Key West Postcard
Though only 15 blocks end to end, Duval St is known as the worlds longest road because it connects the Gulf of Mexico and The Atlantic Ocean. And within a 3 mile radius you'll find 312 restaurants to choose from.
Art Walking
A model walks down the street in Key West during Fantasy Fest week as advertising for one of the many professional body painters that show up for this unique festival.
Southernmost beach
This is the southernmost beach in the continental US, located in Key West FL. Admittedly it's not a very interesting photo but if you could feel the wind and hear the surf maybe you'd see why I not only took it, but shared it with you.
Street walking
Sometimes I wander through Key West neighborhoods looking for the things that normally would not cause me to pause. But with camera in hand, scenes like this make me stop a moment during which they tell me a brief story.
Key West Postcard
It is rare but not surprising to have a giant octopus in your neighbors yard.
Miami Rain
Walking in the Wynwood Walls area of Miami and the rain kept coming down. It was good for photography as it kept the light even, no really bright or dark areas and there were plenty of people who had stopped moving.
Alley Color
Walking the Las Vegas alleys and streets in the early morning one finds all kinds of grungy photo opportunities. This is a colorful area between the Strip and Downtown that is trying to remake itself.
Fantasy Fest
Walking around with a camera during Key West Fantasy Fest provides all kinds of interesting things to shoot especially the people wearing paint. Body painters from all over the country come to town for the 10 day festival where people pay thousands of dollars to be painted. Then they stroll up and down Duval Street showing off their mobile art. This lady chose paint colors that go perfect on her.
Morning walk
Walking around Key West shortly after sunrise one side of the street is bathed in sunlight. These glowing trees against the white buildings looked like a nice photo in black and white.
Fence with locks
Walking down Fremont Street in an old section of Las Vegas
Because
I liked something about it...still do I guess.
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.
Real Fish
Fantasy Fest costume 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.
Nice Variety
Interesting front porch in 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.
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.
How Many?
Ticket booth guy at WI State fair selling tickets on the Easyglider.
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.........
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.
Free Flowers
Came upon this while driving on the causeway towards Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake of Utah
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.
Bruce
A very colorful, among other things, friend in Key West.
Step Right Up & Win a Prize
Squirt gun guy and a couple fairgoers.
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.
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.
Home
When walking around fringe areas I come across scenes like this quite often. Occasionally I'll take a quick photo and move on, not wanting to appear to interested. It's when I see the photo on my big screen that for the first time really look them. As you now do, note this is someones home, belongings sheltered from the rain. I note the furniture (table &chair), closet (hanging clothes), bedroom, storage (suitcase) and vehicle (shopping cart). Pretty much what I have but photos like this really make me realize how fortunate I am.
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.
Wisconsin
Old house in Eagle Wisconsin.
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.
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.
Vanity
Yes....a selfie
Artsy Old Sign
Walking around Las Vegas and it caught my eye.
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.
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.
Birdman
Walking around Las Vegas I always find interesting things to point a camera at. Here a guy on a light pole attracted both myself and a bird.
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.
David vs Goliath
Note Apache gunship off the bow
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
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.
St George Carousel
The carousel in downtown St George Utah is a fully restored antique brought over from Chicago.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Key West cigar lady
Morning Neon
Walking Old Town Key West
Fremont to the Strip
Old downtown Las Vegas to the Strip has pretty much colorful everything.
Quiet Morning
Sunrise in Wisconsin
Cuban Ladies
My guess is mother and daughters.
Dantes at Christmas
Decorated for Christmas, Dantes of Key West
Christmas Harbor
Key West harbor.... as unlikely as it would be, snow would be a pretty addition to this photo.
Side Mirror Doubler
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.
Period correct
Original 1800s farmhouse owned by the WI Historical Society
Snowman
As it was almost 70 degrees he didn't last long.
Not entirely sure
Passing through some economically dead former mining town was this......
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.
BO’s Fish Wagon
Caroline Street, Key West
Old World Wisconsin
A very young girl dressed in period clothes at an original 1800s farmhouse owned by the WI Historical Society
Rick’s
A bar on Duval Street sporting plenty of action. I took this around 6am on a walk around Key West one morning.
Waiting for the gardener
Harpoon Harry’s
Another Key West icon...love the colors.
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.
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.
Piano man
Playing for tips on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. He was actually very very good.
Eye Catching
Fantasy Fest ready
Date Night
L1080748
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.
Fremont Street
Set my camera up with a 5 second shutter opening.
Grrrrrrrr
Tiger Lady on Duval Street for Fantasy Fest
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.
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.
Petronia Street
Area of art galleries, shops and restaurants in "Old Town" Key West FL
On A Walk
Slow walking with a camera in hand can yield some, in my opinion, interesting stuff.
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.
Dining Out
A classic
Selfie
I apologize but sometimes when around an old candy dispenser my ego gets the best of me.
Merry Christmas
Says the flamingo
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.