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Beach Dunes

In Bradenton Beach Florida we have nice sunsets, and even when we don’t there’s always something to take a picture of. I thought a shot from about four feet inside these dunes would be nice and so started to set up my camera. Bad idea. Turns out the plants in these dunes produce a prickly burr that’s as sharp as any I’ve ever seen. So I figured as long as I didn’t move around I’d be okay. Wrong again. It seemed like the burrs started attacking me and attached themselves to my sandals, t-shirt, legs and shorts. So I finished the shot quickly and walked to my car in darkness where I began detaching the burrs one by one which took about 20 minutes. They were even attached to the bottom of my sandals. As far as natural defenses go, those dunes mean business. A couple of days later near the lifeguard stand I found a sign that indicated this is a “Blue Beach” which means a high degree if environmental awareness and protection is practiced here and, …the dunes are off-limits. I think I learned my lesson. Dunes 1, Me 0.

In Bradenton Beach Florida we have nice sunsets, and even when we don't there's always something to take a picture of. I thought a shot from about four feet inside these dunes would be nice and so started to set up my camera. Bad idea. Turns out the plants in these dunes produce a prickly burr that's as sharp as any I've ever seen. So I figured as long as I didn't move around I'd be okay. Wrong again. It seemed like the burrs started attacking me and attached themselves to my sandals, t-shirt, legs and shorts. So I finished the shot quickly and walked to my car in darkness where I began detaching the burrs one by one which took about 20 minutes. They were even attached to the bottom of my sandals. As far as natural defenses go, those dunes mean business. A couple of days later near the lifeguard stand I found a sign that indicated this is a

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Florida West Coast

This is a section of Bradenton Beach in Florida opposite the Tortuga Inn and Resort which is a favorite of visitors from the north, especially for weddings and family gatherings. Bradenton Beach doesn’t have any mega-size resorts, they’re all rather small in comparison to those in Miami or Ft Lauderdale. The west coast of Florida has a different feel, low key, laid back, go with the flow. In a sense, I think Florida’s west coast is an east coast version of California. I’ll admit it’s a weak comparison and there are a world of differences, but the beaches here rival anywhere in the United States and the sand is powdery white and smooth. That, the warm water and calm waves all add up to a nice experience. Add to all that a sunset and Bob’s your uncle.

This is a section of Bradenton Beach in Florida opposite the Tortuga Inn and Resort which is a favorite of visitors from the north, especially for weddings and family gatherings. Bradenton Beach doesn't have any mega-size resorts, they're all rather small in comparison to those in Miami or Ft Lauderdale. The west coast of Florida has a different feel, low key, laid back, go with the flow. In a sense, I think Florida's west coast is an east coast version of California. I'll admit it's a weak comparison and there are a world of differences, but the beaches here rival anywhere in the United States and the sand is powdery white and smooth. That, the warm water and calm waves all add up to a nice experience. Add to all that a sunset and Bob's your uncle.

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Anna Maria Island

This is Anna Maria Island, which is in Manatee County Florida. It’s a quiet beach community along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Normally people will sit here to wait for the free trolley, enjoy an ice cream, or just catch a little shade as they plan their next move. However if you get up at the crack of dawn you can have the whole place to yourself, unless of course you run into someone like me taking photos. I never get tired of Anna Maria Island, and the next time you go there you’ll know what I mean.

This is Anna Maria Island, which is in Manatee County Florida. It's a quiet beach community along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Normally people will sit here to wait for the trolley, enjoy an ice cream cone, or just catch a little shade as they plan their next move. However if you get up at the crack of dawn you can have the whole place to yourself, unless of course you run into someone like me taking photos. I never get tired of Anna Maria Island, and the next time you go there you'll know what I mean.

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Hidden Beach

This was a recent sunset at Emerson Point in Manatee County, Florida. Emerson point is more about mangroves and wildlife than beaches. However, if you know where to look you can find a couple of secluded beaches like this one in and amongst the mangroves. The evening I shot this I had a couple of raccoons amble by. I think they were a little surprised since these little hideaways tend to be deserted, especially as the sun is going down. They decided to wait patiently from a few feet away as I took my pictures, probably wondering if I had any scraps of food to leave behind. The other thing I like about this spot is that we can bring our dogs here on a hot day. Most beach areas in Florida prohibit dogs, but since this isn’t strictly a beach, dogs are allowed and they love to wade in the shallow water to chase fish or just cool off.

This was a recent sunset at Emerson Point in Manatee County, Florida. Emerson point is more about mangroves and wildlife than beaches. However, if you know where to look you can find a couple of secluded beaches like this one in and amongst the mangroves. The evening I shot this I had a couple of raccoons amble by. I think they were a little surprised since these little hideaways tend to be deserted, especially as the sun is going down. They decided to wait patiently from a few feet away as I took my pictures, probably wondering if I had any scraps of food to leave behind. The other thing I like about this spot is that we can bring our dogs here on a hot day. Most beach areas in Florida prohibit dogs, but since this isn't strictly a beach, dogs are allowed and they love to wade in the shallow water to chase fish or just cool off.

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Public Pier Dawn

Near the end of Anna Marie Island in Manatee County Florida is the public pier. It’s a little out of the way, and the speed limit is posted at 25 miles per hour. It’s a sleepy little area and an idyllic seaside retreat for anyone looking to escape from the harshness of life for a while. There are a couple of piers, and this is the public one which is owned by the county. In the summer it’s not uncommon to see manatees, dolphins, stingrays or even the occasional shark swim by. If it’s hot, and it usually is, there’s an ice cream parlor just across the street, or you can sit at the end of the pier and order a cold drink. So, next time your in Florida, check it out, just be sure to slow down and roll the windows down, things move a little slower down here.

Near the end of Anna Marie Island in Manatee County Florida is the public pier. It's a little out of the way, and the speed limit is posted at 25 miles per hour. It's a sleepy little area and an idyllic seaside retreat for anyone looking to escape from the harshness of life for a while. There are a couple of piers, and this is the public one which is owned by the county. In the summer it's not uncommon to see manatees, dolphins, stingrays or even the occasional shark swim by. If it's hot, it usually is, there's an ice cream parlor just across the street, or you can sit at the end of the pier and order a cold drink. So, next time your in Florida, check it out, just be sure to slow down and roll the windows down, things move a little slower down here.

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Manatee County Sunset

Not far from this spot, earlier this day I was riding my bike and noticed someone holding up a thirty two inch bass they had just caught. I’m no fisherman but I was impressed enough to stop and take a picture with my iPhone along with a half dozen others. I came back in the evening to catch this sunset which is somewhat typically for Manatee County, Florida where I live. The waters are warm and even if you’re not at a beach you always have plenty to see and enjoy. In fact as I write this it’s getting close to sunset so I better wrap up and head out with my camera. Or, if I procrastinate enough just sit on the back patio and download it into my brain. I’m still waiting for the day when I can develop all the pictures I have in there too.

Not far from this spot, earlier this day I was riding my bike and noticed someone holding up a thirty two inch bass they had just caught. I'm no fisherman but I was impressed enough to stop and take a picture with my iPhone along with a half dozen others. I came back in the evening to catch this sunset which is somewhat typically for Manatee County, Florida where I live. The waters are warm and even if you're not at a beach you always have plenty to see and enjoy. In fact as I write this it's getting close to sunset so I better wrap up and head out with my camera. Or, if I procrastinate enough just sit on the back patio and download it into my brain. I'm still waiting for the day when I can develop all the pictures I have in there too.

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Patience

One of the many things I love about taking pictures at sunset in Florida is that it’s a great time to view wildlife. This bird, while he had his eye on me, was more concerned with his next meal. Just to the left of the pier were some fishermen and pelicans, wherever there’s one the others are close at hand. In any case, my buddy was ignoring the pelicans and patiently waiting for his prey and after what seemed like an eternity, swooped down and caught dinner. It requires a bit of patience but watching a Heron fish is a lesson in stealth, stillness and surprise. My rambling aside, this was another perfect evening at Coquina Beach in Manatee County, Florida.

One of the many things I love about taking pictures at sunset in Florida is that it's a great time to view wildlife. This bird, while he had his eye on me, was more concerned with his next meal. Just to the left of the pier were some fishermen and pelicans, wherever there's one the others are close at hand. In any case, my buddy was ignoring the pelicans and patiently waiting for his prey and after what seemed like an eternity, swooped down and caught dinner. It requires a bit of patience but watching a Heron fish is a lesson in stealth, stillness and surprise. My rambling aside, this was another perfect evening at Coquina Beach in Manatee County, Florida.
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Moment in Time

One of my favorite subjects is an empty bench facing the sunset. I suppose there is some longing inside of me to just sit and be the person on that bench. But that’s the whole point of these photos, to transport myself from where I am now to this setting. I think that’s why I love photography, it allows me to save these little snippets of time so that I can go back and visit them from time to time. Whenever I do the experiences of that moment come back. For instance, when I took this there was another lady with a camera, probably a tourist, who was so impressed with the scene that she was taking dozens and dozens of pictures of the water and sunset. When I see someone do that I always wonder if they’ll ever go back and actually look at the photos they took. But I suppose that on some level she thought that if she could just get the perfect photo she could go back and look at it from time to time and return to this moment in time. Lady, wherever you are, I’m doing the same thing right now.

One of my favorite subjects is an empty bench facing the sunset. I suppose there is some longing inside of me to just sit and be the person on that bench. But that's the whole point of these photos, to transport myself from where I am now to this setting. I think that's why I love photography, it allows me to save these little snippets of time so that I can go back and visit them from time to time. Whenever I do the experiences of that moment come back. For instance, when I took this there was another lady with a camera, probably a tourist, who was so impressed with the scene that she was taking dozens and dozens of pictures of the water and sunset. When I see someone do that I always wonder if they'll ever go back and actually look at the photos they took. But I suppose that on some level she thought that if she could just get the perfect photo she could go back and look at it from time to time and return to this moment in time. Lady, wherever you are, I'm doing the same thing right now.

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Backyard Sunrise

I live on the west coast of Florida in Manatee County. While that’s great for watching sunsets from the beach over the Gulf of Mexico, it presents a little more of a challenge for catching a good sunrise. However, because I walk my dogs before dawn I usually have an opportunity to look up at the cloud cover and make a guess as to what the sunrise might look like. So it was on this morning as I walked the dogs about ten minutes before sunrise. When I saw the colors begin to display I lost any self restraint and began a mad dash for my camera and car keys. Problem is there aren’t many places near my house where I can get an unobstructed view, …except one place. A couple of blocks away is a vacant lot and next to that is an unobstructed view, …from someone’s backyard. Fortunate for me the owners seemed not to be awake as I quietly positioned my tripod on a steep slope at the edge of the backyard. When done I emerged from the backyard through the lot with tripod and camera in hand and managed to get a worried look from a lady out for a morning walk. Am I a little nuts? Sure, but satisfied nonetheless.

I live on the west coast of Florida in Manatee County. While that's great for watching sunsets from the beach over the Gulf of Mexico, it presents a little more of a challenge for catching a good sunrise with my camera. However, because I walk my dogs before dawn I usually have an opportunity to look up at the cloud cover and make a guess as to what the sunrise might look like. So it was on this morning as I walked the dogs about ten minutes before sunrise. When I saw the colors begin to display I lost all self restraint and began a mad dash for my camera and car keys. Problem is there aren't many places near my house where I can get an unobstructed view, ...except one place. I quickly drove a couple of blocks away to a vacant lot and next to that is an unobstructed view, ...in someones backyard. Fortunate for me the owners seemed not to be awake as quietly positioned my tripod on a steep slope at the edge of their backyard. As I emerged from the backyard through the lot with tripod and camera in hand I managed to get a worried look from a lady out for her morning walk. Am I a little nuts? Yup. Am I glad I got this shot? You betcha.

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This Side of Heaven

When I spied this shot I thought maybe I’d died and gone to heaven. Well, maybe not me but the folks watching the sunset in their beach chairs. Not many people that move down here to Manatee County in Florida return to their northern homes unless they’re what we call “snowbirds”; fly down in winter and back up in summer. I used to live in a northern climate and now I think I’d have a hard time going back. It’s true there’s beauty everywhere, but something about the gentle rolling of the waves and the warm breeze is hard to resist. Lets face it, Florida is a retirement state and for good reason. So, while Florida has industries and agriculture, I think it’s biggest draw is tourism. In my opinion it’s too hard to focus the mind when the climate and scenery are this inviting. It’s my theory that people in northern climates are more industrious because they are forced to stay indoors through the long cold months. I don’t know where I’m going with all this, probably nowhere. In any case, when I wake up from this daydream I hope I’m close to this beach. In the meantime, I’m not retired so I better get back to work.

When I spied this shot I thought maybe I'd died and gone to heaven. Well, maybe not me but the folks watching the sunset in their beach chairs. Not many people that move down here to Manatee County in Florida return to their northern homes unless they're what we call
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