Day 151 Foley Streetscape

Day 150 Remember

I didn't take this picture today, but it's one of my favorites and I couldn't think of a more appropriate post for this day. The balloon is called "In Their Honor" and is piloted by Cyndi Joseph of Houston, TX. I had the privilege of riding in this balloon -- and then shooting pictures of it -- at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley a few years ago. Today I remember that so many have given their lives for my freedoms and I post this in their honor.

Day 149 Freedom

For me, this sculpture at the Orange Beach Kids Park is a great illustration of the freedom we enjoy.

Day 148 Exposure

I had a great time experimenting with long exposures tonight at The Wharf. Thanks again to Phyllis Freels for sharing her time and skills with me.

Day 147 Happy?

If cows make you happy, this one's for you! I couldn't tell if this calf was happy or not, but he (or she) seems very relaxed while all the "grown-ups" were busy having an early dinner.

Day 146 Juicy

Day 145 At the Dock

Day 144 My Friend

I interrupted my friend Al's bath this morning. I don't know if you can tell, but the feathers on his chest are wet. After he flew up from the edge of the water he came back to the tree I was standing under and gave me this look. I don't think he was happy with me.

Day 143 Gator

It's not a great shot, I'll admit, but it's not every day I happen upon an alligator while looking for a picture of day. I'll go back and shoot pictures of the cattails another day.

Day 142 Sara Jane

Is she precious or what?

Day 141 The Wind Up

The competition was tough at the NAIA Championship tournament today.

Day 140 Championship

I got to watch some of the NAIA college softball teams play in the championship tournament in Gulf Shores today. They are great athletes!

Day 139 Little Angel

Day 138 Boat Owner Parking

There was a sign right behind me as I took this that read "Boat Owner Parking." I bet these folks never have to worry about finding a spot.

Day 137 Thief

I caught this little critter red handed raiding the bird feeder but it's kind of hard to hold a grudge when he poses like this for me.

Day 136 Sun and Shadows

I went to a little cemetery just down the road today and I'm sure I'll go back again soon because there are some very interesting scenes there. Today though, the light was just right on parts of this fence and this obscure little shot caught my interest.

Day 135 Mimosa

I wonder why the drinks are yellow when the blooms are pink?

Day 134 Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch . . .

.  .  .  it looked like a very peaceful day.

Day 133 Proud Grandma

Sherry is a proud grandma, showing off the latest pictures of her grand daughter.

Day 132 The Message

On my way to work I followed a lumber truck hauling this forklift. It made me smile because the sticker in the middle says "I Enjoy Gulf Seafood." After a colleague had a few of these printed a few months ago, the demand grew and since then he's printed thousands for distribution by lots of organizations along the Mississippi and Alabama coast. I bet when he placed that first order he had no idea this would be one of the vehicles for his message!

Day 131 In the Weeds

I don't know what this flower is but it was the only splash of color in a sea of green as I walked along the edge of  a marsh this evening.

Day 130 Soaps

What a luxury a nice long hot bath is.

Day 129 Hangout

Day 128 Bromeliad

Day 127 Characters

April and I went to the Alabama Writers Symposium where we discovered many intriguing characters -- those in the books as well as some of the presenting authors and many of the folks in the audience. Everybody's got a story!

Day 126 Courthouse

It was a beautiful day on courthouse square in the literary capital of Alabama. Heard some great stories.

Day 125 Taking Off

I tried to catch this very quick, very skiddish wren on my back porch this morning. I thought this shot of her "take off" was interesting. That's a LOT of energy being exerted before those little feet even let go. And speaking of taking off  . . . that's what I'm about to do. Looking forward to a great long weekend.

Day 124 Sunset

It was a tough photo day for me but I got a glimpse of what must have been a beautiful sunset. I just wasn't in the right spot to capture it.

Day 123 Sweet Magnolia

A bright spot after the rain.

Day 122 Dandelions

This was the best reason I could come up with for not cutting the grass. I don't know what tomorrow's excuse will be.

Day 121 Mockingbird

'Tis the season in Monroeville.