A quick trip to Dauphin Island, Alabama
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Almost Time For The Beach
Every year we have a weeks vacation at Dauphin Island, this years visit will be the nineteenth. As usual...family...all are welcome without a verbal invitation. Just show up.
There is nothing more relaxing than laying around in the sun and sand. The only plans we make for that week are simply to go and other activities are totally unscheduled. There are all sorts of things to do there and if not right on the island you can catch a ferry and go across Mobile Bay to Gulf Shores. Charters are everywhere for the fishing enthusiast, souvenir shops and places to eat as well. The Esturarium exhibits interesting history and habitats of the Gulf Coast region and Fort Gaines is right across the street. Nature Trails, boating, skiing, fishing, scuba diving, biking...all kinds of things.
There is nothing more relaxing than laying around in the sun and sand. The only plans we make for that week are simply to go and other activities are totally unscheduled. There are all sorts of things to do there and if not right on the island you can catch a ferry and go across Mobile Bay to Gulf Shores. Charters are everywhere for the fishing enthusiast, souvenir shops and places to eat as well. The Esturarium exhibits interesting history and habitats of the Gulf Coast region and Fort Gaines is right across the street. Nature Trails, boating, skiing, fishing, scuba diving, biking...all kinds of things.
In 2005, Hurricaine Katrina distroyed much of the west end and took many houses. There was also an area nearly 2 km wide cut through the uninhabited west end. Many houses have been rebuilt and the island has been restored. The once upon a time fishing peir is now grounded.
The house we have always stayed in, Nida, was amazingly, and to our delight, still standing after Katrina although she had some damage. Nida is a nice house with a large deck and we have viewed some of the most awesome sunrises and sunsets from that deck. We have also seen some pretty terrific lightening shows.
The house we have always stayed in, Nida, was amazingly, and to our delight, still standing after Katrina although she had some damage. Nida is a nice house with a large deck and we have viewed some of the most awesome sunrises and sunsets from that deck. We have also seen some pretty terrific lightening shows.
So..In a couple of weeks I'm gonna be sitting on the beach with a wine cooler in my hand watching the boats go by.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Great Weekend But Tiring
Am I getting too old to enjoy getting out for the weekend camping trip or am I just exhausted?? We took the camper up to Turkey Fork on Thursday to ensure a spot for the weekend and then on Friday packed our necessaries and left. A quick stop at the grocery store in Richton and the rest of the weekend was for recreation. It was nearing dark by the time we got set up and settled down.
For some reason I didn't sleep very well and was up at 3 AM, so I went outside to attempt a few night photos. It was very quiet except for a lone whiporwill. The moon was nearly full so there was plenty of light. The lake lay sparkling in front of me. Very peaceful. I shot a few pics and noticed something move in the dim light, a raccoon on his way to the very table I was sitting on. The animals in the park are somewhat used to people and raccoons have found an easy source of food. Campers frequently leave food items out on the table making it an irrisistable target. I wasn't sure what it was at first and was a bit startled. As it closed in the only thing I could think of was to shuffle my feet. The raccoon was probably more startled than I. He was gone with one quick thud into the weeds and did not return.
On Saturday we launched the boat and went for a leasurely ride around the lake, looking for something to photograph. The cranes and egrets we had encoutered the last time we were there were not to be found. Only one. I got several shots and suppose he was probably irritated by my following. He was simply trying to get a meal. When we got too close he would fly alittle further away only to be persued again. He was quite stunning and handsome.
There were also a couple of turtles and a snake.
For some reason I didn't sleep very well and was up at 3 AM, so I went outside to attempt a few night photos. It was very quiet except for a lone whiporwill. The moon was nearly full so there was plenty of light. The lake lay sparkling in front of me. Very peaceful. I shot a few pics and noticed something move in the dim light, a raccoon on his way to the very table I was sitting on. The animals in the park are somewhat used to people and raccoons have found an easy source of food. Campers frequently leave food items out on the table making it an irrisistable target. I wasn't sure what it was at first and was a bit startled. As it closed in the only thing I could think of was to shuffle my feet. The raccoon was probably more startled than I. He was gone with one quick thud into the weeds and did not return.
On Saturday we launched the boat and went for a leasurely ride around the lake, looking for something to photograph. The cranes and egrets we had encoutered the last time we were there were not to be found. Only one. I got several shots and suppose he was probably irritated by my following. He was simply trying to get a meal. When we got too close he would fly alittle further away only to be persued again. He was quite stunning and handsome.
There were also a couple of turtles and a snake.
Later that day my sister, brother in law, neice and her husband came to visit. We grilled and had a very nice time. My sister and brother in law spent the night and around midnight the ol'men went to sleep. My sister and I stayed up..talking and taking some night photos. It was really nice to spend time with her. She went to the night shift and I recently took a full time Monday-Friday position. She is also a photographer and we played til 2 AM. Thats probably why I was so tired by the time we got home on Sunday.
On Sunday morning my sister and I went for a little troll in the boat and got more photos. I think she really enjoyed it even if she was frightened by the idea of being in a boat with me driving.
We packed up and were back home by 1:30. Just in time for a very long and needed nap.
On Sunday morning my sister and I went for a little troll in the boat and got more photos. I think she really enjoyed it even if she was frightened by the idea of being in a boat with me driving.We packed up and were back home by 1:30. Just in time for a very long and needed nap.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Mississippi Wildlife Federation
A couple of weeks ago I submitted six photos to the Mississippi Wildlife Federation hoping to have at least one of them considered for publication in the Mississippi Outdoors Magazine. To my surprise they have selected four of them and may use them either in the magazine or one of their brochures. I am very pleased. Just knowing that my photography is good enough for publication is exciting and I can't wait to find out if they will be using them. It's nice to know that Mississippi will be looking at my work.
These are the four photos they are reviewing.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Keesler Air Show 2009
Well, we finally did go somewhere. Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi hosted an airshow, the first one since 2004. It was held on April 4th and 5th. We got there early on Saturday morning to ensure a good spot close to the fence since they ecpected up to 50,000 people. There was lots of security and the Air Force bused us in from the parking area to the flight line. Our sitting area was near Base Ops and right at the main show area. The weather was great. The show very exciting. I think the Thunder Birds put on a nice show but the Hornet was hot. WOW !! That has got to be one of the most awesome birds out there. There was also a red and white biplane that did some pretty nifty aerobatics. I can't remember the pilots name but the announcer said he'd 
been flying since he was 13 years old. I love the way a biplane looks when it's going straight up and stalls.
been flying since he was 13 years old. I love the way a biplane looks when it's going straight up and stalls.There were also a few show cars including a rail. Very Sharp and some pretty big blowers. I gotta go to a good car show this summer.
Anyway, I figured getting outta there would be horrible but as it turned out the worst part was getting on a bus to go back to the car. The croud was huge and everyone wanted to get on buses. So you can imagine the mess. It was so tight in there I could bearly breath and then it was our turn. Once we got back to the car it was smooth sailing all the way home.
It was a nice day.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Didn't Go
The weather was so bad we decided to stay at home for the weekend. I am glad we did because it really got bad. Wind and rain and lightening are kind of scarey and there was lots of it. So, we stayed home and had a lazy weekend. Hopefully next weekend will be better.
I had to work today...you know we gotta pay those bills but I got to drive home with the top down. Rain is forecasted for tomorrow. I am so ready for hot weather.
I had to work today...you know we gotta pay those bills but I got to drive home with the top down. Rain is forecasted for tomorrow. I am so ready for hot weather.
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