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Autumn In New Zealand

We're not in Kansas anymore. That's an understatement if I do say so myself, which I just did. We arrived here after two days to travel just as the southern hemisphere celebrates autumn. One look tells me we're in for a sensory overload. First the bad news. Theres no way the beauty of this place can be conveyed in pictures. Now the good news, I'm going to try. Maybe I got the good news bad news reversed, but I digress. I took a short walk around dusk and was presented with compositions at every turn, this being one. From way down under, I wish everyone a beautiful weekend, be it spring or autumn.

We’re not in Kansas anymore. That’s an understatement if I do say so myself, which I just did. We arrived here after two days to travel just as the southern hemisphere celebrates autumn. One look tells me we’re in for a sensory overload. First the bad news. Theres no way the beauty of this place can be conveyed in pictures. Now the good news, I’m going to try. Maybe I got the good news bad news reversed, but I digress. I took a short walk around dusk and was presented with compositions at every turn, this being one. From way down under, I wish everyone a beautiful weekend, be it spring or autumn.

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Mangrove Sandbar

This is a mangrove that's taken over a sandbar just down the street from my home along the Manatee River in Palmetto. In the southern states along the Gulf Coast these mangroves are a natural defense against the erosion caused by hurricanes. As a result they are protected by the state and local governments. Basically you don't mess with them, just leave them alone and let them do their job. Anyway, I thought the calm water created by the sandbar made for a nice reflection. Have a lovely day everyone.

This is a mangrove that’s taken over a sandbar just down the street from my home along the Manatee River in Palmetto. In the southern states along the Gulf Coast these mangroves are a natural defense against the erosion caused by hurricanes. As a result they are protected by the state and local governments. Basically you don’t mess with them, just leave them alone and let them do their job. Anyway, I thought the calm water created by the sandbar made for a nice reflection. Have a lovely day everyone.

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Neal Preserve

I left home this evening knowing I wanted to take pictures but with no clear destination in mind. I was headed to the beach to capture a sunset when I noticed this preserve. Two days ago Neal Preserve in Bradenton Florida opened to the public after about a year of construction. I've been anticipating this for ages and this evening I lucked out. I'm not sure construction adequately describes the work that goes into the creation of a preserve, it's part ecology, part terraforming and a good dose of trail construction. Many of the pathways are elevated above the mangroves, and the scrub is perfect for nesting and burrowing. Just after sundown I saw owls and raccoons coming out for their nocturnal routines. In any case, I took more photos which I'll post in the coming weeks. I'm so happy and excited that I've found a new place to take photos of nature near my home.

I left home this evening knowing I wanted to take pictures but with no clear destination in mind. I was headed to the beach to capture a sunset when I noticed this preserve. Two days ago Neal Preserve in Bradenton Florida opened to the public after about a year of construction. I’ve been anticipating this for ages and this evening I lucked out. I’m not sure construction adequately describes the work that goes into the creation of a preserve, it’s part ecology, part terraforming and a good dose of trail construction. Many of the pathways are elevated above the mangroves, and the scrub is perfect for nesting and burrowing. Just after sundown I saw owls and raccoons coming out for their nocturnal routines. In any case, I took a more photos which I’ll post in the coming weeks. I’m so happy and excited that I’ve found a new place to take photos of nature near my home.

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Soaking Up Rays

For me Friday usually brings with it a feeling of relief, like wow, I made it through another one. Maybe it's time to kick back on a bench and soak up some rays. Actually this lady was checking e-mail on a phone, but never-mind that, she got most of it right. Of course I was standing right behind her clicking away, but never-mind that also. Let's all just take a minute and turn down the e-mail dinger on our smartphones and go to that quite place if just for a few minutes. Who am I kidding, I wouldn't last 10 minutes. But hey, it's Friday and I'm feeling better already. Happy Friday everyone.

For me Friday usually brings with it a feeling of relief, like wow, I made it through another one. Maybe it’s time to kick back on a bench and soak up some rays. Actually this lady was checking e-mail on a phone, but never-mind that, she got most of it right. Of course I was standing right behind her clicking away, but never-mind that also. Let’s all just take a minute and turn down the e-mail dinger on our smartphones and go to that quite place if just for a few minutes. Who am I kidding, I wouldn’t last 10 minutes. But hey, it’s Friday and I’m feeling better already. Happy Friday everyone.

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Sony in the Park

This is lazy afternoon in Sarasota Florida. I'm getting the hang of my Sony camera, it's a big switch from the Nikon. There are things I like about the Nikon including the lenses, but Sony seems to be writing a new page in the book of camera evolution. The biggest difference is the size, it's so much smaller than a comparable Nikon or Canon. Which brings be to today's photo. I shot this while walking my two dogs at Island Park and it was pretty easy. I've tried this with the bigger Nikon and it wasn't so easy. With a small camera you seem to have more options and flexibility and, just kind of blend into the background. And that, might just lead to more opportunities to capture life and beauty all around. In my opinion, Sony has done with the camera what they did with the Walkman so many years ago. Thank you Sony.

So I’m getting the hang of my Sony camera, it’s a big switch from the Nikon. There are things I like about the Nikon including the lenses, but Sony seems to be writing a new page in the book of camera evolution. The biggest difference is the size, it’s so much smaller than a comparable Nikon or Canon. Which brings be to today’s photo. I shot this while walking my two dogs at Island Park and it was pretty easy. I’ve tried this with the bigger Nikon and it wasn’t so easy. With a small camera you seem to have more options and flexibility and, just kind of blend into the background. And that, might just lead to more opportunities to capture life and beauty all around. In my opinion, Sony has done with the camera what they did with the Walkman so many years ago. Thank you Sony.

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Riverwalk Sunrise

Across the river from my home is the Bradenton Riverwalk where you can walk, jog, bike or skate. On weekends and evenings it can be quite busy especially when they have food and music festivals. My favorite time to come here is the morning just as the sun is rising. Because it's such a heroic effort for me I'm always surprised at how many people get up and out early for a jog or walk. This was taken right next to an empty skateboard park early one morning a few weeks back.

Across the river from my home is the Bradenton Riverwalk where you can walk, jog, bike or skate. On weekends and evenings it can be quite busy especially when they have food and music festivals. My favorite time to come here is the morning just as the sun is rising. Because it’s such a heroic effort for me I’m always surprised at how many people get up and out early for a jog or walk. This was taken right next to an empty skateboard park early one morning a few weeks back.

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Swirly Clouds

Another pier at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton Florida. I get so intrigued by the cloud formations in the sky that I have to check myself from time to time. Like this evening I was walking the dogs and even though we didn't get a good sunset, the clouds were all feathery and swirly, a little like this shot. I got to thinking that I was probably the only person in the county looking up at the clouds and thinking how nice they were. Maybe I don't want to go there and what that means, but hey, I'm easily amused and as a photographer, appreciate swirly clouds. I like pizza too.

Another pier at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton Florida. I get so intrigued by the cloud formations in the sky that I have to check myself from time to time. Like this evening I was walking the dogs and even though we didn’t get a good sunset, the clouds were all feathery and swirly, a little like this shot. I got to thinking that I was probably the only person in the county looking up at the clouds and thinking how nice they were. Maybe I don’t want to go there and what that means, but hey, I’m easily amused and as a photographer, appreciate swirly clouds. I like pizza too.

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View of Granville

I took this last year while walking around Vancouver one evening. I walk a lot when in Vancouver because no matter where I go there's so much to see. I'm in love with that city for a variety of reasons, not the least is which it suits my personality. But then there are a lot of other cities I need to see, Berlin is way up there. But Vancouver is just plain cool, laid back and the best example of the new age in North America. This is a view of Granville Island around dusk and as I recall it was a two mile walk back to my hotel from here, not that I minded one bit.

I took this last year while walking around Vancouver. I walk a lot when in Vancouver because there’s so much to see. There are a lot of other cities I need to see, Berlin is way up there. But Vancouver is just plain cool, laid back and the best example of the new age in North America. This is a view of Granville Island around dusk and as I recall it was a two mile walk back to my hotel from here, not that I minded one bit.

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Riverhouse

The Riverhouse Reef and Grill is a local eatery in Palmetto Florida that sits right on the Manatee River. Every time I come here it's crowded, but somehow we always get a table with a good view. It's not uncommon to be sitting here and have our conversation broken by something passing us by along the river, be it dolphin, manatee or just a family on a sailboat. Its way out at the end of a pier and so they pick you up with one of those golf cart shuttles if you don't feel like walking the length. All in all, a pretty good deal.

The Riverhouse Reef and Grill is a local eatery in Palmetto Florida that sits right on the Manatee River. Every time I come here it’s crowded, but somehow we always get a table with a good view. It’s not uncommon to be sitting here and have our conversation broken by something passing us by along the river, be it dolphin, manatee or just a family on a sailboat. The restaurant is way out at the end of a pier and so they provide one of those golf cart shuttles if you don’t feel like walking the length. Regardless, I always walk back since I’m usually full and need to stretch my legs.

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Shades of Blue

This is little pond at Emerson Point in Palmetto. Because it's close to home I come by here to walk along the trails. The problem is that I want to take a picture every time. A little alarm bell goes in my head off and warns me that I may be repeating myself. However, on second thought, no two pictures of this pond are the same. The light constantly changes and this time there was an abundance of blue. When I win the lottery I'll travel most of the year and take pictures of exotic places all over the world, but until then I'll be happy to just find different ways to take pictures of the beauty in my back yard.

This is little pond at Emerson Point in Palmetto. Because it’s close to home I come by here to walk along the trails. The problem is that I want to take a picture every time. A little alarm bell goes in my head off and warns me that I may be repeating myself. However, on second thought, no two pictures of this pond are the same. The light constantly changes and this time there was an abundance of blue. When I win the lottery I’ll travel most of the year and take pictures of exotic places all over the world, but until then I’ll be happy to just find different ways to take pictures of the beauty in my back yard.

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