Sunbathing

I never get tired of taking photos of turtles.

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters.

Busy bird

This mockingbird was gathering material for a nest and also giving me the eye! I took this photo awhile back when this tree was still bare and had no leaves.

Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

Resting

Baby ducks resting in a shady spot near the edge of Lake Ella. Their mama was not too far away.

Walking

Lake Ella is a popular place to walk because the scenery is so beautiful and there is always something interesting going on. It's also nice to be reminded how far you are walking as you go along.

Linking to signs, signs.

Lurking

You may have to enlarge this photo to see what is lurking in the water, just left of center in the picture. A little hint: it's well camouflaged and only its eyes and part of its head are visible. I took this picture at Wakulla Springs State Park just south of Tallahassee.

Linking to Our World Tuesday.

Welcome to the jungle

I spent the weekend visiting my daughter and grandkids in Orlando and on Saturday I attended my granddaughter's majorette competition which was held in the gym of a local high school. This huge lion was looking down at us from the wall. The words "Welcome to the jungle" were painted around him, but I was unable to get the whole thing in my picture from my seat and the place was packed with girls (and a couple of boys) twirling their batons, so I stayed put. You may have guessed by now that the school's mascot is the lion.

Linking to Monday Mural.

Oil power

Another funny picture I took while I was walking through a parking lot the other day. I'm not sure being powered by vegetable oil would be cheaper than gas!

In case you were wondering about that license plate, to qualify for an antique plate in Florida, the vehicle must have been made after 1945 AND be at least 30 years old. It must also have an engine that is at least 30 years old. I blocked out the numbers on the plate for privacy reasons.

Tink

I was sitting at a red light the other day behind this motorcycle and that helmet was just begging me to take its picture, so I did. I couldn't resist when I saw the fake braids.

Chain of Parks

I took these pictures late in the day after walking around the Art Festival last weekend and it was starting to get a bit cloudy. The Chain of Parks sits between the east and west lanes of Park Avenue and runs through the heart of downtown Tallahassee. It was established in the late 19th century and planted by the Tallahassee Improvement Association (TIA). Ponce de Leon Park was the first to be established, followed by Lewis Park, Cherokee Park, E. Peck Greene Park, McCarty Park, Bloxham Park, and Genevieve Randolph Park (which was named by the woman who spearheaded the work of the TIA). I can't remember which park that is in the above picture, but it gives an idea of what they all look like. The Art Festival was taking place in the parks at the other end of the street, which is why this one looks a little deserted.

Linking to signs, signs.

Art Festival

A couple of pictures from the Annual LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival held downtown this past weekend. I didn't buy anything, but it was fun walking around looking at all of the beautiful displays.

Linking to Our World Tuesday.

Downtown clock

There was an art festival held in some of the parks downtown this weekend. I took this photo while I was walking around. The weather was beautiful.

Blue skies

My oldest grandson enjoying a beautiful spring day on the playground.

Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

Home

There was no game the day I took this photo, but this is where the home team sits when a game is being played at the baseball field in the park near my house.

Linking to Good Fences Around the World.

Towle House

Built in 1847, this home was originally built for attorney Simon Towle, a member of the Whig Party, who served as mayor of Tallahassee and as state comptroller. A cotton planter named Richard Whitaker bought the house in 1854 and expanded it to include the second story and the columned front porch. Ownership changed several times during the 20th century and one of the owners reportedly found Confederate money in the ceiling. In 1976, the building was renovated to house the Florida Democratic Party Executive Committee as their headquarters until 2002. It was then purchased by a local law firm and carefully restored. Their offices are still located in the house.

Take it easy

I'm not sure what the story behind this chair is, but it looks like someone wanted to be comfortable while looking at the lake. Either that or they just needed a place to dump their unwanted furniture.

Linking to Our World Tuesday.

Lunch companion

This Vespa was parked next to my table while I was eating out for lunch one day. I liked the color so I took its picture. I also like watching people ride these things, but I would never be able to ride one myself.

Late afternoon nap

Ducks napping at the edge of Lake Ella.

Linking to Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, The Bird D'Pot and Weekend Reflections.

Crow

This crow was perched up there making quite a bit of noise, so I decided he wanted me to take his picture. Sure enough, he turned his head so I could get a profile shot.

Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

Airboat

I took this photo at one of the boat landings on Lake Jackson not far from my house. I used to have a lot of fun around airboats when I was a kid, until one time I saw a snake in the boat and that was the end of that (for me anyway).

Upstairs at The Grove

This week I have been showing photos of the Call-Collins House at The Grove and all of the pictures in this post were taken upstairs. The gentleman in the painting is LeRoy Collins, who served as a Florida State Senator and as Florida's 33rd Governor from 1955-1961. He was married to Mary Call Darby Collins, who was the great-granddaughter of Richard Keith Call, the man who built the Call-Collins House and who was also Florida's Territorial Governor from from 1836-1844. Governor and Mrs. Collins lived in this house during part of his term as Governor because the original Florida Governor's Mansion, located next door, was torn down and had to be rebuilt. The Collins family sold The Grove to the State of Florida in 1985, entrusting the property to the Florida Department of State and ensuring its future use as a museum. Governor Collins passed away at The Grove in 1991 and his wife died in 2009. Both are laid to rest in the family cemetery on the property. The last photo shows some memorabilia from Governor Collins career. I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago at an event where I worked. I also have an autographed copy of his book Forerunners Courageous, a collection of short stories on Florida History.

Downstairs at The Grove

Yesterday I showed exterior photos of the Call-Collins House at the Grove here. Today I am showing the stairs and some of the beautiful rooms on the first floor. Those pretty tiles in the last photo surround the wall above the counter next to a sink in the sun room.

Linking to Our World Tuesday.

The Grove

The Call-Collins House at The Grove is one of the best preserved examples of Greek Revival architecture in Florida. Built in 1840 by Richard Keith Call, territorial governor of Florida, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The house has recently undergone an extensive restoration by the Florida Department of State and is now open to the public as The Grove Museum. I attended the grand opening a couple of weeks ago. The first three photos show the front of the house and the last photo is of the back. The sun porch or "Florida room" you see in the last shot was added in 1952. I will show some pictures of the inside of the house tomorrow. To read more about the history of The Grove, you can visit their website here. This house is located right next to the current Florida Governors Mansion and even though it looks like it might be sitting on land out in the country, it is quite close to downtown. In fact, it is possible to drive right past it and not even see it due to all of the majestic live oaks and other trees on its grounds.

April Theme Day: Wet

A cormorant spreading its wings out to dry while a few turtles are sunning themselves on one of the floating barges in the middle of Lake Ella.

The first day of the month is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo Community and this month the theme is "Wet". Be sure to visit the CDP Theme Day Gallery here to see other members' interpretations of the theme.

Also linking to Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, and The Bird D'Pot.