Is There Anybody Out There ?

You might well ask that of me. I'm afraid I've been MIA from blogland for quite some time ... a couple of seasons and a lot of water under the bridge in that time. It was never my intent to update this only once a quarter but you know how sometimes life gets in the way ...

I was wondering which photos to post since my camera hasn't been MIA and I've clicked the shutter quite a number of times since I last posted. I decided to share a few of our new furry best friend who joined our family last August. We took her to a doggy beach and we learned that she's definitely not a water dog - you'll see ...

I hope everyone's new year is off to a good start. I didn't make a resolution to come here on a more regular basis, but I will try ...

Beachcombers

We recently went on a little excursion to one of the barrier islands off SW Florida's coast with visitors from 'up north'. The morning started off with somewhat unseasonably low temperatures and we tried to huddle down as the small boat whisked us across calm waters.

After taking 'the tram' (a pickup truck pulling a wagon) to a beach on the far side of the island we set up base camp for the day's stay. I'm not sure when this fellow arrived - in fact, he may have already been there when we set up - but he wasn't shy at all. I was able to walk to within a few feet of him as he posed to have his portrait taken. You might wonder how I know this was a male - any self-respecting female would have straightened her feathers before allowing a photo.

While waiting for the forecasted weather to arrive, we decided to explore a bit of the island. After following trails for some time we returned to 'camp' along the shoreline. By now the fog had crept in and covered the strait rather than giving way to the promised sunshine but we hardly noticed as we discovered some of the life forms along the shoreline and marveled at the power of the Creator.


everything fits neatly inside the protective shell including the eyes

this one looked ready for action as I stared him in the eyes

and these sea urchins looked like they would give an inattentive beachcomber a nasty surprise

Postcards ...

Thank you to all of you who have visited and left a comment over the past couple of weeks - I thought I'd send you some postcards to say hello and let you know I hadn't completely disappeared.

I hope to 'visit' you this week yet before we make our return home.

Farewell

No, this is not my farewell to blogging - just a [temporary, I hope] farewell to the Sunshine State. Before you go further, click on this link to enjoy a little farewell music while you have a look at the rest of my post:



We shall soon be heading back north where we learned that spring still awaits us, despite a couple of false starts. If all goes as planned, Sasha will enjoy temperatures much more to her liking - 7C/45F instead of 31C/88F - in a few days. Our woolies will be within reach as we near home. Brrrr !

[I will have limited internet access over the next few days. However, our extremely poor wireless internet service back home will be swapped out for a new satellite-based service which is being touted as far superior. Being a half-glass-full person I am cautiously optimistic that I will be able to resume posting and visiting early next week. Hope springs eternal !]


Here are a few more memories from our stay.

Wish you were here ...

Maybe it is the memories
the change of pace that brings us there
the sense of vacation
maybe the smell of the place
the sights of the gulls, the dunes, the grasses
but oh it is the feel of it,
the crunch and slide of it
the feeling of beach sand
so different from dirt, soil, loam
no, not earthy, moist, rich,
but oh so granular and gritty
even when wet,
moveable paper spreading under toes
sliding beneath the soles
smoothing my skin
clearing my mind
unburdening me of the rest
drawing me to the tactile, the feel
of beach sand

Beach Sand by Raymond A. Foss

♫ Happy trails to you ...

As you're reading this, we hope to be well on our way 'up north', having left the balmy south early yesterday morning in order to spend Christmas with family. We've traded shorts and sandals for boots and warm winter woollies. Tonight, if all goes well, we'll be sitting around the crackling wood stove. That will be a stark contrast to the scenes we savoured so recently.

Note: not only are we leaving the wonderful warm weather behind but we're also leaving the urban high-speed internet connection behind. For the next several weeks I will have to make do with a connection that is 400 times slower. I will likely have to restrict myself to doing the bare minimum online i.e. paying bills. I'm doubtful that I'll be able to post, let alone visit anyone's blog during this time.

If that's the case, then I want to wish each and every one of you a Blessed Christmas, and peace and joy in 2012.

Till we meet again ... ♫

All earth to Him her homage brings

1 The ends of all the earth shall hear
And turn unto the Lord in fear;
All kindreds of the earth shall own
And worship Him as God alone.

Refrain:
All earth to Him her homage brings,
The Lord of lords, the King of kings.

2 For His the kingdom, His of right,
He rules the nations by his might;
All earth to Him her homage brings
The Lord of lords, the King of kings. [Refrain]

3 Both rich and poor both bond and free,
Shall worship Him with bended knee,
And children's children shall proclaim
The glorious honor of His Name. [Refrain]

Composer: William H. Doane, 1834-1915

Contrasts

I've mentioned in earlier posts that we lived out west near Calgary, Alberta for about 15 years where on more than one occasion the weather changed from the depths of winter freezing (-30C/-22F) to balmy (21C/70F) in the span of a day. That welcome weather contrast was due to a phenomenon known as a chinook (an Indian word meaning 'snow eater').

I think our children back home would welcome a chinook today. We received a couple of photos from one of my daughters this morning - their first, and early, taste of the season to come. I put a couple of photos of what we've had to 'endure' this week beside hers. Perhaps I'll wait a few days before I mention this post to them. (Well, maybe not).

Note: I experimented last week with a new view offered by Blogger. While I liked the many different ways photos and posts could be presented, many people found it difficult to post comments, and I haven't been able to see some of the information widgets. For now I'm reverting to my old (and familiar) template.

Venice Venture

Pack a lunch, bring some chairs, and settle back on one of the beaches in Venice (Florida, not Italy). It's summertime - the living is easy, the weather is hot and humid, and the tourists are few. You'll almost have the beach to yourself.

We sat in the shade of the Australian pines and did what you can only do when it's 34C/94F - nothing. Well, we did walk out on the jetty to see what the few fishermen were catching - not much, besides plenty of sun. And we took in the beauty of the place.

(10-22mm  f11  1/320 sec  ISO400)

the view from my chair

(70-200mm  f8.0  1/2000 sec  ISO400)

 looking west down the jetty
(10-22mm  f8.0  1/1600 sec  ISO400)

view across the inlet to North Jetty Park
(10-22mm  f8.0  1/1600 sec  ISO400)

in the shade of the Australian pines
(10-22mm  f11  1/250 sec  ISO400)

In the spotlight

"The birds came marching two by two, Hurrah, Hurrah,  
 The birds came marching two by two, Hurrah, Hurrah ... "

Just having a little phun on a phriday. Hope you did too ! 

(10-22mm  f10  1/400 sec  ISO100) 

click on photo for a better view

Phor more phabulous phun, have a look at Scott's blog. 

Warm memories

We were glad to hear that our most recent visitors had made it safely home today. They also reported that the weather had improved significantly from what they had left behind. Temperatures had reached a balmy 8C/46F and snow was rapidly disappearing. Our last day together was spent near Sanibel Island where we had to 'endure' 29C/84F. I hope that memories of scenes like the one below will keep them warm at least till spring arrives there.

(10-22mm  f14  1/250 sec  ISO200)

The Creator's signature

There are few scenes more glorious than a sunset. A sunset can gild any setting, even a suburban one. Scott started a Sunset Sunday theme one year ago - feel free to join in by posting a sunset on Sunday. Note that the sunset does not have to occur on the Sunday (as I mistakenly thought at first). I have 2 shots to share today - the first was made yesterday evening from our front lawn. The second was made 2 weeks ago as I was scurrying back to my vehicle to avoid a parking ticket.

May there be just enough clouds in your life to create a glorious sunset !  (author unknown)

(18-55mm  f6.3  1/25 sec  ISO200)

(10-22mm  f8.0  1/30 sec  ISO200)

Vicarious living

A long, really long time ago, I worked for the post office, sorting mail. Manually. As in by hand. Before postal codes (that goes to show you how long ago). One of the things I still remember sorting lots of, especially in the cold, dull winter months, were the gorgeous postcards of Florida's beautiful beaches and spectacular sunsets. They were sent by the fortunate to the less fortunate, some no doubt with a motive to elicit envy.

Well, with no motive other than to share what I think is a lovely scene, I'm posting this shot taken on one of our trips here last year. Relax and soothe yourself with strains of 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds', adapted -

"picture yourself on a beach near the water,
 with waves at your feet, and colourful skies;
 somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,
 it's really quite tough, to open your eyes ..."

(18-55mm  f8.0  1/1600 sec  ISO200)

(Day 361) At the beach

Monday Dec. 27, 2010

You might think I'm crazy, but I went to the beach tonight, even though it was -10C/14F out. No, I didn't join a polar bear club - while I admire their pluck, I can think of much easier, less painful ways to die. In fact, I was properly outfitted for a cold evening in my heavy winter coat, zipped right up to my chin, a toque, and heavy duty gloves. Sasha of course came along dressed as she was. This looked like a nice place to get some shots when I passed by last night and that's how I came to be here late this evening.

Note: since we're out of town visiting with family I'm only able to post late at night and won't have time to visit your blog until we're back home later this week. I do enjoy reading your comments - thank you for your visits.

(18-55mm  f22.0  30 sec  ISO200)

And there were all sorts of fabulous light displays there also; here's one of them.

(18-55mm  f22.0  3.2 sec  ISO200)

(Day 351) At the going down of the sun

Friday Dec. 17, 2010

(our cable provider had technical issues for about 7 hours this evening, hence this late post and my inability to visit anyone)

No, I don't have my days mixed up - I know it's not Sunday, and I'm not posting a Sunset Sunday shot. Since this evening was going to be our last in Florida for a number of weeks, I wanted to capture one last glorious sunset before we left. So the 3 of us drove down to what's become a favourite spot for us. My wife, not wanting to witness my 'contortions' (as she calls them) as I position myself at various angles and postures to get my shots, went and found a place to sit on the beach. Sasha and I found some vantage points where I got some shots.

The vehicle is packed and we're ready to head out early tomorrow on our 2,500 km/1,500 mi trip back to the frigid region, where snow and ice and cold prevail.

Coincidentally the 2 shots I'm posting (I couldn't just post 1) were taken when I rejoined my wife on a picnic table by the beach. Oh, and I didn't need any contortions to get these.

Note: I'm not sure I'll be able to make any photos during the next day or two, or if I'm able, whether I'll get the chance to post them. If all goes well, I'll be back Monday for sure, maybe Sunday. late. Have a great weekend !

(18-55mm  f14  1/160 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f14  1/100 sec  ISO200)

(Day 316) Having phun in the sun

In keeping with Phun Phriday we decided to get in a little R & R today, with Englewood Beach as our destination. In keeping with the spirit of rest & relaxation, I didn't even have to go and chase any subjects for today's Project 365 post. In fact, as you look at today's photos, you might even say I had the best seat in the house.

(credit for this photo: my wife)

(70-200mm  f8  1/640  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/800  ISO200)

(Day 310) Beachside

I think that I've probably mentioned that I have problems following 'The Rules' at times. It probably explains why I fit in so well within a couple of days with the Greek drivers on Rhodes on our recent vacation - it was obvious that the driving rules were to be treated more as guidelines. My wife, to her credit, has kept me out of more trouble than I care to remember by being a more strict observer of 'The Rules'.

Today we found ourselves on a beautiful beach near Naples. I think I saw a sign with lots of rules, among which was the prohibition of animals on the beach. Now I don't consider Sasha an 'animal' - she's simply part of the family, so she accompanied us - well ok, me - onto the beach, despite my wife's protestations. We do clean up after her - I can understand keeping animals off the beach whose owners don't do that. Of course, who cleans up after all the pelicans, seagulls, and other flying bombs ? Right, I thought so. At any rate, we only walked along the beach for a little while - and if we hadn't, I wouldn't be able to show you just how nice that beach is.

(10-22mm  f11  1/640 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f11  1/500 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f11  1/1000 sec  ISO200)

(Day 256) Marketing 101

Monday Sept. 13, 2010

We've made a point of trying to visit many different places on Rhodes. And given the hot and dry weather conditions we've had so far, that includes a beach almost every day. A different beach can be found over the crest of every hill. Some are sandy, others have pebbles, and a few others have stones and even large lava rocks. But, the brochures claim and the roadside signs proclaim, each is the most beautiful on Rhodes !

Today was a purely beach day - relaxing in the warm waters of the Aegean Sea and seaside with a good book. There weren't even any clouds to drift slowly by. The beach was named Tsambika, but due to the winds which approached gale strength by mid-afternoon, we re-christened it 'sand blasta'.

(10-22mm  f11  1/400 sec  ISO200)

(Day 253) Rugged beauty

Friday Sept. 10, 2010

I haven't checked any sources (yet) regarding the formation of Rhodes, but from looking at the seashore rocks, and the mountains and hills, I would venture that Rhodes came about as a result of volcanic activity. Certainly by the seashore in many cases there appears to be a lot of lava, and many of the hills seem to be made of hardened mud, filled with fist-sized stones.

Tonight we made a point of being near Charaki with its beautiful semi-circular beach, to catch the sunset on the rugged rocks at the outer ends of the beach.

(18-55mm  f11  1/125 sec  ISO200)

(Day 249) Hot and dry

Monday Sept. 6, 2010

Do you ever have that fleeting moment of doubt when you open a travel brochure and see the pictures of those exotic locations with beautiful beaches, an azure sea and an unbelievably blue sky ? That can't possibly be real, can it ?
Well, we found out today that it is, at least here by the Aegean Sea. Crystal clear water so bouyant you can almost fall asleep floating on your back. The boardwalks are there to protect your feet from the hot sand, and sandals are required to get right to the water. The beach was not crowded and this is about as far away as you can get from 'hustle and bustle' - a phrase which is unknown here (except when it comes to driving !).
Away from the beach, the land is hot, and dry. I've read that there is a rainy season here, but the evidence for it is long gone.

(10-22mm  f8  1/640 sec  ISO200)

(10-22mm  f11  1/160 sec  ISO200)