Happy Birthday!

 I took a quick trip to Connecticut for the fifth birthday of a special little girl.

She wore the Minnie Mouse dress that she got for her second birthday, even though it doesn't fit any more.

The new trampoline was a big hit at the party.  Ten little kids in town slept well that night.

Yabba Island Grill

 

This long-lived restaurant  has a Caribbean vibe and a menu that is as close to affordable as one will find in Naples at a prime location on Fifth Avenue South.

Wood Stork

 I am often fascinated to see how sleek and aerodynamic birds make their bodies when they fly past.

Let's Combine the Last Two Days

 

Show-offs!

Posted in Weekend Reflections.

Ibises

 Yeah, people love roseate spoonbills, but don't you think ibises deserve some love, too?

Roseate Spoonbills

 People in my Southwest Florida community are crazy about sightings of roseate spoonbills.

George Washington

 I'm digging into the Connecticut archives for an image of George Washington on his birthday.

The most famous bust of Washington is a marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon in the mid-1780s.  Beginning in the 1850s, other artists began making bronze busts of Washington based on the Houdon marble original.  This bust by an unknown artist is in the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Happy birthday, General Washington.

More from the Naples National Art Show

Jane Vallejo is a Naples artist who also has an extensive line of colorful women's clothing.  A few years ago someone was knocking off her designs.  She sued and a settlement was negotiated, so her copyrights are no longer being infringed.  

Several photographers show large scale and colorful images.  

Naples National Art Show

This prominent art show took place yesterday and continues today on 8th Street South and Cambier Park. 

I took panoramic photos of the spaces behind the artist tents.

Cocohatchee River

 I was riding my e-bike down Vanderbilt Drive and paused on the bridge to admire the river.

8th Street South

 

A glass installation outside a parking garage offers nice color effects on Naples' 8th Street South.

Banyan Tree

An old, somewhat neglected banyan tree stands alone in a small, somewhat neglected park.

Naples is a wealthy town.  It sometimes feels like everything is a bit too perfect.  Makes me want to drop a paper coffee cup on the ground.  But, neighboring Bonita Springs is down to earth and a bit down at the mouth.  I kind of like it.  Then I go back to my perfect home in perfect Naples.

Shangri-La Springs

 

Shangri-La Springs is a historic hotel, restaurant and event venue in the oldest part of Bonita Springs.  It celebrated its 100-year anniversary last year.  The hotel has a popular organic spa program (whatever that means).  The 8 acres of grounds hold numerous Eastern statues.  

McSwain Home

 In Greece, old places are from 500 BC.  In other parts of Europe, old places might be from the Middle Ages.  In New England, where I spent most of my life, old places are from the 1600s and 1700s.

In Bonita Springs, the oldest house is from 1915.

The Art Show Again

 

A beautiful day, lots of good artists and crafters.

Bonita Springs National Art Festival

 A bit fewer artists and their tents, and a bit fewer visitors looking, but it was good to see that this outdoor art show in Riverside Park went on, much as it always does.

There was a place for folks to sit and enjoy lunch.

A booth with straw hats for women was popular.

A photographer was showing VERY big works.

I decided that I would photograph general scenes and wouldn't focus on specific artists.  So, I left big cameras home and just used my iPhone 13 Pro Max   I might do this more often.