The Shimmer
Though about 6 inches of water the sandstone bottom of a lakeshore shimmered in the noon high sunlight.
Heading out to sea
Departing Key West Harbor.
Water lilies
Water lilies, are beloved for their colorful and exotic-looking blooms, but they are more than just pretty plants. They also contribute to pond health. By covering the water surface, they shade the water and keep it cooler, which helps control algae that thrives in heat. Water lilies also shelter fish from birds of prey and filter out excess nutrients to further inhibit algae growth. When temperatures warm up in summer, water lilies' showy flowers open in the morning and close at night.
Chicago B&W
It is the reflections that really intrigue me. And, by taking this without color or sharpness it forces me to look harder at what is in the photo.
Havana
Steam Engine
Henry Ford Museum
Night Air Show
Long shutter speed records the movement of the twin engine aircraft that occasionally shoots fireworks.
Customs House
Opened in 1891 the Key West Customs House contained Customs Offices, District Court, and Post Office. Today it serves as a museum which I've taken a few photos of over the years due to its great color and design.
How to dress up a city block
Walking along the Milwaukee River, an area of abandoned warehouses and factories when I came upon this beautiful mural which was about 3x larger than what you see here.
Leucospermum
Saw it at a farmers market in So California. The guy had buckets of the most exotic cut flowers I've ever seen.
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.
Parade Painted
Face painted and costumed for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Do you take?
Key West marriage at sunset with photographer, female preacher and a boat full of friends and family.
Fort Jefferson
Almost 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas.
With the surrounding shoals and water, they make up the Dry Tortugas National Park, an area noted for bird and marine life and shipwrecks. Fort Jefferson, its central feature, is one of the nation's largest 1800s masonry forts. Park Service
In its Day
Sad architectural decay in Havana
Stained Glass
Alley Redecorating
What once was a rather ordinary bland alley has now become (IMHO) photo worthy after artists got involved in a beautification project.
Makes one look up
On a walk with a black and white camera in downtown Milwaukee I saw this in an old warehouse district near the river. The hard working hands are very well done.
Keane Wonder Mine
You can find this mine at the end of a very dusty twisted road on the outskirts of Death Valley National Park CA. It produced gold from 1907 to 1942 when it played out. If you hike up 1.5 miles to the top of the visible ridge, you will see a mile long tram that moved buckets of ore.
Quiet Color
It requires clouds for a memorable sunrise or sunset but some sunrises need very little to emphasize the changing color bands as it makes its way closer to the horizon.
1920s Rumely Oil Pull Tractors
At a steam engine show in Wisconsin I came across this small tractor using a belt to start the larger tractor. It did start with lots of noise and thick black smoke.
Chicago River
The Architectural Tour by riverboat offers some great history and photo opportunities of the great city.
St Clair River
Looking at the USA Side and behind me is the Canada shore
Air Show Artistry
Night airshow maneuvers as seen with a long shutter opening.
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.
Sunrise Wisconsin
Clouds over Lake Powell
Just before sunset in Page AZ these dancing clouds appeared on the horizon.
Around and around she goes….
Where she stops, nobody knows. State Fair ferris wheel with a 2 second shutter opening.
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.
Imperial Point
North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Watching the Street
Old Town Havana is very photogenic with its combination of crumbling structures and color.
Parade Happy
Face painted and ready for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Black-eyed susan
Dawns Light
Pewaukee Lake WI
For those who wondered
Point Sur Light Station
Point Sur Lighthouse is a lightstation at Point Sur 24.6 miles south of Monterey, California at the peak of the 361-foot rock at the head of the point. It was established in 1889 and is part of Point Sur State Historic Park. The light house is 40 feet tall and 270 feet above sea level. Wikipedia
Wisconsin
Old house in Eagle Wisconsin.
Sandhill crane
This is a species of large crane in North America. Their large wingspans, typically 6-8 feet, make them very skilled soaring birds, similar in style to hawks and eagles. Using thermals to obtain lift, they can stay aloft for many hours, requiring only occasional flapping of their wings, thus expending little energy. Migratory flocks contain hundreds of birds, and can create clear outlines of the normally invisible rising columns of air (thermals) they ride. Wikipedia
This is a family here in WI with their newborn.
Alley Art
Walking in an old neighborhood in Milwaukee I came upon this alley behind a restaurant which looked bright and colorful. On both sides were a dozen nice murals. One even had a small flower garden planted in front of it.
Ahhhhhhhhh
Can you hear it?
Point Edward Canada
This bridge extends behind me across the St Clair river to the USA.
Air Show Finale
Following the EAA night airshow the grand finale is beautiful fireworks. I stood behind the DC9 as it was polished aluminum hoping to get good reflections.
Fort Ord
Fort Ord National Monument, located on the former Fort Ord military base, is currently run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). They protect and manage 44 species of rare plants and animals that call the property home. The 14,000 acre parcel has more than 86 miles of trails that can be explored on foot, bike or on horseback.
Offshore World Championship Key West
Two of the boats in the unlimited class which have a top speed potential of around 200mph. Races are held every November in Key West FL.
Light and Symmetry
The buildings on the Las Vegas Strip offer wonderful combinations of color, light and design.
Cuban Art
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.
Floored
Standing in the magnificent lobby of the Milwaukee Art Museum I placed the camera on the highly polished floor.
Parade Feathered
Painted and costumed in the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Trick or Treat
Halloween sure can bring out the creativity in us.
Harry Trumans ’49 Lincoln
His presidential limousine on display (and driven daily) at Harry Trumans "Little Whitehouse" in Key West.
Pastel morning
Looking about 10 miles East on Pewaukee Lake WI.
Northern Utah
On a road trip to Park City
Ford Model A (1927-1931)
Model A production ended in March 1932, after 4,858,644 had been made.
Fragrant water-lily
Took this at a botanical garden in Milwaukee. It was an overcast day making the water look almost black which is a nice background for the lily to show off its color. Its found in permanent slow moving waters throughout North America where it ranges from Central America to northern Canada as well as Brazil.
Lou Ruvo
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, opened in 2010, in Las Vegas. It has become a national resource for the treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease); also focusing on prevention, early detection, and education. Its 65,000 sq ft includes 13 examination rooms, offices for practitioners and researchers, a "Museum of the Mind", and a community auditorium. It was designed by Frank Gehry.
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.
Riverside Special
The 'Riverside Special' was built in Appleton WI in 1932 to compete in the Indy 500. Race rules required a seat for a driver and mechanic. As a daily driver it was well known in town for outrunning the local Police. I took this last summer at the annual gathering of old Indy 500 racers at the Milwaukee Mile track.
Grand Canyon North Rim
Shot about 15 minutes before sunset.
Cayo Hueso
Key West (Spanish: Cayo Hueso) is an island in the Straits of Florida. Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Island, it constitutes the City of Key West. Wikipedia
Spring Green Wisconsin
Took this on a visit to The House On The Rock in Spring Green WI, which is also where Taliesin, the 600 acre estate of architect Frank Lloyd Wright is located.
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.
Balloon Launch
Hot air balloon inflation/launch one warm summer evening in Mukwonago WI.
Radial Aircraft Engine
Nelson Nevada Mines, active from about 1858 until 1945. Many of the men that created this area were deserters from the Civil War. This was one of the first major gold strike areas in Nevada. Now a gold mine of great junk. Many open mines and ventilation shafts-use caution. Man who lived here after the mines closed was a hoarder.
Dashboard Hula Girl
From the 1950s
Dressed and ready
Wind Turbine
Driving through a rural farming area that had wind turbines I thought getting up close might make an interesting photo. I just read modern turbines average 320 feet in height which it taller than the Statue of Liberty.
1880s South Dakota Homestead
An 1880s homestead complete with, corrals, barn, house and of course, outhouse. The nearby Dakota Hotel, built in 1910, it still carries the scars made by cowboys’ spurs on the staircase.
Full Gas Tank?
Death Valley is the largest U.S. National Park outside Alaska at 3,422,024 acres. Nearly 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads provide access to locations both popular and remote. Even so, 93% of the park is protected as officially designated Wilderness. That wild country includes low valley floors crusted with barren salt flats, rugged mountains rising as much as 11,000 feet, deep and winding canyons, rolling sand dunes, and spring-fed oases.
Old and New Chicago
Barely shining through
Sunset last night with plane returning from Fort Jefferson National Park.
Patience
Sun rising through a low layer of fog creates some interesting light. This was taken on Pewaukee Lake in Wisconsin.
Salesman
A garlic vendor and friend
Argentine cactus
Argentine cactus blooms throughout the day and night with spectacularly large 8" flowers. While the blooms only last 36-48 hours, they are splendid enough to attract eager pollinators during the night, which include bats and moths.
R.I.P.
1950 Super Buick Eight
Prague
LV Night
Las Vegas color and light makes the buildings really beautiful.
Neon museum
Las Vegas neon museum opens their yard once a month for photographers.
Rescued & Retired
For many years a non-profit has been saving old Las Vegas signage from the wrecking ball. They collect them in storage yard, light them and allow photographers in once a month. Some are refurbished and installed in the boulevards around Fremont Street. Day or night hey are beautiful examples of historic Downtown Las Vegas.
Nevada Suntan
White Hibiscus
Soft red and white in the shadows.
Egret
The largest of the white-colored wading birds in Florida, the great egret is frequently seen in wetlands areas and along waterways.
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
Nevada Northern No.40
Built in July 1910 for the Northern Nevada Railway in Ely Nevada. Here in Ely it is undergoing a boiler inspection and overhaul and completely rebuilding its running gear and tender.
Poppy superbloom
Gold Butte National Monument in Nevada had square miles of blooming yellow poppies this past spring.
Wet Confetti
There must have been a big celebration last night because confetti was blowing all over. Someone was hosing to the street as I was walking by, colors simply caught my eye and now maybe they catch yours.
Mackinac Bridge
Connecting the lower and upper portions of Michigan. As we wiz under, the steel is 200 feet above me. The length of the steel is 19,243 feet. Depth of the water below is 295 feet. Overall total length of the bridge including approaches is more than 5 miles.
Retired
Junkyard in a pine forest in Georgia.
Great horned owl
A powerful, mottled-brown predator, it is often more than 2 feet long, with a wingspan often approaching 7 feet. It usually eats small rodents and birds but has been known to carry off larger prey. Adapted to desert and forest, the species migrates only when food is scarce. Audubon
I assume this young one is from a pair that nests on a ledge in a nearby canyon in Utah.
Daytona Beach
Another thing along that same road
Along the same fence but way different...possibly another family member likes to also weld.
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.
This dawn should last all day
Front row seat silently watching someone paint with spray cans on the other side of a huge pane of glass.
Germany
Unfortunately the town name escapes me. Back in 2015 when I took this photo I used a function of my old Nikon to give it an artsy look.
Plate Glass Art
A fraction of what you see was through the glass while most of it is behind me reflecting into it.
Double lake sunrise
Interesting clouds can form 50+ miles away over Lake Michigan due to warm air over colder water.These clouds catch the first light of the dawn like a theatre screen, and reflect this light to the ground which is again reflected in the calm 10 miles of inland lake water I'm photographing over here in Wisconsin.
Nelson Art
Nelson Nevada is a wonderful collection of photogenic junk, cholla cactus, snakes and an old gold mine.
Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson was built to protect one of the most strategic deepwater anchorages in North America. By fortifying this spacious harbor, the United States maintained an important “advance post” for ships patrolling the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida. Nestled within the islands and shoals that make up the Dry Tortugas, the harbor offered ships the chance to resupply, refit, or seek refuge from storms. The location of the Tortugas along one the world’s busiest shipping lanes was its greatest military asset. Though passing ships could easily avoid the largest of Fort Jefferson’s guns, they could not avoid the warships that used its harbor.
Studebaker
1950