00.002-05:00

I've mentioned before that I see a lot of amazing winged creatures along Fruitville Road, a busy 2-lane road. As I was cruising along in heavy traffic last week, a splash of red caught my eye. Actually, two splashes of red --- on a utility pole. After turning around, parking and stalking, I saw this eyeball peering at me. And, then, the creature cautiously poked its cute little red head out to see what was going on.

This is a male pileated woodpecker. The males, I've learned from my trusty Birds of Florida field guide, have an extra red stripe along their jawline. While he was peering out, his mate swooped in from seemingly nowhere...

...and poked her head in to see how things were going at the homestead. Clinging to the side of the pole...

...she seemed to ponder her options. (Or perhaps she was shocked at what she had seen inside: 'He could at least tidy up while I'm away hunting for ants.') I think Mr. Woody Woodpecker warned the Mrs. about the creature outside with the really long beak (aka: photographer) and shooed her away, because she suddenly left and he ducked inside. ('No more photos, please. Thank you...and, good day!') Now, whenever I see a gaping hole in a utility pole I can't help but wonder what's going on in there. (My cartoon brain seems to shift into overdrive seeing pileated woodpeckers.) What a fun encounter! By the way, tomorrow we'll return to the Chalk Festival, as promised.

Peek-a-Boo

2011-11-08T00:07:00.001-05:00

I see you! I was so excited to see this guy peering at me from inside a utility pole. Any guesses as to what it is? I'll reveal more about my chance encounter with this handsome yet shy creature tomorrow. (Hint: ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-hahahaha!)

Chalk Festival '11

2011-11-07T00:01:00.001-05:00

The 4th annual Chalk Festival was held in Burns Square this weekend. I went yesterday afternoon and all I can say is 'WOW!' The word is out that this is a terrific event. The number of visitors skyrocketed from last year, which is more or less what the organizer said when I bumped into her and she said the Chalk Festival has gone viral. Renowned chalk artists from around the world were here for the event, and many locals participated too....including this guy who I believe is from Sarasota. He happened to be "applying lipstick" on Pineapple Ave. when I saw him. Between that and the amazing faces he created, how could I not select this to be my first post from Chalk Festival '11? When I have time later this week, I'll post more. Very cool!

Bikin' Tube Dude

2011-11-05T00:06:00.002-04:00

Look! Up in the air! It's Bikin' Tube Dude! I showed you photos of Tube Dudes when they first started popping up around Sarasota. Well, the concept has really taken off. (Click here to read about the founder who went from building yachts to creating Tube Dudes.) I spotted these colorful ones high over the Sarasota BMX course recently. In September, the company received a $100,000 economic incentive grant from Sarasota County with the stipulation it has to create 44 new jobs (although, I don't know over what period of time). Who knows...you might see Tube Dudes in your area some day.

Ushering in Christmas

2011-11-04T00:02:00.000-04:00

I attempted to be discreet while documenting this scene with my phone in the grocery store: eggnog already stocked on the shelves the day before Halloween! I love, love, love (read: LOVE) eggnog and Christmas, but...before Halloween? Perhaps we should dispense with the dates and seasons and just celebrate year round. Green eggnog for St. Patrick's Day anyone?

Take 2

2011-11-03T00:06:00.004-04:00

This is what the parking meters look like in downtown. Although this is my third post on meters, this is the first time I've shown you what they look like. I posted this photo just before the meters were unveiled last May. And, then, I showed you this shot when the meters were temporarily bagged after being operational for six weeks. Well, now they're back. Based on community feedback, the program was overhauled, including moving meters to different streets, modifying the cost (cheaper during off-peak months) and providing more signage for users. Now, the meters seem a bit more palatable to business owners and customers. In fact, today marks one month since the take 2 do-over and it seems business as usual downtown.

City Kitty

2011-11-02T00:02:00.002-04:00

Meet City Kitty. She lives under a building in downtown Sarasota and has been cared for by an employee for years. Usually, City Kitty is shy and it's a rarity to see her. But, recently, I've spotted her several times. Word on the street is that an opossum moved in to her dry, warm space under the building and now she's forced into the elements (sun, rain, wind) when the pointy-faced marsupial decides he wants to be there. I was surprised to hear an opossum lives downtown, so I did some research and learned the following: (1) opossums are short lived -- just 2-4 years; and (2) their predators include cats. Either City Kitty needs to get a bit more aggressive or wait it out. (Too bad there isn't an opossum relocation program.)

Theme Day: Fences

2011-11-01T00:02:00.000-04:00

'Awww....Don't fence me in!' That's what crossed my mind when I was trying to get this shot last week. Not only was a cattle fence in my way, but also a prickly looking barbed wire fence. It's theme day in the City Daily Community and we're all fenced in...or out! Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T00:03:00.001-04:00

Gotta love the Headless Horseman on Halloween! Isn't this a terrific yard display? Can you imagine being a kid and approaching this house trick-or-tricking?! Have a safe and fun Halloween, and remember: Halloween is nothing to lose your head over. ((Boo-ooh-aaaah-aaaah))

Whatcha Doin'?

2011-10-30T10:40:00.000-04:00

Seeing this happy, inquisitive face at the gas station made filling up a little less mundane. What a cute fuzzy mug. Looks like he's livin' the good life!

Modelin' in Downtown

2011-10-29T10:51:00.000-04:00

I'm used to seeing some interesting vehicles around downtown Sarasota. For example, earlier in the day, I saw a Rolls Royce cruisin' around the City Hall parking lot and a Ferrari zippin' down Second Street. But, it was this little old Ford parked along Main Street, pretty as you please, which grabbed my attention. Someone on Flickr speculated it's a 1928 or '29 Model A. Very cool.

This tote bag was hanging inside, with little American flags that were so faded and weathered they could have been vintage with the car. I love it! Definitely something out of the norm here. By the way, for the record, I also encounter a lot of Smart cars, buses and scooters downtown.

Majestic From Afar

2011-10-28T00:03:00.000-04:00

At first glance, there really isn't much to see here. Or is there???? See the dark blob sitting atop the pole to the right...??? (Lean in close to your screen.) And there's an even teensier blob on the pole to the left. With my long lens and ISO bumped up to 1600 at dusk, I was able to capture this guy....

...a bald eagle! Two nights ago, I was stunned to see two eagles sitting side by side atop a cell tower next to Fruitville Road, a bustling roadway. I was thrilled when I returned last night and found them again --- albeit very far away. As I was contemplating hopping a cattle fence to get a closer view, a rancher pulled up in a truck and gave me what can only be described as a grim stink eye. Even when I pointed to my camera and excitedly declared 'Shooting the bald eagle!' he gave me one last look before leaving without a word. I got the hint...and stayed put. Anyway, I'm very, very excited about the two eagles living so close to an urban area. And, I can't wait to watch them and capture even better pics.

Sharing

2011-10-27T00:06:00.002-04:00

Entitled 'Sharing', this statue depicts two parents sharing a book with a little boy. It was commissioned in 2002 by the Selby Foundation and created by an artist named Bruno Lucchesi. It sits near the Selby Library in downtown, which is rather appropo. I wonder how this piece would look with an iPad or a Kindle instead of a book...

Claws Galore

2011-10-26T00:04:00.000-04:00

There are a handful of dates I look forward to every year, including October 15th. That's the start of stone crab claw season. As luck would have it this year, that was the Saturday of my Big, Big Weekend. On the 15th, I was in Spartan Stadium watching the good guys in green defeat the Michigan Wolverines for the fourth consecutive year. So, alas, I missed opening day of stone crab claw season. (Sacrifices...sacrifices.) I made it to Phillipi Creek Restaurant and Oyster Bar last weekend, though -- and, I wasn't disappointed. YUM! Sorry about the quality of the photo, which is the result of: a) warm butter smeared on my phone camera during the feeding frenzy or b) my archaic cell phone preparing to croak. By the way, stone crab claw season lasts until May 15th. (But, they taste best in October!)

This One, Mom!

2011-10-25T00:03:00.002-04:00

Marion's son, Griffin, spotted the perfect pumpkin at Whole Foods in downtown Sarasota, and couldn't resist scaling to the top of the stack to pick it out. Then, he found another one, which was even larger. Having captured this photo, and seeing that Griffin was attempting to lift a sizeable orange squash nearly his own weight, SDP staff set aside their camera long enough to help Griffin and his mom hoist Perfect Pumpkin #2 from the 'patch'. For the record...Griffin can pick big pumpkins. Happy carving!

Yo Yo'ing Prices

2011-10-23T12:27:00.000-04:00

Over the past month, gas prices have been like a yo yo, going up and up. First, they dropped 13-cents...and, then went back up a dime. So, bottom line, prices are down 3-cents from September --- and still well over $3.00/gallon.

In other news...Gleeful shouts were heard throughout a Sarasota neighborhood last night as the Michigan State Spartans defeated the Wisconsin Badgers in what can only be described as a miracle finish and an instant classic. The 'ol "Hail Mary-bounce-off-the-face-mask-into-the-arms-of-a-Spartan-receiver-to-break-the-plane-in-the-end-zone-with-the-score-tied-and-no-time-left-in-regulation" worked magnificantly. The entire game was unbelievable. Go Green!

Putterin' Around

2011-10-22T00:04:00.001-04:00

This adorable little fellow is Putter, the famous prairie dog. He became famous after he was spotted living in the wild at Bobby Jones Golf Club several months ago and was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. A local radio station held a name-the-prairie-dog contest --- and, voila -- here's Putter! Putter's living arrangement at the course was a bit problematic, though. Besides burrowing his way around part of the course (a la 'Caddy Shack'), he was in harm's way with the local (hungry) hawks, eagles and gators (not to mention flying golf balls). So, the city teamed up with a local animal attraction, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, to relocate him. He's now safe and sound and sharing his quarters with two other prairie dogs: Porkchop and Bob.

It seems Putter is ready for his close up! By the way, prairie dogs are not indigenous to Florida. It's thought he was someone's pet and, unfortunately, was released into the wild. He's livin' the good life now, though!

Rainbows and Dreams

2011-10-20T00:01:00.003-04:00

It appears the Cal Ripken youth baseball field was at the end of this rainbow the other night. I wonder how many of the little boys on this field were daydreaming about hitting the game winning home run in the bottom of ninth in the World Series. I also wonder how many of them were be able to stay up late enough to watch Game 1 last night.

Green Heron

2011-10-19T00:06:00.001-04:00

Spotted this cute little green heron near a retention pond between U.S. 41 and Sarasota Bay in downtown. I love his markings, although I'm not sure how it got its name. I see brown, black, yellow and white. No green. One of the Mother Nature's mysteries.

In other news..SDP officially has some competition! I was contacted by Sarasota Daily Photo Splash, which is now part of the City Daily Photo community. Welcome SDPS!

This should be interesting! I wonder how many other cities have multiple blogs affiliated with CDP?

Winds of Victory

2011-10-18T00:08:00.000-04:00

It was a wee bit breezy in East Lansing, MI for the Michigan-Michigan State game. With winds steady at 28 MPH and gusts up to 50, one of the lanyards holding the American and Michigan flags broke. (I was a smidge worried the nearby Spartan flagpole was going to snap and skewer a Wolverine.) Heck, I didn't encounter that much wind during hurricane season in Florida. In spite of the chilly whipping wind, a good time was had by all Spartans, as we celebrated our fourth straight victory over U-M. Back to Sarasota posts tomorrow!

Big, Big Weekend

2011-10-14T00:03:00.001-04:00

I took the day off to begin a big, big weekend. So big it's starting on Friday. Today marks 9-years I've been cancer-free. (Both hands in air -- yes!) Tomorrow is the Michigan-Michigan State football game in East Lansing, MI. I predict a Sarasotan will be on hand to witness an impressive Spartan victory over the Wolverines. Mmmm...wolverine....tastes like chicken! (Both hands in air -- yes!) And, Sunday is my birthday (alrighty, then...both hands in air -- yes!) Yep, buckle up...it's going to be a fun filled weekend.

Golden Rays

2011-10-13T00:08:00.000-04:00

It was cloudy when I arrived at the celery fields. And, then...just like that...the sun was shining upon Sarasota.

Spook-tacular

2011-10-11T00:06:00.000-04:00

Some folks in the neighborhood are in the Halloween spirit already. Is it me or does it look like Mr. Jack O'Lantern is amused by the hand from the grave?

Hiding in Plain Sight

2011-10-08T00:05:00.000-04:00

Do you see it? I probably wouldn't have...except I watched it land. By the way, that's a red shouldered hawk hiding in plain sight.

Roadside Sighting

2011-10-07T00:01:00.003-04:00

You never know what you'll see....

...alongside the road in Sarasota. For quite some time, I've seen this peacock on my drive to and from work. At last, I spotted it at a time when I could stop and stalk it for awhile. Believe it or not, its colors were even more vibrant in person.

Heat Lightning

2011-10-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

The other night, Mother Nature was putting on an impressive light show. No lightning bolts...just light flashing and glowing through a stack of cumulous clouds. We used to call this heat lightning when I was growing up in Michigan. Although it was an awesome sight, a swarm of mosquitoes (with a biting capacity which could rival a bull shark) prevented me from lingering. So, I stayed just long enough to nab a couple shots -- and endure at least a couple dozen mosquito bites. I wish we had heat lightning here more often (sans ferocious bugs).

Theme Day: Mystery Object

2011-10-01T07:49:00.002-04:00

In the City Daily Photo community, it's theme day! And, this month's theme is 'mystery object'. This is Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot. Similar to the Phillie Phanatic, no one really knows what Raymond is. He's a large, fuzzy, cute, blue mystery. For those of you who follow Major League Baseball, you'll notice Raymond is sporting the classic Rays jersey from years gone by when the team was known as the Devil Rays. Well, the 'Devil' was dropped...the manta ray disappeared...and now the 'Rays' are implied to be rays of sunshine. And, the Rays certainly have shined upon the Tampa Bay area this year with a storybook finish on the last day of the regular season to become a wild card in the playoffs. Raymond the blue mystery blob certainly has something to cheer about. Go Rays! Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

LED Retrofit

2011-09-29T00:04:00.012-04:00

All 98 street lights lining the Ringling Bridge were retrofitted this week with light emitting diode (LED) technology. The new lights are 55 watts, as opposed to the old ones which were 205 watts, and are supposed to generate the same amount of light for drivers and pedestrians. When I took this photo it was one of the nicest evenings we've had in months: cool, with a breeze blowing off the bay. So, the bridge was bustling with walkers, runners, bicyclists, rollerbladers -- you name it. Rather than showing a packed bridge, though, I preferred this lone figure walking at dusk just as the street lights turned on. By the way, if you're wondering how a city can afford such a project during these tough economic times, it was funded with a federal energy grant.

You Don't See Us!

2011-09-27T00:02:00.001-04:00

At the end of Bee Ridge Road, you'll find Rothenbach Park, which used to be a landfill. I checked it for the first time last week and encountered lots of signs notifying visitors that deer are common here. It was dusk and I was vigilant looking for deer as I walked and walked. Naturally, at the very end of my journey, when the sunlight was less than optimal, I noticed these three cute faces staring at me as if they were thinking, 'You don't see us!' I had to really bump up the ISO for this shot --- but, I got 'em. So, the signs are accurate -- there are deer in Rothenbach Park!

Cruisin'

2011-09-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

Bicyclists cruisin' on U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota. Even though they were traveling in a pack, I thought they were a bit daring occupying the left turn lane during evening rush hour. I prefer my bike rides out in the country -- away from the car exhaust.

((Sssshh!))

2011-09-23T00:06:00.000-04:00

Most of us Floridians like to think that if we make to October, we're pretty much out of hurricane season. Of course, there are exceptions...like Tropical Storm Wilma which popped up around Halloween a few years ago and ripped across the state from Naples to Ft. Lauderdale. I know people who were without electricity for three weeks from that storm. Anyway, let's keep this tropical weather discussion to a murmur lest we disturb Mother Nature. As for this photo, I stopped to take a picture of some cool storm clouds hanging over Sarasota Bay, but before I could snap a shot, the sky opened up. So, instead, I give you a photo of big, fat raindrops plopping on my windshield.

Still Over $3

2011-09-22T06:29:00.001-04:00

I almost missed this month documenting my local gas station and its prices! As you can see, we're still way above $3/gallon, but (amazingly) this price is the lowest we've seen since I started my monthly documentation 7 months ago. To take a ride on the gas price roller coaster click here.

Watery Wednesday: Reflecting Anglers

2011-09-21T00:07:00.001-04:00

These two guys left their cans of beer on land and waded into Sarasota Bay to do a little fishing. The water was so still close to shore it really looked like a mirror. By the way, autumn might be arriving early this year! It was 90 degrees in the early evening when I took this picture, but with a light breeze and low humidity it felt like a delightful 80. To see other Watery Wednesday photos from around the world click here.

Colorful Sunday

2011-09-18T09:24:00.000-04:00

Between the bright red door and the colorful impatiens, I had to stop and snap this shot of Church of the Redeemer in downtown Sarasota. I've featured the inside of the church several times (click here to check out the SDP archives) --- so, here's the entrance! Whenever I'm nearby with my camera, it's just too irresistible not to photograph. Hope your Sunday is bright and peaceful.

A.M. After Dark

2011-09-17T09:25:00.001-04:00

A.M., in this case, is Anna Maria. This is the back side of the Anna Maria City Pier, which is situated over Tampa Bay. (I showed you a daytime angle from the front in this photo.) To the left is a little restaurant and outdoor bar overlooking the water. I like to wander around, close to the edge, and see if the fish are biting. (Not much action last night...just a few mackerel.) This photo was taken shortly after dark with a 13 second exposure. Of course, during that time, the fishermen in the shot moved, creating the wispy, apparition-like effect. I kind of like it because it gives the illusion of people coming and going.

Crab Dinner

2011-09-15T00:02:00.002-04:00

This shorebird was enjoying more than a crab leg dinner in Sarasota Bay. After watching it dunk and shake the crustacean numerous times, I glanced away for the briefest of moments to adjust my shutter speed and **poof** the crab was gone. I can only presume it went down the hatch --- legs and all. I'm not exactly sure, but I believe this seafood loving bird is a dunlin or a willet.

Diver Down?

2011-09-14T00:06:00.001-04:00

Here's something you don't see every day in Sarasota Bay: a scuba flag accompanied by two snorklers near all the sailboats moored off Ken Thompson Park. They seemed like they were having a good time splashing around, doing some sort of flipper ballet. I was hoping they were going to tell me there was something intriguing underwater, but no such luck. When I used to scuba dive regularly (not in Sarasota), I always enjoyed pondering what I might encounter at depth, especially turtles -- and even sharks!

WTC Memorial

2011-09-13T00:03:00.003-04:00

This is a steel girder from the World Trade Center which was unveiled over the weekend. (I showed it covered here.) It's now on permanent display outside the new Sarasota Police Headquarters, positioned to give the illusion that it's falling. Many other communities across the country acquired similar artifacts from the WTC to create local memorials. Located outside the front door of the Sarasota police building, it's a fitting tribute to the first responders who died on September 11th. This is my fourth consecutive post about September 11th, and I anticipate it will be my last...for approximately one year.

Remembering 9-11

2011-09-12T00:09:00.002-04:00

I was out of town over the weekend and ended up attending a September 11th memorial in Bonita Springs, about 1.5 hours south of Sarasota. It was a really nice event with hundreds from the community converging in a park to remember. (I knew I was in the right place when I spotted dozens and dozens of oversized American flags lining the park.) During the ceremony, there was a 'presenting of cover' three separate times; that is, a lone helmet was presented and placed on a table, with each one symbolizing firefighters, law enforcement and emergency services personnel who lost their lives on September 11th. It was quite poignant. This photo shows the firefighter helmet being presented. To see more of my pics from the event click here.

Always Remember 9-11-01

2011-09-11T00:03:00.001-04:00

Sarasota always will be closely connected to September 11th, since President Bush was visiting an elementary school here when he was informed about the terrorist attacks. I wrote a long entry for this post several days ago and inadvertently deleted it. I really don't have the energy to re-compose my thoughts and feelings about that horrible day, and where I was and what I was doing. So, instead, I will post a question: How are you remembering September 11, 2001? I'm heading to a memorial event this morning, American flags and tissue in hand. God bless America.

About this photo: I actually snapped this picture last January when the American flag was at half-staff in Sarasota to honor a fire chief from a neighboring city who passed away. When I saw the jet soaring through the crisp blue sky, which was so reminiscent of the sky on September 11th, I knew exactly what my post would be for the 10 year anniversary.

Preparing to Commemorate

2011-09-10T00:02:00.002-04:00

Without any context, this is a bit of an odd photo....so, I'll explain. The red, white and blue tarp is covering something which will be unveiled in Sarasota on September 11th. What's underneath is no secret, so I'll share: it's a steel beam from the World Trade Center. It weighs approximately 2,500 pounds and stands nearly 25 feet. Unfortunately, that's all the New York Port Authority, which gave it to the city, knows about it. Positioned outside the Sarasota Police Headquarters, it will be a great tribute to the first responders who died on September 11th. Interesting tidbit: Someone involved with the project told me he called a local fumigation company to borrow an oversized tarp for a couple of weeks to cover the piece prior to Sept. 11th. When the owner of Key Fumigation heard what it was for, he insisted on manufacturing a huge custom made red, white and blue tarp --- at no cost. Apparently, some of his materials were stored in Miami (a 3.5-hour drive from Sarasota), so he drove down there, fetched what he needed and returned and made the tarp overnight. Wow. The tarp will be pulled just before the first jet would have hit the World Trade Center. It should be quite an event. (And, yes, the owner of Key Fumigation will be recognized for his contribution.)

Golden Landing

2011-09-08T00:02:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd lost the bird I was pursuing in rural Sarasota County, so I paused to shoot this incredible sunset. To my pleasant surprise, the bird in question landed right in frame. A golden moment with a red-shouldered hawk!

Nation's Smallest

2011-09-06T00:01:00.003-04:00

Here's a fun tip for anyone traveling down to South Florida: Rather than taking the fastest route, I-75, cruise the Tamiami Trail. Besides seeing lots of swampland near the Everglades, you'll also encounter this itty bitty post office. Yep, this tiny shack is a real, working U.S. post office for Ochopee, Florida in Collier County! Unfortunately, it was closed when I was there, so I couldn't take the full tour. But, an historical marker notes it's considered to be the smallest post office in the United States. What a slice of Americana!

Update: I'm pleased to report this cute little post office is not scheduled for closure by the USPS. After seeing a couple of comments from folks wondering about its status, I did a little research and found the complete list of post offices on the chopping block --- and Ochopee is not on it. Whew! To see the full state-by-state list, click here.

Live...From Sarasota!

2011-09-03T10:11:00.000-04:00

I happened to have the opportunity earlier this week to attend a sneak peek media event for a new community recreational center in Sarasota. A couple of my followers in PA and TX may recognize the gentleman with the microphone: Charley Belcher from WTVT Fox 13 in Tampa. He was doing live shots for the morning news highlighting the new Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. From workout areas, to a high tech teen room...basketball courts...recording studio...and the aquatic center (in the background of this shot), there's a lot to see and do. It definitely has a wow factor. In this pic, Charley is interviewing a couple of 19-year-olds who will have a mentoring program at the center. It was fun to see Charley in Sarasota...as well as Jason and Duane (the guys behind the scenes who make the TV magic happen). Thanks for coming down!

Theme Day: Perspective

2011-09-01T00:06:00.002-04:00

When I spotted this car, I couldn't help but notice the owner's political perspective. Here's someone from Arizona driving around Sarasota, Florida in a rolling billboard supporting Texas Congressman Ron Paul, a Republican (some would say Libertarian, I think) running for U.S. president in 2012 --- more than a year away. Perhaps my favorite part was a bumper sticker (sadly, too low to photograph well) which declared, 'You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas. - Davy Crockett'. Bundle it all up and you've got one heck of a perspective! By the way, this is part of theme day in the City Daily Photo world. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants As an aside, the SDP staff has been counseled about posting back-to-back photos which were taken from the driver's seat....and that sometimes, to gain a better perspective, one must actually leave the car.

Downpour

2011-08-30T00:04:00.001-04:00

In the summer here, chances are pretty good it will rain every day in the afternoon. Recently, we've been having severe thunderstorms. In fact, I think the building where I work was struck by lightning last week. With the fire alarm piercing, we were forced outside near the driving rain where more lightning was streaking across the sky. No damage to the building; no injuries....and, I went on to take this photo of a different storm the following day as I navigated my way home through a curtain of rain. As I sat at this traffic light watching the rain pelt the windshield, I was so excited (and appreciative) knowing I was just minutes from pulling into a (dry) attached garage.

Roadside Message

2011-08-28T12:03:00.000-04:00

Spotted this sign in rural Sarasota. I was racing by so fast, I almost didn't see it. Happy Sunday!

Hunter and Hunted

2011-08-26T00:02:00.001-04:00

Per the usual, there's a story behind this photo. I spotted this red shouldered hawk last night and noticed it was acting peculiar, standing on a wire over a ditch filled with water from the recent rains. What I didn't know was that it was in hunting mode. As I watched the bird for about 10 minutes, I had a creepy feeling there was a snake nearby. Suddenly, the hawk dropped down from its perch and snatched some soggy grass in its talons. As I snapped pictures, I realized the bird was clutching more than just grass. It had a squirming snake too! What an impressive hunter. The hawk sat on this fence post and displayed its prize for a short while before...well...it was dinner time. What a cool experience. And, this all happened along a busy road in Sarasota.