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Saint Lucia Rain Forest

was in Saint Lucia recently and traveled up a mountain to a rainforest. I stopped at a shop along the way for some refreshments and then walked up a little path behind the food stand where I captured this stream in and amongst the lush vegetation. The rainforest are a source of water for the residents of the island and I found it a nice place to sit in the shade to escape the heat. We could use a rainforest or two near my home of Florida, but until that happens we’ll continue to use tiki bars for shade and refreshment.

was in Saint Lucia recently and traveled up a mountain to a rainforest. I stopped at a shop along the way for some refreshments and then walked up a little path behind the food stand where I captured this stream in and amongst the lush vegetation. The rainforest are a source of water for the residents of the island and I found it a nice place to sit in the shade to escape the heat. We could use a rainforest or two near my home of Florida, but until that happens we'll continue to use tiki bars for shade and refreshment.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Cortez Sunset

Cortez is a little gem of a fishing village in central Florida. Because it’s on the way to the beach thousands of people drive by it every day and never stop. There are several fish markets tucked away which we like stopping into every now and then to pick up fresh catch. There are tree lined streets with quaint houses as well as a little trailer park where winter residents (aka snowbirds) love to come and escape the harsh winters up north. On the evening I took this several of the snowbirds where lined up in lawn chairs with their cocktails along the water to watch the sunset. It lasted for about 30 minutes and as soon as the colors faded they stood up and headed back to their homes. However I noticed they left their chairs behind so it seems to me they must repeat that ritual each evening. If I ever retire, I might just get a trailer down the road from my house and live the life of a snowbird in the little fishing village of Cortez Florida.

Cortez is a little gem of a fishing village in central Florida. Because it's on the way to the beach thousands of people drive by it every day and never stop. There are several fish markets tucked away which we like stopping into every now and then to pick up fresh catch. There are tree lined streets with quaint houses as well as a little trailer park where winter residents (aka snowbirds) love to come and escape the harsh winters up north. On the evening I took this several of the snowbirds where lined up in lawn chairs with their cocktails along the water to watch the sunset. It lasted for about 30 minutes and as soon as the colors faded they stood up and headed back to their homes. However I noticed they left their chairs behind so it seems to me they must repeat that ritual each evening. If I ever retire, I might just get a trailer down the road from my house and live the life of a snowbird in the little fishing village of Cortez Florida.

Follow link to to obtain a print of this photo.

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Quiet Corner of the Castle

This is a piano I found in a corner of the Scottish castle otherwise known as the Banff Springs Hotel, in Banff Alberta. When I was there I took quite a few photos of the place which is a small measure of how impressed I was by the ambiance and architecture. If anyone ever invents a time machine, this is the place I’d like to visit fifty or a hundred years ago. From the looks of the furnishings I’d think little has changed, it’s as though the place was cut right out of a movie set and a playground for the rich and famous. Perhaps the only difference now is that people like me, not so rich and famous, can wander the halls and get lost in reverie and imagination.

This is a piano I found in a corner of the Scottish castle otherwise known as the Banff Springs Hotel, in Banff Alberta. When I was there I took quite a few photos of the place which is a small measure of how impressed I was by the ambiance and architecture. If anyone ever invents a time machine, this is the place I'd like to visit fifty or a hundred years ago. From the looks of the furnishings I'd think little has changed, it's as though the place was cut right out of a movie set and a playground for the rich and famous. Perhaps the only difference now is that people like me, not so rich and famous, can wander the halls and get lost in reverie and imagination.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Old and New

In October I arrived by ship at this port in Bridgetown Barbados. The sugar elevators used to play a major role in the economy but are little used now due to the world market. However in it’s place tourism has taken hold and as most people know, Barbados has the most friendly people anywhere in the Caribbean and perhaps the most beautiful beaches. I was intrigued by these towering elevators which represent the old economy as they silhouette the tug in the foreground. This tugboat is used to guide large cruise ships into port which deposit the new economy (tourist) to the island. Either way, it’s an island that relies on the sea and is undergoing transition and I, for one, can’t wait to go back.

In October I arrived by ship at this port in Bridgetown Barbados. The sugar elevators used to play a major role in the economy but are little used now due to the world market. However in it's place tourism has taken hold and as most people know, Barbados has the most friendly people anywhere in the Caribbean and perhaps the most beautiful beaches. I was intrigued by these towering elevators which represent the old economy as they silhouette the tug in the foreground. This tugboat is used to guide large cruise ships into port which deposit the new economy (tourist) to the island. Either way, it's an island that relies on the sea and is undergoing transition and I, for one, can't wait to go back.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Calm Waters

One evening not too long ago I was while riding a mountain bike through Emerson Point which a state park near my home. I stopped for a rest and noticed these colors and the calmness of the waters and felt I had to capture the moment with my iPhone. Perhaps one day I’ll try Google Glass as it seems I’m always looking for a shot even when I’m doing other things and Glass might just make it more convenient. Maybe we’ll all just end up with Glass implants in our retinas, I can see it going in that direction. In any case, when the water is this calm in Terra Ceia Bay you often see and hear fish jumping which momentarily creates rings in the water. I will leave you to contemplate the zen of that quite calm moment while I head to the mall for Black Friday Christmas shopping.

One evening not too long ago I was while riding a mountain bike through Emerson Point which a state park near my home. I stopped for a rest and noticed these colors and the calmness of the waters and felt I had to capture the moment with my iPhone. Perhaps one day I'll try Google Glass as it seems I'm always looking for a shot even when I'm doing other things and Glass might just make it more convenient. Maybe we'll all just end up with Glass implants in our retinas, I can see it going in that direction. In any case, when the water is this calm in Terra Ceia Bay you often see and hear fish jumping which momentarily creates rings in the water. I will leave you to contemplate the zen of that quite calm moment while I head to the mall for Black Friday Christmas shopping.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Harvest Leaves

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. When I was seven years old in grade school we would create autumn leaves from construction paper to commemorate Thanksgiving. Also I remember drawing a picture of a turkey that my grandmother kept at the cottage and which remained on the wall for years. These little things and many others have ingrained in my mind that the end of November is the harvest season, full of leaves and color. In actuality it seems that harvest season should be over by the end of November. For instance in Canada Thanksgiving is held at the beginning of October, to me that seems closer to harvest season than the end of November. I have no idea where I’m going with all this other than these autumn leaves reminded me of Thanksgiving and so I thought I’d post this picture today. For my friends in the U.S., Happy Thanksgiving. For the rest of you, get back to work, two more days until the weekend. 😉

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. When I was seven years old in grade school we would create autumn leaves from construction paper to commemorate Thanksgiving. Also I remember drawing a picture of a turkey that my grandmother kept at the cottage and which remained on the wall for years. These little things and many others have ingrained in my mind that the end of November is the harvest season, full of leaves and color. In actuality it seems that harvest season should be over by the end of November. For instance in Canada Thanksgiving is held at the beginning of October, to me that seems closer to harvest season than the end of November. I have no idea where I'm going with all this other than these autumn leaves reminded me of Thanksgiving and so I thought I'd post this picture today. For my friends in the U.S., Happy Thanksgiving. For the rest of you, get back to work, two more days until the weekend. ;-)

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Top Down

This is a view of the lobby on the Jewel of the Seas, a ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The first time I saw this ship it played a trick on my eyes as I thought I was looking at two ships. Turns out this one is small relative to some others. Nonetheless, if you stand midship on about the 13th floor and look down through a glass table, you’ll see this lobby and elevators. And I thought a sailboat was big.

This is a view of the lobby on the Jewel of the Seas, a ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The first time I saw this ship it played a trick on my eyes as I thought I was looking at two ships. Turns out this is one is small, relative to others. Nonetheless, if you stand midship on about the 13th floor and look down through a glass table, you see this lobby and elevators. And I though a forty foot sailboat was big.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Through The Palms

As I write this there are storms across much of the Unites States and winter has made an early entrance. But in some places such as Florida’s west coast you can still find people on the beach or enjoying a sunset. It’s no wonder the population of Florida explodes this time of year. If I lived up north and had the means I’d come down here also. Fortunate for me I live here and this weekend I was outside at the Sarasota Fine Arts Festival. This shot is from just south of Sarasota in Nokomis which is a community with an awesome beach among other things. Anyway, at the festival I got to show some of my photos (similar to this) of the area and meet some of you in person. Even though it was warm, that was pretty cool.

As I write this there are storms across much in the Unites States and winter has made an early entrance. But in some places such as Florida's west coast you can still find people on the beach or enjoying a sunset. It's no wonder the population of Florida explodes this time of year. If I lived up north and had the means I'd come down here also. Fortunate for me I live here and this weekend I was outside at the Sarasota Fine Arts Festival. This shot is from just south of Sarasota in Nokomis which is a community with an awesome beach among other things. Anyway, at the festival I got to show some of my photos (similar to this) of the area and meet some of you in person. Even though it was warm, that was pretty cool.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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The Proposal

When in Vancouver I almost always walk through Stanley Park. I overheard someone say recently that it was voted the number one park in North America and I think I’d have to agree. Anyhow, you’ll notice I post a lot of pictures from Stanley Park including this which was taken around sunset at Hidden Lagoon near end of summer. Just before I took this I walked past a big willow tree along the lagoon which was decorated with photos of a young couple, candles, flowers and an intimate picnic with cheese and a bottle of wine. Someone was standing guard awaiting the arrival of the couple and it was my strong impression that a proposal was to be made this evening. I’ll never know for sure, but supposing that did happen, then it happened with this sunset, and so I would guess it was a very special evening indeed.

When in Vancouver I almost always walk through Stanley Park. I overheard someone say recently that it was voted the number one park in North America and I think I'd have to agree. Anyhow, you'll notice I post a lot of pictures from Stanley Park including this which was taken around sunset at Hidden Lagoon near end of summer. Just before I took this I walked past a big willow tree along the lagoon which was decorated with photos of a young couple, candles, flowers and an intimate picnic with cheese and a bottle of wine. Someone was standing guard awaiting the arrival of the couple and it was my strong impression that a proposal was to be made this evening. I'll never know for sure, but supposing that did happen, then it happened with this sunset, and so I would guess it was a very special evening indeed.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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San Juan Charm

This is the old town section of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Walking through here on a recent afternoon was like walking back in time to a different era. It seems time has slowed down here and a different pace of life is respected. People get together for conversation and gatherings in the streets or in verandas above. This colorful street was just one of many I passed and to me represents a feeling of community and charm rarely found today. I will return to Puerto Rico one day and when I do I’ll stay a little longer, and move a little slower.

This is the old town section of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Walking through here on a recent afternoon was like walking back in time to a different era. It seems time has slowed down here and a different pace of life is respected. People get together for conversation and gatherings in the streets or in verandas above. This colorful street was just one of many I passed and to me represents a feeling of community and charm rarely found today. I will return to Puerto Rico one day and when I do I'll stay a little longer, and move a little slower.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.