Solace

Swooping pelican on Big Hickory Island

"I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself."

*

D. H. Lawrence "Self Pity"

There goes the neighborhood (5)

To finish up our (controversial!) home series, I'm presenting a typical backyard landscape. What's unusual is this children's playhouse, next to the caged lanai.

The family enjoys both the golf course and the lake views.

And yes, that's a cormorant in flight...

There goes the neighborhood (4)

Continuing our homes series (please see the previous 3 posts, if you've just arrived).

Pineapple Palm tree, circular drive, and another fairly typical home style. All one level (with cathedral ceilings), but notice that extra room above the garage.

Guest suite...or maid quarters?

Quiz Tuesday part 29 (plus home series 3)

Continuing our homes series (please see the previous 2 posts, if you've just arrived).
Also, I promise to address all the issues you raised concerning this subject, on a special post, at the end of the series.

If you are a frequent visitor to this blog (and why wouldn't you be?), you might notice that this particular home does not fit in with the prevailing Mediterranean architectural style of Naples.

Obviously, the owners recreated their beloved, pre-retirement home - most likely from the Eastern part of the country (New England, would be my guess).

Today's challenge: To find as many un-Floridian aspects to this photo as you can! I can assure you that there are no less than five...

I will start you off: 1. grey, rainy skies (yes, we do get them occasionally)

There goes the neighborhood (2)

Continuing our homes series (please see yesterday's post if you've just arrived).

This is a typical 2 story executive home. Everything is doubled in size - the square footage, the front entrance, the back cage over the lanai, the palm trees...

And the mortgage payment, no doubt ;-)

Update: For those of you, unfamiliar with a "caged lanai" - it is a back patio, tiled or paved, with a heated pool and a spa (jacuzzi) that is completely screened in. No bugs, no errant leaves, no mess. See some examples here.

There goes the neighborhood (1)

Today I'm starting a new series - homes in my community. It will also let you see the typical residential landscaping.

Most communities consist of garden condominiums, coach homes, villas, single-family homes, executive homes, premium estates and luxury high-risers, but I will concentrate on the middle of the road executive homes (price range $1-3 million).

This one is representative of the Naples gated community 1-level style homes. In the rear, it sports a large caged lanai with a pool and a view of a lake...or a golf course...or both ;-)

Bite me!

Coconut Point Festival of Arts

Feeling crabby today.

Nothing much to say.

Come back another day!

Isabella

Just hanging around...

Anhinga in the wetlands

"Some keep the Sabbath going to Church,

I keep it staying at Home -

With a bobolink (blackbird*) for a Chorister (choir singer),

And an Orchard, for a Dome."

~Emily Dickinson

* translation for my foreign readers

Where art thou, Perseus?

In the neighborhood

"Near them their sisters three, the Gorgons, winged
With snakes for hair— hated of mortal man—"

Have no idea what this snake-like plant is called, but it made me think of Medusa's hair...

Xanadu V

All good things must come to an end...

I enjoyed your company at my private beach on Big Hickory Island, but it's time to catch the last shuttle boat back to the Coconut marina.

Your place next weekend?

Quiz Tuesday part 28

We are still on my private beach - lying belly up, periodically re-applying the suntan oil, making occasional trips to the Pavilion bar...

Amongst the sea (!) of green umbrellas, we notice this lonely blue one, part of a small seating arrangement.

Today's question: what purpose does this isolated spot serve?

Xanadu IV

Friday, we took a boat trip to my private beach on Big Hickory Island.

Well, here we are - in our own little paradise. Away from the madding crowd...

I promised you shelling (that's what the mother-daughter team is doing) and swimming (that's what the parents are teaching their little boy). More photos here.

And, especially for Nikon, a bikini ;-)

Xanadu III

Friday, we took a boat trip to my private beach on Big Hickory Island.

We are almost there! Can you smell the ocean? Can you hear the gentle waves lapping at the shore?

We crossed the island via these pathways, which meander past the beach pavilion (restaurant, sundeck and facilities).

Just pick one of those green umbrellas and settle down - we are going shelling and swimming next!

Xanadu II

Yesterday, we took a boat trip to my private beach on Big Hickory Island.

Enjoyed our short trip? Did you notice Dog Beach to starboard and catch the dancing dolphins off the port side? Here are some photos from our ride to remind you ;-)

We arrived at the landing dock, situated on the eastern coast of the island. Women and children first!

Can you feel the excitement building? The sun is strong, the breeze is light and the seagulls are calling our names...

Xanadu I

Did I ever mention that I own a private beach? I can just see Peter rolling his eyes and thinking "Isabella is fibbing again", but not this time ;-)

See, my community has a private beach on a small island on the Gulf of Mexico and I own shares in the community ergo...I own the beach! Or if you want to be technical about it, I own about a bucketful of sand!

Starting today, if you have no better offers, come along on my beach outing. Pack your suntan lotion, stretch out your bikini (I do!) and follow me.

We are starting out at the marina, from which we take a pontoon boat for a 15 minute ride on Estero Bay to Big Hickory Island. All aboard!

Self-love

Ran into my old pal again - Ann, the vain Anhinga, is back by the creek, admiring her reflection.

For those of you who haven't met her previously, please check out this post.

Bird ditty

Naples city dock

"A wonderful bird is the pelican

His bill (beak) will hold more than his belican (stomach can).

He can take in his beak

Food enough for a week,

But I'm damned if I see how the helican. (hell he can)"

~Dixon Lanier Merritt

This is a very funny verse, but I imagine it might be difficult for my foreign visitors. So I've added some words in parenthesis to make it a bit clearer...

Quiz Tuesday part 27

Without exaggerating, there are hundreds of known varieties of palm trees, and, without exaggerating again, you'll find most of them in my own community.

Some are more exotic and more ornamental than others. And you know the saying "Keeping up with the Joneses "? Well, around here, it's more like "My palm is nicer than your palm" ;-).

Today's question: can you name this palm tree?

Ace

Our Pro at the Community Tennis Center

The 2007 French Open ended yesterday with an impressive 3rd straight win in Paris for the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, over Roger Federer from Switzerland. Quite an accomplishment for a 21-year old.

I used to be a decent tennis player until I tore my cartilage and had to have knee surgery. Now I baby it to a fault - if you hit the ball to me I'll return it, otherwise don't bother, I won't chase it ;-)

What's your game?

Off hours

Quiet Sunday morning at the Plaza Mall, downtown Naples.

Just you and the bronzed herons...

Food for thought

The Village on Venetian Bay, Naples

"Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, others just gargle."

Dr. Robert Anthony (self-help guru)

Hmmm...Happy weekend everyone!

He's baaack...

From the frequent references to Al in your comments, I surmise that you miss the little tyke...So here he is, only about 5 feet from where I'm standing!

And here are some Alligator Facts:

- The alligator became the official state reptile of Florida in 1987.

- Spanish sailors visiting the New World thought the unfamiliar alligator was a huge lizard. In Spanish, el lagarto means the lizard. English sailors took the name as allagarter and in time it has become alligator.

- Alligators are hunted mostly for their skins, but also they are hunted for meat. Today, there is a multi-million dollar industry in which alligators are raised in captivity for the production of meat and skin.

Anybody for some grilled alligator sausage with horseradish and creole mustard?

Body and Soul

Here are some more pastels that scream Olde Florida to me...

This cozy corner, right on the historic Fifth Avenue South, in the heart of old Naples, is shared by two very different establishments - Shaw Gallery of Fine Arts and Quiet Storm Surf Shop.

Hence the title. To each his own ;-)

Update: Prompted by Olivier's question, I found a link to Ella Fitzgerald 1965 version of the classic song "Body and Soul". Enjoy!

Blushing

This hibiscus, opening outside my den window, is for you, with thanks for celebrating my 200th post yesterday!

"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere."
- Vincent Van Gogh

Quiz Tuesday part 26 and a Bicentpostal!

Yes, it is Quiz Tuesday, but it is also my 200th post!

No muss, no fuss, no fanfare...but I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Eric and his brainchild, DP, and thank you all for your many visits and comments on Naples Daily Photo.

Being a part of the DP community allowed me to travel around the globe and meet some wonderfully quirky people! It attracted (very flattering) attention from some magazines and newspapers. It sharpened my vision and awareness of my surroundings and as such, deepened my appreciation for it...And for that I am grateful.

Now, back to our regular programming ;-)
This impressive tableau was featured at the Coconut Point Art Festival, right alongside this one.

Today's question: which city is depicted in this artwork? And for some extra points: why aren't I there?!

Wet, but sunny again!

One of the things I love about Florida - just seconds after the rain abated, the sun shines through...

"Love comforteth like sunshine after rain."

*

William Shakespeare Venus and Adonis

Not so Sunny Daze

I hope this answers your question: is it always sunny in Naples?

This is the start of our rainy and, what's worse, our hurricane season (June to October). This year, the forecasters have said they expect to be busier than normal. The National Weather Service said it expects 13 to 17 tropical storms, with 7 to 10 of them becoming hurricanes and 3 to 5 of them in the strong category...

We are at the city dock of Naples, watching the clouds roll in...So, in the words of Bette Davis - fasten your seat belts . . . it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Branching out

"A bird in the hand is a certainty, but a bird in the bush may sing."
Bret Harte

Theme day - A view from my bedroom window

What? You don't believe that's the view from my bedroom? I wish I had time to convince you but George (that's Mr. Clooney to you) is calling me from the beach...

Oh, OK, so I'm fantasizing...Here's the real view, which you have seen in a previous post.

85 Daily Photo bloggers are participating today in this theme day, so if you want to have a peek at what their bedroom view is like, just click on any of the links below:
Seattle (WA), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Toruń, Poland - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Vantaa, Finland - Madison (WI), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Omaha (NE), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stockholm, Sweden - Grenoble, France - Lubbock (TX), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Hyde, UK - Joplin (MO), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Kansas City (MO), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Manila, Philippines - Sydney, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - London, UK - Chandler (AZ), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Singapore, Singapore - Hamburg, Germany - Sydney, Australia - Tenerife, Spain - Moscow, Russia - Lyon, France - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Evry, France - Hayle, UK - Mumbai, India - Kitakami, Japan - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - La Antigua, Guatemala - Paderborn, Germany - San Diego (CA), USA - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Madrid, Spain - Lyon, France - Selma (AL), USA - Shanghai, China - Baziège, France - Cologne (NRW), Germany - North Bay (ON), Canada - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Stayton (OR), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Hong Kong, China - Trier, Germany - Joensuu, Finland - Paris, France - Greenville (SC), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Cork, Ireland - Bastia, France - Vancouver, Canada - Brookville (OH), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Mainz, Germany - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Zurich, Switzerland