Taking The Lead

The Belmont, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's Belmont's turn to shine. The track promises to be wet and interesting after yesterday's torrential rains,

Blue Heron

Blue Heron, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
My mother would say.."Stand up straight!"...

Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Something magical about watching these behemoths leave port. It's also like watching unwelcome company leave if you happen to be staying in port!

Davis Sunrise

Davis Sunrise, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Fire Island morning..."pre-Sandy". Until very recently many FI communities have been off-limits for non-residents as rebuilding efforts have been underway.

Storm On The Danube

Storm On The Danube, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Archives: Black sky over the blue Danube, leaving Vienna...

Prague Castle

Prague Castle, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
My journey through archive photo files continues....The Prague Castle at night.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Remembering that some gave all.....

The Fisherman

The Fisherman, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
From the photo archives: Portugal..an octopus fisherman taking a break.

The Violinist

The Violinist, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Spring has returned to Central Park....!

Riverside Seat

Riverside Seat, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Recess At Anchor

Recess At Anchor, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
We're back! Recess is ready to rock and roll (literally) and I'm reminded just how differently wind conditions can be on the Great South Bay. These are not the calm waters of Tequesta's intracoastal!

Juno Beach Curl

Juno Beach Curl, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Juno Beach, Florida.....we got to see some great surfing during our last week. It'll be awhile before Long Island surfers go without a wetsuit!

LaGuardia Landing

LaGuardia Landing, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
There's a reason so many folks head back north come April/May. Florida's higher temps and increased rainfall make the cooler northeast spring refreshing. Nice to be back on my island!

Begin One

Begin One, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Yes...that is the way my compass is pointing. The road starts here, time to enjoy Long Island!  I don't think that I shall miss the Floridian summer.

The Pier

The Pier, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Juno Pier...not only a great photography venue to catch surfers. Here one can stroll out in the ocean, get a tan, catch some fish, gaze at the beach from beyond the breakers or catch a sunrise to warm the soul.

Wave Ride

Wave Ride, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
One of the very few advantages of high surf conditions....And, the photographers love it!

Beach Boat

Beach Boat, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Juno Beach....take comfort in the fact that help is always nearby. Life is Good!

Turn Turn

Turn Turn, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Power Steering: Appreciating the talent that frequently is overlooked as these guys "turn on a dime". No rudder, no steering wheel just a whole lot of body English! Nice turn....

Juno Surfer

Juno Surfer, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The surf's up along Juno and Jupiter's beachfront. That can mean only one thing...surfers (and photographers) flock to the beach. Showtime, however, seems to involve the same five or six surfers in spite of the fact that the waves are filled with folks "sitting" and "bobbing" on their boards! Fun to watch...

Evening Sail

Evening Sail, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's a perfect evening for that late day sail. Life is good.

Sunset Toast

Sunset Toast, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
There are times when I think, "It just does not get much better than this". A sunset toast with friends in a peaceful waterside setting is one of those times.

Mallory Square Sunset

Mallory Square Sunset, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Concert goers?? No, just the daily crowd getting a good viewing spot for the evening's sunset. Mallory Square in Key West.

Inlet Sunset

Inlet Sunset, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Sunset on Jupiter Inlet....Although most days end with a impressive sunset I find each to be unique and worthy of much appreciation! Life is Good.

Keys Beach

Keys Beach, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's the end of April. A pleasant surprise for this lingering snowbird is that the crowds have left for cooler northern climes. Granted, the afternoons can get a bit warm away from the water and the A/C needs to run more often but the beaches are uncrowded. Gone are the long waits for that six o'clock table and busy highways seem like country roads. So as I take a compass heading and prepare to follow the flock, it's worthwhile to take a long last glance before taking flight.

Coming Ashore

Coming Ashore, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
We all love waterfront dinning but few appreciate it more than boaters! There's nothing better than a waterside eatery that's only a dingy ride away. But why is it that even those who come ashore for dinner still request that table by the water?

Sailing Key West

Sailing Key West, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The harbor in Key West comes alive with all manner of sailing vessels as the afternoon slowly becomes early evening. The southern most spot in the States, where the Gulf and the Atlantic join, provides some of the best views of days end as the setting sun slips below the watery horizon. It's well worth the price of admission.....

Harbor Key West

Harbor Key West, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Port of Key West....A dockhand awaits the command to castoff bow lines for a visiting cruise ship. Like many small islands along the cruise circuit, Key West experiences the cruise port blessing and curse of the passenger invasion. The financial gains along Duval Street are off-set by overcrowded sidewalks and traffic that comes with the sunburned visitors. A sense of normalcy and quiet returns as those dock lines are slipped off the capstans. 

Crew Member Bill

Crew Member Bill, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Aboard the sailing vessel "Western Union" crew member Bill is a passenger favorite. Helpful and humorous, he made our evening ocean sail all the more enjoyable. And...that is a very manly beard you have there, Bill!

Key West Sail

Key West Sail, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
For me, there are few things as relaxing as a early evening sail and in the Keys it's even more special. An appreciation of natural beauty seems prevalent throughout Key West. Both the locals and the tourists always seem to make time to smell those roses and admire those vistas.

At Anchor Islmorada

At Anchor Islmorada, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Showtime...sunset in the Florida Keys! Life is Good!

Sailing By

Sailing By, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
In Key West the sunset is really the best show in town and for sure draws the largest crowds. Sunset watchers who opt not for crowded Mallory Square often book on one of the dozen or so "Sunset Sail" options. Choices for such adventures run the gamete from all you can drink catamarans to wine and cheese cruises. Other options include sails on historic vessels. In the end though, it's all about the sunset.

Islamorada

Islamorada, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
A touch of the Caribbean...the island chain that makes up the Florida Keys provides endless vistas as the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico. Life is good.

Dock At Islamorada

Dock At Islamorada, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Islamorada, the Florida Keys...Sunsets are truly celebrated in this part of the world. Crowds gather as sunset times are on everyone's agenda in The Keys. Oohs and ah s are frequently followed by loud applause.

Palmer Vineyard

Palmer Vineyard, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Thoughts turn to Long Island as we pass mid-April. Soon the island will be back to a more pleasant sunny temperature with brighter greens and dazzling floral colors. This snow bird is beginning to feel the pull of that internal compass!

Courage

Courage, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Frequently, courage is found with an assist from others. This shot just caught me as a metaphor for what lies ahead and that small gestures can make a huge difference.

Sanbar

Sanbar, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Along the ICW sandbars provide for impromptu beaches at low tide. Weekends often see some of these sandbars filled with festive boaters. Having the local tide tables on hand becomes an essential part of the fun. Life is Good.

Boom

Boom, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Looks like a change in the weather....I took this lucky shot and then ran for the door! Yikes...

Gull flight

Gull flight, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Checking out the girl gulls.....

Chico Prague Bridge

Chico Prague Bridge, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Can it really be four years?? Missing my buddy and hearing the echoes of his laughter. Peace...

Full Moon

Full Moon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Moon shot by the Juno Pier....

Lizard

Lizard, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Not at all shy this guy ran up this log to check out my camera! Just saying "hello", I guess.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.

Condo Moon

Condo Moon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
More March madness....From my vantage point the moonrise peeks from behind a Jupiter Island neighboring condo. Wonder surrounds us in the ordinary....

Moonshine

Moonshine, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The full moon of March...The moon rises above Jupiter Island giving the intracoastal waterway a shimmering glow. It's been a very cool start to spring in southern Florida, "spring-breakers" in windbreakers seem to have replaced the usual bikini clad crowd! Still, scenes like this one can fill one's spirit with all the warmth that's required. Life is good.

Curl Consumed

Curl Consumed, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
At least some brave souls are enjoying the rough surf conditions. Hope he keeps an eye out for those spinner sharks that seem to thrive in those wave curls!

Bananna Wind

Bananna Wind, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's windy! Yet another "cold front" keeps Spring breakers off the beach!

Pelican Pose

Pelican Pose, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
I could swear he said, "Pleeze...do not bother me!"

Juno Afternoon

Juno Afternoon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The view down the beach......Life is Good.

Juno Surf

Juno Surf, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Very Heavy Surf.....lately the sharks have been getting al the media attention here in Florida! The truth is that no one is going in that water.

Full Moon

Full Moon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Florida moon.....Life is Good.