Give Yourself a Break

Lately it has been one of those instances of “Be careful what you wish for” in that I have landed a number of speaking engagements as far away as Atlanta, done a few stress reduction seminars, and gotten new clients. In other words I have really been busy. And then it came to me that I have been pushing myself and it is OK to exchange some of my rushing here and there for simply giving myself a break.

One thing I hope my previous posts have served to point out is taking a break does not have to involve great expense, long distances, or great planning (despite what planaholic Alex has to say). I hope they have demonstrated that your city or town has something interesting to explore if you would simply take the time to wander around a little to find it.

That said, last weekend to get away from the heat Alex and I threw some food in a cooler and headed for the beach with a little bucket to collect shells (I know Chrissy has now gotten very interested…) and I am including pictures of my haul. Alex likes perfect shells and shapes but I like bits and pieces if they are interesting. As always, feel free to click each photo for a better view.

This first group is pretty eclectic. The only thing they have in common is the lines running through each one. Strange but they remind me of miniature versions of cut away sides of mountains in Colorado.

This next group I simply liked the colors running through each one. They make you wonder how the whole shell looked and maybe what was in it. What is not readily apparent is how each one has been smoothed by sun and surf to make the colors more brilliant.

This final group fits into the perfect shell category. Each one is whole and complete and you can enjoy their features while wondering what might have been growing inside.

But Is it paparazzi?

Last weekend was a walk on the wild side in that I had a chance to try out a new telephoto and a wide angle lens I recently bought. It was uncharted territory for me in that Alex is the one who normally takes people shots, I like close up's like this seaweed below (as always, click on each photo for a better view)...

or landscapes like this one that magically looks like a raised impression of a footprint on the beach.

But with the telephoto lens you somehow find yourself taking candid pictures of people from far away. I did not go crazy and catch people doing all kinds of odd things but simply ask that you bare with me while I give you my version of being a paparazzi.

Alex and I agreed to meet further down the beach as we went our separate ways to take pictures. I secretly followed him with the telephoto lens and liked this shot because everyone seems to be in motion except him.

Later, these two girls share a private moment of secrets that only girls know about.












And then the wide angle view of the St. Augustine inlet

Off in the distance, in another direction there was this classic 50's kitsch motel with cheesy flamingos. I zeroed in and the result is priceless

I was able to get up close and personal with a crane.

And remember the view from the lighthouse a couple of weekends ago? Well here is the opposite view from off in the distance on the ground with a sailing ship passing by.

In Like a Lion...and Still Roaring

Everyone is in a state of anticipation wondering when Spring will finally arrive and I count myself in this group. Or put another way, it is raining cold weather and we are jumping in between the drops attempting to enjoy the irregular days of warm weather.

Last weekend Alex and I decided to be brave and went to the beach.

But, as soon as we arrived it turned cold and to add insult it began to lightly rain.

I guess the beach will have to wait for another day…

Christmas at the Beach

Sometimes in taking photos you wonder if you are just an unfeeling observer. And then, there are those special moments when you capture a scene that is full of emotion and you are more than glad you had your camera to save the moment.

We went to the beach a couple of weeks ago and just sat there enjoying the fact that the crowds of tourists from the summer had now gone further south... and then I saw this father and daughter playing near the water. There is such a sense of love that is captured in each of the following photos...

You literally feel the sense of playfulness in the Father as he gently urges the little girl to trust him and come forward.

I purposely wanted to get in that little bucket, because previously the little girl was more than happy to remain with it and safety. And now, she has grabbed the hand of her father and is willing to take the adventure of the sea.

And there they stand... facing future with the little girl holding on tight to her father and the safety he provides.

And the final photo. Those eyes... they make you wonder what is going on behind them...