(Day 217) Santa's new helper

It seems a little strange to be thinking about Christmas in August, especially in the subtropics, where the beach-side temperature was just a few degrees below scorching. I was lulled into a false sense of security regarding over-exposure to the sun, due to the brisk breeze coming in off the water - the breeze accounting for the few degrees below scorching. After jumping up and down in the waves with my granddaughters for the better part of the day (I'm still experiencing the motion of waves as I sit and write this), I discovered - too late - that my skin had taken on that freshly-cooked lobster hue.

So, as I took shelter under our sun umbrella on the beach, and feeling like I was still sitting in the direct sun, I noticed a few of our feathered friends waiting patiently for a handout (no, we didn't give them anything). I took out the camera and found that one in particular had some resemblance to the most famous of Santa's helpers. I'm sure Santa can always use a little extra help during his busy season.

(70-200mm  f8  1/1000 sec  ISO200 - both shots)

can you spot him ?

how about now ?

(Day 216) The boating set

I took the time today to go for a little stroll near the beach where we spent the afternoon. There were all sorts of photo opportunities and I wasn't sure what to post - I had enough for several days, so perhaps I'll revisit the area in the near future to show you what else there was. However, there was a yacht club about 200 yards from the beach, on a canal that leads to a bay which then leads to the gulf. I watched a lovely boat (which fits the description of most of the boats in this area) go up the canal past some exclusive real estate - no mention of the word 'recession' here - and made my way over to the yacht club. Unfortunately it was well-protected by a high barbed-wire fence so I didn't have direct access, however, I was able to shoot through the gaps near a gate. It looked to me to be the preserve of the well-heeled.

(18-55mm  f11  1/250 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f11  1/250 sec  ISO200)

(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)

(Day 214) Blowin' in the wind

I've dabbled in gardening for many years - both the veggie and flower kinds. As with all gardeners, I've had my struggles with weeds, and ... crabgrass! Now, I've planted annuals and perennials, and shrubs, and even a few trees in the flower gardens. But the one thing I can honestly say I've never deliberately planted in a garden is grass!

Well I guess I have to start thinking outside my preconceived notions of what belongs in a garden. As I wandered around outside late this afternoon, after the daily torrential downpour, I found this ornamental grass being blown around by the remnants of the thunderstorm. In between the gusts I was able to make a few photos and I liked this one best. Perhaps I'll even go out and buy some grass for my gardens one of these days.

(18-55mm  f7.1  1/160 sec  ISO800)

(Day 213) Meet one of my wife's friends

Today I'd like you to meet 'Gary', one of my wife's new friends. If I have to say so myself, he's rather cute. Sometimes Gary comes around with a few of his friends - that's ok with me, but my wife prefers it if they wouldn't come near her. My wife has a peculiar way of greeting Gary - it's usually with a shriek or a gasp. In fact, I'm not sure that my wife would even refer to Gary as one of her friends - it's what I tell her Gary is, because Gary cleans up a lot of the bugs and insects around here.

I thought "Gary the Gecko' was an appropriate name for the little guy. Now it's time for you to meet him:

(all photos shot with a 70-200mm lens, at f11, ISO200 at shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/25 sec)

He's a curious little guy:

not too large:

and he sports a nice pattern on his back:

Now of course today is Sunset Sunday - if you don't know what that means, take a moment to look at Scott's blog. I made this sunset shot a few minutes after I made this shot last night. Hope you enjoy it, and the sunsets of all who participate.

(18-55mm  f11  1/500 sec  ISO200)