Kevin Costner and the Dodo are interrupted by a beach interloper....
Showing posts with label sarasota florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sarasota florida. Show all posts
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sarasota - A Day at the Beach
Part I
Kevin Costner and the Dodo are interrupted by a beach interloper....
Kevin Costner and the Dodo are interrupted by a beach interloper....
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Sarasota - Farmer's Market
Snacking, SRQ Style
We did the rounds at the farmer's market near Whole Foods. We tasted fresh salsa verde, orange and strawberry juice, had coffee on the top floor of a roofless double decker bus and bought some Russian black bread.
We did the rounds at the farmer's market near Whole Foods. We tasted fresh salsa verde, orange and strawberry juice, had coffee on the top floor of a roofless double decker bus and bought some Russian black bread.
Sarasota - Early Morning
Communing with Nature
Otherwise known as doing some laps at the local park and then looking at the ducks.
Otherwise known as doing some laps at the local park and then looking at the ducks.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sarasota - Different Kind of Wildlife
Say Hello to My Little Friend
He has an inexplicable affinity for the deck chairs.
He has an inexplicable affinity for the deck chairs.
Sarasota - Mah Jong American Style
Rather, How America Ruined a Great Game
Jean and I were curious. It simply didn't make sense what Dad was saying about the American version of Mah Jong. We decided to try out his local parlor, which is in a strip mall a few miles away. We went for a one hour lesson and received it from the owner herself. Dad was right - the American game is loopy.
Jean and I were curious. It simply didn't make sense what Dad was saying about the American version of Mah Jong. We decided to try out his local parlor, which is in a strip mall a few miles away. We went for a one hour lesson and received it from the owner herself. Dad was right - the American game is loopy.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sarasota - Grasp Bird's Tail
Learning Tai Chi Moves One to Six
Jean and I went over to the local Tai Chi spot with Dad for a beginner's class. It was the second in the series but thankfully they started over from the beginning. It's harder than I thought it would be and I enjoyed the depth of focus required to master the moves. The hour and fifteen minutes went by quickly,
Jean and I went over to the local Tai Chi spot with Dad for a beginner's class. It was the second in the series but thankfully they started over from the beginning. It's harder than I thought it would be and I enjoyed the depth of focus required to master the moves. The hour and fifteen minutes went by quickly,
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Gentleman Farmer Lifestyle - Sarasota
They Got a Tool for Everything
Who woulda thought that such a thing as a grapefruit snagger exists? I'd never seen one before and to be honest, I only used it for fun - there were plenty of grapefruits within reach from the ground.
Who woulda thought that such a thing as a grapefruit snagger exists? I'd never seen one before and to be honest, I only used it for fun - there were plenty of grapefruits within reach from the ground.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
On the Beach - Sarasota
Getting the Daily Walk In
We started the film festival off with a good one: "Welcome" - a French film. Today, prior to any movies we took a walk on the beach. We each went at our own pace, as you can see.
We started the film festival off with a good one: "Welcome" - a French film. Today, prior to any movies we took a walk on the beach. We each went at our own pace, as you can see.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Myakka State Park
Looking for Gators and Other Things
We took a hike in Myakka State Park so PingPing could see some gators. We weren't disappointed in the least. There were quite a few swimming about in the river and we got a few shots. They looked totally disinterested in the goings on about them.
We took a hike in Myakka State Park so PingPing could see some gators. We weren't disappointed in the least. There were quite a few swimming about in the river and we got a few shots. They looked totally disinterested in the goings on about them.
After our gator shopping we took a hike on the nature trail which weaves through the forest. As you can see, the palms are abundant.
One of the interesting things to do during the hike is climb a wooden tower that was erected to allow for the study of the tree canopy. The tower rises 75 feet, punching through the top of the forest. It was a bit nerve-wracking up there - you can feel the tower sway and move as others make their way up the stairs towards the top.
I was fascinated by the stuff that grows from the tree limbs (I forget the name of it - perhaps my Dad will add that in the comments section.) It hangs softly like fuzz and sways in the breeze.
I was fascinated by the stuff that grows from the tree limbs (I forget the name of it - perhaps my Dad will add that in the comments section.) It hangs softly like fuzz and sways in the breeze.
Further along our walk we caught site of a hawk sitting on a low branch. I took a shot from afar that came out a tad fuzzy. I tried to get closer but he hustled away before I could get a clearer shot.
I took this close-up of some tree bark because I thought it would make a nice desktop picture for my laptop.
Near the end of the hike, PingPing got excited and motioned for me to come quickly. She noticed a strange looking animal foraging - she'd never seen an armadillo before. She waded in to get a close shot.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Backyard Hustle
Oasis in More Than One Way
My dad's backyard is somewhat unorthodox. First of all, there is no grass - none. Matter of fact, he is anti-grass and anti-lawn. It's a long story but the gist of it is - grass is a pain in the ass and sucks up a lot of water and a lot of your time, so screw it. Seemed wierd to me at first, but I have to admit - it has sunk into me and I think it makes sense. If I ever have a lawn, I am going to plant invasive bamboo and let it take over. My dad sticks to plants native to Florida.
Speaking of invasive, he planted some kind of pond-loving plant in his pond and it took over. He is slowly hacking it out and spreading the remains on his garden.
He has some good stuff growing in the garden. Peas, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. This cabbage shot is actually from the front yard - he grew it inside a pot.
Ditto for the broccolli. Unfortunately, we just missed the peak of the orange tree production. He has an orange tree that gave off hundreds of oranges. He told me he had fresh-squeezed for weeks.
My dad's backyard is somewhat unorthodox. First of all, there is no grass - none. Matter of fact, he is anti-grass and anti-lawn. It's a long story but the gist of it is - grass is a pain in the ass and sucks up a lot of water and a lot of your time, so screw it. Seemed wierd to me at first, but I have to admit - it has sunk into me and I think it makes sense. If I ever have a lawn, I am going to plant invasive bamboo and let it take over. My dad sticks to plants native to Florida.
Speaking of invasive, he planted some kind of pond-loving plant in his pond and it took over. He is slowly hacking it out and spreading the remains on his garden.
He has some good stuff growing in the garden. Peas, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. This cabbage shot is actually from the front yard - he grew it inside a pot.
Ditto for the broccolli. Unfortunately, we just missed the peak of the orange tree production. He has an orange tree that gave off hundreds of oranges. He told me he had fresh-squeezed for weeks.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The West Coast Got Keys Too...
Lido Key
We took a ride over to Lido Key to take a walk on the beach. The sun was amazingly strong for early spring. Puffin and I took our trademarked shadow photo - this time against crushed seashells.
The three of us walked along the beach, looking for sand dollars and shells. The surf was abnormally active - my dad says that it normally looks like a lake. I managed to catch a shot of him as he cruised ahead of us.
This beach is not normally known for having a lot of seashells or other detritus, but apparently the currents changed recently. Not only were there tons of shells, but also many small sea urchins.
As a result, lots of these guys were hanging around. This group was taking a break. Many others were trolling the surf, pecking at the frothy remains of spent waves.
We took a ride over to Lido Key to take a walk on the beach. The sun was amazingly strong for early spring. Puffin and I took our trademarked shadow photo - this time against crushed seashells.
The three of us walked along the beach, looking for sand dollars and shells. The surf was abnormally active - my dad says that it normally looks like a lake. I managed to catch a shot of him as he cruised ahead of us.
This beach is not normally known for having a lot of seashells or other detritus, but apparently the currents changed recently. Not only were there tons of shells, but also many small sea urchins.
As a result, lots of these guys were hanging around. This group was taking a break. Many others were trolling the surf, pecking at the frothy remains of spent waves.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Leggo of My Gekko
They're Taking Over...
According to my Dad, Gekkos were first brought into Florida by Cubans and sold in drugstores as pets. You can guess the rest.... A couple of them got loose, met up in an alley and created a few thousand Gekko babies and on and on and on. This part of Florida is covered in them. They're tiny, cute and harmless. They scurry around leaving a swirling wake of rustled leaves and climb trees to sun themselves.
According to my Dad, Gekkos were first brought into Florida by Cubans and sold in drugstores as pets. You can guess the rest.... A couple of them got loose, met up in an alley and created a few thousand Gekko babies and on and on and on. This part of Florida is covered in them. They're tiny, cute and harmless. They scurry around leaving a swirling wake of rustled leaves and climb trees to sun themselves.
Apparently, they are very territorial. Each Gekko owns a small patch of my Dad's backyard and stands vigil to chase off potential interlopers. Each morning as I sat out on the deck, sipping my coffee, I enjoyed watching them dart around.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Pop Art
I Mean That Quite Literally
My pops, a life long scientist, has turned to his artistic side. As soon as we drove into the driveway, Puffin and I noticed that the garage doors had a number of colorful drawings on them.
My pops, a life long scientist, has turned to his artistic side. As soon as we drove into the driveway, Puffin and I noticed that the garage doors had a number of colorful drawings on them.
Turns out, while nursing a bad back, Pops took out some colored pencils and released the creative hounds. Pretty cool.
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