"Cafe Racer" & A Storm in Madeira Beach!

Still at the beach. Found my "internet" location as the timeshare is in the process, but yet does not have wireless. The place is an amazing place to visit.....called: Cafe Racer! It is a coffee shop with motorcycles, tables for lunch/jig saw puzzles, and wireless.....plus a lot more. Stop in at Madeira Beach....on Madeira Way, just off the main road back to the mainland. Lovely place I like a lot....but still stick with "one shot" in my coffee (They offer up to 4!!!) Their website: IS HERE!



















Before the storm the water is blue, the beach sand clean....





After, the picture, although in color, looks a lot like a black and white. The water rose in front of the high winds and sent seaweed into the beach lounges...something I've not seen in 15 years coming here. It was a big cold front....dropped us to 51 degrees....quite cool for October!

Duke

"Mad" Beach

The title is the locals' name for Madeira Beach, Florida. The Duchess and I have time share here and spend the last two weeks each October. The weather is almost always breaking toward cool, and the humidity is dropping. 51 degrees Tuesday morning.

The 1st pic is called Birds Day at The Beach! Notice the pelicans grouped on the water while the many types of gulls and other seabirds gather ashore...not a human in sight.


This one I simply call Textures. I love the swirls and ripples left in the aras of small pools around a concrete wall. Shells cover the point.

I hope to have lots more ere our two weeks are ended. I'm tyring to avoid the standard sunset pictures this year....unless something really unique occurs which I can catch from the deck or the balcony.

Back to the beach
Duke

Beach Sunset Near Pass-a-Grille

Duchess was bored and so we loaded the Suzuki, opened the convertible top and headed to the beach. What a perfect sunset and what perfect weather! The tempwas just right, the breeze fresh and comfortable.
The walkway over the seagrass bunker was inviting....

This seemed a perfect comment on the wait for the final minutes until sundown. Duchess, comfortable on a bench sitting in front of the seagrass.

Then the moment was right. A couple sat taking in the same view we saw. A flock was passing in front of the setting sun, and all was right with the world.


We head to Madeira Beach next weekend for two wonderful weeks with our balcony overlooking the gulf. I cannot wait!

Duke

Our Home Sweet Home

Less one begin to believe I only exist in ventures such as those you might read in other posts about our Tampa Bay area, here is a pic of one of my pride and joy gardening ventures....an arch over the front walk of our home.

The green vines which have, in less than 18 months, covered this arch are a combination of Confederate Jasmine and Bleeding Hearts. The speed with which this arch has covered has amazed me. I had anticipated at least two-three years for the vines to grow into place.
The bleeding hearts are actually in bloom, as one closeup shows. They grow in clusters and are highlighted, for the most part, as they appear on the newer, bright green leaves of the vines. I love their delicate look and the Jasmine which blooms in the Spring will provide a lovely scent which I am told is sometimes fragrant for up to a block away.

Duke

Booker Creek Is Close and Fine!

The picture possibilities are endless at Booker Creek Park (in Pinellas County, but easily accessible from West Hillsborough....out through Oldsmar.

The Duchess and I spent part of yesterday afternoon there and gathered a lot of pics...

This is the beginning of a wooden walkway over one of the swampy areas in the park....actually there are several. The temps were fine and the walking nice. Unfortunately, there were still a few of those pesky mosquitos around and they took a bite or two, but were little problem if one kept moving.

Moving, however, meant not stopping too long to view some of the surprises we found like this fellow.... about 4 feet in length total and quite happy on a log in the middle of the swamp.

Further on birds were looking for a handout and landed just a foot or two from us. The place was literally crawling with wildlife as we were two of the few in the entire park on a Fall day with school in progress. The critters were there by hundreds. Many were the squirrels who tracked our every move, obviously anticipating we would suddenly throw out a feast of some kind for them. The squirrels and others creatures here are often fed by visitors. They learn to anticipate this feeding.

Perched in a small tree waterside on the small lake in the park was this bird which, as we neared, spread its wings tentatively in anticipation of a rush by us. All in all it was a wonderful outing. A walk combined with the views of wildlife so seldom seen. Try a visit to Booker Creek when next you need to spend an hour or two and wish to be a bit closer to nature.

Duke

Hello!

A Tampa resident of more than 15 years.....and a lover of the place where we live, I shall post pictures of my exploration of the Tampa Bay area and hope to provide to my readers the things they wish to see!

Duke