Tampa has horses, too

Click HERE for information about the Hunter Oaks Stables at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club.

Sailboats Cast Evening Shadows

Fixing Up Dogs and Cats

Watery Wednesday #108

Click HERE to see other wet and Watery Wednesday images from around the world.

Looks Like A Tight Squeeze

It looks like a tight fit for this Fountain 38 Sportfish to pass under the Harbour Island Bridge but actually there's plenty of room. Just don't get too close to the barnacle-encrusted pilings if you care about your boat.

Monster Fireman Ain't Scary

We bought our son this "adorable and lovable" blue monster in 1985. Even with the big teeth and green, pickle-looking nose, we assured our son that Monster would be his best friend forever (BFF) and protect him (and his toys) against all comers. And, it worked. Now with our "little boy" long out of the house, and an architect at that, we've finally found the perfect new home for his friend, Monster. Can you believe he's been waiting a quarter of a century for a new place to play?? Our grandson plopped his fireman's hat on him today and took him home. I told our grandson that he's now well protected from other monsters and that his toys would be guarded extremely well. Last I looked, Monster was driving away from the house, cozy against the car seat, fireman's hat firmly in place on his blue and red hair. I think he was grinning but with those teeth it's hard to tell.

V-8 Powered Pickup Without Vroom

Crossing Spectacular Tampa Bay

Not my car in the accident although I was stopped in traffic a while on the Howard Franklin Bridge of Interstate 275 North crossing Tampa Bay. It is a beautiful view (not the wrecked car) but not for this unfortunate driver and his late-model BMW. I did put the windows down to enjoy the somewhat cool breeze off the bay. It was very slow going.

Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe

Wall Murals in Tampa, con't

I do love finding and posting wall murals and I had waited a long time to really capture this entire wall. It's too long for one shot so this is "part 2" of yesterday's image. John of "I Love Old Cameras" in the UK (who shoots fantastic black and whites and has a wonderful collection of film cameras - click HERE to visit him) said he'd like to see the right side of the exploding yellow block wall. Well. here it is. Enjoy? (There's a left side to the wall as well.)

Wall Murals Rock, Dude!

Lebowski's Men's Hair Salon was on Channelside Drive across from the dry docks. Described as a "man cave," men received the royal treatment from the "Lebowski girls." It has recently closed but the outstanding wall art remains. It was always so crowded with cars when I'd drive by I could never get a clear shot of the huge and colorful exploding wall art.

Changing Identities: Len Prince's Photographs of Jessie Mann

This image is a favorite of mine from the exhibition that closed today at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. This evening's Wrap Party for the exhibition, Changing Identities: The Len Prince Photographs of Jessie Mann, gave us all an opportunity to get up close to the prints and to the photographer who created them. This image, a close resemblance to the artist Andy Warhol - including the darkroom setting and Polaroid SX-70 camera around her neck - was hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Friends of Photography. The event featured the photographer, Len Prince, in a very casual one-on-one discussion of his art, his model and muse, Jessie Mann (the daughter of photographer Sally Mann), and an enlightening Q & A with Prince about his techniques and working relationship with Jessie. It was all terribly interesting and a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the artist.

Here is the Museum of Fine Arts' description of the exhibition: "Len Prince is celebrated for glamorous portraits of Hollywood stars and sleek advertisements for Cartier and Estée Lauder. In 2001 he met a self-possessed young woman, Jessie Mann, who had practically grown up in front of the camera. Sally Mann’s nude photographs of her children, including Jessie, created great controversy, igniting debate over child exploitation, censorship, and the nature of art.

"By the end of Prince’s first session photographing the adult Jessie, she had become his muse. What followed was a five-year collaboration exploring archetype, transformation, and identity. These have become some of Prince’s most accomplished and respected photographs.

"Prince and Mann make compelling images that reference paintings, famous photographs, historical figures, and mythology. They have been inspired by Ingres’ sumptuous Grand Odalisque, May Ray’s solarized image of Lee Miller, and Robert Mapplethorpe’s self- portrait in leather chaps, among other images. While these photographs can be disturbing and stark, they are often beautiful and fascinating. Theatrical and seductive, these unforgettable images explore the relationship between viewer, subject, and artist by examining personae and their meaning, as well as the very nature of the self." - Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL

Full Moon Howls at Night

Full Moon Saloon on 7th Avenue in Ybor City is a popular night club. If you think that you can look straight through the second story windows, you're right. There is no ceiling or roof over the saloon. Hey, it's Ybor City in Tampa. If you want a peek at the actual club scene, click HERE. Oh, go ahead, take a look.

Black & White Weekend: CAUTION - Palm Tree Mistreatment

A real Florida palm tree growing up against a wall in the courtyard of a Ybor City bar has been wrapped by a metal tabletop, hung with strings of lights and decorated with fake, metal palm frawns. What other abuse can a palm take and still live? How 'bout gallons of beer poured around its roots. Yeh, that'll make it happy.

The Weekend in Black and White is hosted by Dragonstar HERE. You'll love the monochromatic images. They are spectacular.

Indian Chief Says Smoke 'Em Boys and Girls

It's nice to see a cigar store Indian outside an actual, honest-to-god cigar store. This one stands at the entrance to Stogie Castillo's Cigar Lounge & Factory in Ybor City. And, yes, they do sell a large selection of beers and 31 different varieties of wines and ports to go along with your fine smoke. If you want to visit them online click HERE.

Table for Three: Sulas' in Ybor City

Hyde Park Village Fountain Gurgling (No water shortage here!)

Go-Fast Boats on Garrison Channel: Design, Speed and Fun

A Nor-Tech High Performance "go-fast" boat is tied up at the docks of the Tampa Waterside Marriott Hotel on Garrison Chanel in downtown Tampa. Harbour Island lies just across the channel. The Nor-Tech was joining in a "fun run" sponsored by the West Coast Powerboat Club of Florida. The boat to its left is a Donzi ZR, another fantastic and expensive fantasy-craft. The boats ranged from sport and multi-use center consoles to luxurious performance cruisers plus the a bevy of sleek, colorful Go-Fast boats that such as this Nor-Tech, Spectre, Donzi and Cigarettes. It was a fast, fun and colorful show of watercraft.

SKYWATCH Friday, Season 4, Episode 10

Visit Skywatch Friday to see the beauty and wonders of the world's most magnificent skies.

It's always an amazing show presented by Skywatchers in cities, countries and continents around the globe.

Tommy Bahama and Little Umbrellas

Tommy Bahama Restaurant, on John Ringling Boulevard on St. Armand's Key in Sarasota, right at the entrance to Lida Beach, is all about the laid-back island lifestyle. Enjoy an incredible menu, Tommy's-own craft beers, coconut shrimp, scallops and the world’s best (!) crab bisque made with lump crab meat, butter, sherry & cream. (It's worth driving for...and we do!) Plus warm Gulf breezes and tiny umbrellas. For the ultimate road-trip, and a great experience, from Mauna Lani, Hawaii to Las Vegas, find a Tommy's. Click HERE for locations and menus!!

No Time For Simple Pleasures

Ah, the simple pleasures. To just kick back and enjoy a fine cigar and superb glass of wine as I explore and capture the people, places and things that are Tampa. It's the good life and terrific city.

I've been absent for several days as an important change have developed that will alter my life and daily routine for many months. It's an extremely positive and even exciting change - a new and challenging opportunity in my career that will take me away from Tampa each day at least through the summer and perhaps into the fall.

I am really looking forward to this unique and unexpected adventure which lies ahead.

I will try to visit your sites and comment as I can, but I won't be able to post with any regularity. I will be buried in new responsibilities and am not sure what the weeks and months ahead will mean to my time. I already miss the fun and great pleasure Tampa Florida Photo and Tampa Daily Photo have given me...and the friendships that I have with you and my loyal Followers.

I will miss you and look forward to the days ahead. When I can, I will return.

A Pickup Truck Place to Shop

Modern fountain of youth?

I'm not sure if this contraption on the beach is a water fountain, plain and simple, or a place to clean fish. It's the oddest fountain I've encountered. Anyone seen another like this one? Anywhere? ever?

Three Pavilions and a Sky

Cold, Windy and Windsurfing

Tampa's skyline from the river's edge

This shot was taken from across the Hillsborough River at Plant Park and captures the Kennedy Street bridge and the Regions Financial tower at 100 North Tampa Street. The towering skyscraper stands 579 feet tall and has 42 floors. Currently it is the tallest structure in Tampa and the ninth-tallest building in Florida.

Cold but the fountains at the Straz Center were warm and colorful

We had the good fortune to enjoy an early date night to celebrate Valentine's Day - it's Sunday, the 14th!! - and went to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to see the musical Godspell. It was performed in my favorite space at the center, the Jaeb Theater. Of the four theaters, this one is next to the smallest in size,

but is the most interesting of all. There are two balconies and the floor surrounding the stage. Everyone sits at small round tables for four, and our seats this evening were at the front, directly at the stage.

The performers came off stage several times onto raised staging in the middle of the audience and it made for a great evening of music of the 1970s made new, dance and song. Even the staging and musicians get my thumbs up for being just right. I highly recommend that you see Godspell; it runs though May 16th.

After the show we walked out toward the Hillsborough River and I took the fountain, gift shop and walkway. It was a really fun night and except for the temperature in the 40s, it was perfect.

Skywatch Friday - Season 4 Episode 31: Blazing Sunset followed Heavy Rain

I can't resist our native sea grasses. These line our beach and are proudly posing against a glowing sun as it sets. After an entire day of heavy, pounding rain, the sky cleared and the temperature began to drop. But at this moment, all that matters is the glorious sun bidding us adieu.

Visit Skywatch Friday to see the beauty and wonders of the world's most magnificent skies. It's always an amazing show and all brought to you by Skywatchers from all over the planet.

Don't mess with a pelican's steel girder

Do you see the look I'm getting. This fine-looking and I'm sure friendly Florida pelican was giving me a serious evil eye. And, no, I did not try to get closer.

Platt Street Bridge is well adorned

Drivers quickly passing over the one-way Platt Street Bridge over the Hillsborough River to downtown would never guess what fine and interesting artwork lies just beneath them. No, I'm not suggesting they slow to take a better look. The many visiting college rowing crews leave their mark on bridges, such as this one built in 1926, and on the seawalls that line the riverfront. It's part of a long tradition they continue as a fun and colorful way to proclaim to all that they were here. May the athletes and their creative endeavors long endure.

So-o-o inviting my wife could move right in and call it home

Even driving by in the late evening we find Wiliams-Sonoma (visit them online HERE) to be such a warm and welcoming place to visit and shop. No matter the season, or cooking experience level, they have a huge selection, love to help and have such great gifts...Valentine's Day? Perfect. There has got to be a chocolate cake in there somewhere.

Sailboat réflexion du jour

This sailboat is tied up at the city docks directly across from Tampa General Hospital (in the background.)

Tree (or cellphone tower) at sunset?

What, no satellite dish?

Weird and Wacky in Metal

Rustic Steel Creations is always good for color, fun and imaginative objects and photos galore...even in the rain. The incredible metalworking shop sits in a 7,000 sq. ft. space on 12th Street in Tampa's Channel District. Visit their website HERE.

The Calm of the Late Evening

WATERY Wednesday #73

Welcome but please wipe your boat shoes before stepping on board. Oh, and you can grab your life jacket, too. (Across the channel you can see the newest parking garage built on Davis Island for Tampa General Hospital.)

Click HERE to see other wet and Watery Wednesday images from around the world.

Jose Gasparilla resting at sunset

The warmth of the setting sun is washing over the notorious pirate ship Jose Gasparilla. She is rocking gently now and resting at the Tampa Convention Center following last Saturday's Gasparilla invasion and parade. The swashbuckling Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and their ship led the flotilla up the channel to another successful invasion and capture of the city.

The Gasparilla Aftermath: Beads, Bottles and Comfy Seats

Skull and Bones on Bayshore: Morning after Gasparilla

Irving Penn's "Cuzco Children" - Museum of Fine Arts Friends of Photography

At midday we left the craziness of Gasparilla (the people, neighborhood and especially traffic) for downtown St. Petersburg and the Museum of Fine Arts. The occasion was a gathering of the museum's Friends of Photography. Our host was the new president of the Friends, Simone Bennett, the museum director, Dr. John Schloder, and Jennifer Hardin, Chief Curator. The Friends of Photography is a small group of men and women of all ages who admire and truly appreciate the history of photography, photographers and the images created since the mid-19th century until the present. We gathered just before the closing tomorrow of the exhibit Legends of Photography. Afterward we went across to the Parkshore Grill, a fine restaurant, to continue our fascinating conversations. The group includes collectors, photographers, those just started to explore photography, spouses, friends and young couples who work in photography. Terrific folks! I was also looking forward to going to the museum because of the unprecedented exhibition The Baroque World of Fernando Botero. See Tampa Daily Photo HERE for one of my all time favorite Botero sculptures. (The show runs through April 4.)

This exhibition featured more than sixty images chosen from the MFA's collection. The photographs range the very earliest to late 20th century color photographs. Many of the major photographers working from 1900 to 1975 are represented, including Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Irving Penn, Gertrude Käsebier, W. Eugene Smith, Paul Strand, Lewis Hine, Walker Evans, Berenice Abbott, Man Ray, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Alfred Eisenstadt, Barbara Morgan, Minor White, Aaron Siskind, Harry Callahan, Lucien Clergue, Diane Arbus, Gary Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, William Christenberry, Stephen Shore and and Jerry Uelsmann. Some of the finest images created by these artists are are on the walls.

The prints I've chosen are Irving Penn's 1948 photograph "Cuzco Children," Edward Weston's nude photograph of his lovely muse and wife, Charis Wilson Weston - who died last year at age 95, and Harold Edgerton's dramatic color print from 1957, "Milkdrop Coronet." Dr. Edgerton was the first photographer to take high-speed color photographs and was a pioneer of multi-flash and microsecond imagery. Many of his gorgeous images were reproduced by the now, sadly, discontinued Kodak Dye Transfer process, the finest process ever in color fidelity and most archival of all photographic images.

A New Gasparilla? Seriously?

After citizens and neighborhoods complained about the drinking and rowdiness of Gasparlla parade-goers in past years, the event organizers, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and representatives of the city of Tampa and the Tampa Police instituted new rules about underage drinking and open containers. They also added hundreds and hundreds of Porta Potties in locations that should prove very advantageous - to homeowners and the general public - the total is now over 1,500. I hope the Gasparilla boat invasion, Parade of the Pirates and street festival is safe and super fun for all. (Sorry that the weather isn't cooperating...stay away rain!!)

Jose Gasparilla's flags are flying and cannon are ready