I'm Back...

I got knocked offline last week, but I am now back online. I've got a few things to blog about, but I don't have time right now since I need to get ready for work. I should get something up tomorrow. Thanks!

New Sketch

Recently, I used a piece of (non-photo blue) graph paper to sketch out a symmetrical design using only horizontal, vertical, and 45-degree-angle lines. When I finished the design, I then scanned it and used Photoshop to fill in the various colors. The bottom picture is the end reslut that was finished just minutes ago. The design measures 7 inches square.

Sunset

The sunset as seen from our apartment two nights ago.

Fort Myers Beach Pier

D. and I went to Fort Myers Beach yesterday morning to visit a small preserve area that we haven't been to yet. There wasn't much there and only took a few pictures while there. We left there and took a stroll out onto the pier. There was more to see there. The pictures below will tell a little bit of the story.

Right after passing the concession stand, there was a Great Blue Heron standing on the railing in the shadows. I was lucky enough that my first shot of it was with it's beak open.
Since it was in the shadows, you really can't see it's amazing color in these pictures.


This is a Snowy Egret. A lot of the birds get used to being close to humans and are not frightened until someone gets really close to it.

The Snowy Egret was hoping to snatch some of the fisherman's bait.
This fisherman was nice and let the egret pluck a few small fish out of his pail.
This Brown Pelican was probably waiting for one of the fisherman to toss a fish to it.
As you can see, I was able to get pretty close to this bird also.

More Slough Preserve

I went out to the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers for a third time, but this time I took D with me to show her some of the wildlife. This happened on May 2nd, so I am a little late putting the pictures up.
This was an unexpected sight for me. I heard something rustling in the bushes, but couldn't find anything. After a few minutes, I saw a few feral hogs rummaging around in the mud. There were probably about 5 or 6 different hogs, but I couldn't get clear shots of most of them.
Another feral hog.
This is the same area where I found the feral hogs. We are in a drought here in Southwest Florida, so the water levels are really low. Most of the birds like it better because it is easier for them to catch the fish. There are a few different types of birds in this shot. If you look close enough, you can see an alligator in the background.
You can see the alligator a little more clear in this shot. I'm not sure if it was coming out to sun itself or if it was hoping to snack on the blue heron that is nearby.

Downtown Fort Myers #2

Another shot taken by D. last week when we went to the downtown area.

Tree Altered

D. and I went to the downtown area the other day and took the cameras with us. While I used my film SLR camera, D. was snapping shots with the digital. This little series is of seven pictures she took of a tree down by the river at Centennial Park. I took a few of the same shots with the film camera and I hope they turn out similarly.

These first four shots were taken with regular color settings on the camera. I then used Photoshop to adjust the lighting, taking all the color out, and then taking the contrast to a +50.

(I suggest that you click on the images to open them up in a larger view.)

 
 

For the next three shots, the color setting on the camera was changed to sepia. I then used Photoshop to adjust the lighting before taking the brightness to -20 and the contrast to +20.

 

Downtown Fort Myers

At Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers last Friday.

Product Warnings...

I got this in an email recently and thought I'd share it with you. (I deleted the extra commentary that was after each selection. I assume you can figure out what is wrong with the statements.) These are actual labels found on various consumer products:

On a Sears hairdryer -- "Do not use while sleeping."

On a bag of Fritos -- "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."

On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap."

On some Swanson frozen dinners -- "Serving suggestion: Defrost."

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- "Do not turn upside down."

On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after heating."

On packaging for a Rowenta iron -- "Do not iron clothes on body."

On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication."

On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."

On most brands of Christmas lights -- "For indoor or outdoor use only."

On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other use."

On Sainsbury's peanuts -- "Warning: contains nuts."

On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open packet, eat
nuts."

On a child's Superman costume -- "Wearing of this garment does not enable
you to fly."

On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or
genitals."

Photo Friday: Adolescence

The topic for this week's Photo Friday is: ADOLESCENCE.

Palm Frond Frog

When I got home from work, I noticed this frog relaxing on the frond of a palm tree outside of our door. There was an overhead light, so I grabbed my cameras and took a few pictures of it.

Thursday Challenge: Work

The topic for this week's Thursday Challenge is: WORK.

This picture was taken earlier this evening inside the ABC7 studio in Fort Myers, Florida.