Last Neighborhood Walks of November

Greenhouses at Elizabeth Park.

Birch Road runner.

Rustic bridge in Elizabeth Park.

Gazebo in Elizabeth Park rose garden.

19th century brick farmhouse with a maple tree that is determined not to drop its leaves.

Soon to be a hockey rink when it gets a few degrees colder.

Flying back to Naples today.

One Classical, One Modern

Two night shots in downtown Hartford.

Marquis de Lafayette on horseback in front of Bushnell Hall.

Alexander Calder's Stegosaurus in Burr Mall, between Hartford's Municipal Building

(partially seen here on the right) and the Wadsworth Atheneum.

A Holiday Party at the Pond House

Gingerbread houses, decorated trees, fancy dresses.

Family Photographs

Stephanie is one of eight children.  She gathered in Elizabeth Park with her family, all dressed in white and blue for family photographs.  So, naturally I  barged in and took my own shots.

Stephanie is at the left with daughter Emma, niece Jaheim and nephew Jaida.

Don't you love it when you yell "jump!" to a bunch of strangers and everyone is up in the air?

A recently felled tree was the setting for lots of the photos.

West Hartford

Back in West Hartford.  The leaves are (mostly) off the trees, the air is cold
but fresh, and the afternoon light is clear.

The Good Stuff

Gotta bring out the good stuff for Thanksgiving.

Much to Be Thankful For

Let's be thankful for family and friends.

And, in my own case, and in particular, for the newest addition to the family, Willa.

One of the carers at the day care facility has a knack for pigtails.

Willa is singing about a tea pot, short and stout.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Little Blue Heron and Great Egret

I am pretty sure this is a little blue heron.  It is darker and smaller than a great blue heron.

And this is a great egret.  Similar to the great blue heron but a bit smaller and nearly pure white.

Back to Connecticut for Thanksgiving.

Old Florida Festival - Soldiers

Most of the re-enactors at the Old Florida Festival were from Florida history.
20th century soldiers from the two world wars were also plentiful.

Old Florida Festival - 19th Century

I am pretty sure this Union soldier is Harold Weeks, President of the Collier County NAACP.

Old Florida Festival - Seminoles and Settlers

Last weekend the 27th Old Florida Festival was held on the campus of the

Collier County Museums in Naples.

Seminoles were a loose knit band of Native Americans, primarily Creek Indians and blacks. 

Seminoles in Florida engaged in a series of lengthy 19th century battles with the federal

government, resulting in many being resettled in Oklahoma in 1842.

Another Seminole.

More Seminoles.

Lunch.

Two settlers.

Conquistador.

Naples Beach and Golf Club

The Naples Beach and Golf Club occupies a prime location between U.S. Route 41 and the Gulf of Mexico.  It has been here for the last 75 years.  The family that owns it is said to be shopping it to new owners.  Great location on the beach, golf course underwent a major renovation 

over the summer, but the hotel building could use some modernization.

Wood Storks

I came across 10-12 wood storks on the 17th hole of my golf course, so, after finishing, 

I hurried back to the house to pick up a camera with a telephoto lens.

Wood storks are big white wading birds with long beaks and gnarly necks and heads.

They were categorized until 2014 as "endangered" but are now categorized as "threatened."

 They spend some time in my North Naples community, but seeing 10-12 at once is uncommon.

Yesterday there were fewer wood storks, and they were joined by roseate spoonbills.

Beautiful birds.

A Calusa Potter

A Calusa potter makes pots with a coiling technique.

Marco Island Historical Museum

A Calusa Shaman and His Apprentice

The Marco Island Historical Museum is a bit of a giggle, since "Historical" doesn't fit well with a city developed almost exclusively after 1960.  

Many of the exhibits are devoted to the Calusas, local Native Americans extinguished in the mid 1700s by famine, pestilence and settlers' rifles.  A shaman -- spiritual leader -- pays tribute to the gods with a daily offering.  His young apprentice assists in the ceremony.