Knees

The structures appearing above the cypress roots are called knees.  No one knows
what their function is.  Some think they help with oxygenating the trees.
Others think they help stabilize the tall trees in the soft mud of a swamp.

Four Consecutive National Championships!

Connecticut 82, Syracuse 51

The UConn women's basketball team won their fourth consecutive national championship last night.

 An undefeated 38-0 winning record this year.  75 consecutive wins, beginning three years ago.

It was the eleventh national championship for UConn teams coached by Geno Auriemma.



The senior class -- Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck -- ended
with a four-year record of 151-5.

Breanna Stewart was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament
for the fourth year in a row . . . every year she has played.

Congratulations!

Photo credits:  ESPN

Renovations

A tired strip mall on Vanderbilt Beach Road has just finished renovations.  The owner added some new color-block façades and unifying canopies and signage.  It looks pretty good now.

Winds of Change

The owner/developer of the Inn on Fifth has a vision for the redevelopment of Naples'

premier restaurant and shopping street.  He has bought up several older properties that
are only one story high. to replace with denser, higher and fancier development,

including residences on the upper floors.

I have mixed feelings.  I like the current mix, but change is inevitable.
Is it too fast?  Is it the right change?  Time will tell.

Safe Place

A large sign at the small North Naples branch library informs runaways 

that they can get anonymous support from staff members.

A Slow Round of Golf

It was a slow round of golf, with lots of waiting.  Fortunately, I brought a small camera

because some nice birds have been near the course recently.

My favorite wading bird is the wood stork.  They are classified as endangered by both 

the State of Florida and the federal government, but they are often near my golf course.  

Their biggest longterm threats are the destruction and degradation of the wetlands.

 

 Golfer X gave the ball a long ride.

A great white egret waded into a small pond with a heavy cover of duckweed.
His head kept bobbing as he searched for insects and fish.

I asked Golfer Y if he minded if I used this photo of him.  His response:
"Is this the hole I hit a great drive, knocked it a little over the green, putted down the hill, and made the put for a par and an 83? If so, you definitely have my permission."

The Beauty of Simplicity

A backlit palmetto.

To see other photographers' interpretation of "the beauty of simplicity," click here.