Juxtaposition (jŭkˌstə-pə-zĭshˈən)

I hope I can repeat after Paul (from Philippians 4:11) "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." 

Our daughter's place - where we'll be in 4 weeks:

Where we currently are:

Fortuitous ?

It was the evening of Good Friday. My wife glanced out of the front window and called me to come see the sky - I couldn't see it from where I had been sitting. On instinct I grabbed the camera since I hadn't captured a sunset for some time. I was stopped in my tracks before I got 10 steps out of the front door (1st photo). After taking in the scene I hurried over to the canal across the street (2nd photo).

There was nothing fortuitous about this moment. I'm not a believer in fate or chance or luck but I believe things happen for a reason - even though that may not be revealed now or in our lifetime. But it was easy for us to join the psalmist: "The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of his hands."  [Psalm 19:1]  If you're inclined, you can make this your prayer today also (click on the link and listen as you look at God's handiwork as captured below):

Queen of Palms

In the north temperate zone (this year also known as the north polar zone) I could reasonably expect to see some trees starting to flower in May. I haven't quite figured out what the flowering season is in the subtropic zone. For instance, we have some 'annual' dianthus here that have been blooming continuously for almost 3 years. Hibiscus seem to bloom whenever they feel like it, and that also seems to be the case with palm trees - I haven't discovered their cycle yet either. I'm constantly amazed at God's creativity when I see the variety that exists in nature, whether that be in the plant or tree world, the animal world, landscapes ....

One of our queen palms (Syagrus Romanzoffiana) has been developing several flower pods which are 5-6 ft tall. Today we noticed one that had burst open. In the first photo you can see the large yellow flower and the open flower pod to the left of it. To the left of the open pod you can see another, unopened pod. I'll leave the flowers for a few weeks at which point a heavy cluster of large green grape-like seeds will develop. These will gradually turn an attractive orange-yellow colour and that's my cue to take action. I've learned from past experience not to let them ripen to the point where they start dropping to the ground. They become extremely soft and very sticky, and rather nasty to pick up. Instead I'll position a large garbage can beneath the cluster before it ripens and saw it off so it drops directly in the can - no fuss, no muss, no bother. In the meantime we'll enjoy the flowers.

As I was looking through some shots of this flower, I thought I noticed a smudge in the 2nd photo. Take a look at a crop of that photo (3rd photo below) to see the 'smudge'.

Downtown

Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm more of a country boy than a city slicker. I'm happy that so many people love living in the city since it keeps the countryside uncrowded (although I realize some are there only because that's where the jobs are, mostly). However, I don't mind taking the occasional trip in to see the sights.

A few days ago we packed up Sasha and the wagon (I'll have to let you see that soon) and headed for a stroll through a small piece of historic Fort Myers (winter home of Thomas Edison). If you're up for a little nostalgia, listen along to Petula (link below the last photo) while you walk with us ...

A tale of 2 cities

A couple of our daughters sent us photographic evidence yesterday that winter had not quite yet released its icy grip up north. We're harbouring a not-so-secret hope that it will slip quietly into history and make way for spring before our return.

Here's what we found in our southern yard yesterday:

Contrast that to their experience:

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

Square peg meets round hole

Our sense of the familiar has been challenged as we try to 'get into the Christmas spirit'. This is the second year that we are spending the weeks leading up to Christmas in the balmy south. For all of those previous years we had grown accustomed to the weather turning cold and blustery, and we literally meant it when we hummed along with "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". In our experience, there's something incongruous about standing on a street dressed in shorts and sandals in mid-December looking at palm trees adorned with bright Christmas lights.

Good thing that the joyous message of Christmas - the birth of the Saviour of the world - remains the same without regard to geography or weather.

"May all your Christmases be bright."

Speechless Saturday

(well almost ...)

No, I'm not starting a competition with Wordless Wednesday ;-) I had a lot of thoughts running through my head as I was reviewing shots from a recent evening photo shoot, and in the end I decided just to post the shots. There, I've already said too much.

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.

It was a warm and windy night ...

... when I made this photo just a few weeks ago on our last trip here. There's something magical about seeing trees swaying in the breeze especially when they're palm trees and the breeze is warm. Having lived through many cold winters 'up north' I appreciate the warm weather here in southwest Florida. I can't honestly say I miss the cold and ice and slush, but I do enjoy how a fresh snowfall is like hitting the refresh button on the landscape. I'm glad we were back for a few weeks to experience it. If only winter could be 3-4 weeks long I think a lot more people would enjoy it. But then there wouldn't be a need for snowbirds !

(18-55mm  f8.0  8 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

(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 338) Bismarckia nobilis

"You learn something every day if you pay attention."  ~Ray LeBlond

There's a little piece of wisdom that I found is reinforced by doing a project 365 (ok, I didn't know that quote by heart - I looked it up - but I did find it very appropriate). And now you're wondering how I'm going to segue to today's photo. 

It started this afternoon while I was watering the palms we had planted a few weeks ago - they need daily watering for the first month after being transplanted - and I looked a little more closely at the Bismark palm. There are intricate patterns in its leaves, its stems, its trunk, its new fronds ... So, while the water was trickling down to its roots I got the camera and made a few photos. Later I got more information on this palm which is native to Madagascar - where it's now threatened - and has become extremely popular in southern Florida where it thrives due to similarities in climate. Here are a few views of this magnificent palm:

(10-22mm  f18  1/15 sec  ISO200)

stalks supporting the leaves can be 3m/10' long; trunk is underneath

(60mm  f14  1/40 sec  ISO800)

leaves are 1m/3' across

(10-22mm  f18  1/15 sec  ISO200)

here are 3 of the 4 new fronds on our tree that will unfurl into new leaves

 

(Day 336) Hanging out down at the pond

Remember a couple of weeks ago I told you about the unique landscaping being done around some of the malls here in the south (well, you probably don't so you can see the photo here). Tonight after dinner I set out to get a photo or two for my 365 project. I wasn't really sure where I would go - however, an opportunity always seems to come up, thank goodness. As I drove past that mall again something caught my eye so I got off the main road and headed back to the parking lot.

While everyone else walked towards the stores, Sasha and I headed off in the opposite direction, towards where I had made some photos before. The landscapers had also incorporated a large pond into the mall grounds - which I suspect serves as a rain runoff reservoir. We found a few fine-feathered friends there settling down for the night.

(both photos made with a 18-55mm lens at f9, 10 sec shutter speed, ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

Oh, this is what caught my eye as I drove by initially.

(Day 322) A horticultural transformation

I like making before and after series of shots, something which I'd been doing before I became 'serious' (whatever that means) about photography. Typically that involves projects in which something is either built e.g. a cabin, or something is significantly modified e.g. the interior of my son's home. I find it interesting at a later date to look back at the 'before', and the steps undertaken to create or transform something.

In that vein, I followed the progress of creating a small garden to replace a section of (boring) lawn at our place in Florida. I can take no credit for the work - oh, I did help move a few bags of mulch (!) - I simply recorded progress along the way.

(note: all photos were made using an 18-55mm lens at f8 with shutter speeds and ISO settings varied according to the light available)


the 'virgin' piece of lawn

outlining the target area

fascinating how a curb is created

resting, hardening, awaiting the next steps the following day

the 'grass' is removed - I put 'grass' in quotes because the lawn seems to be made up of 'grassy' vines, all intertwined to make a mat

arrival of the 'Bismark' - the tree, not the ship. The contractor's heavy duty bobcat had broken down earlier and the smaller one could not lift the tree - with some ingenuity, the tree was eventually coaxed from the truck and into the waiting hole

 the Bismark is ready to be launched from the back of the truck which was positioned over the hole

next, the first of 2 foxtails is moved into position - it was within the bobcat's capabilities

releasing the protective covering from around the Bismark

with the palms in place, small bushes, which will add colour, are quickly planted

transformation complete. You might note the changes in light over the last 6 photos - the job was originally estimated to take about 2 hours, but equipment breakdown (heavy duty bobcat) resulted in delays and more manual work. We are very pleased with the results, however.

(Day 315) A different shopping experience

I'm not much of a shopper. If the world depended on people like me, the economy would remain mired in recession for years to come. I see it as a necessary evil. My typical shopping experience involves knowing what I need, (usually) making a beeline to where the item is located (or finding someone who can direct me there), paying for it, and leaving. The end. Full stop. The only variation in the routine comes when I (have to) go shopping with my wife. Then I get to drive the cart and provide helpful suggestions like "I think we have everything now".

Tonight I drove to the nearby outdoor mall, willingly, on my own (well, Sasha came along because she loves rides to anywhere). No, I didn't actually go shopping. This mall must have been built during more positive economic times - instead of just the usual asphalt jungle, the builder created a much more pleasing environment. See what you think.

(18-55mm  f5.6  1.3 sec  ISO200)

(Day 312) Palm balm

There's something soothing about seeing palm leaves swaying in a light breeze against an azure sky. Ever since I set eyes on such a sight (way back in my youth) when I first visited Florida, that mental image and its connotations has remained with me. The small patch of 'rough' weather (I use the term loosely) we just had, has given way to those clear blue skies and warm temperatures that are key ingredients in the Sunshine State experience.

As the sun was dropping quickly late this afternoon I was compelled to capture a few images.

(All shots made with 70-200mm lens at f7.1 and ISO200, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/250 sec to 1/320 sec.)

click to enlarge

palm tree in autumn, with fruit

 

(Day 215) The queen next door

As you can probably tell from some previous posts I'm enthralled by the plants, flowers, and trees that grow here in the subtropics. So I'm always walking around making photos of them, likely to the amusement of some of the locals who think they're no big deal.

Next door to us are some very stately palm trees, with exotic-looking fruit hanging from them in big bunches. I checked on the web and I believe they're called queen palms. At any rate, I liked them enough to feature them for today's post.

(18-55mm  f5.6  1/2000 sec  ISO800)

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/2000 sec  ISO800)