They say heavy rain so get out there wuss, conquer the wet stuff and find incredibly hot colors and cool reflections

Whenever the forecast calls for 70% chance of rain, I pretty much believe it will actually rain. It might even turn into a heavy downpour or storm, but don't go all out and take an umbrella or get ridiculous. It is sunny Florida and bright blue skies will surely greet you if you head out in rain gear, galoshes and a plastic bag pulled tight around the camera. I'm not fooled by those phony 20-30% rain chances around here. They keep weathermen employed but are typically a bust and seldom produce more than a sprinkle and even then only enough to throw nasty wet muck up onto the car and windshield. 70% or higher and I plan to get a little wet as I navigate puddles or flooded-out intersections in search of ideal combinations of rich, deep saturated colors and long reflections in rain-soaked streets. This office building, with its modern walls and angles in bright shades of sun-soaked colors that remind me of Santa Fe, combined all the elements that screamed at me Stop. Now. Take my picture. Hurry, the light is just right. No, dummy, I didn't mean stop in the middle of the street and block traffic. Oh, well. Too late. Hope it was worth it for one silly shot. [* Wuss = a person who is physically weak and ineffectual. Won't go out in the rain to take pictures. Frequently misses out on best photographs.]

This is what's happening right now, this Tuesday, in My World. To see what's happening now at other places, visit That's My World TUESDAY.

A Bridge of Quite Different Sighs: Tampa's 83 Year Old Columbus Drive Bridge Is Looking Strong and Sturdy in Black and White.

Tampa has plenty of bridges over the river and bays. Many of them were built several years ago and have been regularly inspected and maintained and a few, such as the Howard Franklin Bridge and Gandy Bridge over Tampa Bay, have had entire spans replaced in recent years. This bridge over the Hilllsborough River at Columbus Drive is one of those that you speed across and never give it a thought. It's so fast and routine that very few even notice they're crossing a body of water. You're only on it for a matter of seconds and then it's forgotten. A swing-type bridge built in 1926, it is an entirely different structure, and experience, when seen from the water. We need to stop once in a while and really look at these places and things from our lives that we might see every day but pay little if any attention to. Yes, admittedly it is old, and may be showing its age and some wear. But it's a fascinating example of design and engineering that is recognized as one of roughly 32,000 Historic Bridges in the United States. It was built right long ago and still serves its purpose very well. Even if we don't pause and take a closer look.

Please visit Monochrome Weekly for other images of our world as seen in black, white and subtle shades of gray.

How cowardly is this bright yellow sign? You're just too chicken to ask.

These carefully arranged letters, spelling out STUNGUNS, arranged so artfully at an angle, are on the side of a squat, one-story block and stucco building not located in a particularly busy location for retail. What draws one's eye to the building at all is the almost disquieting color of yellow. Whatever particular shade or tint of yellow you want to call it, whoever painted it did not want anyone to drive by without noticing his business. Forget fancy electronic signs blinking and flashing, let's get 50 gallons of hideous yellow and dunk the whole place. Yellow cabs would be embarrassed if they had to pick up a fare at this establishment. Smart, savvy marketeers those guys. No one would call them cowards when it came to their decorating sense. Brave guys for sure. The place is empty and closed up so from this sign alone my best guess is that in its most recent past - before or after it was painted this stunning yellow shade? - it was a store which sold firearms and non-lethal weapons such as stunguns. You know the device, right? Similar to early electric cattle prods, they first began appearing for their current use in the 1950's and early 1960's, and by 1976 the TASER stungun was introduced. First classified as firearms, the design was reworked and they were reclassified as non-firearm. (Nowadays I guess one could be used, judiciously, on wild, spray gun wielding painters with gallons of cheap leftover paint that roam our highways and byways painting retail facilities in god-awful colors. I suppose to catch unsuspecting consumers and lure them in hypnotically.) Selling stunguns and similar devices in gun stores and pawn shops makes sense as they are associated with self defense and protection. But from studying this one sign that is all that remains of the business, I can't think of any reason they would go to the trouble to spell out this one product on the side of the building 25-30 feet from the road. Believe me, no one would ever get past the yellow of the entire building to spot the sign. No way.

Hey, Mom and Dad, pile the kids in the car. Let's all go buy a trunkload of fireworks. How fun is that!

Every year as our 4th of July Independence Day celebrations approach, huge tents like this one appear on just about every imaginable empty lot and parking lot in our city and county. (I hope this happens in other places so I don't feel our local governments are the only ones who turn a blind eye - not a desirable condition when discussing fireworks.) Many are operated by a company that has been in business for a couple of decades or more and specializes in these types of temporary fireworks retail businesses. They import all of their fireworks and then wholesale and retail fireworks them all over the state of Florida. I have never bought any fireworks from them or any other stand on the side of the road and I think the last time I did more than watch a public display is when I was a not-too-smart high school kid in South Carolina throwing some powerful little devils such as ash cans and cherry bombs; that was a long, long time ago. Since then, as I've grown older and I think a bit smarter, I worry for every small child I see lighting and throwing something that goes bang. And it's not just on the 4th . It goes on for days (and nights) before the holiday. The neighborhood peace is destroyed by dads thinking it's entertaining and educational to go out and help the little ones actually light these things - 5 and 6 years old love the loud, explosive thrill of dangerous fireworks. Where is the adult here?? Sparklers are always fun (and I know very dull and not explosive) but I firmly believe in leaving fireworks to professionals. Tampa and surrounding cities have a wide variety of public displays each year and the ones near Hillsborough Bay and the Channelside district downtown are always very well done. The tent I shot is typical of a retail operations intended for "consumer sales" which require buyers to sign a legal waiver that they will be used for agricultural purposes only. Scaring off birds or something. Although we have strict laws, apparently you could drive a 16- wheeled semi through the loophole. All the legal mumbo jumbo aside, the tents are perfect subjects for the camera and this one was especially good. On the top of the striped tent is an athletic young lady pulling and positioning the biggest banner into place. I shot closeups as she worked on the tent for almost 30 minutes without falling. She did finally get it straight and roped tight. (I bet she's a full-timer who has done this many times before. Who knew you could climb onto the canvas tents and jump all around.) So now you know. If you want some fireworks that disturb neighbors and carry the risk of blowing off fingers visit any of the several convenient striped tent locations for the best selection. And to look cool and smart, take your very young children along so they think dad (and mom) are real smart shoppers as you cart the biggest box to the car. Please have a save 4th this year.

SkyWatch Friday: Morning Thunderstorms and Power Out

After 17 straight days of temperatures well into the mid to high 90-degree range, the weather forecast for today said, It might rain in the morning and drop our temperatures in to the 80s. Well, yes, it did began to pour rain with thunder and lightning in the early morning hours, well before I saw the sun shine which it didn't do until well into the afternoon. We even lost power for a short while which is always fun. This shot of our downtown skyline only hints at the amount of rain and flooding we had throughout the area all morning (I had to shoot some of our more intelligent drivers navigating flooded intersections. Amazing.) and that is with our continuing drought and tough watering restrictions. Hard to believe we are nearly surrounded by fresh and salt water on all sides, and yet there is so very little water underground. Every bit of moisture from the sky helps and today's rain is most welcome.


Do visit Skywatch Friday to see the beauty and wonders of the world's most magnificent skies.

Ascend the staircase to Florida blue skys: The Palace of Florence rules proudly on Tampa's Davis Islands

I admit that I have been drawn to this building for many years, long before its complete restoration in 2003. The old world look and intriguing towers reminded me of castles I liked to play with as a kid. What boy can resist castles and knights in shining armor (or young damsels?) The Palazzo Firenze (Palace of Florence) was part of David P. Davis' original plan for his ambitious, and mostly realized 1920s dream for the development of the two small islands in Tampa's Hillsborough Bay. Located at 45 Davis Boulevard, it was designed by Athos Menebun. It is understood that its design was taken from the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. Looking now at photographs of the palazzo in Florence, it does share many of the elements of the tower and fortress-like design. Built in 1293, the Palazzo Vecchio became the seat of town's government and the home of the Medici family. It has been the seat of the municipal authority in Florence since 1872. It is a gorgeous part of the town's skyline today and a mighty big target when you're designing an apartment building on a near empty, sandy spit of land in the Hillsborough Bay. At the height of the Florida real estate boom of the 1920s, architects were trying to design distinctive and luxurious structures for Davis Islands and they dreamed of a grand design to fit the developer's equally as grand dreams and ambitions. The 600+ year-old design of the Palazza Vecchio fit that dream. This photograph of the tower and exterior staircase show the terra cotta, wrought iron and stucco materials used throughout the building. Rather than Florentine officials and Medicis, Tampa's Palace of Florence features eight apartments in the 3-story building . Completed in 1926, at a cost of $350,000, it was restored in 2003 and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is also received Local Landmark Status. Looking up from this vantage point, one can't help but want to climb the outside stairs to see what is up there and check out the view of the islands, Tampa and the bay. Great spot for watching the sun set.

This Green Iguana serves burgers and beer. No, not iguana burgers!

This mighty green beast must be 25 feet long. If I had backed away to capture his entire length you would see that he covers half the roof of this popular spot, The Green Iguana Bar & Grill, on South Westshore. The Green Iguana is an apt name for this fun, palm-laden, very Florida-like place. (With that giant monster over your head, what would you call your establishment?) The little lizard perched on the big one's rear leg, you have to look closely to see him, is probably only four feet long. Just a tiny guy. The Green Iguana, around the Tampa area for over 18 years, has six locations in Tampa, St. Pete and right on 7th Avenue in the heart of Ybor City. That's the location I know best and have enjoyed many times while sitting at a table laden with appetizers, mouthwatering burgers and icy Guinness. It's one of the best spots to watch the world of Ybor pass by. (Just get a table out front on the sidewalk; it doesn't get any better.) Their website has a tall-tale that tries to explain their name and its significance. The legend of the Green Iguana begins, "Years have passed since that fateful trip, but the man remembers it like yesterday." I can speak for two locations but I'm sure each one has the same welcoming feel, delicious food, good service and live music that doesn't interrupt but instead adds to the fun of the place. I had never noticed the slithering giant iguana before, believe it or not, I think because he is so big , and on the roof, I missed him as I headed to the food and drink. (That's my excuse, OK?!) He is big! And serves monster burgers that I strongly recommend. The legend that goes with the naming doesn't hint at why the burgers are so good. Check it out.

Rowers are Great Artists, Too: Crew Teams Leave Creative Evidence That They Rowed Tampa's Hillsborough River

The Laurel Street Bridge in Tampa was constructed in 1926 and is a “pony truss bascule style that pivots” from one side of the river's bank. This extremely colorful old concrete building, which houses the mechanical works, lies under and on the west side of the span. (If there are any bridge engineers out there you are welcome to chime in with a more accurate explanation of how it works.) Suffice it to say the bridge is over 80 years old and has seen everything in its day from sailing vessels hauling goods for unloading onto Tampa’s docks to today’s million dollar pleasure craft gliding under its steel span. Of course the traffic on top has been just as interesting and indicative of the vast changes we have seen in automotive design and technology since the first Model A crossed over the river. But through all the years the Laurel Street Bridge has withstood every test we could throw at it, including nature’s wrath of storms, flooding, the constant sun and deterioration caused by pollution in the air and water. The fact that it's still standing is a testament to its design, construction and constant maintenance. I realize I am not showing the entire bridge because the most fascinating parts of all of the bridges that cross the Hillsborough River in Tampa’s downtown are the works of art on the sides and foundations left behind by our friends on college and university (even a few high school) rowing teams. The art may have started to appear as early as the 1940s when the University of Tampa, which fronts the Hillsborough River, began its first crew team. The university crews began arriving back then and are here from January to March each year. Teams come to train from Princeton, Yale, Rutgers, Dartmouth and other colleges. And if you look, they have left reminders that they were here. Year after year. So it isn’t a recent rash of vandalism or overly-enthusiastic graffiti artists come to life. As you study the designs and messages, and before you dismiss these spray-painted and brushed-on tags as graffiti, just know that even the new Tampa Bay History Center (which I featured in yesterday’s post at Tampa Florida Photo) has taken more than casual notice of this artistic explosion on our river’s bridges. On its third floor is a wall-size exhibit featuring one of the bridges and the art left behind by the nation’s rowing teams. Many crew teams come to Tampa to train on our river and channels during the winter months when it is very cold up north. It must be a favorite place for the teams who use the facilities on the riverfront. (It's even hot and sunny at Christmas!) The men’s and women’s teams work very hard to perfect their technique and also find time to enjoy Tampa, Ybor City and our nearby Gulf beaches (if they can escape their coaches that long.) But, apparently one activity they will always find time for is leaving evidence that they were here. These talented kids, great athletes all, have to be fast, creative and in some case, nimble daredevils to hang and suspend from bridges and seawalls to get their design and message just right. It must be visible to every other school’s team that rows by after they leave. Whether it’s called urban art, school insignia or just plain graffiti, it is an important part of who we are as a city and some part of us should be proud that students from many of our nation’s top colleges and universities want to be remembered for having crewed in Tampa. I’m all for celebrating that achievement with them. (Plus, their artwork will always make for great photography.)

It's Not Just a Bunch of Big Black Boxes Down by the Riverfront: The NEW Tampa Museum of Art

If you look at the photo, there would be no way you'd guess what you're looking at. Yes, big tall office buildings against the sky. But what is the black thing in the foreground. Well, it's our new art museum that is currently under construction. In 2006, the architect Stanley Saitowitz from San Francisco, CA, was selected to design a new Tampa Museum of Art. It is now well out of the ground and making a strong statement in downtown Tampa's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. It's scheduled to open early next year. The original Tampa Museum of Art, which opened in 1979, sat behind Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa's convention center, on the Hillsborough River. The building was razed in February last year and is being replaced by this 66,000-square-foot facility. These photographs show it from two angles as it rises up on its Hillsborough River-front location. The round limestone building above right, is the Rivergate Tower and headquarters to the Sykes Corporation. The other office buildings visible from left to right are the SunTrust, Verizon, Colonial Bank and Bank of America. The round building was designed by architect Harry Wolf to symbolize a lighthouse and is a distinctive element on our city's skyline. It's probably one of Tampa's most important buildings architecturally. The new art museum is certainly another interesting and unusual design that came about after a long and at times contentious debate and selection process that resulted in this final design by San Francisco architect Stanley Saitowitz. The exterior is being covered in pierced aluminum. . You are able to see the construction progress on the TMA WEBCAM. From the WEBCAM view, which faces to the north, the museum is on the left closest to the river and the Glazer Children's Museum, which is also under construction, is on the right. The museum will feature five interior galleries, one exterior sculpture gallery, and an educational classroom. The architect, Stanley Saitowitz, is a professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and a principal of Natoma Architects Inc. in San Francisco. He is the recipient of number of awards. His completed projects include the California Museum of Photography in Riverside, the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston, the Capp Street Artist Workshop, the San Francisco Embarcadero Promenade, the Coffee Pavilion at Stanford University, the Oxbow Art School in Napa, and several residences. He has taught at a number of schools and has lectured extensively in the USA, and abroad.

His design is tough to visualize from a photograph but it is definitely taking more of it final form as the exterior is being covered. The angle I shot from at the corner closest to the river showing tall downtown buildings rising up behind it obviously provides a stark, but intended contrast. The smaller shot from the opposite bank for the river shows the full width and relationship to the Hillsborough River. As its construction moves along I will update you on its progress and show more architectural details as they are applied.

It's Carnival Time in Tampa's Port

There is almost always frenetic activity in and around the Port of Tampa on Sunday afternoon as the cruise ship passengers arrive and begin to board. The Carnival Legend, which flies the flag of Panama, is one of Carnival's "Fun Ships." Three cruise lines sail in and out of our port including Holland America,Royal Caribbean and the Carnival ships including the Inspiration. The Legend is in Carnival's Spirit class and was launched in 2002. It is 963 feet in length, its beam (width) is 103 feet and it carries a crew of 960. A somewhat smaller ship than some, it holds 2,124 passengers on 12 decks and a real plus for many, 80% of of its cabins are on the outside. If fun is its theme, then it should deliver with restaurants, a wedding chapel and 16 lounges. Its atrium is nine stories tall. Just about now we can hear the horns blow for final boarding. The ship, with its distinctive red, white and blue whale-shaped tail of a smoke stack, will sail at 4:00. Although these size ships seem to move like a turtle (or a manatee), the Legend has a 22 knot cruising speed, so it can really move for an 88,500 ton behemoth. From our terminals in Channelside it will sail into the Western Caribbean including calls at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Isla Routan and then return to Tampa - a 7-day cruise. (That always bring to mind Gilligan's Island and its theme song, "Just a Three-Hour Tour.") Sailing now as it is in late June it is before our hurricane season heats up in August and September. Even these ships have been known to change course to avoid the major storms that will visit our state, the Gulf of Mexico and the islands. By my watch it will push off from our cruise dock in 5 minutes...right now! It is always a awesome sight to see them sail.

Anime Invade Tampa: Help Save our City from Costumed cartoon Characters.

I will admit that when I read that a Anime convention would be held for three days in Tampa, I had not the slightest knowledge of what that was or meant. It caught my attention only because it mentioned that attendees (?) would come to the METROCON Anime Convention, "Florida's largest," in full costume. Like a lot of you, I enjoy the research side of the Internet, visit Google often, and learn about new things everyday. Admittedly, there is a lot I don't know. The term Anime was a word I couldn't pronounce or define. An entire subject as it turned out that I knew nothing about. Because our convention center is minutes from my home, and I did need photos for today's posts, I grabbed my camera and gave myself 30 minutes to explore and shoot a few pictures if the convention-goers proved to be decent subjects. Well, I was gone all of thirty minutes. Door-to-door. I shot approximately 100 frames. 90 are outstanding if you're after subject, action, color, costume and fantasy. I captured it all. If it's a "What's happening in Tampa Today" kind of project, well folks, here it is. This is really what has invaded our downtown. Young people are all over the street corners, entryway and lobby of the convention center in indescribable paraphernalia, costume, gear, weapons, hoods, ray guns...the list could go on for pages just trying to provide the barest and simplest explanation and description of what I found at the Anime convention.

Because I really didn't know anything about this phenomena, here is a little peek at what's behind the cast of characters that are displayed: "The characters from other dimensions come together to the same place to meet....The Gear, the symbol of Metrocon, is put in place as a filter on reality so that ultimate evil cannot come through." Go ahead, I dare you to read that again and then, please, explain it to me. Please. As I learned, Metrocon, created by the founders of AnimeMetro.com, is an online community of over "5,000 members."

If you've read this far, here is what the "otaku," a Japanese word for the two girls in my photo, are all about. Anime is an abbreviation for the Japanese pronunciation of animation. It refers to animation that originated in Japan and is extremely popular there and in many parts of the world. It began during the early part of the 20th century, when Japanese filmmakers began to experiment with techniques of animators in the US and Europe. It has taken off and exploded. It may be hard to understand but it is, apparently, huge with a certain segment of our population.

OK, is that clear. Now, do you know why these two young and attractive Tampa girls are dressed this way? There may be someone out there who understands and recognizes the costumes they are wearing. Don't hesitate to let me know. I am dying with curiosity to hear the whole story. I've got to take a break now, catch my breathe and stop my heart from racing - That was a tough 30-minute self-assignment.

SKYWATCH Friday: Call out the Ghostbusters to save Tampa's Skyline

I took this photo from an unusual location in that it's not the most flattering angle for any building or structure in the picture. I was just off the Cass Street Bridge, facing east at Doyle Carlton Drive and the west side of the 932-space William F. Poe Garage. The tall building seen over the top level of the garage is the SkyPoint Condominiums. Just to the right, out of the shot, is the new Tampa Museum of Art and Glazer Children's Museum, both under construction. The condominiums are spectacular and feature 32 floors. Several hot new restaurants and bars have opened on the ground floor. For a very interesting ride, check out their WEBCAM at SkyPoint, for a fantastic aerial view of the building and its surroundings. It faces Curtis Hixon Park, the Hillsborough River and has a commanding 360-degree view of the city of Tampa. Their website describes the building as a "finger of glass and steel slicing into an azure sky." That's a perfect description for what you see jutting up into Tampa's sky and clouds. But, every time I stare up at the building, and this is no reflection on its design or even reality, I'm immediately transported back to the 1984 hit movie, Ghostbusters. Starring Danny Aykroyd, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver, the movie scenes of the Sedgewich Hotel and Gozer's Temple always come to my mind. Look closely at the very top of SkyPoint and try to imagine a black, menacing sky, bolts of lightning, and huge gargoyles coming to life and dropping down onto the city streets below. I know, it's a stretch. Except I can't look up at the building without thinking Ghostbusters. Again, great design, architecture and engineering, but up there, at the very top, I just know Sigourney Weaver is bringing the wrath of demons and ghosts to life to threaten our dear metropolis. If I don't stay calm and keep a handle on reality, I'll start to see the movie's really scariest character, the Stay Puff Marshmallow-Man, leaping from building to building, squashing cars and pedestrians in his path. (I will not make any reference or jokes here about holding a marshmallow roast in the new park along side the river -I bet that would draw a good turnout and be a crowd-pleaser though.) Rest assured, the builders and developers of SkyPoint have taken every precaution to ward off ghosts and, if you study the WEBCAM closely, they opted to go without gargoyles. Now, that is a relief.

Be sure and visit all of the cities participating in SKYWATCH Friday. It's a great journey around the world's skies.