Crabby meets Big Foot

ORMOMD BEACH, FL - - I've spent more time walking on the beach in the past few weeks than in the 25 years we've lived close by (about 1.5 miles).  For three years prior, our OB residence was a long walk to the ocean.
     Now, with COVID-19 I do long walks nearly every morning  with a choice of six routes of varying lengths.  And the beach stretch, maybe a half mile in length, is a nice break.  Of course, it's getting more crowded with germ spreaders so caution is advised. 
     I nearly stepped on this small crab although since it was already deceased it probably wouldn't have mattered. 

Raindrops

Hibiscus

Sentinel Pass

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - When it's 90-plus outside and we're stuck at home instead of traveling because  too many nasty germs are floating around out there...or any time  when boredom sets in I go check out my archives.
     In this photo I / we are in the Canadian Rockies close by Moraine Lake and Lake Louise  (July10, 2004).  We wanted to do this hike to Sentinel Pass but the sign at the trailhead read: "Groups of 6 or more due to bear activity."  So we waited for a while, but nobody came.  So, we did it anyway.
     Look to the mid-right of this photo; follow the snow up to the top of the pass.  This is where we had lunch and returned on the same trail.
    

Father's Day sunrise

Later, the temperature was a toasty 92 degrees.

New flowers

Dune sunflower

Passion flower

A trio of lilly-like flowers which I can't really identify...

...in purple...

...and yellow

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - I seem to spy all sorts of flowers on my walks around our neighborhood...most of which are very colorful.   Naturally, I can't identify them all but I take photos anyway.

Replacement time

The high mileage 2019 model

New, no mileage 2020 model ready to go

Nice, new and ready to head on out

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - About this time for the last 15 or so years I treat myself to putting on a 'new' pair of Keen sandals.  Living in Florida and being retired there isn't any reason to wear shoes...except for hiking boots and my gym sneaks.  You may ask:  Do you mean you wear sandals when it's cold in the mountains of New Mexico or when it really rains on the Oregon coast?   Yes on both counts although I try to not step in puddles.
     We mainly do our shopping for outdoor / trail wear at REI and other outdoor stores during our wanderings.  A lot of business carry the Keen brand...and they have sales.  So our philosophy is:  If its on sale and it fits then buy and save the pair(s) for the next change over.
     Just like the 'new' pair in two of the photos which were actually purchased in either late 2018 or early 2019.  

Park Scene

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - There are two nice parks near the OB bridge on the opposite side of the Halifax from where we live.  This particular one has a water wheel and a small duck pond.  I thought the play of sun and shade plus some clouds made it appear to be a quiet day. 
     Of course what you don't see is the yoga class in a pavilion just to the right or the runners, dog walkers and parents exercising their small tax deductions.

Are you covered?

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Not much boat traffic on the Halifax River.  Only the lone sailboat about the center of the photo.  Up until 10 days ago, the traffic heading North was fairly steady.  Mainly because June 1...the official start of Hurricane Season...was at hand.  NOTE:  We haven't been at home in OB past mid-May but once (2016) since we started summer forays in 2006.
   Not being a golfing or fishing or boating person, I asked a sort of recent neighbor who is a sailor-type why June 1 was so important. It seems, and makes good sense, not to be on either coast of Florida during hurricane season.  If you're a boater  you need FL boater insurance.  Not sure what happens if the Coast Guard checks your papers after June 1 and you don't have the right coverage, but it's probably expensive. 

Toe-ing the line

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - A lot of times when I'm out photographing, my shutter finger gets a bit twitchy.  And, bingo!  I've popped off four or five frames without realizing it...or, if I do realize my mistake then I probably have no idea what the photos might be of. 
     Once in a while, they might not be too bad.  With the above photo I could probably spring a paragraph on light and lines and various objects juxtaposing with other things.  But really, this is just an exercise in posting another blog post when nothing even remotely exciting is happening. 

Sunflower ads

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - As the economy gears back up, many businesses have gotten creative to alert their customers (and new ones) they are back to (somewhat) normal.