Photo Blog 2011

Tropical Storm

As I have been updating this, the morning sun turned to foreboding black sky, and the heavens opened up and dumped buckets of rain! And now the sun is shining once again! It reminds me of what tropical weather can be, and that when you see forecast for rain, it could be for a half hour or so, and that is it.
The same occurs in Portland. They show "rain", and that could mean we got a few sprinkles during the day, so it counted! But the total rainfall is not what one might imagine. It DOES however, remain gray and cloudy there, at least in the winter.

There are so many misconceptions about places. New Jersey, for instance, is considered Newark-like by many. (It is not called the "garden state" for nothing.) Florida is likened to Orlando, because Disney is what people see, and say they have been to Florida! Portland has cowboys and indians and always rains. (NOT! Portland has the most spectacular summers of anywhere we have ever been! ) Florida is buggy. (????) I can tell you the mosquitos in New Hampshire will carry you away in the middle of the day!!

Sometime I will have to do some rambling about different names people call things in different parts of the country! That one is really fun! I should be able to get a collection of things as we hit the road in the RV!
Should make that a game!

Riverbend Park

Woke up really early one morning, and took the camera to see what I could get. Sunrise was not that visible at this park, so no great shots. But as I was leaving, I spotted this wild turkey. You could hear them gobbling, but I was thrilled to see one. Then driving out, there was a bunch of them! I think they were squabbling, as they were making a ton of noise, and putting tails up and down. Hard to get them withought movement, but you get the idea. Had to wait for them to get out of the road so I could pass!

Cinco de Mayo

Ok, so I don't get the chef in the beret, but he made a beautiful paella at the clubhouse. We joined many of the folks we had already met, and a few new couples, and had a nice evening. Here three of the walking/exercising ladies. Susan, on the left, was the sweet one who said, "hi! are you new?" the first morning I went to the gym , and invited me to sit and visit. What a great introduction to the neighborhood! In all the times we have moved, that has never happened! I am so grateful for her friendliness and acceptance. She continues to ask "have you met Carol?" when we are at a gathering. Very sweet!

Froggy surprise!

Went outside one evening in new house, and discovered this little guy napping on the arm of the patio chair! He stayed there while I got the camera and took his photo, and was still there when we went to bed.
Looked him up, and think he is a cuban tree frog. Note the little suction cups on his feet. Not native.....not so good! But pretty cute!

You knew it wouldn't be long........

I had to return to my favorite subject matter! These guys were spotted on a walk along the river front in Fort Lauderdale. The second shot is bad compositionally, but don't you love his ear? Wonder who he got into a scrap with!

Delray exploration

I took a course at FAU's Lifelong Learning with Mary and Gloria, and when it ended, we continued our Thursday meetings, changing it to some exploration. This day we went to Morikami Gardens, and maybe because of the drought, found nothing much worth photographing. Walking to lunch downtown, however, I spotted the colors on this great building, and took some shots. although I had some to take to photo class with me of the architecture, I liked this one I grabbed of Mary going through the doorway.

City Place with the Ogrodnicks

We were packing up the little house in preparation to the move to Mirabella April 2, and David and Cindy were here visiting. We met them and David's sister Jean, pictured here, at City Place and walked around then had a nice lunch Al Fresco.

Bob and Judy come to visit

We took them to Wakodahatchee, knowing Judy would enjoy the wildlife, and Bob would enjoy photographing it! Bob loaned me his 300 mm prime lens, and I got some great shots with it. These, however, are my two favorites. "the boys", and three young cormorants, with all that fuzzy plumage as they make the transition to adulthood.

HOW many guys on a baseball field??????

Went on a photo shoot early morning to Roger Dean Stadium here , where they do spring training. We arrived to an empty stadium!! Took shots of empty seats, but I think some of the organizers complained enough that they got us out to the fields where we could see some practice. Not close enough for my camera, certainly, but got a couple of shots. Now, not being a fan, I have no idea, but think since this group of guys actually had names on their shirts, they might be recognizable! There were groups this large all over the place!!

Allegro Club

Here we are with our first outing with the coach and the club we joined of folks with the same make. We went on two outings with them, but have discovered that with the exception of one couple, they drive to the destination, and then sit there!!! We played tennis, used the pool, and went for walks. At the second outing, we had the tow car, so went out exploring during the day. Evenings are enjoyable, as everyone meets for the cocktail hour to socialize. We also have learned a lot of tips and ins and outs of RVing. Very friendly folks. The second outing, one of the guys played guitar, and we all sang into the night. Fun.
It is interesting that they stay in RV RESORTS! They are gated with pools and amenities, though sometimes quite bland in that they are big cement pads with not much in the way of vegetation. I prefer trees! Some of them were pretty new, so eventually the trees will be big and provide shade, but not my idea of where I would like to stay so far. We have booked parks for our trip between here and Boston , and have made selections based on surroundings being more natural.

Picking up the Motorhome!

This photo was purely unintentional, but pretty amusing, as I see it now! There were a few little spots in the body paint that I was documenting. We went to pick it up just two days after our company departed on their cruise. Spent several days living in it on the lot, making sure all systems were a go.
What an outfit! It is like a little city! They feed everyone breakfast and lunch while you are there for any reason. Have to say I was ready to get off the lot, however! Left the last day, and though it was only 3 hours away, we stopped part way and stayed in an RV campground overnight. I drove the RV and Clem followed in the car, as we did not have the towing car yet. Much smoother and quieter than the rental, though a bit larger. By the end of the journey, I was pretty comfortable with it. Just have to watch those right hand turns!

Holcombs and Urzaas visit

Before taking their Caribbean Cruise, they spent a few days with us. The guys played golf one day while the gals visited Mounts Botanical Gardens and had lunch at Guanabana, my new favorite tropical restaurant. I swear I am going to plant our back yard to look like it does! This photo was taken along the seawall behind the Breakers Hotel. We had milk shakes in their courtyard! Then went to Worth Ave and saw how the other half lives and shops. Very fun visit, and they realized why we had no need to go to the Caribbean with them, with our own tropical breezes and beaches.

Photo workshop at daybreak

I took a Fine Art Photography course in Delary, and loved it. But this was at a workshop at Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Such a beautiful place, and I have gone several times since. The wildlife is amazing. Wish it were closer to where we live....I would be there more often. Watched tiny birds grow from hatchlings.

Hollywood Broadwalk

We have been so busy, that I have lost track of my photo blog! Setting up a new one as we prepare for our cross country trip in the RV, and thought I would catch up with this a bit.

We have had a very busy season in Florida, with company, buying an RV, buying a new house, moving, and getting settled and acquainted with new folks. No complaints!

This photo is one of the several walks we did with the meet up group. They were typically attended by way too many people! Though we did make friends with one couple, who we have met for dinner a couple of times. It has also provided me several interesting places to walk or explore on my own. This one was really nice. A BROAD walk along beachside, where we had lunch after our walk. It was early here, and pretty quiet, but was soon populated by folks enjoying the beautiful day. Florida really is a great lifestyle. We had friends over for dinner Friday night, and we sat outside in the courtyard of the new house, and enjoyed the warm tropical breezes.......not too shabby!

Had a tropical storm late yesterday after a lovely day of golf with new friends. We need the rain badly, and it came down fast and furious. When it stopped, we picked them up to go out to dinner, and took them to see the RV. Well, it poured again, so we popped open some wine and I had some peanuts in the cabinet, and we had our first guests in the RV for drinks before dinner! Very fun!! Then a nice dinner at Nick's Tomato Pie, where our new friends introduced us to Nick! Seems he plays golf at their club, so they know him.

So happy to have moved to Mirabella. Only wish we had done it earlier in the season. We have been readily adopted into the group, and have gone to parties and potlucks, and I am a regular in the walking and coffee after group! What I had been missing from Portland. Of course, not my old friends, but making new ones. "these are silver, those are gold." :-)

New camera lens

My favorite subject cooperated nicely on the evening of purchasing my new lens! This was taken in low light in the bedroom. That, and the new camera make quite an image.

Dali Museum

After buying our motorhome, we went to St. Petersburg and visited the Dali and Chihuly museums. Dali far more interesting perspective that I realized, with hidden images in his work. No photos allowed in either museum, but the building here was worth the visit! Amazing! I took so many photos, and Clem was very patient. :-)

We did it!!!

Spent the last two days in Ft Meyers and Tampa shopping for RV's , and a bit of sight seeing.
And we bought one!

Also visited St. Petersburg after making decision, so stay tuned for those photos....some cool ones!
On my way to class at FAU Lifelong Learning.....no good photos for that! :-)

Can you feel the breezes blowing??

This is the most beautiful day one could imagine! Warm and sunny with cool breezes blowing across the lake, whistling through the palms and gently blowing through the house. Wow. This is TRULY why we are here. A lot of the country has been getting clobbered this winter, and we have had some chilly temps to be sure, but can't complain. And this week has made up for the chill we had.

Now, this may look like a snap shot, but in fact, I have set the aperture to get deep depth of field, so you can see the table, pool, palms and lake in focus! But I really took the shot to remember this beautiful day....and to remember that Clem is right. In our search for a larger house , we DO want to be on a body of water! The breezes come off the lake even when there is little elsewhere, creating such a feeling of serenity.

This cat is into his comfort!

No fancy photography here, just a quick snap shot of the big Sas taking a nap with his head propped against the pillow! He sure knows how to find the cozy spaces!

Beautiful evening, and I talked Clem into going out with me just before sunset, to see if I could find something interesting to shoot. The places we went did not turn up much, but they did turn up what might be our new favorite ice cream!! Haha! And I was determined to lose some weight! Not with THAT stuff!!

This one was taken through frosted glass that had small burst shape openings. Kind of interesting. Maybe some other subject might work better. Reflected light added to this shot.

and some experimental shots

Still on the bike with the point and shoot. May have to go back with the "real" camera!

haha.....just noticed if you look closely at the reflection in the mirror, you see me at the bottom taking the photo!

Waterway from top of bridge

This is the floating bar where we had drinks several weeks ago, when I posted photos of us and friends. This day I took a bike ride wondering if I could cross the PGA bridge and not be killed! Turned out not only could I do it , but I could stop at the top and take a photo! This is my little point and shoot.

Loki loves the pool

He sits out there along side the pool, and often gets a drink.
Here he had just had one, and is just hanging out on the edge!

And my artistic shot.....

Lens envy!!

These guys had the biggest lenses I had ever seen! They were watching a bird in a tree, and when it took off, their cameras sounded like machine guns, snapping shots in flight! I had watched, and started walking away, when I got the idea to take photos of the lenses! I used my longest telephoto here, as my walking companions were hurrying me, and I could not go back for the shot. Passed the next two on my way out.

This one looks pretty modest after the guys in the gazeebo!

David and Cindy visited for a couple of days

We went on a beautiful walk in a wetland with a 1 1/2 mile boardwalk on a gorgeous sunny afternoon. Well, it is my new favorite place! Tons of wading birds, completely oblivious to human activity around them. Sitting on nests, stalking for fish, or just sunning. Saw a spoonbill....the first I had ever seen in the wild. An otter scampered from waterway to waterway with a Great Blue Heron stomping after him. For what purpose, I am not sure, but it was entertaining to watch. And then, finally, the alligator reared his sleepy head, to the delight of all visiting.

I am anxious to go back at a more optimum lighting time, and see what I can capture. There were folks with huge lenses arriving as we left....we had evening appts so could not stay. I left with great "lens envy!" Those things were HUGE!! On the way out, I got the idea to start shooting a few of THEM, which I did, and will post. Wish I had thought of it sooner. :-)

David and Cindy left today to go back to the snow in Boston. Oh well....they got a sun break!

Where did Sas go??

Kind of absent one day, I went looking for him. Found him snuggled up on the wicker bed in the far bedroom. Alert here, he closed his eyes and settled in when he realized I was just going to take photos....again.......and not make him get down.

...and my favorite artistic shot of the day!

My favorite flower shot of the day

Fran and Jack came to visit.

I feel bad that the weather was less than desirable while they were here, but we did have drinks outside one night, and breakfast outside yesterday morning. Enjoyed having them here, and had fun despite the weather. We went to Mounts Botanical garden in the morning, and Flagler Museum in the afternoon, and it rained while we were in there. Good timing!! A famous Florida storm overnight woke them with thunder and lightning. I didn't notice! :-)

This guy was fishing on our lake out back, so I crept out and starting taking photos. I would take one, wait, creep forward a step slowly, shoot another....repeat! He let me get fairly close, as you can see, before stalking off. He did much better than his fishing companion, a giant white heron, who flew away as soon as I got out of the screen door! I should just camp out there on a blanket with a book and my camera.

Ok, so, I am sitting here enjoying the sunshine, and she is pointing
this thing in my face, rolling around the floor and taking different
angles........and she thinks a can of tuna is payment enough for her
playing paparazzi. sheesh.....