Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Doggie Paddle


Doggie Paddle, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
As paddle boards become more and more popular advocates seem eager to share the experience. This picture would appear to give "taking the dog out" and doing the "doggie paddle" a whole new meaning.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Osprey Flight


Osprey Flight, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The ICW in this area is a flourishing habitat for osprey. Their hunting aerial talents are a thrill to watch, their diminutive "chirp" seems counter to their fierce raptor abilities. And to think that DDT use of the 1970's almost eliminated this majestic bird....

Monday, February 27, 2012

In the Net


In the Net, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Snapper fishing and finding barracuda...This young barracuda surprised us as we were fishing a shallow sand bar. Gotta love that smile, that is some set of teeth. He was released to smile another day.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

ICW Magic Hour


ICW Magic Hour, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's always "all about the light".....Looking east as the setting sun casts a golden hue on the intracoastal can be a visual treat. It certainly makes for a magical cocktail hour!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Mating Osprey Pair


Mating Osprey Three, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
AsI said previously, a slow cruise along the ICW can be full of surprises. This pair of osprey appeared to be mating as we slowly motored past. Using longer lenses to capture them seemed to be the least intrusive method. This guy certainly appeared to be very proud of himself...

Friday, February 24, 2012

Dolphin Pair


Dolphin Pair, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
If you take your time cruising along the ICW you might just get to enjoy some time with the neighbors. These guys stayed just close enough to us to be appreciated and photographed. We expressed our gratitude for their friendly co-operation as they moved on.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Vintage Florida


Vintage Florida, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Playing with some post processing here...This commercial fishing vessel, well used and rough around the edges, seemed almost timeless. I could imagine the TV set from the 60's program "Flipper" where this relic would have been right at home. Florida from the land of "ago".....

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Manatee Tail


Manatee Tail, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Manatees along the ICW.....When you least expect it these gentle sea cows can put on a whale of a show. Not knowing just where they are going to surface makes gets photos a real challenge. We followed (at a distance) two manatees as the lumbered along the shoreline, calling to one another, "over there".."no!, just here", etc. At any rate, this shot reminded me of those images of whale tails that I have always dreamed of getting.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Above Jupiter


Above Jupiter, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Fisheye fun looking out the top window of the Jupiter Lighthouse. For sure, on a clear day you can see forever.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Along The Shore


Along The Shore, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
No hustle, no bustle, no traffic....There's always something rejuvenating about a quiet stroll along a peaceful stretch of beach. It's the pleasant temperatures that make me want to linger.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Intracoastal Afternoon


Intracoastal Luxury, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The view from the helm is rather nice as we cruise the ICW through parts of Tequesta. Plenty of luxury homes to admire along the way....Gotta love this weather!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

GULP


Mouthful, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Like the poster boy for bad manners this guy has quite a mouthful as he looks for more. Something about enjoying your meal and chewing your food that is certainly not on his agenda.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Inlet View


Inlet View, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The vistas from atop the Jupiter Lighthouse are impressive enough for the local TV stations to install webcams for use in their weather segments. Looking east the Jupiter Inlet, our portal to the Atlantic, makes for a beautiful seascape. The inlet provides a gateway to some of southern Florida's best boating waters as well as a TV eye on local weather conditions.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Step Up


Looking Up, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Here it is: the mandatory "inside" the lighthouse picture. My experience is that one step at a time is not a problem but looking down over the shoulder is rather intimidating. Life is Good.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Light On The Hill


Light On The Hill, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Jupiter Lighthouse Valentine's Day annual fund raiser includes a romantic 15 minutes of "couples alone time" (complete with champagne) at the very top of the the structure. The afternoon/evening event runs from February 12th to Valentine's Day and is always a sellout with reservations booked through January and February. A good cause and a killer view!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Top View


Lighthouse Top View, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Valentine's Day at the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse complete with a champagne toast and a box of chocolates! Indeed...Life is Very Good...Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, February 13, 2012

In Your Face


In Your Face, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Who is more interested in whom? If you have anything that could be a potential meal these guys are interested. This fellow wanted a closer look at the fish that were being cleaned and perhaps a shot at some of the left overs.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Cloudy Beach


Cloudy Beach, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The weekend's weather front brought more than cloudy skies, temps in the low 50's-60's have the locals donning winter apparel. Feels like early spring on Long Island to me....Life is Good.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Pelican Drink


Pelican Drink, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
A rather talented pelican responds to this photographer's attention. Could it be the pelican version of "giving someone the raspberries?

Friday, February 10, 2012

Dinner Time


Dinner Time, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Seafood by the inlet...This white egret allowed me to get rather close while he was busy with dinner. White egrets are somewhat prolific in southern Florida, there seems to at least one hanging out in most shopping center landscape areas.

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Vagabond


Vagabond, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Life on the ICW includes boaters who cruise the protected calm waters from as far north as the mid-atlantic, the northeast and beyond. The daily parade of unique vessels is a show unto itself as the preferred route at this time of year is in a southerly direction.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Inlet Run


Inlet Run, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The approach to Jupiter Inlet can be a challenge in heavy seas. It certainly can make for a thrilling end to a good day of fishing.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Super Day


Good Day, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Pre-Game show...The tradition continues as my favorite son made the long journey south to share the Super Bowl thing with his dad. This year we elected to skip the televised pre-game repetitive nonsense for some serious pre-game fishing. Ours was the perfect game plan.

Monday, February 06, 2012

Pelican Dance


Pelican Dance, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Either there is some bait in the water or this guy is planning an audition for "Dancing with the Stars".

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Florida Afternoon


Florida Afternoon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Picture perfect beach for a stroll. I'm just loving the color of this ocean....Life is Good.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Ground Hog Day


Framed Sun, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Seeing his shadow? I'm not sure if it matters this winter what with record high temperatures in the northeast. Happy Ground Hog Day....time for a Bill Murray rerun?

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Mr Egret


Mr Egret, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Florida's white egret is ubiquitous but none the less magnificent to this observer. Life is good.