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Monday, May 17, 2010

April 2010 Florida Trip Photos: Part ONE

As you all know, we were in Florida for three weeks for the birth of our newest grandson.

So, of course,
I
took photographs.

Florida is a wonderful place to get gorgeous sunsets (if you are on the west coast, sunrises if you are on the east coast).
And a wonderful place to capture tropical birds, flowers and beach photos.

So, I did.

Here is the first of a series of photos
that I took while there.

Enjoy!!


This beach was a stone's throw from our hotel.
Madeira Beach.
Not crowded...and very close to St. Pete Beach.
But we love the privacy and "less people" this beach provides:
(And...sunsets to DIE for!)



Tropical flowers, everywhere!   Hibiscus of red!:





And people, just kickin' back
and
fishing off the shoreline.....





And tropical birds flying in the sunset....






People strolling along at dusk to pick seashells:
(I always come home with a TON of seashells. It's a sickness, people, I tell ya...a SICKNESS!!)




An abandoned sandcastle at dusk.....
I am sure it was made by some little hands having the time of their lives...





And, I NEVER get tired
of
these little black capped seagulls!:



And while were were there,
it was a
FULL MOON!!:

Stay tuned for many more
photos
of
our Florida adventure
in the next week or so..............

I will "mix them in" with my springtime Michigan photos...
so
you get
the North and the South spring
at the same time.
Don't want to confuse you....just want to entertain you!
*************************************************************************
Don't forget that there is still another FREE PHOTO CONTEST here on this blog!
May's theme is:
LANDSCAPES


So, send me your photos before midnight on May 31st, 2010 
following 
THESE RULES.
You don't have to be a Blogger to enter......

23 comments:

DJan said...

Yes, you're right: the sunset pictures are incredible. I also love the black capped seagulls. They are cool! I look forward to more pictures, they are always great.

Brian Miller said...

oh wow, you make me miss florida so much...

love the little sand castle...

rainfield61 said...

Just want to tell the national flower of Malaysia is the hibiscus, or bunga raya.

Bossy Betty said...

Oh my goodness! These are incredible! Thank you so much for sharing these. Love the birds!!

The Retired One said...

DJan: Thanks so much. I always take WAY more photos there than I ever publish. LOL

Brian: Thanks! I took another picture of someone's sand castle of one of a male's anatomy, but I thought best not publish that one. ha

Rainfield: Oh, how wonderful. They are a gorgeous flower.

Bossy: thanks so much...stay tuned, more to come!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

Happy Belated Birthday to your grandson...
lovely post,
it is a thrill to see your curious mind and enjoyment for nature.

Pat Tillett said...

Wow! Fantastic photos Joan.
Thanks for the photo tour.
Is there anything whiter, than the white on a gull?

The Retired One said...

Jingle: Thanks so much, and welcome to my blog!

Pat: Thanks so much, Pat. I agree, the white is really neat on them...wait until you see my Ibis photos (coming up!)

Unknown said...

Great photos; I especially loved the sunset on the beach. I don't think I've ever seen that kind of seagull.

Anonymous said...

Your sunset photo is wonderful. It looks like you've been using your aperture to your BIG advantage! I never did get good with figuring those things out (or maybe it is just the wonderful camera you have but I'm giving YOU the credit!). They are all wonderful shots but that is my favorite.

Loree said...

Beautiful photos and breath-taking sunsets. Florida looks gorgeous.

Rick (Ratty) said...

Very beautiful photos. I really like those seagulls, and that moon is great.

J.J. in L.A. said...

They're all gorgeous pics but I love, love, LOVE the 1st one!

The Retired One said...

Eva: Florida was the only place I saw that kind of seagull too..I just love them.

Cathy: I think I changed a few settings and then took them on automatic, so it is mostly the credit to the great camera. And, that wasn't even with my new DSLR, it is with my good old Panasonic Lumix...sometimes it still takes better shots than my new camera and lens which I have over $2000 invested in....go figure!!

Loree: Oh, it is...I have so many sunset pictures to share with all of you, you will get sick of seeing them. LOL

Two Greyhound: Thanks so much..!

Ratty: Thanks, Florida is responsible for the beauty, I just caught it in the lens.

J.J: thanks so much...I took a ton of sunset pictures while there because it is the west coast and they are all beautiful.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Awe Joan... I love your pictures from the Gulf beaches. When I lived there (in the 70's ), we loved see those gorgeous sunsets. We were south of where you were --in Venice, FL.

Glad you saw a full moon also. When we were at the beach in NC, the moon was a 'daytime' moon only. OH Well!!!!

Looking forward to more pictures from both Fl and Michigan.
Hugs,
Betsy

SquirrelQueen said...

Love your photos Joan, the area around St. Pete is my favorite part of FL. I haven't been there in years but your shots are bringing back memories. The pelican in the sunset is fantastic.

Joanna Jenkins said...

That first shot-- WOW.... and the sand castle..
All are beautiful. I'll be watching for me.
jj

The Retired One said...

Betsy: thanks so much. Maybe it was a full moon because my daughter was due for her baby to come.ha

SquirrelQueen: I do too (love the area there). Last time we were down there (in December) we stayed at a hotel right on St. Pete Beach. It is a little more touristy and crowded there...I liked Madeira Beach more this time because we had so much more privacy.

Joanna: ha. Where do you live down there?

CiCi said...

The seagulls are gorgeous. I know you were happy to be there for your grandbaby's entry into this world.

Jientje said...

Ohhh my, I love thye light in these pictures! To die for indeed!

The Retired One said...

TechnoBabe: I loved those little guys! Yes, we were thrilled to be there for the birth!

Jientje: I love all the sunsets Florida provides on the west coast!

James said...

Perfect light that's beautifully reflected on the sand and water. These are great shots! I like those birds too.

The Retired One said...

James: thanks so much...I think Florida just lends itself to some wonderful photos, with the beaches,birds and sunsets.

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I retired in June 2008 and started my blog in November 2008. I worked at several jobs as a Registered Nurse prior to retirement. I LOVE being retired! Blogging has offered me a whole new venue to start writing again and to share new hobbies such as gardening, birdwatching and sharing my nature photography. If you like my blog, PLEASE click on "follow this blog". Having a lot of followers reading my blog gives me incentive to continue to do photography and to continue to write. I also LOVE comments, so I encourage you to leave me a comment after you read my posts. Thanks everyone, for taking the time to read me!!

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