A Happy Guy In An Alley
While looking for photo opportunities in a Las Vegas alley (yes, we do that) we came across this obviously happy and probably homeless man. When I asked him if I could take his picture he sat down with his phone and gave a big smile. He then stood up still smiling, thanked us profusely and walked away.
Street shooting
Taking night photos on Duval which is the main tourist street in Key West.
Las Vegas street walking
Sunday morning
I saw these people walking down a lane in Key West. On their way to church on a bright Sunday morning I asked them to pose for me in front of this green wall.
Vacant Art
Storefront in Las Vegas
Airplane House
As you walk through Key West you find interesting examples of exterior decorating. Since I took this photo the plane has been replaced with dinosaur looking things.
Future Astronaut?
Saw this guy rollerblading in Key West and asked if I could take his picture.
In what way?
Twas the night before
Key West knows how to decorate.
Black, white and unisex
Any questions?
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.
Getting Ready
A body painter puts on a fresh face to show potential customers during Fantasy Fest 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.
Wisconsin State Fair
Umbrella Academy
Colorful waterfront restaurant built on a pier in Key West.
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.
Independence Day
Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. Wikipedia
Something Different
I signed up for a photography course in downtown Las Vegas. The instructor hired 3 models who posed at various locations for us. It was pretty interesting once he started picking backgrounds and left it up to the models to create various poses.
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
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.
Parade Painted
Face painted and costumed for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Photogenic Las Vegas
Early morning I was walking from my car to join a group of photographers when I saw this bright red dress, umbrella and flip flopped lady buying a parking pass. In the bright sunlight on a deserted street I had to raise my camera and take this while I waited to buy my parking pass. I later found out she was one of the models that had been hired for us and in the bag were her sparkly red pumps. Las Vegas is always full of surprises.
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.
Parade Happy
Face painted and ready for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
For those who wondered
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.
Trick or Treat
Halloween sure can bring out the creativity in us.
Wisconsin
Old house in Eagle Wisconsin.
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.
Havana Cuba
Main entryway into someone's home.
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.
Bull and Whistle Bar
This famous Key West tavern on Duval Street boasts a different bar on each of its 3 floors, each with a different theme.
Hard Worker
Cuban farmer using twin oxen to plow his tobacco farmland.
Something Different
Just caught my eye.
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.
Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin is an open-air museum located near Eagle Wisconsin. It depicts housing and the daily life of settlers in 19th-century Wisconsin, with separate areas representing the traditions of different ethnic groups who settled in the state. Costumed interpreters portray the occupations and chores of typical settlers of the time.
Opened in 1976, the museum is owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The largest outdoor museum of rural life in the United States, it encompasses approximately 480 acres of rolling wooded hills. It contains more than 60 historic structures, ranging from ethnic farmsteads with furnished houses and rural outbuildings to an 1880s crossroads village with traditional small town institutions. Wikipedia
Artsy Old Sign
Walking around Las Vegas and it caught my eye.
Vanity
Yes....a selfie
Miami
Wynwood Walls is a unique outdoor destination featuring huge, colorful street murals by artists from around the globe.
Getting ready
State Fair about an hour before the gates open.
Celebrating 174 consecutive years, the 2023 Wisconsin State Fair greeted 1,043,350 guests during its 10 days.
Light em up
Twenty some balloons launched into the afternoon sky and flew away. After returning they waiting for dusk where they stay tethered to earth while using their burners to glow their colors. This took place during the Monroe WI county fair.
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.
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.
Just caught my eye
Sometimes while walking through old neighborhoods in Key West porches will talk to me.
Back road oddities
While driving the backroads one never knows what one will find. This one called Tin Man appeared along a remote farm road in central Wisconsin.
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.
Face Art
During Fantasy Fest in Key West it's easy to come across painted people who are eager to have their photo taken.
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.
Beach Time
Walking Miami Beach
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.
Petronia
Petronia Street in Key West has some unique shops, galleries and restaurants.
Flower Basket
Sidewalk in Key West
David vs Goliath
Note Apache gunship off the bow
Sunset Fishing
Last chance for the big one on a pier 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.
Made me look
Morning Workout
This gentleman in Havana was doing stretching exercises on what used to be his front porch.
Because
I liked something about it...still do I guess.
Fantasy Fest Faces
Key West Florida
Richard
Richard has been living on the streets of Key West for many years.
Free Flowers
Came upon this while driving on the causeway towards Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake of Utah
Car Show Selfie
Original homestead
1800s Wisconsin original home
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.
Memorial Day 2024
An organization named Follow the Flag suspended this between 2 sandstone peaks in Snow Canyon State Park in Ivins Utah.The photo was taken with the setting sun directly behind it. The flag measures 150' by 78', is a total of 11,800 square feet and weighs over 400 pounds.
St George Carousel
The carousel in downtown St George Utah is a fully restored antique brought over from Chicago.
It’s a horse of course…
On patrol in Key West.
Morning Neon
Walking Old Town Key West
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Key West cigar lady
Welcome
What makes Key West...Key West
Dantes at Christmas
Decorated for Christmas, Dantes of Key West
Along the river
Came across this riverfront property that had interesting materials and lines. Looked like it could be a good jigsaw puzzle.
Cuban Ladies
My guess is mother and daughters.
Fremont to the Strip
Old downtown Las Vegas to the Strip has pretty much colorful everything.
Quiet Morning
Sunrise in Wisconsin
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.
Christmas Harbor
Key West harbor.... as unlikely as it would be, snow would be a pretty addition to this photo.
Inside the balloon
At a hot air balloon launch I was trying to take a photo while this was inflating. The owner told me I could go inside for a better photo so I told him and his wife to join me.
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.
Snowman
As it was almost 70 degrees he didn't last long.
Period correct
Original 1800s farmhouse owned by the WI Historical Society
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.........
A Foggy Point Sur Light Station
Along the California coast this lighthouse was erected in 1889 to help ships navigate in the fog. When we arrived at its base the skies were clear but in the 30 minute climb to the top the fog rolled in and completely surrounded us.
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.
Mobile vase
Walking down side streets in Key West it is quite common to discover the unusual.
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.
Not entirely sure
Passing through some economically dead former mining town was this......
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.
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
Harpoon Harry’s
Another Key West icon...love the colors.
Rick’s
A bar on Duval Street sporting plenty of action. I took this around 6am on a walk around Key West one morning.