A Florida Soft-Shelled Turtle

 And its reflection.

See other reflection photos in Weekend Reflections.

Indie

During this @#$%^& pandemic, I haven't been out and about very much, so I haven't been running into interesting new people to photograph.  But, I met Indie at a coffee shop recently.

Indie is 18 years old.  She is a student at a local college, studying child care.  Indie has been experimenting with makeup since she was 11.  

Now that Indie no longer lives at home, she is more experimental with makeup and piercings, in reaction to a home life she felt was too strict and unsupportive.  

Indie wants to use art as therapy for disabled children.

Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club

 After 75 years in operation under the same family's ownership, this landmark property was sold in November and will soon be demolished.  The new owners have big plans, not all of which are being greeted enthusiastically by neighbors.

The hotel was old-fashioned, maybe outdated and bordering on worn out.  But, it had a simple elegance .  With 1,000 feet of prime beach frontage, the hotel was a popular venue for big gatherings and watching sunsets.  It will be replaced by a Four Seasons Hotel and condos.  

Canal

The Naples Park neighborhood has canals cut along the waterfront so that more homeowners can have small docks and big boats.

A Great Egret

 

Putting on the brakes.

A Murder of Crows

 Back in sunny Naples.

A murder of crows greeted me.

Photo of the Year

 We are our own harshest critics, aren't we? I posted photos for 365 days in 2021 and, at the time, thought that most were pretty good or I wouldn't have shown them.  Reviewing them in preparation for today's "Photo of the Year" post, I kept feeling an attitude of "meh."  Nice, sure, but special?

Because this damned virus wouldn't let up, I stayed close to home for much of the year, either in Florida in the winter or Connecticut in the summer.  Being confined led to MANY photos of the local birds.  So, it stands to reason that I have chosen this November egret photo for my "Photo of the Year."

This October roseate spoonbill received more love than any other of my Instagram photos in 2021.  I suspect that the bird was responsible for more of the love than the photo itself.

And I might have selected this photo from Provincetown during a week on Cape Cod with my family in July, except for the utility pole through the head of the unfortunate striding woman.

Let's see what other photographers chose for their own best photograph in 2021.