"Don't worry, guys, we had to sell the building BUT we're still hiring."
"Yeah, we had to layoff the landscapers, but don't be concerned: YOUR jobs are secure"
"And we'll be getting that American flag back up REAL SOON... we're just a little shorthanded at the moment, what with having to sell the building and all!"
(Fort Lauderdale, FL; 04/29,2010)
When you drive down the long lane into a horse farm in South Florida, you can't miss seeing a smallish shed just before you get to the cabin. Looking closer, the signs "Charley's Place" and "Where The Buffalo Roams" stand out.
As with the rest of the farm, it is very nicely kept up, fresh paint, ceiling fan, etc. The building looks like a single loafing shed for a horse named Charley (it is a horse ranch after all), but what about the rest of the sign... where the buffalo roams... what's up with that?
The CLUE is a large lump under a tree at the far end of the field...
IT MOVES... and it has gotten up and is coming closer!
It is CHARLEY THE BUFFALO (a buffalo on a horse farm... a very nice horse farm... in South Florida? THAT is a story in and unto itself!!!)
OK... now here is a small problem. Charley is BIG (very big), doesn't look particularly pleased and is headed towards me at a very rapid rate (very rapid... the ground shakes when he gallops). There is a fence between us but I suspect the fence will be the equivalent of several toothpicks at the rate Charley is moving.
What to do????
A very quick shot and then GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!!
Epilogue: all came out well: Charley lost interest in trampling, mauling. eating, tossing or otherwise doing in the lone photographer and wandered off. I recovered nicely, aided by a cold beverage.
South Florida images...
April 22-23
(click here for high-def views of images)
Larry V's Dock
Early Morning Flower and Dew
Crooked Blue Door
Peanut Boat
Readers of this blog will remember one of my favorite whines (as opposed to favorite wines. which I never whine about) is that, when traveling, the only time I seem to have time to shoot is early morning, and even that is problematic given time changes and three hours sleep and all the "stuff" that has to be done when on the road.
SO, whining notwithstanding, I traversed the country in a week, managing to get sunrises on both Coasts.
It's All About Family and Friends
Easter, 2010.
(High-def copies of images at my Friends and Family Gallery... click here).
Dying the eggs
Jodi
Cheese Puff Happiness
Callie and a Rose
Stop and smell the flowers
The Feast