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

Jose Gasparilla pirate ship at anchor: Preparing to invade Tampa

The tall masted ship Jose Gaspar is standing by ready to transport the blood-thirsty and marauding pirates of the Krewe of Gasparilla as they invade the city of Tampa on Saturday. The ship is anchored off Bayshore Boulevard in Hillsborough Bay.

Porta Potties and Road Closings: Gasparilla takes over Bayshore Boulevard

Gluten Free and New York Pretzels: Bayshore Mansion Shares Gasparilla Parade View

Blue Garbage Bin and a Thing

What is this found object? It appears to be ready for the garbage truck to haul it away. Is it worth saving? And, if so, what would I do with it?

Boiled Peanuts and Kettle Corn: Yum!

NOTE Friends: I have been without Internet, television and telephone (via Verizon FIOS) since last Saturday morning. After TWO in-home visits by service reps - Brian Tackitt, a Fiber Network Field Technician - and our Peke did not bite him - is my new best friend), one brand new router (two days to deliver), 2 1/2 hours on my Blackberry cell with repair, I am BACK and could not be happier!!!!!! I feel like a big part of my life stopped at a fiber-optic cable buried in my front lawn. Past that cable that is supposedly connected (!) to my home, we had NO service.

Last Saturday was Tampa's Gasparilla Children's Parade and it was so much fun watching all the parade goers, vendors and vehicle traffic lost in the streets of South Tampa and Hyde Park.

This street vendor was on South Rome Avenue, about three blocks from Bayshore Boulevard, ground zero for Saturday's parade.

Bicycling, Sword-Slashing Pirate

The first of the Gasparilla parades takes place tomorrow; the children's parade and fireworks are the start of a week long festival of parties and celebrations culminating in the annual Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates next Saturday. Homes in many of Tampa's neighborhoods are sporting all kinds of pirate-themed decorations including flags, banners and door wreaths. This unique metal yard art was spotted on the lawn of a home in Hyde Park.

Darkness settles in over Old Tampa Bay

The Race For Home

Blow that conch shell: Davis Islands Pool

This cherubic little fellow sits blowing his conch shell at an entrance to the Davis Islands pool. Located across from the Marjorie Park Yacht Basin, the ornate, Roman style pool was part of the original plan for the islands as conceived by David P. Davis. Built in 1929, the pool is known today as the Roy E. Jenkins Pool.

Sitting in the parking lot

Sand not snow: A perfect Florida afternoon

We enjoyed such a beautiful afternoon today. It was about 70 with a good breeze and bright sun. I took our Pekingese - Dr. Porter - down to the sand and let him collect stickers in his paws until he had to be rescued and carried off to safety. Not a water dog or one to bound in and out of the surf, but extremely curious and apt to spend 5 minutes sniffing a dead fish or crab shell. What a day!

Tampa's "No. 3 Fire Station" - 1911

Originally built in 1911, Tampa's Number 3 Fire Station, located at Platt Street and Magnolia across from Hyde Park United Methodist Church, was in continuous operation until 1987. Since its retirement, it has been completely restored and is today a private residence. And a very interesting one to say the least.

Theme day: BEST OF 2009 - Skywatch Friday Season 4, Episode 27

This was the scene at Palmetto Beach on a September afternoon. You're looking out across McKay Bay at one of the few remaining structures on a stilt foundation. This one is no longer accessible by dock and appears to be abandoned. I chose this scene as one of my best because the unique old structure, sky, clouds and reflections all seemed to come together in a special, painterly way.

To see the Best Photos of 2009 from around the City Daily Photo world, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.


Visit Skywatch Friday to see the beauty and wonders of the world's most magnificent skies...even the cold wintry ones that can be so gray and mysterious. It's always an amazing show and all brought to you by Skywatchers from all over the planet.

Moss didn't kill it

WATERY Wednesday #69: Tampa's skyline from Tampa General Hospital

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

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Buy 'Em Before They Freeze

These big palms can probably make it through the freezing temps and the forecast calls for the mid-70s in a couple of days. Looks like we (and the palms) will live to tell the tale of Florida's long deep freeze of 2010. Of course we must get through the 35 degrees in the morning. Stay warm all. Keep those dogs in their jackets.

Burning Man?

If you're familiar with the annual Burning Man Festival this may look like it belongs at the next one. In actuality, it's a homeowner attempting to protect a small tree (of some exotic sort) from dying in our recurring below-freezing temperatures. I must say he certainly went to a great deal of trouble constructing this fancy enclosure. After our weather returns to normal I must get a peek at the tree.

Monochrome Weekend: Vol. 2, Issue 20

With morning temperatures in the 20s and highs in the 40s, Tampa is experiencing its own deep-freeze, something we don't see or feel here very often. The minute we get some cold weather, every major grocery store chain begins to sell packaged firewood. Right at the entrance. 6-8 pre-split little logs that fit real well. Neat. Clean. Manageable. ("Honey, could you pick up some cream, a bottle of wine and two packages of firewood, please?) Small stores, such as this place that sells beer and ice, switch over to selling "seasoned" firewood from beat up old wheel barrels. I think this means the oak limbs fell during the summer and they just got around to chopping them up for us fireplace suckers looking for the oak smell during the cold spell. Hey, it works!


If you love to see your world in black and white go visit some of the most interesting people and places HERE at Monochrome Maniacs!


It's made possible each week by Aileni.

Did You Say 27 Degrees?

When Tampa and West Central Florida experience this long a cold spell, with record setting temperatures - near and below freezing lows and highs that are 20-30 degrees lower than normal for this time of year - our outside pets, plants and valuable citrus crop begin to suffer. It's cold for us and tomorrow should be the coldest yet. But, we'll be OK and know that all of you who experience months of freezing weather will soon find these seagulls just waiting to show you our warm sunny beaches.It should be warm again soon.

Icy Cold Plants

These pots did hold lush, overflowing and very leafy green plants. DID. After the last few days of cold and colder temperatures, these ancient looking pots will need to be replanted with something a bit more typical and attractive. The monochrome image fits these gray and drooping plants perfectly. A week from now we'll probably be back to a sweltering 70 degrees. I hope.

No snow in this forecast

One of our regular Carnival cruise ships can be seen down Garrison Channel as passengers board for what is billed as The Rock Boat X. (Carnival's trademark is the smoke stack which is red, white and blue and shaped like a whale's tail.) Passengers will depart today – what a breathtakingly gorgeous day to sail from Tampa into the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean – board the Carnival Inspiration. This special 4-day cruise includes days at sea and a stop at Cozumel, Mexico. It’s a rock music adventure at sea with music groups hosted by Sixthman and Sister Hazel plus other artists, including Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Wideawake, Pat McGee Band, Dexter Freebish, Gaelic Storm, Green River Ordinance, Blackberry Smoke, Tyrone Wells, The Bridges, and Jim Bianco. Your price includes all the concerts, your room, all meals (there's gourmet dining, casual indoor and outdoor grills and 24 hour room service). Enjoy the ship’s disco and casino, pools and giant waterslide, plus the health and fitness center. Again, what a perfect day to leave Tampa’s port for the open water. Dazzling bright blue sky and crisp winter air. Breath it in.

Buccaneers Fly High

Their season didn't end in the win column nor are they going to the Super Bowl, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team may have the largest team-logo flag of any professionall ball team...anywhere. At 4,000 square feet, it takes a 150-foot tall pole to keep it flying high and off the ground just outside their headquarters and training ground located on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard near the Raymond James Stadium.

Did anyone know of a larger flag?

Giant Rolls of Plastic

I did not post yesterday. It nearly killed me to miss connecting with my online world and friends. (I explained the problem over at tampa daily Photo, too.) It was the first time I was unable to use my computer to get online and it all happened unexpectedly. I have made slight references to some major work we discovered had to be done to our 80 year-old "historic" home. Tell-tale signs that something was occurring to the structure old the old, wood-frame house became very apparent in early November. Following meetings and inspections with contractors and an engineer, it was determined that immediate repair had to begin that has involved what amounts to one half of our exterior walls. Of course that led to interior walls and ceilings...and electrical. Yesterday, the incoming Verizon Fios line was disconnected. Not knowingly, carpenters shut down our telephone, television and Internet. (Good thing we have BlackBerry and cell phones although trying to reach emergency repair for Verizon via the Internet is a frustrating experience.) Suffice it to say, they came at 8:00 am this morning and moved our inside Verizon service box and rewired it. I am up online again and the TV is back on.

The photo I posted is of a few pieces of furniture that will remain in two rooms while work continues. One big world of plastic and DUST!!!

I have exhaustively recorded the construction work that has now reached 5 weeks. After today, I will not post another of our "Money Pit" project. I promise!

Weekend Reflections #15: Christmas Lights on boats, too

Even the boats in Tampa sport colorful Christmas lights. Check out great WEEKEND REFLECTIONS HERE. James is making this possible through his blog, Newtown Daily Photo. You must see his street scene in Prague, Czech Republic. Prague is one of the world's great cities and the American jazz, shops filled with handcarved marionettes and terrific food and coffee make it a must visit. James' shot captures this s old city really well.

Deep within the Amazon Jungle

This is only the center section of a huge mural that covers the entire face of the Amazon Hose and Rubber building on 50th Street in East Tampa. (The right side is at Tampa Daily Photo HERE.) The sheer enormity of this comic-strip like creation can be seen by looking at the relative size of the Jeep and pickup truck parked in front of it.

Outback Bowl: Celebrate New Year's Day in Tampa

You're looking into the snarling, dagger-bearing skull that graces the bow of the full-size pirate ship that sits in the north end of Raymond James Stadium at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games its cannons fire and it's filled with rowdy swashbuckling souls having a great time. A Tampa tradition for New Year's Day is to celebrate the Outback Bowl played at the Stadium. (The Outback chain of restaurants was founded in Tampa.) This year's teams were the Northwestern University Wildcats versus the Auburn University Tigers. The Outback Bowl is a college football game matching teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference (3rd pick from each). At the 11:00 am kickoff it was gray and cloudy with intermittent rain showers. Luckily we had passes to a warm and cozy luxury suite so our accommodations, food and drink were excellent. This winter weather is ushering in a cold front that's moving into the Tampa Bay area this evening. Tomorrow's high is forecast to be 58 degrees and a low of 37. Knowing how bone-chilling cold some parts of the US are right now, we folks in Tampa will live through it. The Northwestern fans like this fellow celebrated with tailgate parties, plenty of suds, food and a bit of creative, body-painting flair. Plus, the Auburn tiger was not being treated too respectively at the end of the chain. Auburn won a pretty good game , 38 to 35.