Testing The Waters

Our March in Florida has passed quickly. Our friends tell us that wintering in Florida, in effect, gives the calendar year two summers. Ummm.....waters worth testing.

Palm Beach

Typical Palm Beach parking lot scene.....We took a drive through the wealthy enclave that is Palm Beach. Our rental Chevrolet did not go unnoticed as we cruised down Royal Palm Way waving to the locals. :-) Life is Good.

Flurry

Contrary to popular opinion, things do not always have to be "in focus" to enjoy some of life's finer moments! (click on the image for larger view)

The Windup

The Florida Grapefruit league is MLB on a smaller scale. The smaller stadiums bring fans and players closer making for some great photo opportunities! Here, the METS' John Maine seems to be in mid-season form.

The Sweet Spot

Albert Pujlos takes John Maine's fastball downtown during a Spring training game against the METS in Jupiter, Florida. When a nearby fan asked, "where did it go?"...the response from behind was, "Orlando". The boys of summer are almost ready! (best in large view, click on the picture)

A1A Evening

"Strolling down the avenue
That's known as A1A
I was feeling tired, then I got inspired....." J. Buffet

Beach View

The stretch of beach between the Juno Pier and Jupiter is free of high rise obstruction. It seems as if so many of Florida's coastal beaches are boxed in large condos and hotels. Here, for a few miles at least, the beach view is uncluttered. (larger view is best)

Wipeout

It's not as easy as some would make it appear. I'm thinking that the surfer learning curve is a steep as some of the waves!

Talent

The "it" moment for surfers is where the real talent can be seen. As I continue to edit and process through hundreds of surfing shots I realize just how challenging the high waves were. It becomes obvious looking at the pictures that out of the large group of people in the water with wet suits and boards my captures are of the same five or six people! Like any sport, I suppose, true talent is rare and makes the difficult look easy.

Pelican Pose

To the untrained eye these guys seem awkward and dumb. In reality they don't miss a trick and appear to have one mission in life which is finding and eating food. Cautious but not shy this character kept his eye on me as I passed by.

Surfer Girl

More of the action from Juno Beach. It wasn't just the boys tackling the high surf conditions!

Touch The Curl

From my perch on Juno Pier the rough ocean made for a day of photo opportunities! High surf conditions made the area a surfer's playground. This shot looks best in the larger view!

High Surf

Palm Beach County saw some very high surf conditions yesterday. Several beaches were closed to swimmers. The area surfers were in their glory!

Applying Brakes

The agility of player and horse seemed to be the real show at the Polo Championships. The folks at Toyota would do well to study the workings of these non-hybrid brakes!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Corned beef and cabbage (on seeded rye w/mustard), Black n' Tan, Guinness and wearin' of the green....'Tis the only real holiday in the dreary month of March! Keep those Irish eyes 'a smilin'!

The Photographer

I was lucky enough to catch this candid shot of a very pretty photographer at the Polo Championships in Wellington. Life is good!

Polo Anyone?

Sunday at the Palm Beach Polo Club rubbing elbows with members and guests was an experience. A bit like watching ice hockey on horseback with the crowd from Saratoga Springs. A very nice touch was the free and free-flowing Champagne at "halftime"!

This shot looks best in the large view, click on the image.

Flying Low

Pelicans are prolific here in Florida. They tend to be awkward on land but they are very skilled in flight, this guy is just cruising by under the radar.

The Jetty

On the weekend this scene is rather chaotic with baited hooks, sinkers and rods swinging in every direction. The Jupiter Inlet jetty seems to be an area hot spot for anglers.

Space Walk

Kennedy Space Center's official greeter welcomes earth bound visitors (after you pay the admission fee).

Jupiter light

The town of Jupiter's iconic symbol is rich in history. The lighthouse continues to provide a beacon to boaters for Jupiter Inlet.

Marlin Sighting

It's beginning to look like spring! Hours before their game against the University of Michigan I was able to get this shot through the fence at Roger Dean Stadium.

Sharing The Inlet

Haves and have nots? I want to believe that the guy in the red shorts caught more fish.

Dropping By

Pelicans and more pelicans....at least they keep the beach clean!

Surf's Up

The combination of high surf, warmer temperatures and a sunny weekend brought out the Florida surfers. The local beaches and parks seemed to be filled with families eager to enjoy the return of weather more typical for the area. Life is good!

LC 39B

Launch complex number 39B sits vacant at the Kennedy Space Center. The two shuttle launch sites (LC 39A and LC 39B) are about three miles apart from each other. Currently space shuttle Discovery is secure at 39A awaiting it's early April mission to the international space station.

Beach Welcome

The beach here looks so inviting but the temperatures have not been co-operating. While us Northerners think that it's chilly, the locals are rushing out to buy winter coats. The good news is that forecasters predict a return to normal Floridian temps starting this weekend. :-)

Fly Me To The Moon

The Space Shuttle Discovery sits on launch pad LC-39A just one mile from our vantage point. Alida is one very happy photographer!

Caution

The high winds and rough surf had the yellow caution flags snapping in the breeze at Jupiter's ocean beach. (..but NO snow!)

Beach Walk

The escape from New York is complete. A much anticipated morning walk on the beach is a "pinch me" moment! Life is good.

Escape From New York

What a difference three hours can make. Set that compass on a southerly heading!