New Year's Day

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Visiting relatives on Clearwater Beach. 
Para sailing...looks fun and terrifying. :)

Another attempt at a little long exposure. I wanted to get the birds with their ghosts. :)
If I'm looking a little fuzzy it's because I'm playing with the longer shutter speeds, night photography, and trying to get comfortable with the tripod. 

The Elf Queen relaxing on this beautiful night.

The Limpkin

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Neat! This guy allowed me to take a few pictures before he moved on to search for some more escargot. :)

From the Audubon website......
"Limpkin had been hunted almost to extinction in Florida by beginning of 20th century; with legal protection, has made a fair comeback. Probably declining in parts of tropical range.Fresh swamps, marshes. In Florida, found in open fresh-water marshes, along the shores of ponds and lakes, and in wooded swamps along rivers and near springs; locally in river swamps in Georgia. Throughout most of its tropical range, its habitat and distribution are dictated by the presence of apple snails (Pomacea).

Looking like something between a crane and a rail, this odd wading bird has no close relatives. It is widespread in the American tropics, but enters our area only in Florida and southern Georgia -- only where it can satisfy its dietary requirement for a certain fresh-water snail. Mostly solitary, Limpkins may be overlooked as they stalk about in marshes and swamps; they draw attention with their piercing banshee wails, often heard at dawn or at night."

That Is Not a Christmas Display.

Only one picture today. I think I put everyone through enough yesterday. :) 
Chris came along when I went out by bicycle to take a few Christmas light display pictures. This turned out to be my favorite one.
I waited for cars to pass and used a little long exposure while Chris was entertaining himself with his cellphone. :)

Sunrise

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The colors have returned! 
Thank you to Santa for the new macro lens to play with! I predict more insect photos in the future. :)

Have I mentioned how excited I am about long exposure photography? More to learn...Yay! :)

Paddle boarding and taking in the scenery by the locals. :)

And flaaerrrzzzz...... :)

Holiday Boat Parade - Indian Rocks Beach

It took a long time for them to get to us, but it was worth the wait! I didn't get everyone's boats...they were all so cute. A lot of time put into these. :) I love the music and everyone's festiveness.
Tried a couple with longer exposure....For the blog I again had to reduce quality on a few. Merry Christmas everyone!!! :) 

Tommy Gunn Band @ Two Buks Saloon / ISO 16000

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I only came to dance!
But since we had come from a holiday boat parade I already had my camera.....so.....who needs a flash?? (The answer is me.)
I'm kind of unhappy that I had to reduce the image quality to upload a couple of these. They really couldn't handle that. Wahmp-whahh...
It was a silly night! Dancing need = fulfilled. Yay!
....This reminds me, I need to upload some more band photography. Fun stuff. :)

Thomas Viera - lead guitar/vocals
Dave Viera - percussion
Johnny Chromatic - guitar/vocals
Anthony Marsh - bass/vocals

Sunrise

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Florida sunrise at its finest. :)

Changing tones of color by the minute. You have to be quick! :)

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Sisters....

Pelican Pete....or Sam....or Mike....I have no idea... One bird likes to join him on his boat and the others chase him every time he moves through the water with his crab traps. Fun to watch. :)

I think I've been spotted.