Happiness

Doing what you like is freedom.  Liking what you do is Happiness.”


I’m liking what I’m doing and, somewhat more importantly, I’m liking who I’m doing it for.  Horrible grammar, I know, but you get it.

I've said it before, it's the little things that people walk by every day that can really be eye-catching.

I’ve said it before, it’s the little things that people walk by every day that can really be eye-catching.

Last Look

So after this two-week vacation, our next 1-week vacation is going to feel way too short – OR – all our vacations from now on will have to be at least 2 weeks long!

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

Up

After a while, it becomes difficult to tell what’s up and what’s down. 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

See a bigger version of this image.

See a bigger version of this image.

Augustine Light

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

– Aristotle Onassis


So I’ve had this urge to photograph lighthouses for a while now so it’s always awesome when I get to visit a new one.  Now, apparently, I need to get this same image at every lighthouse I visit.  Be sure to check out my other lighthouse images (and more to come from St. Augustine).

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is St. Augustine's oldest surviving brick structure. | Order a print of this image.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is St. Augustine’s oldest surviving brick structure. | Order a print of this image.

 

The Sun Also Sets

Yeah, I know that’s not the title, but that’s not what I’m going for here.  With so much attention to the sunRISES lately, I needed to turn around and give some time to the sunSET.

The Sun Also Sets

This Sucker’s Electrical!

“No, no, no, no, no, this sucker’s electrical, but I need a nuclear reaction to generate the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity I need.”

– Dr. Emmett Brown


I think Doc Brown would have been all set for a few more trips in his time machine after last night’s storms!  I wonder how many gigawatts were generated from this one.

I give you 1.21 gigawatts! | Order a print of this image.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you 1.21 gigawatts! | Order a print of this image.

Different

The thing I like the most about the sunrise (sunsets follow suit) is that it’s always (always – no exceptions) different.  And the clouds make it even better.  In my opinion, a clear sky with just the sunrise is kinda boring.  I’ll take it, but I’d rather have the clouds and patterns they make.

Order a print of this image

Order a print of this image

The Funshine State

We’ve renamed the Florida state nickname to the “Funshine” state.  Just so you know.  That is all.

A protected wildlife habitat that we pass every day on our walk.

A protected wildlife habitat that we pass every day on our walk. | Order a print of this image.

Shark!

Yeah, it wasn’t that impressive, but I wonder if its big brother is still lurking…

DCIM101GOPRO

In no way did we harm this shark. It had washed up on the shore. Just FYI.

DCIM101GOPRO

Revert

Sponges grow in the ocean. That just ‘gets’ me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn’t happen.

– Steven Wright


So at what point does the urge to dig a hole at the beach cease to exist?  I think I’ll hold on to that one for a while.

Revert

Longest Day

Exactly one year ago I was participating in “The Longest Day” sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.  I’ve never experienced anybody who suffers from Alzheimer’s, but now understand how traumatic and very difficult it can be and am thankful that a friend asked me to participate.  If you’re participating this year either as someone who is going through it currently or as a friend, here’s to hoping that today is filled with good memories of your loved ones and friends as you start your longest day.

The Longest Day

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Flora

Anybody know what this plant is called?  I’m in Satellite Beach on vacation and the red-splashed leaves really caught my eye.

This is the perfect Christmas plant for Florida.

This is the perfect Christmas plant for Florida.

Stress Relief

Works every time…

Great therapy session today.

Great therapy session today.

Travel

After 18 hours, 4 and 1/2 states and only three Red Bulls, the vacation really begins.  We chose to drive straight through and I’m kinda glad we did it that way.  It may not be so easy on the way home though.

My view for most of the day.  With an 18-hour day, this is about the extent of my shooting today.

My view for most of the day. With an 18-hour day, this is about the extent of my shooting today.

Winning

And that’s how you pack for a two-week vacation to the beach.

Notice how almost half the car is my photography equipment.

Notice how almost half the car is my photography equipment.

Guess

Another rainy day, another rainy day project.  Now you get to guess what it is.  And NO, I’m not tagging it with descriptors of how I did it.  No fair.

I'm starting to get appreciate the fact that different people are going to see this differently.

I’m starting to get appreciate the fact that different people are going to see this differently.  See more like this.

Tri It

What a great day for a triathlon!  The FCPRD hosted the second annual youth triathlon this morning and I think it was a big success.  I figured, at the beginning of the year, that if I wasn’t going to race this year that I would at least remain as connected to the sport as possible.  And shooting all sorts of races from Ironman distance to local youth tri’s is how I’m doing it.  Many more images to follow (and video at some point).

UPDATE:  Photo gallery

The pool was actually inviting once the kids realized that the water temp was warmer than the air.

The pool was actually inviting once the kids realized that the water temp was warmer than the air.

Peacock Road

AKA Valley Mill Road in Winchester.  My wife actually drives this road every day and suggested we stop on the way back from a shoot today.  Glad we did.  Gonna make a point of going back to see if I can get a fully fanned out peacock image.  BTW, Have you ever heard a peacock’s call?  I thought it was a cat in some major distress.  It caught me completely off guard.  But now I know.  My wife says it sounds like they’re screaming “help!”

IMG_3982

One of the many peacocks roaming free just past the one-lane bridge on Valley Mill Road near Winchester. | See a larger version here.

Cardinal

“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”

– Willie Nelson


Cardinal

Jay

I’m kinda getting into this whole bird-watching thing.  I get why people do it.

Blue Jay

This is really not a great photo. But it’s still fun to get new visitors. Still no squirrels, btw.