AQHA World Championship Show

I decided to change directions a little.  This picture is an older picture.  It was taken in OKC at the fairgrounds sometime in the late 90's to 2000.  This picture is not that good of quality and I hope to find time to scan it into the computer.  I tried to take a picture of the original with a digital camera and it did not come out too well.  Hopefully I will be able to scan it and several older pictures and place them on here.

Dolphin Statue outside marineland of Florida

Picture was taken in June 2010 as my children and myself were driving back from Washington Oaks Garden State Park.  The feel of the "new" Marineland just feels empty.  In the past when I would stop at Marineland, you could feel excitement in the air.  It seemed like a lot was happening, even during the winter months, but now it just feels void of anything.   I still believe this is too bad, I understand that the dolphins are thriving and all and I am happy about this, but there used to be so much more to Marineland than just the Dolphins.  Yes, the dolphins were the main focal point, but they also had sperm whales, manatees, dragonfish, sharks, flamingoes, sea turtles, manta rays, and so much more.  You actually could learn about a lot of different types of marine mammals and animals.  You just do not feel the magic that was once there.

Entrance to the "new" Marineland

This picture was taken of my two children at what used to be the entrance to the original Marineland, in June of this year.   You parked on the west side of A1A and had to walk across the road through a crosswalk and would walk up the walk way passing this display.  As you walked you the walkway, they had different displays on the right hand side and just up on the left they had a Fudge Kitchen, which we used to buy fudge each time we went.  Then on up was the gift shop and the entrance way.  At least this display is still in the same location even though you have to walk a little out of the way to get to it.  Parking is now west of this area on the Atlantic Ocean side.  In the "old" days, there was gift shops, ponds, and exhibits, on the west side of A1A.  They had a 3D theatre, an electric eel exhibt, a rattlesnake show, along with other exhibits as well.  I still feel something has been lost in all the changes.  I grew up in St Augustine and even though it has changed a lot since I lived there, I feel some of it is for the better, but that is not the case for Marineland. It has lost alot of its charm and magic that was once there.

Dolphin Statue at Marineland of Florida

Was taken outside Marineland of Florida in June 2010.  When I was younger I used to go to Marineland on a regular basis.  I loved going and watching the dolphin shows and seeing the many variety of sealife they had.  I even enjoyed the rattelsnake and electric eel shows, but none of that is there anymore.  It used to be that a normal person could go and enjoy the park, but now days you have to either save a lot of money or have money to enjoy the park.  Too bad they had to make all the changes.  The park was a place where children could go and dream of becoming a dolphin trainer, marine biologist, or an oceanographer.  Taht was what happened to me, unfortunately my dreams did not come true, but Marineland was what made me pursue those dreams to start with.

Washington Oaks Garden State Park Waterway

This picture was taken in June 2010.  The children and I went to a state park I had not been to in around 30 years.  We went walking through some of the paths and we came up on some waterways and I decided to take some photos.

Hummingbird

This picture was taken at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park in June 2010.  I saw a hummimgbird hovering near a flower and attempted to get a picture.  I was only using 200 speed film, so as you can see the wings are a blur.

Hermit Crab

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Picture was taken at the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park near Marineland, FL in June 2010.  It was the first time my chidren had seen a hermit crab that was not in a store.

Lone Alligator

Taken in the swamp area of the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, FL

Birds of Africa Exhibt

Taken at the Bird's of Africa Exhibt at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, FL in June 2010.

Nesting Birds

Taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, FL in June 2010.  The birds and the nest were within touching distance from the boardwalk over the swamp.  You really could have reached out and touched the nest.

White Alligator

Taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, FL in June 2010

Blue Parrot

Taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, FL

The Great Cross

Florida Palm Tree

Komodo Dragon

Taken at the Alligator Farm in June 2010

The Castillo de San Marcos

Bridge of Lions

Was taken from the Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine, Fl in June 2010

Canons at the castillo de san Marcos

Was taken in June 2010 at the Castillo de San marcos in St Augustine, Fl.

Spanish Flag at the Castillo de San Marcos

Taken at the Castillo de San Marcos in June 2010.

The Great Cross

In 1565, Pedro Menedez de Aviles placed a small wodden cross in Florida's soil and founded the Mission de Dios.  the beginnings of Christianity in this new land led to numerous missions throughout Florida and, eventually, to the flourishing of the faith that we celebrate throughout this country.  The Great Cross is a tribute to that growth.  It serves to remind the visitor of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, as well as the role played by the Catholic religion in the history of both Florida and our Nation.

The Oldest Wooden School House

This picture was taken in June 2010.  It was taken from the back of the schoolhouse in the "garden" area.

"The Teacher" from the Oldest Wooden School House

Was taken at the Oldest Wooden School House in St Augstine, Fl.  I know the teacher had a name, but at this time I can not remember it.  I would appreciate it if anyone could tell me the teachers name.  If you know it, please leave me a comment. 

"Johnny" from the Oldest Wooden School House

Was taken at the Oldest Wooden School House in St Augustine, Fl.  The inside of the schoo house is dark and I did not use a flash on my camera, so that is the reason for the coloration.  The school house was educational and the kids really seemed to enjoy it.

Crocodile at the Alligator Farm

Taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, Fl in June 2010.  If anyone knows what type of crocodile this is, I would appreciate if you would leave a comment, so I can update the title.

The Alligator Pit

Taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, Fl in June 2010

White Alligator

Taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, FL in June 2010.

Crescent Beach, FL

Was taken in june 2010, while on vacation.

Blue Parrot

Was taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, Fl in June 2010.

Crashing Waves

Granted this is not what most people would consider crashing waves, but this was how they were after the first day of vacation.  The first day the water was almost perfect, nice and calm.  The picture was taken at Crescent Beach, Fl in June 2010.

Oklahoma Sunrise6

taken on 9/30/10 just south of Covington, OK

Oklahoma Sunrise5

Taken on 9/30/10 just south of Covington, OK

Oklahoma Sunrise4

Taken 9/30/10 just south of Covington, OK

Oklahoma Sunrise3

Taken 9/30/10 just south of Covington, OK

Oklahoma Sunrise2

Taken 9/30/10 just south of Covington, OK

Oklahoma sunrise1

Picture taken 9/30/10 south of Covington, OK.

Dinner Time

Picture was taken June 2010 at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, FL.

Castillo de San Marcos

Photo was taken while on vacation in 2008.

In the Alligator Pit4

On this one I decided to do a close up on the alligator, but just could not get the right angle with the people around, but he does look like he is hungry or something.

In the Alligator Pit3

Here is one that shows her closer to the alligator, but it seems like I was mistaken.  I thought there was some alligators right behind the dugout, but they must have been further back.

In the Alligator Pit2

This is another picture, but this one gives you a glimpse of an alligator on her right.

In the Alligator Pit1

I finally found the pictures I was looking for.  This one she is in the pit, but what you do not see is that she had 2 or 3 alligators behind her and there was several more on her right and even if memory serves 1 or 2 on the other side of the dugout. 

Shrimp Boat in the Distance

Picture was taken at Crescent Beach, Fl.  I wanted to get a picture of the shrimp boat, but it was too far out for my camera,but at least I was able to at least get aview of it in the picture.

The Bridge of Lions under renovation

This picture was taken in 2008 while we were on vacation in St Augustine, Fl.  They have since completed the renovations, but I have heard and read that they have been having difficulties since it was completed.  this is unfortunate as I have always liked the Bridge and was glad to hear that they had decided to renovate instead of replace.

Moon on Display

Was taken on the morning of 9/22/10. There was a full moon out and I kept tryong to get a picture of it, but nothing turned out the way I would have liked it. As I was driving into town I noticed the moon hanging down the middle of the street, between the street lights, so I decided to try and get a picture of that because I liked the looks of it. It did not come out exactly the way I wanted, but I thought it was a fair shot. Feel free to leave any comments good or bad.





Cloudy Oklahoma Sky

In Rememberance of 9/11

Picture was taken the morning of 9/11/2010. The flag is hanging off of the ladder of one of the fire trucks at the main fire station in Enid, OK. I will post a few more pictures of the flag at a later date.
I did some modification to the picture, but wanted to add the dedication instead of just having a plain picture.



 



Oklahoma Sunrise





Birds of the Alligator Farm

Taken at the Alligator Farm in June 2010.  The picture is of wild  brds in the swamp/migrating area of the park.

Alligators in the Swamp

Picture was taken at the Alligator Farm in June 2010.  It was taken in the alligator swamp area.

After Meal Nap

I do not if he/she had just finshed a meal or not, but that is how it appears to me.  Picture was taken at the Alligator Farm in St Augustine, Fl and he/she never moved during the entire show that happened.