Pastel

Taste is a personal thing, don't you think?

Somewhere in Aqualane Shores in Naples.

Sleep Cheap

Sleep?  With a coral snake weaving through the wall boards?  There is NO way . . .

This is linked to Monday Mural.

This is part of the property of Everglades Wonder Gardens; an
unused building is now occupied by a mattress company.

The Real Macaw

The Real Macaw is a restaurant and bar on Bayshore Drive in Naples.

When I drove past, it looked a bit shabby, but the website suggests that it might be interesting.

Courtney

Courtney trained as a nurse but learned that the policies and working

conditions in a hospital are not for her.  While she builds her practice as a

home health care aide, she is working as a waitress.

Can you always pick your favorite photo right away?  I can't.

Clubhouse

It is quiet in the morning before the hordes

of golfers gather for the day.

(An iPhone photo.)

Weekend Reflections.

Runners Up

Yesterday's post was "photo of the year."  

Here are some other 2013 photos that I almost picked.

I loved this photo, and it got more comments than any other, but I didn't pick it for "photo of the year" because nature created it, not me.  The sunset was spectacular.  I just happened to be in a good location with my camera, tripod and shutter release.

This was my favorite fall foliage photo.  I liked the sun flare.  Viewers didn't say much about it.

This was a very popular photograph, but it was taken somewhere in the Carolinas while I was driving between Hartford and Naples for the season.  I thought the "photo of the year" for a blog like this should be in Florida or Connecticut, not an "out of the jurisdiction" photo.

This recent "out of the jurisdiction" South Africa photo amazed me.  I couldn't believe that I managed to line up the transmission towers so perfectly while speeding on a highway and shooting out of the passenger window.

And this is my personal favorite for 2013.  Like the last two, it is an "out of the jurisdiction" photograph.  I thought the stonework in the floor of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice was dazzling, and I liked the subtle way that other visitors were present through their shadows.

Photo of the Year

The monthly theme in April for City Daily Photo bloggers was "pedestrians crossing."  I went to a shopping center, found a bench near a busy crosswalk, and waited as inconspicuously as I could.

One hour and fifty lousy shots later, I was about to give up.  Then, I saw these two young girls walking in my direction.   I had forgotten how conformist teenagers are, dressing alike, buying the same stuff, striding in perfect rhythm with each other.  I waited until I had them positioned in the crosswalk, took a couple of discreet shots, checked that the photos were OK, then got up and left.  Mission accomplished.

Click here to see other bloggers' picks as "photo of the year."

Happy New Year!