Well! That was one interesting meme. Since I originally had a whole weekend free of plans (free? what's free?), I thought I'd grab my camera and head out to shoot. Unfortunately, real life got in the way, as it always does. I was able to shoot only in the early morning or evening from Monday to yesterday! Some of the photos aren't ready yet, I hope to add to the set as the week moves on.
Those of you on the list who don't have your photos up... that's just life. Things get in the way of blogging sometimes. It's all good. To those of you who do, you are organized to the hilt! Thanks for getting a head start on this meme!
For the list of those participating, click here.
dive right in!
I live near (not ON) the beaches of Florida's Gulf Coast in the Tampa Bay region. You may see a lot of bird and flower pictures, sorry about that. I can't seem to stop taking photos of them, which is good for Janet, since she asked for Pelican shots.
I live in a city of millions, and it can take well over an hour to drive from one end to the other. For example, it's a 45 minute drive for me to get to downtown St. Petersburg, and I'm 30 minutes from the nearest freeway. So it wasn't always possible for me to get the time to head into the city or out to the main bridges such as the Skyway and the Howard Frankland for photo ops! Vicky mentioned that she would like to see the manatees that live near the power plant during the winter months and that's a long drive for me. However, there's a boardwalk at the plant because the manatees are so popular to view during the winter months, it's really something I would like to photograph also. So ... field trip! :) With that in mind...
I decided to create a Flickr account that I could add to as time goes on, with more pictures of the area. The manatees, the bridges, even downtown St. Petersburg is very beautiful and so is the waterfront area along Tampa's bayfront. Opening the FlickR account will allow me to add photos to this meme as times goes on, and I'll mention this on the blog as i get them.
Thank you all for participating, I've really enjoyed meeting new bloggers this way and seeing your photos. It's not too late to join in, just let me know!
One last thing. Kelly asked for my version of something I thought was the "epitome of Florida." I really thought that I would be able to provide that photo in a nutshell. However, something happened while I was taking these photos. With that in mind, I'm going to do a whole series on the epitome of Florida. That is coming soon, because I'm a little fired up, and I'm a tad angry about it too. Stay tuned!
So, here's my Flickr Photos. I don't know if I set it up right, let me know? thanks. lol. they ONLY allow me 20mb!@!! I think i'll end up with the upgrade.
you know I am trying to think of what photos beside foliage to take in our little hamlet and I just can't think of anything interesting....it really is just a blip in the road....I will keep trying :)
Posted by: Sue | October 04, 2006 at 09:36 AM
Oh BTW
I do want to dive right in -- right now.
Posted by: Sue | October 04, 2006 at 09:38 AM
Gorgeous photos and the Flickr site loaded up just fine ... I look forward to additions ...
Posted by: Nils | October 04, 2006 at 11:06 AM
You keep this up and I may want to move back! ;)
Posted by: Seamus | October 04, 2006 at 11:19 AM
hangin' out in a huge beach house in Charleston, SC right now. The pic you took of the walk to the beach isn't terribly dissimilar to the one we have. Great Photo!
Posted by: tony | October 04, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Yes, you set it up exactly just right, Laura. Way to be. And thanks.
Posted by: Old Horsetail Snake | October 04, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Beautiful pics! I'm most impressed with the birds - are they very tame in Florida or do you just have a looong lens?
Posted by: Laura | October 04, 2006 at 06:36 PM
I loved your slideshow...although it made me homesick for a visit to Florida...I love that state!!
:-D
Posted by: Tammy~Kentucky Gal | October 04, 2006 at 07:17 PM
LaurainNj, long lens! I was using 70-300mm for these shots. I have noticed that the birds, while not exactly tame, seem to be very tolerant of us. I've heard skateboarders come down the boardwalks at the nature preserves, with their wheels making all kinds of noise on the wood, and the birds just freeze, instead of taking flight as I had thought they would.
Tammy, thanks!! glad you enjoyed it. :)
Hoss, I was a newbie fer sure ;)
Tony, making the rest of us jealous, are you? Oh, and your beach house pictures are...? ;)
Seamus, anytime and bring your camera, AND the dog!
Nils, most definitely. Thanks again for helping. LOL!!
Sue, what about the smaller things, such as a single doorway, decorated for halloween (g), or one single tree, church bells... etc? These photos would be great for scrapbooks. ;)
Posted by: Laura | October 04, 2006 at 08:05 PM
The photos are great, Laura, I mean really great! I can almost smell the ocean! Oh and, Flicker will let you upload more pics next month :)
The neighborhood meme was an amazing idea...it's spread everywhere! Thank you!
Posted by: Sara Sue | October 04, 2006 at 09:50 PM
BEAUTIFUL! Those are the weirdest turtle tracks I've ever seen on a beach ;)
If I were GI JOE I would sooooo surf that perfect little wave.
Thanks!
I'll be incommunicado for a bit.
Posted by: Florida Cracker | October 05, 2006 at 06:54 AM
I want to walk across that bridge! The sand and the beach look so inviting!
Posted by: InterstellarLass | October 05, 2006 at 05:59 PM
It looks like I'm a little late for this, but I love the idea. I'll trade you some fall folliage photos for more beach ones. The beach entrance is great!! When I get around to posting some I'll dedicate them to you. Will this be an ongoing series?
Posted by: colleen | October 05, 2006 at 07:55 PM
hmm, Colleen, I hadn't thought of making it an ongoing series. It's something to consider, especially as the seasons change, and our neighborhoods change as well. I'll give that some thought!
The rest of the photos are on the Flickr site, and will be updated. I'm heading into Clearwater Beach tomorrow and hope to get some of the bridges and the skyline.
Posted by: Laura | October 05, 2006 at 08:39 PM
Your photographs are AMAZING!!! I just flickered (is that what you call it?). WOW. I haven't seen water or sand like that since I was a kid. It brings back great Panama City Beach memories for me. Your photos are so crisp--and the water, WOW. I'm beside myself, and trying to imagine what it's like to be there again. Thank you for starting this meme and for offering beautiful shots of your place, Laura.
Posted by: lene | October 12, 2006 at 12:50 AM