Security Guard
I like to walk around the ocean side of the Boca Chica Naval Air Station in the Keys to photograph birds, boats, coral, fighter jets if I'm lucky or whatever else catches my eye. I've never seen any obvious security devices or personal until this. Needless to say I carefully raised my camera to take this photo and lived to share it with you.
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.
Friends
This is what Fantasy Fest in Key West will do to you. The stars of this photo are non other than the now famous Mr. Jake Beal and Bruce Mitchell.
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.
Four Lenses
I started to take a photo of a porch when the door opened and she came out. While I was explaining I noticed her sunglasses and asked if she would hold still. My camera lens was very wide to I had to get real close to her face. I snapped a couple, thanked her, she gave me a big smile and walked away. So there....
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.
Harpoon Harry’s
A Key West restaurant fixture. Food is nothing to remember but it is painted an outstanding color.
Date Night
L1080748
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.
On A Walk
Slow walking with a camera in hand can yield some, in my opinion, interesting stuff.
Thing along a road
Driving down a dirt road I come across a fence and 5 or 6 things. I pull over, take photographs of a couple and continue towards my destination.
Patience
Waiting for that art customer to walk up and buy something here on Duval Street in Key West
Fremont to the Strip
Old downtown Las Vegas to the Strip has pretty much colorful everything.
Collins Blvd
Miami lights always makes me walk for miles.
Kiss Me
At a hot air balloon launch in WI the winds picked up while they were filling causing these two to lean sideways.
Drag Strip
Not only is it the main street through Key West it is also the worlds longest drag strip. One of the events during Conch Republic days are the bed races, beds mounted on wheels pushed by female impersonators, a.k.a. Drag Queens. One end of Duval is the Atlantic Ocean and the other end is the Gulf of Mexico, hence the Worlds Longest Drag Race. True Fact
We Get Ready
The group forms up for photos before the Friday "Locals Parade" during Fantasy Fest in Key West. Believe it or not, there really is a theme.
And….
If you happened to see the photo of the van with the kaleidoscope attached to the hood, this is what was on its roof.
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
Because
I liked something about it...still do I guess.
Fence with locks
Walking down Fremont Street in an old section of Las Vegas
Our Crew
Ready for the Locals Parade in Key West
Made me think
Stumbled upon this in a very old abandoned building which made me feel how lucky I am.
Real Fish
Fantasy Fest costume Key West
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.
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.........
Family Outfit
If you want to blend in with the locals.
Curry Mansion
Always decorated for all holidays. Was a mansion but now a beautiful bed and breakfast in Key West.
Free Flowers
Came upon this while driving on the causeway towards Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake of Utah
Buoyguy
The mustasch is the clue. Key West street walking seems to have an unlimited number of photo opportunities.
In what way?
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.
So Be
Wonderful people watching, Miami's South Beach also known as So Be.
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.
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
EAA Airshow Oshkosh WI
I couldn't figure out why they weren't looking at the airplanes.
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.
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.
Parade Feathered
Painted and costumed in the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Hard Worker
Cuban farmer using twin oxen to plow his tobacco farmland.
Vanity
Yes....a selfie
Petronia
Petronia Street in Key West has some unique shops, galleries and restaurants.
Sunday Morning
David vs Goliath
Note Apache gunship off the bow
Made me look
Flower Basket
Sidewalk in Key West
Manitowoc Lighthouse
Built in 1895. Rebuilt in 1918. Automated in 1971 is marks the entrance to the Manitowoc WI harbor on Lake Michigan.
Beautiful Sunset
A friend decided to modify my beautiful photo. I just wanted to see if you are paying attention.
Original homestead
1800s Wisconsin original home
Car Show Selfie
Fantasy Fest
Key West Florida
Morning Workout
This gentleman in Havana was doing stretching exercises on what used to be his front porch.
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
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.
Side Mirror Doubler
Christmas Harbor
Key West harbor.... as unlikely as it would be, snow would be a pretty addition to this photo.
Caught my eye
Yes, it's a fist coming out of a pallet of mulch.
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.
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.
Boca Chica
People pick up things that floated ashore and decorate this old tree which though you can't tell, is just a few feet from the water.
Waiting for the gardener
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.
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.
Eye Catching
Fantasy Fest ready
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.
Piano man
Playing for tips on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. He was actually very very good.
How fun is that
Wisconsin State Fair
Grrrrrrrr
Tiger Lady on Duval Street for Fantasy Fest
Selfie Time
Fremont Street
Set my camera up with a 5 second shutter opening.
Wake me when the parade starts
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.
Not the best photo
But when I saw it I thought it was the perfect business model. I took this many years ago in St Martins, I think.
Petronia Street
Area of art galleries, shops and restaurants in "Old Town" Key West FL
Selfie
I apologize but sometimes when around an old candy dispenser my ego gets the best of me.
Southernmost Selfie Spot
People line up to have themselves photographed with this Key West icon. Actually, the real "Southernmost Point" is a ways back and to the right on a highly restricted US Naval installation.
Dining Out
A classic
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.
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.
Window peeping
Walking around Las Vegas I took this through a window. Not the sharpest photo, nothing very interesting going on but for some reason I like it. It's even hanging in a (temporary) frame in the house.
Ahhhh
Waiting for a customer to crawl in
Butch Lived Here
Robert Leroy Parker, A.K.A. Butch Cassidy, lived here with his family from 1880 to around 1884. The door was locked but I found this broken pane.
Rubicon WI
I drove through this very small town in WI last week. Had to turn around, take this photo then continued on my way. Photography will do that to you.
Tourist Treasure
Early morning walking on Key Wests Duval street.
A Walk In The Park
Hiking through Red Rock Canyon which is close to Las Vegas, I turned the corner and saw this. As I took a few photos others started showing up including photographers. When they finished I found out it was a photo shoot for these two brothers who were performing in Las Vegas.