Autumn in Florida

We are having our first taste of Autumn in Florida this week. A miraculous cold front came through and after months of 90 degrees plus temperatures with humidity in the upper 70s, the temps plunged to a high of 88 degrees. More importantly, the humidity dropped to a more comfortable level.

We Floridians, like me, who spent most of the summer avoiding any unnecessary outdoor activity are finally able to step outside and take a deep breath of fresh cool air and hope the dreaded long, hot summer is behind us?

In truth, Autumn in Florida is a state of mind and not an actuality. While folks up north bring out their sweaters, scarfs and boots and take long crisp walks in the woods where the leaves have turned reds and oranges and have begun to fall, here the only leaves you will see turn color is when a tree is dead and the leaves have turned an ugly brown. Here, we’re still wearing flip-flops, shorts and short sleeve t-shirts.

Oh sure, we can get our pumpkin spice latte at the local coffee shop, but hey, it’s still 88 degrees outside and humid. The crisp cool mornings we are promised will only last a few days and most likely by the end of the week, we’ll be back to high humidity and temperatures in the 90s.

Autumn, or what passes for Autumn in Florida will not arrive for real for at least for another month if we’re lucky. These couples of “cooler” days have been a treat, but make no mistake about it, there is no Autumn in Florida.

Photographs Over Time – Part 4

Part 4 in my series Photography Over Time.

Available to Rentl (1 of 1)-001

Maine

WHit Peleican Ding

White Pelicans – “Ding’ Darling Wildlfe Refuge

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Lovers – “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge

Sunrise Bombay Hook NWR Delaware CW-1572

Sunrise – Bombay Hook NWR

Downtown Seattle in Black and WHite-CW-final-

Seattle Skyline

Vermont Trees CW

Vermont Woods

Mission Nombre de Dios – St. Augustine

 

Great Cross and Statue of Father Francisco Lopez-4089

The Great Cross and Statue of Father Francisco Lopez, the First Parish Priest of St. Augustine, FL. 

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Chapel of Our Lady of Le Leche (St. Augustine, FL.)

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The Great Cross and one of The Seven Sorrows of Mary ( The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross)

Images From Lake Apopka

Lake Apopka is approximately 30 miles northwest of Orlando. It’s the 4th largest lake in Florida and has a fantastic 11 mile drive around the lake to view and enjoy the state’s natural wildlife. One note to keep in mind is the wildlife scenic drive is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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Green Heron - CW-2986

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Nesting Season

It’s mating season or soon will be and these two Great Blue Herons’ are getting their nest ready. Photographed along the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Lake Apopka, Florida.

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Photographs From the Circle B Bar Reserve

Last week we did an overnight trip to Lakeland’s Circle B Bar Reserve. It’s one of the few reserves where there is activity all day long thanks to an abundance of wildlife. You don’t have to get up early and be out there at sunrise, though that is still a good idea, to capture nature’s beauty.

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Anhinga with Fish

Back Bellied Whistling -Duck ala Tree Duck-2572 Black-bellied Whistling Duck 

Great Blue Heron CW-2498

Big Blue Heron

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Anhinga Taking in the Sun

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Barred Owl

Elvis and The Clash

In 1979, The Clash were still relatively new on the music scene. London Calling was their third studio album. The cover photo was shot by Brit photographer Pennie Smith. She caught Clash guitarist Paul Simonon  bending over smashing his guitar. Smith did not want to use the photo because it was a bit on the blurry side. However, the album’s Graphic Designer Ray Lowery liked the idea and convinced Pennie it caught the mood and fury of the band. It was Lowery’s decision to closely duplicate the style, lettering and colors of Elvis Presley’s debut LP symbolically linking the rock legend to the new guard.

The Elvis cover was photographed by Tampa’s  William V. “Red” Robertson during the second of two shows at Tampa’s Fort Homer Hesterly Armory. The date was July 31, 1955. The show’s headliner was Andy Griffith. Elvis was billed 6th. Below is the original uncropped photo.

Elvis

 

Clearwater Beach Sugar Sand Festival

Just the other day my wife and I went to The Clearwater Beach Sugar Sand Festival at Pier 60. I believe this was the third year we attended this event. Every year there is a different theme. Last year was a Celebration of Musicians which you can see here. This year’s theme is  Celebrating America. The eleven sculptors come from all over the world. The artists do not use molds. It’s all done using brushes, utilities tools and other instruments.

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Mount Rushmore

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Salty Fishermen

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Wall Street

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Edgar Allan Poe

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Abraham Lincoln

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Louis Armstrong and Charley Patton

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Holiday Road

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Lighthouse

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Route 66

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Monroe and Chaplin

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Casey at the Bat

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America’s National Parks

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