Fantasy Fest Model
This gentleman was a model for a body painting studio. He was painted differently every time I saw him during the week long festival.
Interesting
Key West street vendor has an interesting product line.
Eye catching corner
A borderline area in Miami called Wynwood Walls has some phenominal spray can art just about everywhere you walk. It seems to me the seedier the area is the better the art.
Point Sur Lighthouse
Point Sur Lighthouse sits on a volcanic rock 361 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Erected in 1889, this Big Sur lighthouse has stayed in continuous operation since, and is the only complete lighthouse of its era in California.
Not entirely sure
Passing through some economically dead former mining town was this......
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Key West cigar lady
Las Vegas Graffiti Art
Walking around the Fremont Street area of Las Vegas is one of my favorite places to find all kinds of photo opportunities. This one in particular caught my eye as it seems you could peel back the layers of graffiti that have accumulated over the years.
Because
I liked something about it...still do I guess.
Fence with locks
Walking down Fremont Street in an old section of Las Vegas
Walking Las Vegas
Early morning walking down alleys and streets in an area between the Strip and Downtown Fremont street one will find all kinds of photo opportunities.
Body Painting
In preparation for Fantasy Fest in Key West
Made me think
Stumbled upon this in a very old abandoned building which made me feel how lucky I am.
Nice Variety
Interesting front porch in Key West
Garden Art
I really enjoy photographing someone painting. If the angles cooperate I try getting the subject into the photo along with the painted version. I always ask permission to get different angles I then ask for their email address to send them the photo.
Real Fish
Fantasy Fest costume Key West
How Many?
Ticket booth guy at WI State fair selling tickets on the Easyglider.
Then War It Shall Be
The Conch Republic (also known as Key West and the Florida Keys) like many nations was born from trouble. The trouble started back in the dark days of March 1982, when the U.S. Federal Government placed a Border Patrol Roadblock at the Last Chance Saloon in Florida City. A seventeen mile traffic jam immediately ensued as the Border Patrol stopped every car leaving or entering the Keys, supposedly searching for illegal drugs and aliens who might be hiding under the front seats, in glove compartments, and in trunks. A Federal Miami court refused to enjoin the US Federal Government’s Border Patrol from treating the Keys like a foreign country. When the Key West delegation left the courthouse On April 23rd, Mayor Wardlow announced “We are going to go home and secede” and thus the Conch Republic was born. The Conch Republic flag was raised over city hall and the Schooner Western Union, under command of Captain John Kraus, went forth into the harbor and attacked the US Coast Guard Cutter DILIGENCE with water balloons, Conch fritters and stale Cuban bread. The DILIGENCE fought back with fire hoses and thus commenced the Great Battle of the Conch Republic. Prime Minister Wardlow surrendered and demanded foreign aid from the United States (which we are still waiting for!) The road block was quietly removed and the glorious Conch Republic was born. This event is celebrated each year with among other things a sea battle between the US Coast Guard and the Conch Republic Navy and Air Force. The sea battle is fought with water cannons while the Air Force bombs the Coast Guard ships with toilet paper, as seen here. For the past 40 years the Coast Guard admits defeat and shamefully sails back to their base. The city of course then has a parade.
One year I had the admittedly very difficult task of being both an arial photographer and a toilet paper bombardier. We returned to the airport as glorious battle hardened winners.
Interesting Inventory
Street Walking is always full of surprises. Had this store been open I certainly would have gone in to see what other treasures it offered.
Free Flowers
Came upon this while driving on the causeway towards Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake of Utah
Curry Mansion
Always decorated for all holiday, it was built as a private home in 1869 and now a beautiful bed and breakfast in Key West.
Lines, shadows and contrast
Walking down the street with my black & white camera I'm always looking for lines, shadows, contrast and maybe a story of some sort. With no color you need something else but when you see you see it in color so if you like that aspect of photography it makes it kind of fun. So a guy is walking down the street and finishes his beer.........
Fun hobby
Action, color and balance...quickly take the shot and decide later if I like it. At first I didn't, then I did, so now you can decide.
In what way?
Key West Creative
Bike wheel, basket and poinsettia.
Havana Gallery
These fellows had a little photo gallery and knew a few words of English so we "talked" photography. They, like most cubans, were doing so much with so little.
Step Right Up & Win a Prize
Squirt gun guy and a couple fairgoers.
Bruce
A very colorful, among other things, friend in Key West.
Words were hard to come by
I started typing a caption a few times but deleted them because any attempt at explanation just doesn't come out right. Let me just say on a normal day, Key West is difficult to explain but Fantasy Fest week makes words impossible.
Bicycle Club
These are my fellow Key West Bicycle club members. I consider myself to be extraordinarily fortunate to have this many friends, and good looking ones at that.
So Be
Wonderful people watching, Miami's South Beach also known as So Be.
Fantasy Fest
Face painted and costumed for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Parade Painted
Face painted and costumed for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Parade Happy
Face painted and ready for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Guard Dog
The Shih Tzu is an Asian toy dog breed originating from Tibet. They are well-known for their largely fun and playful personality, and calm and friendly temperament. They are highly independent dogs, and are able to adapt well in different situations. That was per Wikipedia but, if there was no glass between us he surly would have eaten me.
Parade Feathered
Painted and costumed in the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Fire Lookout Tower
Jacob Lake Lookout Tower is located in North Kaibab AZ. Built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), it is an 80’ Aermotor steel tower with a 7’ x 7’ metal cab and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can still climb the tower to view the area and see the Osborne Fire Finder.
Wisconsin
Old house in Eagle Wisconsin.
Hard Worker
Cuban farmer using twin oxen to plow his tobacco farmland.
Harbor Pilot
The pilot is boarding a moving cruise ship from a pilot boat to guide it into the Key West Harbor. As trained experts with detailed knowledge of Florida’s waterways, pilots protect our ports from harm and ensure the safe passage of ship traffic. These highly skilled professionals accept the enormous responsibility of guiding a ship, its crew and cargo safely through the harbors.
Dressed and ready
Cat Man
For almost 40 years the Cat Man has been entertaining the Key West crowds at sunset with his highly trained ordinary house cats. Here one is jumping through a ring of fire.
The Green Parrot
The Green Parrot is the best dive bar in Key West. Opened in 1890 as a grocery store where local musicians would gather. When WWII began it changed to the Brown Derby Bar then in the 1970s it was renamed The Green Parrot. Today, come for the atmosphere and stay for the music. No food, just free popcorn. And don’t worry what live band is playing… they are all good.
Artsy Old Sign
Walking around Las Vegas and it caught my eye.
Vanity
Yes....a selfie
A point of reference
All large cities have homeless issues and Las Vegas is no exception. When I raise my camera and zoom in I feel like I'm invading privacy from the safety of distance. But it's good to look at these photos because they are a constant reminder that my good fortune should not be taken for granted.
Petronia
Petronia Street in Key West has some unique shops, galleries and restaurants.
Sunday Morning
Very good junk
This was in a collection of equally good junk collected by one of those guys who collects junk...best description I have.
David vs Goliath
Note Apache gunship off the bow
Flower Basket
Sidewalk in Key West
Made me look
Manitowoc Lighthouse
Built in 1895. Rebuilt in 1918. Automated in 1971 is marks the entrance to the Manitowoc WI harbor on Lake Michigan.
Morning Workout
This gentleman in Havana was doing stretching exercises on what used to be his front porch.
Car Show Selfie
Fantasy Fest
Key West Florida
Original homestead
1800s Wisconsin original home
St George Carousel
The carousel in downtown St George Utah is a fully restored antique brought over from Chicago.
The Key West Mine
A group of us hiked to the mine located in Gold Butte National Monument. This photo encompasses Jim, our leader, parts of Gold Butte, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Grand Canyon. The combined area of these 3 areas under "National" status totals 2,700 square miles. It's an amazing feeling to be out there in its vastness.
Morning Neon
Walking Old Town Key West
Cuban Ladies
My guess is mother and daughters.
Quiet Morning
Sunrise in Wisconsin
Dantes at Christmas
Decorated for Christmas, Dantes of Key West
Fremont to the Strip
Old downtown Las Vegas to the Strip has pretty much colorful everything.
Hoover Dam
You are looking at the Colorado River as it exits the bottom of the dam after it has gone through the turbines on each side to generate electricity. I'm standing on the very top middle of the dam so Lake Meade is behind me.
Christmas Harbor
Key West harbor.... as unlikely as it would be, snow would be a pretty addition to this photo.
Side Mirror Doubler
Snowman
As it was almost 70 degrees he didn't last long.
Period correct
Original 1800s farmhouse owned by the WI Historical Society
Harbor Lights
The Key West Harbor is very nicely decorated at Christmas. The reflections really enhance the lights.
Early State Fair
Arrived at the Wisconsin State Fair 2 hours before opening during which time only the vendors were there setting up. I wandered around with my camera like I do but without the throng of fairgoers. Anyway, I saw this young lady waiting for the gates to open.
Old World Wisconsin
A very young girl dressed in period clothes at an original 1800s farmhouse owned by the WI Historical Society
BO’s Fish Wagon
Caroline Street, Key West
Rick’s
A bar on Duval Street sporting plenty of action. I took this around 6am on a walk around Key West one morning.
Harpoon Harry’s
Another Key West icon...love the colors.
Waiting for the gardener
Getting Ready
Each year at the end of October Key West welcomes Fantasy Fest. Trying to stay with the annual theme, painters decorate people as part of the festivities.
Not so odd really
Most days encountering a red woman riding a bike through a cemetery would seem odd. But this being Fantasy Fest in Key West it's simply photogenic.
Eye Catching
Fantasy Fest ready
Piano man
Playing for tips on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. He was actually very very good.
Just a porch
Sometimes I go for camera walks. Here in Key West the houses are usually small and close together but all have porches. I think are outside rooms that give us a secret glimpse of what is maybe inside.
Date Night
L1080748
Techatticup Gold Mine
April 1861, silver and some gold and copper lodes had been discovered by John Moss and others in what became known as El Dorado Canyon. In 1867, to secure the riverboat traffic and protect miners in the canyon from Paiute attacks the U.S. Army established Camp El Dorado, an outpost at the mouth of El Dorado Canyon that remained until it was abandoned in 1869. From 1870 the mines again were active to the point where from 1879 to 1907 El Dorado Canyon again had a post office, now in Clark County, Nevada. The mines continued to produce ore until World War. Wikipedia
So, the gentleman that owns the mine leads people on tours. When coming to one intersection of shafts you can just make out a skeleton in tattered clothes leaning against the rock wall. When I asked who that was he said "the first boy that dated my daughter" then he turned and kept walking.
Something is important
I like this scene. Fountain, shoes off and close huddle. Took this on a Sunday afternoon while wandering around Chicago, one of my favorite places to carry a camera.
Grrrrrrrr
Tiger Lady on Duval Street for Fantasy Fest
Fremont Street
Set my camera up with a 5 second shutter opening.
The real deal
This guy in the junkyard office was saying we should be careful about the snakes. He mentioned rattlers and green vipers and I said green vipers were a new one on me. Walks over to the fridge, opens the freezer and takes one out to show me. I'm sure it was the corn dogs that convinced me it was picture worthy.
Petronia Street
Area of art galleries, shops and restaurants in "Old Town" Key West FL
One of a Kind
Walking down Duval Street one evening I come across this minivan with a large very well made kaleidoscope permanently attached to the hood. I of course looked into the end and turned the wheel. As it was pointed toward the sun the colors began to mix like a big round stain glass window. Very cool.... you should never walk around Key West without a camera or sense of humor.
Dining Out
A classic
Merry Christmas
Says the flamingo
Selfie
I apologize but sometimes when around an old candy dispenser my ego gets the best of me.
On A Walk
Slow walking with a camera in hand can yield some, in my opinion, interesting stuff.
Color Coordinated Guy
Just walking down a Key West back street when this guy comes riding by.
After Hours
Street in Key West called Petronia that day or night is pleasant to walk down. Nice shops and restaurants away from the hustle of Duval Street. This shop was closed but full of color. Happened to have a good lens on the camera that performs well in low light.
The Bull
The Bull is a famous bar in Key West. Only in the early morning do you find a primo table like this available.
Clownin around
Innards of an old steam powered popcorn wagon. When the engine is working the clown is turning the capsule full of popcorn.
In the rain
Walking across a Miami street wearing a plastic poncho I see this guy looking very cool under his umbrella. I asked if I could I take his picture and with a smile he said yes. So out comes the camera and I pushed the shutter button. Showed him the photo, we chatted about umbrellas with holes vs sweaty ponchos and I moved on.
Alley Flower
Walking through an alley in Las Vegas that spray can artists had decorated we came upon this growing in a planter with a sprayed shipping container in the background.
Key West Art Gallery
I talked with this gentleman for quite awhile. He was in tough shape due to hurricane Irma which had dramatically reduced tourism and with it, months of income.
Porch Art
I like interesting porches as they entice us into the house to see what's behind the door and meet the dwellers.