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Tatum House at Crowley

After the busy holidays we needed a break so we loaded up the dogs in the car and drove out to the country for some fresh air. By chance we ended up here at Crowley which is a park on the Sarasota county line featuring natural and cultural history. This is Tatum House which was built circa 1888 - 1892 and represents an example of rural architecture. It reminded me of the Waltons house, it had that same rural coziness. There is a lot to see and do here and a very pleasant break from the normal hustle and bustle. I'll be going back as there was just too much to see in a single visit. Before we left I picked up a pint of natural honey that was harvested on the grounds. Check it out at http://crowleyfl.org/

After the busy holidays we needed a break so we loaded up the dogs and drove to the country from some fresh air. By chance we ended up here at Crowley which is a park on the Sarasota county line featuring natural and cultural history. This is Tatum House which was built circa 1888 – 1892 and represents an example of rural architecture. It reminded me of the Waltons house, it had that same rural coziness. There is a lot to see and do here and a very pleasant break from the normal hustle and bustle. I’ll be going back as there was just too much to see in a single visit. Before we left I picked up a pint of natural honey that was harvested on the grounds. Check it out at http://crowleyfl.org/

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Lakewood Ranch

This is the road that straddles the county line along a planned community of Lakewood Ranch which has Polo fields, stables, lakes, trails and of course homes. As I was driving by one afternoon I stopped by a herd of cows grazing near the road. The cow pictures didn't come out too well but I like this one of the clouds as I turned the other way. I think that planned communities offer photographic opportunities if they have open spaces or are not completely developed. It kind of reminds me a little of Bendemeer in New Zealand, only without the rolling hills and mountains surrounding it.

This is the road that straddles the county line along a planned community of Lakewood Ranch which has Polo fields, stables, lakes, trails and of course homes. As I was driving by one afternoon I stopped by a herd of cows grazing near the road. The cow pictures didn’t come out too well but I like this one of the clouds as I turned the other way. I think that planned communities offer photographic opportunities if they have open spaces or are not completely developed. It kind of reminds me a little of Bendemeer in New Zealand, only without the rolling hills and mountains surrounding it.

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Bayfront Park, Sarasota

Whenever I come to this park to get some pics I have my two best friends on a leash. So I never really get a chance to focus too much on what I'm doing. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Why waste a perfectly good drive to the park if you don't have a couple of four leggeds. At least that's the way I see it.

Whenever I come to this park to get some pics I have my two best friends on a leash. So I never really get a chance to focus too much on what I’m doing. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Why waste a perfectly good drive to the park if you don’t have a couple of four leggeds. At least that’s the way I see it.

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Sarasota Icon

The Ringling Bridge is not only an icon in Sarasota, it's a magnet for walkers, joggers and everyday sightseers. It traverses the warm water of the inter coastal waterway as it heads out to the Gulf of Mexico and it's not uncommon to see dolphins and manatee swimming by. I don't think I'll ever get tired of coming here, so you're sure to see more photos from here. Stay tuned.

The Ringling Bridge is not only an icon in Sarasota, it’s a magnet for walkers, joggers and everyday sightseers. It traverses the warm water of the inter coastal waterway as it heads out to the Gulf of Mexico and it’s not uncommon to see dolphins and manatee swimming by. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of coming here, so you’re sure to see more photos from here. Stay tuned.

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Siesta Key Lifeguard Stand

When I showed up at Siesta Key beach is was the end of the day and so the lifeguards had already left. However a lot of people were still there, most waiting for the sun to finally set, a common ritual here in Florida. Reminds me of watching the credits roll, you stay to the very end, but I digress. So I walked around snapping shots that I thought were interesting until the very end. About half of the folks got up to leave yet I was surprised by how many people were staying on the beach even in the dark. In fact I saw people coming to the beach to setup their chars in the dark. I suppose that when the weather is warm, you may as well stay for the second show. ;-)

When I showed up at Siesta Key beach it was the end of the day and so the lifeguards had already left. However a lot of people were still there, most waiting for the sun to finally set, a common ritual here in Florida. Reminds me of watching the credits roll, you stay to the very end, but I digress. So I walked around snapping shots that I thought were interesting until the very end. About half of the folks got up to leave yet I was surprised by how many people were staying on the beach even in the dark. In fact I saw people coming to the beach to setup their chars in the dark. I suppose that when the weather is warm, you may as well stay for the second show. 😉

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Afternoon at the Beach

This is Siesta Key Beach which is a short drive from my home in Florida. A couple of years ago this was rated the number one beach in the United States. Let's just stop and think about that for a moment. Somebody actually has a job to go around and pick the best beach. Really? I very much want that job. But I digress. There's always something fun going on here, I noticed they were setup for a duathlon the next morning and they also have drum circles that gather here every so often. I just thought it was cool how a bunch of friends decided to come here and play volleyball on this afternoon. In any case, I'll leave you with this scene while I go fill out an application for that beach rating job.

This is Siesta Key Beach which is a short drive from my home in Florida. A couple of years ago this was rated the number one beach in the United States. Let’s just stop and think about that for a moment. Somebody actually has a job to go around and pick the best beach. Really? I very much want that job. But I digress. There’s always something fun going on here, I noticed they were set up for a duathlon the next morning and they also have drum circles that gather here every so often. I just thought it was cool how a bunch of friends decided to come here and play volleyball on this afternoon. In any case, I’ll leave you with this scene while I go fill out an application for that beach rating job.

Click on photo to obtain a print.

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Summer Thunder Cloud

This is what a typical afternoon looks like near my home in Florida. These cells contain a lot of energy which lifts the moisture vertically resembling a mushroom cloud. Non-stop lightning is generated such that it will take your breath away if you've never seen it before. The first time I saw it I thought the aliens had invaded as I looked around at the locals who took no notice. As soon as it gets dark the skies light up in every direction as spectacular as fireworks. I just got back from walking my dogs around the block and directly above are stars, yet all around me were these clouds flashing in all directions. Now, I'm a local and I hardly notice.

This is what a typical afternoon looks like near my home in Florida. These cells contain a lot of energy which lifts the moisture vertically resembling a mushroom cloud. Non-stop lightning is generated such that it will take your breath away if you’ve never seen it before. The first time I saw it I thought the aliens had invaded as I looked around at the locals who took no notice. As soon as it gets dark the skies light up in every direction as spectacular as fireworks. I just got back from walking my dogs around the block and directly above are stars, yet all around me were these clouds flashing in all directions. Now, I’m a local and I hardly notice.

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Back to the Boat

This gentleman had a bag of groceries and was heading back to his boat for the evening. I think when you anchor offshore you have no dock fees, no rent, only groceries and living expense. Sounds like a simple life. I'd probably go crazy without modern conveniences, but I'd still try it for a week or two. I'd get through a few more books and have more time to think about what's important to me. Even if I can't be isolated on a boat, I should probably do that anyway.

This gentleman had a bag of groceries and was heading back to his boat for the evening. I think when you anchor offshore you have no dock fees, no rent, only groceries and living expense. Sounds like a simple life. I’d probably go crazy without modern conveniences, but I’d still try it for a week or two. I’d get through a few more books and have more time to think about what’s important to me. Even if I can’t be isolated on a boat, I should probably do that anyway.

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Roadside Sunset

A few weeks back I was driving in Sarasota near my home and the sky starting putting on an unusual display of colors and shapes. Lucky for me I had a camera. In Florida we're heading into summer which means the beginning of the rainy season. Of course it's great for agriculture and gardens, but also it's good for photography because we're more likely to get crazy clouds in the sky. A few of the local TV stations post photos of sunsets sent in by viewers each day. So it seems to me there is an army of people out there with camera in hand looking at the clouds and sky. Count me among them.

A few weeks back I was driving in Sarasota near my home and the sky starting putting on an unusual display of colors and shapes. Lucky for me I had a camera. In Florida we’re heading into summer which means the beginning of the rainy season. Of course it’s great for agriculture and gardens, but also it’s good for photography because we’re more likely to get crazy clouds in the sky. A few of the local TV stations post photos of sunsets sent in by viewers each day. So it seems to me there is an army of people out there with camera in hand looking at the clouds and sky. Count me among them.

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Venice Pier Wide Angle

Every now and then I pull out the wide angle fisheye lens to see what happens. I've had this photo in the closet for over six months, almost forgot about it. Venice is a lovely little town in Florida, and they have this lovely little pier that appears even smaller than it should because of the fisheye. But as I recall, it wasn't the pier I was looking at, rather the sky and clouds. As you can see they were crazy and I felt compelled to take drastic measures. I think that sounds a little too dramatic, ...I calmly looked up and thought in passing that perhaps I might consider a viable alternative. Who am I kidding? I was as a mad man as I fumbled for my fisheye racing against the clock nearly dropping my camera in the water in the process. Yup, that was pretty much it, beautiful sky, sheer panic.

Every now and then I pull out the wide angle fisheye lens to see what happens. I’ve had this photo in the closet for over six months, almost forgot about it. Venice is a lovely little town in Florida, and they have this lovely little pier that appears even smaller than it should because of the fisheye. But as I recall, it wasn’t the pier I was looking at, rather the sky and clouds. As you can see they were crazy and I felt compelled to take drastic measures. I think that sounds a little too dramatic, …I calmly looked up and thought in passing that perhaps I might consider a viable alternative. Who am I kidding? I was as a mad man as I fumbled for my fisheye racing against the clock nearly dropping my camera in the water in the process. Yup, that was pretty much it, beautiful sky, sheer panic.

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