SkyWatch Friday

I took this picture on one of the rare afternoons that we actually got some rain. To see more interesting skies from around the world, visit SkyWatch Friday.

I'm taking a little blogging break for the next week or so while I spend some fun time with my grandson. See you soon!

Integration

More beautiful work done by one of my favorite local artists, W. Stanley "Sandy" Proctor. I have featured some of his other sculpture around town in previous posts here, here and here. Click on the second photo to enlarge and read about this beautiful artwork.

Watery Wednesday

Lake Esther in Tallahassee. Dip your toes into more wonderful watery pictures at Watery Wednesday. (Although you might want to avoid dipping any toes in this lake because of all the critters lurking in that water.)

Longhorn

We took my son-in-law out to dinner this past weekend for Father's Day at Longhorn Steakhouse. This guy was watching over us while we were waiting to be seated and succeeded in scaring the daylights out of my 3 year old granddaughter.

Shuttered

This used to be quite a busy place. I pass by here every day going to and from work and there were always people going in and out or sitting in front socializing. As you can see from the picture, that is no longer the case.

Shady Oak

Nothing like a little shade when the afternoon temperature reaches 105 degrees, which is what it did last week. That was an all time high temperature for Tallahassee going back to when they first started keeping records. Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

Smoky Day

Smoke from nearby wildfires blew in this past week and covered Tallahassee in a stinky haze. I took this picture around 8:30am this past Thursday from the top floor of the parking garage where I work. We got some rain in the evening and by Friday the smoke was gone.

SkyWatch Friday

Beautiful blue skies above the south gate of Florida State University in Tallahassee. This particular gate is a memorial to the classes of 1933-1935, when FSU was known as the Florida State College for Women. To see more gorgeous skies from all over the world, visit SkyWatch Friday.

Great Florida Birding Trail

A program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Great Florida Birding Trail connects almost 500 sites throughout the state of Florida specifically selected for their excellent birdwatching, wildlife viewing or educational opportunities. Designed to conserve and enhance Florida's wildlife habitats, this 2,000 mile self guided highway trail promotes birdwatching and wildlife viewing activities, conservation education and economic opportunity throughout the state. I took this picture while visiting the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the gateways for the Panhandle Florida section of the trail.

Watery Wednesday

My grandson wading in the warm shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. To see more wonderful watery pictures, visit Watery Wednesday.

Fun Station

After my granddaughter's birthday party, we headed across the street to the Fun Station for another birthday party for my grandson. Luckily I was able to watch all the action from upstairs.

Chuck E Cheese

I took this picture of Chuck E. Cheese at my granddaughter's birthday party last week. Everyone had a great time. Tomorrow I will show you where my grandson had his birthday party, which was held on the same afternoon. After back to back parties, I was one tired Granny when I got home!

Camera Critters

I'm pretty sure this bird is an Anhinga, which is similar to a Cormorant, but with a longer neck. For this reason it is sometimes called a Snakebird. Because its feathers are not waterproof like a duck, it is often seen sitting in the sun with outstretched wings allowing its feathers to dry. Waterlogged feathers make it hard to fly, but it also allows the bird to dive easily and stay under the water for long periods of time searching for fish and amphibians to eat. To see more fascinating critters from all over the world, visit Camera Critters.

Weekend Reflections

The woods are reflected in the dark water of this small stream running under the bridge I was standing on when I took this picture in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. To see more wonderful reflections from around the world, don't miss Weekend Reflections.

SkyWatch Friday

Clear blue skies over the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Headquarters in Tallahassee. To see more beautiful skies from around the world, visit SkyWatch Friday.

Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday to my sweet little grandson who turns 7 today! His birthday party was last Saturday and he was so excited.

Watery Wednesday

This fisherman is much braver than me! He's standing waist deep in Lake Jackson and yes there are alligators and snakes in that lake. If you enlarge the picture, you will see a boat out on the lake in the distance. To see more wonderful watery pictures, visit Watery Wednesday.

The Sweet Shop

The Sweet Shop is located right across the street from the south gate of Florida State University. It has been at this location since at least the 1940's because my father told me he ate breakfast here every morning when he attended FSU starting in 1948. It was also a popular place to go when I was a student years later. That huge building wrapping around behind it is a private dormitory.

Park Avenue

One of the many old houses that line Park Avenue near downtown. This one was built in 1907. I think it is being used as office space.

Camera Critters

This raccoon has been hanging around my backyard for the last few days. Here he is watching me from high up in my oak tree. I think he is enjoying eating all the fruit hanging on my loquat trees. I also saw him drinking out of one of my bird baths, which is not surprising since it has been over 100 degrees every day and we are in the middle of a drought. To see more fascinating critters from around the world, don't miss Camera Critters.

Bench

I think this bench has seen better days!

SkyWatch Friday

One last look at the St. Marks Lighthouse from down the coast. At the bottom of the picture you can see the fisherman from my previous post this past Wednesday. To see more gorgeous skies from around the world, visit SkyWatch Friday.

St. Marks Lighthouse

The St. Marks Lighthouse is located about 25 miles south of Tallahassee near the coastal town of St. Marks. The original lighthouse was built in 1831, but erosion forced it to be rebuilt in its current location in 1842. During the Civil War, it was heavily damaged by Confederate forces when they tried to blow it up to prevent Union troops from using it as a lookout when they came ashore after blockading Apalachee Bay. After the war, it was rebuilt again and relit in 1867. The lighthouse was operated by light keepers until 1960 when it became automated. In 1974, the St. Marks Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 2000, the US Coast Guard installed a modern solar powered light. On the day we visited, the lighthouse was closed, so I was unable to get pictures of the inside.

Watery Wednesday

I was standing between the St. Marks Lighthouse and the Gulf of Mexico when I took this picture. Look closely and just beyond the bushes you will see someone fishing from the water's edge. If you click on the picture and enlarge it, you will also see some boats out on the water. Tomorrow I will show you the lighthouse, which was directly behind me. To see more beautiful watery scenes from around the world, don't miss Watery Wednesday.