The St. Petersburg pier is about to be rebuilt but until then it sits here unused. The architecture of the new pier has been the subject of a lot of discussion amongst the residents and local officials. So while they decide what to do I try and get a few more pictures before the cranes come in and it begins a makeover. Then, I suppose, I’ll be out taking pictures of the new one. Me and everyone else in town.
Wagner Park Sunset
This is just north of Battery Park and probably one of the best places in lower Manhattan to watch a sunset. There is a grass lawn, wide benches, and nice little Italian restaurant just below here where you can forget for a minute that you are in a big city. After my friend Scott and I finished taking pictures we had dinner here and then headed up to midtown to check that out as well. There just wasn’t enough time in the day to do everything we wanted to do, but this was probably the highlight of what we did manage to see.
Rush Hour at the Pier
This was taken around rush hour on a Friday evening. Only I have no idea what the traffic was like because I was here. This was about the most stress free place I can think of. It’s a remote pier in a remote park that looks out on to the Gulf of Mexico. Even the seabirds were relaxed as they waited for morsels from the fishermen. This is one of those spots I like to come to from time to time because no matter what, I’m always going home more relaxed than I came.
Avon Well
While walking around a park in Connecticut I came across this structure that I could see from quite a distance. Turns out it’s a well and according to the plaque it can pump three million gallons a day. To me that seems incredible, such a large amount of water. Maybe that’s normal? I’ll bet they could use this in California right now. Anyway, I was impressed enough that I took this picture.
Downtown Scene
The scene from Battery Park in lower Manhattan.
Shaded Bench
A bench in the shade outside the Ringling Museum in Sarasota Florida. I come here from time to time to take pictures of the manicured grounds. This was a particularly hot day and I thought this bench was well placed under the shade of a Banyan. There are a lot of trees here so it makes wandering the grounds a bit easier in summer. They also have ice cold lemonade at a snack bar under one of the largest Banyans in the region. Where would we be without Banyans.
Gasparilla Island Lighthouse
Today we took a little trip down the west coast of Florida to Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island. This lighthouse was built in 1932 and is long past it’s prime. To be sure it’s still sturdy enough to withstand hurricanes all these years. Anyway, I did my best to block out the sun with the support frame. The heat and humidity is pretty intense but within a few minutes there was a rain shower which momentarily dropped the temperature about ten degrees. Fifteen minutes later the rain passed and heat returned. A typical afternoon in Boca Grande.
City Time
A million other versions of this exact same shot have been made. So when here recently I was glad to try my own. This futuristic setting is from Brooklyn near the ferry terminal, these are ancient pilings from some long forgotten pier or dock. A six second exposure makes the water look smooth as though maybe time has slowed down. A parallel universe in a city that never sleeps.
Sarasota Public Library
Purchase Print
The Sarasota Public Library is located in the center of town across from a park and surrounded by shops, theaters and restaurants. If you stop and take a look, the architecture is rather unique. Architecture aside, I wonder how many people still use the library in this age of instant electronic access. I guess I’ll just have to go in and find out for myself one day.
Wall Art
I passed this wall art in lower Manhattan and thought the shadows added a different dimension to the art. That’s the thing about street art, the environment plays a role in the telling of the story. In this case, at least for me, the shadows and light transformed the art into something completely new. How cool is that?