I forgot about a slew of pics on the camera I used for my recent Florida trip. I think they will be placed in an online photo album instead of loaded onto here. Maybe on (shhhhhh) My Space. I forget my flickr and photobucket account info. However, I do have a few below as I have NO IDEA what kind of bird this is. Other than its big. well, tall. Jeez, it stands taller than the garbage cans. I am no ornithological aficionado. I know seagulls, robins, and blue jays. Ok, ducks and a few other things with wings. Chickens. mmm grilled barbecue chicken wings. I know those. I'd like to know about a dozen of them right now. What else? Owls. Cardinals. Flamingos of the plastic pink variety. Ok, thats the extent of the bird breed awareness list. I'd recognize those. But this tall creature- nope.

Any ideas? should I know what it is? is it that obvious? please, enlighten me. Thanks in advance :)



















maybe i'll back post the remaining pics.

1. Interesting textures and colors along this little stretch of land.





2. Bridges intrigue me.





3. Swirls in the sky, reflections on the water.




4. There is always more to see than the initial view.





5. the ever ubiquitous bird




6. Single intensity before the explosion of colour





7. layers of color stretch across the visual canvas




8. settling





9. Elements of nature and industry; lights, steel, water, sky.





10. end of day, beginning of night



Bird Island Pier Buffalo New York


neat historical link:

After spending about a week in NYC, I have a lot to catch up on around these (e:strip) parts. So many posts to read! I only used my pocket pc to check email on occasion, other than that, I was immersed in roaming around Manhattan.

I head out there as often as possible- never staying in the same place twice and always enjoying myself and feeling like I am in my element. I havent claimed a favorite section as of yet. I spend time exploring wherever I feel the whim to go. A recent trip allowed me the opportunity to stay in Greenwich Village; gritty, artsy, replete with NYU college kiddos and corner pizzerias. The village is just charming. This past week I stayed on Riverside Drive, a quaint section of the upper west side. With the Hudson River across the street in one direction and the rest of the city in the other, it felt like home. I'd sleep there again and again. I simply like being in the city, and although I go when I can, it always feels like its been too long in between trips. A few months is too long. I want to go monthly. At this very moment in time, rent price is the only thing that keeps me from moving out there for a bit- for the day in and day out experience.

I was lazy with my cameras, as I tend to be when I am not in "photographer mode". I snapped a few here and there, which I will eventually share- perhaps a few stories as well. *yawn*, I am too tired to do more than peck at a few letters on the keyboard.


I returned earlier today and am quite tired, after several days of not enough sleep. My body is energetic, but my brain is not. Tonight, I veg on the couch with my kitties.

just wanted to check in :)

Driving on the highway close to rush hour in a rain/thunder/lightening storm did not bother me at all. I was energetically singing along to the random songs shuffling out of my iPod.

what did bother me was the sensation of my hair standing on end- I know I stopped singing for a fraction of a second before experiencing what felt like something landing on the roof of my car and pushing down on it.

followed by an eerie flash of bright horizontal light directly in front of me.


my heart jumped into my throat.

I drove in wonderment for a few minutes while allowing my heart beat to regulate again before proceeded back to my sing fest.

creepy.


makes me want to go buy a big ole jackpot ticket..

Off the busy street, located adjacent to restaurants and variety stores is a little nugget of entertainment called Old Town. Old Town in a quaint festive section of Kissimmee Florida that offers a clean family atmosphere amongst an assortment of attractions and live events. It was pleasant to find that it offered free parking and access. Prices for rides, games and food were affordable. Shop prices, depending on what you were looking for, varied.

The little "town" consists of a few short streets comprised of eating parlors, unique gift shops, carnival rides, games and classic cars. The area was picturesque and cozy. Going on a Easter Sunday afternoon proved to be a relaxing time to go.
















A store completely dedicated to Hello Kitty! I'm beginning to have a thing now for Chococat.







NY "sock" exchange, har har


Sky Coaster





Walking down the street, there were even plenty of pretty flowers and greenery to view.







pretty cute find, huh?

We really weren't there long enough to check everything out, as we arrived a short while before having to head out to the airport for our return trip home.

If I was giving a formal review, I would highly recommend it for families looking to enjoy an affordable means of entertainment. I would..
until I saw this "Attraction" --out on the main street of this "town" lined up against the outer store walls, like it was a pop machine.

this is an ATTRACTION???????????











As you can see, what appears to be a good imitation of a man sits in an electrocution chair- life size, the whole bit- in a large cage. What you don't see, is that he sits there, rocks back and forth and grunts, groans and occasionally swears at you- practically daring you to give the machine a dollar so you can "flip the switch".

I have never seen this before, and this is one of the few things that I DO NOT find any sort of entertainment value in- and I do have a warped sense of humor. And I *know* its fake, but...

I took a few pics because I couldn't believe that this existed where little kids played.

I walked away and went into a nearby shop.

A few minutes later, I heard agonizing screams and groans coming from where I had just been. I stepped back outside in time to see the "man" twisting and turning, followed by poofs of smoke. A few people were standing nearby getting a good chuckle. Had I wanted to immortalize the visual sequence, I could have easily of recorded it, but the stand alone picture- pre 'shake and bake', were sufficient to keep that memory alive. And yeh, i share it with you.. sorry, but it disturbed me so much to see that located THERE.

not sure if its good anywhere, but, hey, if thats your thing and its in an environment of other people digging that sort of thing- then enjoy.

but such a real image, life size..


gah