Best of Tampa Sunsets in 2009: Ablaze with Fiery Color

This sunset over Old Tampa Bay was taken from Beach Park on September 30th.

Happy New Year!

Best of 2009: Tampa Police and their Narrow Getaway

This black and white image, taken on October 11th in downtown Tampa of a small linear park sandwiched between the Tampa Police headquarters and their parking garage, was the most commented upon of my Tampa Daily Photo posts of 2009.

Tampa Police patrol our waters

The Tampa Police Department has a Marine Unit which is responsible for law enforcement and rescue activities on the waterways in and around the City of Tampa. According to the city's website for Tampa Police, HERE, the unit also assists the United States Coast Guard with Homeland Security and the United States Customs Service with illegal narcotics interdiction. Our city is almost surrounded by fresh and salt water and presents a number of challenges to law enforcement. Great changes in the depth of the water, tides and currents and, of course our weather. (It was 44-degrees this morning with a blinding blue sky and a high of only 62.) Tampa Bay is approximately 398 square miles of water and the Hillsborough River bisects the city and empties into the bay. Adding to our size and geography, we can boast of having the eighth largest seaport in the United States.

The Marine Unit is made up of five boats and two personal watercraft, the largest and fastest being a 32 foot Donzi ZF with twin outboard engines providing 500 horsepower. The Donzi is a serious boat for patrolling the water. The Marine Unit also has this 26-foot Boston Whaler, which was docked today at the Marjorie Yacht Basin near the Tampa Fire Rescue boat, a 28-foot Goldline, a 19-foot rigid hull inflatable and a 21-foot Carolina Skiff.

NOTE: My son gave me a new Nikon D80 camera body for Christmas. (He's a generous young fellow!!) I took a couple of days to try, try to gain some familiarity with its digital operation and features. I am excited that the Nikkor lenses that I have had for 30-40 years DO work with this new body. (I have not shot film through my F2 or other misc. Nikons in close to ten years.) It's great they fit and they feel like old friends as I mounted them to the D80 to go out shooting today. BUT, they are not auto in any way so this first effort is not to my crisp standards. I'm learning and will get better.

Carnival Departs Tampa

MONOCHROME Weekend: Vol. 2, Issue 18: Myrtle Hill

Myrtle Hill Cemetery, North 50th Street, Tampa.



If you love to see your world in black and white go visit some of the most interesting people and places HERE at Monochrome Maniacs!


It's made possible each week by Aileni.

Leave the tree up all year?

Dr. Porter, the sweet Pekingese who graces our home with his royal presence, has found that curling up under the Christmas tree is to his liking. He has apparently decided to make this his new home. Permanently. Don't even think of packing away his ornaments, soft, comfortable tree skirt and removing the tree altogether. I think he's serious.

A Shocking Story: Our Savior Was Born This Day

Even the Tavern gets MERRY!

Even the bars and taverns are crowded and packed with revelers celebrating the season. But, not me. It's all about those I care most about. I'm just so thankful for my family, friends, home and loved ones preparing this evening for the heavenly and unselfish joy of Christmas morn.

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Tradition: Gifts for THE cook in our home

It's a long-time tradition that every Christmas I prance (!) through the Williams Sonoma store in Hyde Park Village and find things to please and delight Mrs. Tampa DP, the finest and most imaginative cook I know. Whether it's a meal in 15 minutes or an elaborate - get out several cookbooks - French or Italian feast for the eyes and stomach, she cannot be beat.

I may only get her a new oven mitt (what else could she possibly need or have space for?), but no store has a better selection or is more welcoming at the holidays. Gifts for the Cook are always wrapped in their special paper and small cookie cutter. It makes me smile and always makes my loved-one happy.

Christmas Dog Gifts? Yep!

Cold Wind Blowing

MONOCHROME Weekend - Vol. 2, Issue 17: The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium, which opened in 1995, is an educational journey through Florida's water ecology while being fun and entertaining. Lots of exhibits, well-stocked gift shop and restaurants all combine to make this a must visit for adults and children. It's located in Tampa's Channelside District and is right on the water and near the cruise docks. (Plenty of parking is available.) A favorite of the young wet-and-wild set is Explore a Shore where kids can play on a pirate ship while staying active and cool while getting soaked ...on warmer days. Moms, dads and grandparents can enjoy my favorite, the Caribbean Cantina, a site-down, full-service bar and grill. You can sit back and still keep an eye on playful minnows. Café Ray is a cafeteria-style restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating options. Visitors to the aquarium follow the flow of water from rain, through the underground aquifer, down rivers and streams, to our bays and beaches, and then on into the Gulf of Mexico! The huge, half-million gallon coral tank is breathtaking and there are opportunities to interact with some of Florida's animals in touch tanks. The brave can even dive in with the sharks - seriously! And for those of you who want to get away and explore the waters and bays around the aquarium, there are Eco-Tours aboard a 64-foot catamaran! This is a great attraction for visitors and natives alike. Visit the Florida Aquarium website HERE.

If you love to see your world in black and white go visit some of the most interesting people and places HERE at Mo nochrome Maniacs! It's made possible each week by Aileni.