Window Shopping

Gift shop on St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Frenchman's Bay, Bar Harbor, Maine. Photo taken from overlook in Acadia National Park.

Spanish Cannons, Guam

Spanish cannons at Fort Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, Guam, Mariana Islands.

The description of the location below was copied from Guam-online.com:

Fort Nuestra Senora de la Soledad was one of the last Spanish Forts constructed in the 19th Century in support of the Spanish Galleon trade. Sitting on the cliff just to the South of Umatac, Fort Soledad has a commanding view of the Bay and all Ocean approaches. The Fort was restored in 1995 and today the cannon of Fort Soledad still point out over the Pacific Ocean and Umatac Bay where Magellan landed in 1521 to make the first contact between Guam and the West.

Pigeon on the Pier

Pigeon on fishing pier, St. Augustine Beach, Florida.

Pigeons are not at the top of most people's list of favorite birds. They aren't at the top of mine...but then again they certainly aren't at the bottom either. They're just too common for most of us to say "wow, did you see that beautiful pigeon". But, if you really stop to look, they are a fascinating and beautiful bird that has adapted remarkably well to its changing environment.

You can find a very interesting web site from Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Project Pigeon Watch) devoted to getting individuals involved in international research on pigeons here.

Coquina Rock Formation, Washington Oaks Garden

Coquina rock outcropping on beach at Washington Oaks Garden State Park, St. Augustine, Florida.

Sunset, Torrey Pines State Park, California

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean taken from Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, California.

Lily Close-up

Close-up of a lily. I know I took it while in Miami in February of 2008 but I'm not sure where...probably in the yard of a neighbor of my parents or at Fairchild Tropical Gardens.

Coquina Rock and Surf

Lone coquina rock with surf approaching on beach at Washington Oaks Garden State Park near St. Augustine, Florida.

Fawn, Whittier, Alaska

After close to two months of posting photos taken in and around St. Augustine, today's photo takes us to the other extreme corner of North America.

This image of a fawn at the Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center, Whittier, Alaska was taken in August of 2008 at the conclusion of an incredible cruise along the Inside Passage.

Nigel Pickering - Spanky and Our Gang

Today's photo is of Nigel Pickering, a founding member of Spanky and Our Gang.

The photo was taken during an evening at the Tradewinds Lounge, St. Augustine, Florida in February of 2008. Mr. Pickering can be heard at the Tradewinds on Friday evenings from 5 pm - 8 pm when he plays along with Jim Carrick and Mark Hart.

Gator on Dock

Alligator sunning on a dock at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida.

Brick Street, St. Augustine, Florida

Close-up of old bricks used for paving St. George Street south of King Street, St. Augustine, Florida.

Full Moon Rising

This image is of the last full moon rising in the east just after sunset at Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, Florida. In the foreground is Salt Run with the magnificent dunes of the island beyond.

Sign and Shadows

Shadows from palms and sign for the Shell Shop along St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida.

Bas Relief of Lion, Flagler College

Bas relief of a Lion on one of the columns in front of the gates to Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida.

Candle Shop, St. Augustine, Florida

Today's photo is of the Southern Lights Candle Shop located at 12 Cuna Street, St. Augustine, Florida.

If you like candles, this is the place to go. Owner and Candlesmith Susan Bradley is a warm and welcoming person who will make you feel right at home and help make your candle shopping experience as unique as the candles she hand crafts.

Joy

Edmund running down the hill at the Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida.

Cruicial Coffee

The Cruicial Coffee Shop at the corner of Charlotte St. and Cuna St., St. Augustine, Florida.

Treasury Street, St. Augustine, Florida

Treasury Street between Charlotte Street and Mendendez Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida. Note how narrow this street is...just wide enough for a horse drawn buggy.

Old Door, St. Augustine, Florida

Old door on building along St. George Street in St. Augustine, Florida.

Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida. Photo taken on January 10, 2009.

Fireworks at the St. Augustine Pier

Fireworks at the St. Augustine Pier taken from Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, Florida on New Year's Eve 2008.

Smile

Just look at those beautiful white teeth and lovely smile.

Taken at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Gator Wrestling

Enough photos of our fine feathered friends for the week.

Today's photo is of my son posing with the "photo gator" over at the Alligator farm.

Good Friday to you.

Ed

Wood Duck

This week has definitely been one for the birds!

Hope you enjoy this photo of a Wood Duck paddling through its pond at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Great Egret Cleared for Landing

Today's post is another of a Great Egret on final approach to its night roosting spot at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Great Egret in Flight

Taken from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, today's photo is of a Great Egret in flight. I ended up with several nice shots of these beautiful birds in flight (and many more that were out of focus, half in the frame, etc.). I'll likely post one or two more this week.

Have a great day!

Ed

Roseate Spoonbill Landing

Monday, Monday...

Today's photo is of a Roseate Spoonbill landing in the rookery area of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Hope your week gets off to a good start!

Ed

Another Macaw at St. Augustine Alligator Farm

It was a busy but fun weekend.

Today's photo is another taken of a Macaw while visiting the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Incredible eyes these creatures have.

Ed

Macaw at St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Among the many things I have to be grateful for, is the enduring friendship I have with a guy named Jim. Despite the many inevitable changes that have occurred in both our lives since we first met some 40 years ago, we remain very close to this day.

Jim and his family have been camping up the road at Anastasia State Park since Wednesday, and yesterday, after spending some time at our home, our families went together to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park and played tourist for a few hours. Later we went downtown for dinner at Madre's followed by ice cream at Kilwin's and then a movie back home before they left to return to their campsite.

This was my first visit to the Alligator Farm. In addition to the captive wildlife exhibits, I was delighted to find they have a boardwalk through a mostly natural swamp area were a variety of wading birds can be sighted. Being only 2 miles from where we now live, we purchased the family pass so I'll be returning here often...especially during the spring when the birds are nesting.

While certainly not a wild bird, today's photo of a Macaw just begged to get posted. Hope you enjoy it.

Ed

Regal Iguana

This photo of a regal looking male iguana was captured at Fairchild Tropical Garden were quite a few of these "dragons" roam.

Having grown up in Miami, I took for granted the many beautiful locations such as Fairchild, Matheson Hammock, Viscaya, Parrot Jungle, the Keys and the Everglades National Park...just to name a few. Only today do I realize how fortunate I was to have grown up there during the 60's and 70's. Although still a beautiful city today, it has definitely undergone extraordinary growth and change. However, Fairchild is much as it always was...a wonderful location full of tropical plants where it is easy to upwind and take it easy.

New Year's Eve Fireworks

New Year's Eve is one of my two sister's birthday. Last night, she joined us and we celebrated by heading to the beach at Anastasia State Park to watch the fireworks display. Today's photo, which looks somewhat like a colorful chemical palm tree, is one captured during that display.

Best wishes to you and yours for a Happy and Healthy 2009!