Florida, The Sunshine State (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #65)

Posted on by Prior...

The Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week is hosted by Tina and she invited bloggers to “Pick a Place”

Author side note – if you are a Game of Thrones fan, you might want to check out Amy’s Croatia Post (here). I finally watched GOT and  it was quite the experience (and yes, I fast forwarded some of the rough scenes). Favorite line from GOT  – when Arya responded, “Not today.”

For my entry this week, I chose Florida, a.k.a. The Sunshine State

Florida is a peninsula, in Southern United States, with a collection of islands, marshes, springs, swamps, and hundreds of lakes, rivers and ponds. The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon led the first European expedition to Florida in 1513, and he named the state in honor of Spain’s Easter celebration known as Pascua Florida, or Feast of Flowers.
Destin, Fla. (Did you know the old school way of abbreviating Florida was to use “Fla.” and not FL)
IN THIS FLORIDA BEACH PHOTO, I liked the GRADATION Of THE PEOPLE ON THE HORIZON LINE – LEFT TO RIGHT WE HAVE A BIT OF A CURVE FROM THE SUNRISE DIRECTION – SMALL CHILD with arm bent – ADULTS a Bit HIGHER – UMBRELLA – all leading TO THE RIGHT…. and then we have all the sand….

 

 

FLORIDA STREET ART 

This mural seems to depict many aspects of the Sunshine State. I think that the building center is Flagler college (or hospital) from St Augustine. I assume some of the high rises are Miami buildings (and maybe other larger FL cities). The mural has space and military connections, music, art, palm trees, sunglasses, umbrellas, benches, and cultural diversity. I do NOT see Mickey – do you? Oh and if you like street art, check out Scooj’s site (here) where you will find around 2,500 street art posts. 

POOL TIME

THE OCEAN IS WONDERFUL  – BUT POOLS HAVE A PLACE IN FLORIDA TOO!

 

 

 

READING POOLSIDE – This brings a smile and  linking this shot to Trent’s Weekly smile.  Currently READING MORE ABOUT THE ENERGY SYSTEMS IN THE BODY (MERIDIANS) AND HOW THE THOUGHTS WE HAVE IMPACT PHYSICAL STRENGTH. 

The meridians are composed of 12 (+2) pathways that carry energy in, through, and out of the body. Each meridian serves different organs and systems. The meridians rise and fall like a river’s water level – and they directly impact your immune system – which is where all health lies. Another plug for doing gentle yoga – much of the stretching and breathing done in yoga can help meridian flow. Nice….

Three PEOPLE SHOTS FROM DESTIN, FL

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

PALM TREES

DID YOU KNOW FLORIDA PALM TREES ARE UNDER ATTACK FROM THE INSECT HAPLAXIUS CRUDUS?

Lethal bronzing, which experts say originated in Mexico, first appeared in Tampa in 2006. Lethal bronzing happens when rice-shaped insects leave bacteria on a tree, causing it to turn bronze and then rot away. Video is HERE.  The disease is transmitted solely by the haplaxius crudus, a tiny winged insect, also called the American palm cixiid or, a treehopper. Florida’s official state tree — the broad-leafed Sabal Palm — is especially susceptible to lethal bronzing.

HEALTHY PALM TREE PHOTOS FROM OUR LAST FL VISIT

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

LOST A LITTLE SLEEP TO CATCH THIS SUNRISE….

Linking this photo to XingfuMama’s Pull Up A Seat 

THIS NEXT PHOTO FEELS SO FLORIDA:

 NOTICE THE JUNK PILE LEFT – IT HAS DISCARDED BOATS PILED IN IT – AND THEN TO THE RIGHT — THE PILE OF DUNG (LINKED TO PROFRIFOLLIES).


 

ALLIGATOR SOUVENIRS

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

To JOIN in with the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, 

Or to get more info, 

go here

–

Okay – so what are your thoughts on this post or any topic in this post?

How do you feel about Florida? You can tell I love the place; however, only to visit – and would never want to live there again. 

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

89 thoughts on “Florida, The Sunshine State (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #65)”

  3. Well, this was a very entertaining and interesting post, Yvette. 👏🏻 Love the ‘Dung beetle wisdom’. 🤣 Your beach photo with the people and umbrella is very pleasing to the eye. It has a lovely sense of order, which I like.

    Like

    1. Hi S- and as you know – Florida can be so diverse and so I kept the post to a minimum – but did not even get to mention the birds or other wildlife that you show so often on your blog…. such a nice state indeed.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I rarely see early morning light personally, so it is a treat to see it in your beautiful photos. I have been to Florida a couple of times – but just passing through. It looks like a fun place to visit (well, maybe minus the dung beetles).

    Like

    1. Hi – thanks for the nice comment and hope you get the chance to spend some time in Fla eventually and glad to share the early morning photos – 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Great photos, I’m a fan of good street art. I also love the beach, although both times I’ve been to Florida I didn’t see sand.

    Like

    1. Hi Tara – regarding not seeing sand when you were in Florida – I would assume you were in Orlando or someplace inland. Because even tho Fl has all those lakes and is surround by water three sides – there is a whole lot of area without sand – so that does not surprise me at all

      Like

    2. also – important to differentiate the difference between street art and “good” street art – because not all is good 🙂

      Like

    1. thanks – whoever made that dung beetle wisdom was clever – and I would add to the list that “sometimes we get good stuff from the crap in life…” ha

      Like

  8. Lovely summary of Fla (yes I’m still old school) highlights Yvette. Must admit I didn’t love the alligator souvenirs though. They are such amazing creatures really. And I hadn’t heard of the palm tree insect – that is truly awful. Don’t mean to focus on the negative though, enjoyed your post from start to finish

    Liked by 1 person

    1. cheers to the “ef elle eh…” Fla
      and actually I am so glad yo mentioned that about the souvenirs – speaking of old school with the Fla – seeing the real alligator stuff did feel kind of off – I was surprised actually – and we have seen these at gas stations for years now – but this was the first time they had the feet – and the small size felt questionable too – hmmmm – thanks for mentioning that – and wishing you a great rest of the week, Tina

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Thank you for the beautiful and fun tour to Florida! Lovely light – and I was happy to come with you instead of going myself!

    Like

    1. thanks BB – and my son actually has one of the jaws – it was a gift more than a decade ago – and not sure if he cared to much for it – but I do wonder about the way they make these – maybe they are not even real… let’s hope

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Beaches and sunsets/sunrises — you had me there.

    So sad to read about the palms. We have a similar problem with our Kauri tree and a bacterial infection. They are very slow-growing natives and utterly magnificent. Losing them will tear a huge hole in our forest eco-systems.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. well I hope they find a solution for your Kauri trees, Su.
      I have read a few different takes on the current bacteria problem with the palms (and it might apply to yours) but someone said that trees have had pest problems many times and that this is just the latest – they did not overly minimize it – but they did say that resolve would come and to take heart – well fingers crossed !!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank is Yvette. I’m sure you’re right that species do periodically face threats like this. I think what is different with fungus infecting our trees is that it is spread far and wide by people. In the past, outbreaks would be localised, because carriers were less mobile than we car-driving, flight-taking humans.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Love your Florida photos! We have been traveling to Florida at least once a year for over 45 years. It’s a beautiful state with much more to enjoy than just beaches and theme parks. You have captured it beautifully.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I love the photos and the information today. It’s funny that you mention the old abbreviations. I remember having to learn those in school. The first picture, with the grass growing out of the sand, is stunning. The composition is perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. I’ve really been missing Florida lately. Well, maybe not so much Florida but doctors, grocery stores, and shopping. LOL! Other than that… I enjoyed the beach but give me a pool anytime so I can see what I’m swimming with!

    Love all your photos but that sunrise is gorgeous. Your Dung Beetle Wisdom made me laugh.

    Hope all is well! Hugs, L

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Florida is Marco Island, the Keys and Miami to me. Each of them has a place in my heart and if made to pick, I’d go with Miami only because of the cubano. And the fact I dig the bustle with my sand.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. The original had salami to go along with ham, swiss, pickles and mustard. It actually originated in Tampa, but when Miami began blending in more and more of Havana, the Cubano made its way south and became synonymous with the town.

        Like

  28. Wow – your photos of Florida run the gamut of beauty to kitschy (dung beetle crossing and alligator souvenirs) all in one post. That’s a beautiful sun/sand shot and the one shot of the sand, that sand almost looks like snow as it’s so white. I remember using the three or four letters for state abbreviations – it was easier to ID them I think – we were always “Mich.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi – I agree that the longer abbreviations make it easier but I guess having a standardized system was important too
      And cheers to Mich.
      And thanks for the feedback

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Great captures! Loved them all! Also enjoyed the way you have presented it n linked to various challenges in an interesting way… Florida definitely is enticing 🙃 Hope I get to see it some day …

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi heart to heart- I extra appreciate your comment because I was hoping to link to the other challenges without forcing it- and whew – glad it rolled and flowed
      And when you do make it to Florida – be sure to go to a few different areas to get a good feel for the diversity 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Pingback: Friday Follies Season 5 PREMIER – Proscenium
  33. Pingback: Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2019-Week 39 | XingfuMama

  34. Beautiful sunrise!! I agree – great place to visit – but I like the change of seasons and where we live – winter doesn’t last too long!!

    Like

  35. Pingback: Smile Recap Week of 9/30 – 10/7/2019 #weeklysmile | Trent's World (the Blog)

  36. Such fun facts you shared about Florida. I’ve been there 4 times in my life and have a few (lots) of freckles to prove my midwestern lack of sun exposure wasn’t ready for the days at the beach! The dung beetles’ advice is splendid! Thank you for sharing your view of Florida with us. Wait…what’s your take on Mickey and Minnie?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Shelley – thanks for sharing about your fl experience – and it can be a blast of sun – I soak up a lot of sun now but in the early 90s I believed the lie that the sun was bad (I don’t believe it is the sunshine that causes cancer – but it is what people have going on in their body and immune system that leads to cancer cells going unbridled ) and I recall my friends visiting me and they were shocked I was not tan after living in Florida for a full year.
      Anyhow – note I get tan and get all that vitamin D made and more…
      And thoughts about Mickey and Minnie ?
      As characters – they are not my fav but I know a lot of little girls that adore Minnie – (( popular bday party theme these days)
      As for the Disney World park?
      We had season passes when we lived there and it was fun to have date nights. Those were special – but my memories of taking the kids reminds me of being exhausted – the Florida park is huge (heard the CA one is smaller) but I guess “going to Disney” is something many children in the US dream of…. and recently we heard the Disney cruises might be replacing the theme park vacations –
      What about you? Thoughts on Disney ? Mickey and Minnie?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome. I spent too many days basking in the sun, plenty of age-friendly freckles going on now that remind me of those days. I love the sun though. And now get my vitamin D3+K2 in drops.
        Mickey and Minnie are happy memories for us, we spent our honeymoon in FL – Cocoa Beach and 2 days on Disney Resorts – went to Disney and Epcot, then when our kids were little we took them there 3 times. Epcot is our favorite. (Every Person Comes Out Tired is right!!) We’ve never been on one of their cruises. I don’t think I’d enjoy that. I won a cruise trip via a former employer and we had a blast, but the night of the swells in the ocean have stuck with me – not something I’d enjoy repeating. How about you? Cruises your thing?

        Like

Comments are closed.