Jun 14 2015

Early Morning Run!

Got up early and drove 30 minutes north to Blanchard Park for the Orlando Runners Club 5K. This was a spur of the moment idea when I ran across a blurb for the run online.  I haven’t done a full 5K for several years but felt I was in shape enough to do it in 2min/1min run/walk intervals.  It went very well! My heart rate maintained the 70%-80% aerobic range and I felt good the entire time.

After the run the club invited everyone to the Mellow Mushroom for free pizza and beer!

⇓ Later in the day I went to Clermont to check out the Caribbean Jerk Festival.  Unfortunately it was a disappointment, booths filled with local real estate and other vendors.  The music was just OK and the chicken didn’t look that good; a fellow attendee confirmed so I didn’t get any.  Still a nice trip, and a beer on the beach is always a good thing. ⇓

 

Jun 07 2015

Cocoa Village BBQ & Blues

The 5th Annual festival was held in the Historic Cocoa Village downtown park.

⇓ I arrived a bit early and walked the Village Shops where I found the Ossario Cafe.  Had a delightful sun-dried tomato and Asiago omelette, served with their own freshly baked french bread. ⇓

[f/2.2, 1/15, ISO 32, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

[f/2.2, 1/15, ISO 32, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

⇓ First act, a great one-man band, Matt Rosman. Young but really had a handle on the music. ⇓

[f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 200, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 200, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

⇓ Between acts I wandered around and watched kids cool-down in the fountain. ⇓

[f/5.6, 1/1600, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/1600, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

⇓ The main act in the afternoon was The Pitbull of Blues Band, an award-winning trio that plays throughout the state. Lead guitar and front-man Josh Rowland is accompanied by his father Deny Rowland on bass guitar and drummer Rich Corricelli. Father and son played off one another in a fun, upbeat  way throughout the set. ⇓

[f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 200, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 200, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

⇓ During a fantastic drum session, Rich ‘played’ the guitar. These guys were really good! ⇓

[f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

⇓ Next stop was a break to visit Ryan’s Village Pizza and Pub, on the corner adjacent to the festival.  The rooftop bar and lounge area picked-up a nice breeze from the water. ⇓

[f/2.2, 1/2800, ISO 32, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

[f/2.2, 1/2800, ISO 32, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

⇓ Second great meal of the day. I skipped all the BBQ because it featured the same pit-masters I’ve sampled at the last few festivals. Instead I opted for a stuffed spinach pizza slice which was great with my Land Shark beer(s).  ⇓

[f/2.2, 1/120, ISO 40, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

[f/2.2, 1/120, ISO 40, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

Jun 03 2015

More Sandhill Cranes

Took a walk around the neighborhood and found these two near the recharge basin.

[f/8, 1/1250, ISO 1000, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/8, 1/1250, ISO 1000, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/8, 1/800, ISO 1000, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/8, 1/800, ISO 1000, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

Jun 01 2015

Wood Stork

Spent some time at the lake at the Orlando Fairgrounds watching wildlife.  The Wood Storks were content to stand nearby and splash in the shallows, but eventually took off for parts unknown.

[f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

Below: Splashing in the water

[f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO 400, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO 400, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

Below: Finally got camera shy and headed for quieter waters I’m sure

[f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 200, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 200, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

Jun 01 2015

Repticon – Sharing Reptiles with the World

OK, not really my kind of show but it was there at the fairgrounds and it called my name.  Strange froup of folks attend this event.

May 25 2015

Fringe Festival Retro Beach Party

This boss little afternoon finds rockabilly and surf rockers colliding on the Green Lawn of the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Featuring the Wildtones, Thee Wilt Chamberlain and Rocket 88, plus a retro bathing suit contest.  I found myself at the Stonewall Bar tent adjacent to the music venue, sponsored by a local gay bar/dance club.

 

 

May 23 2015

Brisket for lunch!

Went to the Central Florida BBQ Blowout at the Oveido Mall parking lot today. At this humongous two-day barbecue competition/celebration, more than 80 teams – both professionals and backyard amateurs – compete hard for the win, and visitors get to taste the luscious spoils of war.

Competition categories include brisket, chicken, pork and pork ribs, and the winner goes on to the World Food Championships in Vegas.

May 23 2015

Sand Crane Streetwalkers

These guys roam the neighborhood regularly. Took this just before sunset from about a foot away. No Fear.

[f/2.2, 1/120, ISO 40, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

[f/2.2, 1/120, ISO 40, 4.15 mm, with an iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2]

May 21 2015

Mead Botanical Gardens

Took a walk to the gardens while my car was being serviced this morning. Ran across a bird acting a bit strange. He landed and then fidgeted around a lot.

[f/5.6, 1/4000, ISO 1600, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/4000, ISO 1600, 130 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

After watching him a bit and zooming in I discovered that he apparently pushed his beak into some sort of material and is having difficulty getting it off. He rubbed it on the branch numerous time to no avail. Hopefully he will have success shortly.

[f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

[f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 200, 200 mm, with a NIKON D5500 and a 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6]

May 19 2015

English can be weird…