The Last Decorations

Venice Avenue was pretty nicely decorated this year. These were attached to lamp posts.







OK, no more decoration photos in 2009.

Bob

Who's Got Who?

Kayaks aren't large boats, but when on top of a mini-cooper...



This was taken at night, hand held, with the 50mm f1.8. Something to be said for fast glass.

This is post #292. Not going to be close to one post per day in 2009. Soon, a new beginning. I feel a New Year's Resolution coming on.

Bob

Condo Christmas

In a retirement, condominium community, it makes sense that decorations would include this. Kind of nice, actually.



Well, I fooled around with templates last night. I guess that the new look starts now.

Bob

P.S. Oops! More work needed :-).

More Wave Action

Now that this blog is a year old, I'll have to make some change. Haven't decided just what yet. Maybe a new look on New Years day.

Bob

Never Ending Cycle

Waves come in, waves go out.



Bob

No Place to Land

Hey, it's my tern!



Bob

Today's the Day

Merry Christmas!



Bob

Three Christmas Angels

An image subjected to a complicated (to me) Photoshop protocol, courtesy of Venice Camera Club member, J.H.



If I lose the file, it's just gone. There is NO chance of me exactly duplicating this effort in the future.

Bob

Early Christmas Present

My wife had me open this one yesterday.



Is there a message here?

Bob

Tired

Poor Frosty is tired.



Aren't we all.

Bob

The Aftermath

The Northeast is about to dig itself out of a blizzard. But SW Florida got the storm first. Where is our recognition?

After several hours of pelting rain dropping an inch of water, and storm winds of up to 25 MPH(!), the sun finally came out revealing the destruction and fallen debris.



Oh well, things could be worse.

Bob

'Tis the Season

Bob

Looks Like Fun

Our Northeast friends are getting a heck of a blizzard today. How many of them would like to see this?

Bob

The Boys of Winter

Shore birds are here - big time. These terns (orange beaks) and Gulls are joined by Skimmers, Pelicans, Willets, Sanderlings, and lots of other species that I don't recognize.



Small bait fish are plentiful, and the birds are grateful. How do they appear at just the right time?

Bob

The Real Thing

A few hours after posting the last entry, I was stalked by this critter.



Notice that he (she) is exhaling. Numerous scars are present, from God-knows-what. Dolphins do NOT get struck by boats - they are too fast and aware.

Bob

Flipper

The lawn of Venice City Hall is adorned by many Holiday lighted animals. Flipper is one.



But, maybe you prefer butterflies.



Bob

Deep Sea Fishing

Gulf of Mexico style.

Bob

Directly Overhead

Bob

Help-Portrait

No photo today (see below).



On December 12, three members of the Venice Camera Club participated in Help-Portrait, a national initiative to provide portraits to those who cannot afford them. This link is to a CNN video clip about the project. Copy and paste it into your browser.

http://us.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2009/12/13/candiotti.picture.perfect.cnn

Our local Habitat For Humanity chapter rounded up 14 families. One photographer set up a professional level studio in the Habitat office and shot the pictures. A second photographer "posed" the families (no small chore with lots of "active" kids). I gave the digital files a mild Photoshop massage and printed 8X10s for each family. Merry Christmas!

So, no photo for today's entry - these are private.

Overall, a moving and very positive experience.

Bob

Standing Vigil

This evening, the Venice Archives held an open house.



Lest the organ be stolen, a guard was hired.

Bob

The Young and the Old

Bob

The Fans

Not many folks have a dedicated area (shrine?), to the Florida Gators, complete with orange and blue tree.



Especially after last Saturday.

Bob

A Toast to the Holidays

Bob

Village Idiot (NOT!)

This pretty young lady was adorned for the annual Venice, FL, Christmas parade.



I'm not exactly sure about the religious significance of the headgear.

Bob