Danny looking at his new friend
Danny was fascinated by this little grasshopper or leafhopper. He was tiny but didn't seem to mind being handled as long as he was standing upright.
We let him go soon after.
I See You!
click to enlarge
Danny looking at his new friend
Danny was fascinated by this little grasshopper or leafhopper. He was tiny but didn't seem to mind being handled as long as he was standing upright.
We let him go soon after.
Danny looking at his new friend
Danny was fascinated by this little grasshopper or leafhopper. He was tiny but didn't seem to mind being handled as long as he was standing upright.
We let him go soon after.
Non-tornadic Waterspout
click to enlarge
Waterspout in the Gulf of Mexico
Fort Desoto Park
After our visit to the fort, we headed to the beaches of Fort DeSoto Park. The North Beach was rated one of America's top beaches, so we wanted to check it out. On our way, we noticed a storm system in the distance, but it appeared to be moving in another direction and would not hit us. We also noticed a line dropping from the clouds to the water - a waterspout!
It wasn't too easy to see as it was the same color as the clouds behind it, but you could make out the spinning funnel and the splash of water at the base.
It was the first time the family saw a waterspout - (I saw one last year too) so it was a pretty cool thing to watch. This one lasted about 10 minutes and then disappeared.
The beach was filled with people, yet nobody left, they all watched the waterspout and continued swimming.
The storm never did come near the beach.
Non-tornadic or fair weather waterspouts are pretty common in Florida (400 a year in the keys alone). They're much weaker than tornadoes associated with supercell storms, and usually have winds of only 65 mph. They tend to be static as the clouds are forming vertically, not moving horizontally, so they're little concern of the waterspout moving toward you.
Waterspout in the Gulf of Mexico
Fort Desoto Park
After our visit to the fort, we headed to the beaches of Fort DeSoto Park. The North Beach was rated one of America's top beaches, so we wanted to check it out. On our way, we noticed a storm system in the distance, but it appeared to be moving in another direction and would not hit us. We also noticed a line dropping from the clouds to the water - a waterspout!
It wasn't too easy to see as it was the same color as the clouds behind it, but you could make out the spinning funnel and the splash of water at the base.
It was the first time the family saw a waterspout - (I saw one last year too) so it was a pretty cool thing to watch. This one lasted about 10 minutes and then disappeared.
The beach was filled with people, yet nobody left, they all watched the waterspout and continued swimming.
The storm never did come near the beach.
Non-tornadic or fair weather waterspouts are pretty common in Florida (400 a year in the keys alone). They're much weaker than tornadoes associated with supercell storms, and usually have winds of only 65 mph. They tend to be static as the clouds are forming vertically, not moving horizontally, so they're little concern of the waterspout moving toward you.
Visiting an Old Friend
click to enlarge
Peaceful End to a Beautiful Day
Clearwater Beach, Florida
There's nothing like visiting an old friend, and to me, Clearwater Beach is an old friend. Spending well over 40 vacations on this little island has made it a kind of second home - a familiar place with lots of friends. In this case, my friends were the motels and businesses (and a few people who would visit each year).
It was always interesting to see how things in Clearwater Beach changed from year to year, which hotels and restaurants changed names, remodeled, got new pools and paint jobs. Lately lots of the little motels have been bought out by developers who intend to build condos in their place. With all the construction and change, we decided to stay a few miles south where things are still at a slower pace.
It's still nice to stop by Clearwater Beach and walk along the shore where I first set foot in the Gulf of Mexico, built my first sand castle, casted my first fishing line, watched the fishing boats come in, collected brochures with my brother, found bags and bags of seashells, watched countless thunderstorms over the Gulf, enjoyed Howard Johnson's hot fudge sundaes, chased lizards, learned to swim..................
Anyway, it was great to walk along that beach again - even if it looks so much smaller now as compared to Treasure Island!
Peaceful End to a Beautiful Day
Clearwater Beach, Florida
There's nothing like visiting an old friend, and to me, Clearwater Beach is an old friend. Spending well over 40 vacations on this little island has made it a kind of second home - a familiar place with lots of friends. In this case, my friends were the motels and businesses (and a few people who would visit each year).
It was always interesting to see how things in Clearwater Beach changed from year to year, which hotels and restaurants changed names, remodeled, got new pools and paint jobs. Lately lots of the little motels have been bought out by developers who intend to build condos in their place. With all the construction and change, we decided to stay a few miles south where things are still at a slower pace.
It's still nice to stop by Clearwater Beach and walk along the shore where I first set foot in the Gulf of Mexico, built my first sand castle, casted my first fishing line, watched the fishing boats come in, collected brochures with my brother, found bags and bags of seashells, watched countless thunderstorms over the Gulf, enjoyed Howard Johnson's hot fudge sundaes, chased lizards, learned to swim..................
Anyway, it was great to walk along that beach again - even if it looks so much smaller now as compared to Treasure Island!
Gravity is Beautiful
click to enlarge
The bottom of Lake Falls
Matthiessen State Park
On a hot day at Matthiessen State Park near Utica, Illinois, it's worth the trip down to the bottom of the canyon. Not only for the beautiful view of the stream, sandstone cliffs and waterfalls, but it's much cooler at the bottom. If you get near the falls, the falling water creates a breeze that carries a cool spray of water.
Worth the trip - even if it's cool outside.
The bottom of Lake Falls
Matthiessen State Park
On a hot day at Matthiessen State Park near Utica, Illinois, it's worth the trip down to the bottom of the canyon. Not only for the beautiful view of the stream, sandstone cliffs and waterfalls, but it's much cooler at the bottom. If you get near the falls, the falling water creates a breeze that carries a cool spray of water.
Worth the trip - even if it's cool outside.
Michigan City Sunset
click to enlarge
Michigan City Lighthouse
Washington Park Beach
Michigan City, Indiana
A hot summer evening and an almost perfect sunset marked the end of the Independence Day Weekend. Guess we just didn't get enough of the sun and the beach over the last few weeks.
I've got over 2400 vacation photos to sort through, so I hope to keep posting them regularly.
Michigan City Lighthouse
Washington Park Beach
Michigan City, Indiana
A hot summer evening and an almost perfect sunset marked the end of the Independence Day Weekend. Guess we just didn't get enough of the sun and the beach over the last few weeks.
I've got over 2400 vacation photos to sort through, so I hope to keep posting them regularly.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
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Disney
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Rusty Barn
click to enlarge
Barn along I and M Canal
Utica, Illinois
I'll need to find out if this barn was around during the useful days of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. It looks old, but perhaps not old enough to have been used by canal workers. Either way, the deteriorating building and the duck weed covered canal offer a glance at history. Both are quite obsolete yet look great together.
Barn along I and M Canal
Utica, Illinois
I'll need to find out if this barn was around during the useful days of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. It looks old, but perhaps not old enough to have been used by canal workers. Either way, the deteriorating building and the duck weed covered canal offer a glance at history. Both are quite obsolete yet look great together.
Pearl Crescent
click to enlarge
Pearl Crescent on Christopher's toe.
Last time we were at Mt. Baldy, this little butterfly decided to hitch a ride on Chris' big toe. He wouldn't fly off for anything. After about five minutes, I picked him off and released him into the dunes full of wildflowers.
Pearl Crescent on Christopher's toe.
Last time we were at Mt. Baldy, this little butterfly decided to hitch a ride on Chris' big toe. He wouldn't fly off for anything. After about five minutes, I picked him off and released him into the dunes full of wildflowers.
Red Sun
click to enlarge
Sun Set
May 24th 2008
Right after the sun slipped below the horizon, the clouds lit up with a bright, fiery red tone. Not quite a sun dog, but similar I think.
It certainly made the end of the day interesting.
Sun Set
May 24th 2008
Right after the sun slipped below the horizon, the clouds lit up with a bright, fiery red tone. Not quite a sun dog, but similar I think.
It certainly made the end of the day interesting.
Madwagon
click to enlarge
Madwagon Cruiser
Memorial Day on Lake Michigan in Chicago was pretty crowded. Lots of families out grilling, picnicking and playing along the beach at Montrose Point.
The bike path was loaded with cyclists, this one decided to have a break and take in some of the sites and sun of spring.
Madwagon Cruiser
Memorial Day on Lake Michigan in Chicago was pretty crowded. Lots of families out grilling, picnicking and playing along the beach at Montrose Point.
The bike path was loaded with cyclists, this one decided to have a break and take in some of the sites and sun of spring.
Resting
click to enlarge
Sleeping Babies
A walk along the paths at the Little Red Schoolhouse are always interesting. Plants and animals are everywhere and sometimes you can get quite close to them. Saturday was no exception. These little geese were sleeping next to their mother on the shore of a little pond.
They don't look too comfortable laying on the hard limestone, but I guess their down feathers add a bit of cushion to the hard ground.
click to enlarge
Now That's Cozy!
This one found a better place for a nap. Talk about a down comforter!
Sleeping Babies
A walk along the paths at the Little Red Schoolhouse are always interesting. Plants and animals are everywhere and sometimes you can get quite close to them. Saturday was no exception. These little geese were sleeping next to their mother on the shore of a little pond.
They don't look too comfortable laying on the hard limestone, but I guess their down feathers add a bit of cushion to the hard ground.
click to enlarge
Now That's Cozy!
This one found a better place for a nap. Talk about a down comforter!
Backlit Tulips
click to enlarge
Tulip
Sometimes you just have to lay down on the ground and check out the view of the flowers.
Tulip
Sometimes you just have to lay down on the ground and check out the view of the flowers.
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