Docks are kind of a big thing here; everybody seems to have one. Dock Life is the new Salt Life; only you don't get wet. Not that I know the first thing about docks or salt. I'm one of three people that doesn't have one. Most of the docks in Florida are private, and they have No Trespassing signs posted. That's a shame, but I suppose it makes sense. Anyway, some of the best are public, like this one in Longboat Key. It's next to a couple of restaurants so you can dock the boat and have dinner. Near my home is a commercial marina with a couple of hundred yachts. It's also next to a restaurant, appropriately named Dockside Grill.
There are two paths along the river; one higher up and one lower down at the bank. The alligators prefer the lower one. The problem with the higher path is there is too much growth to get a clear shot of the river. So every fifty yards or so I'd make my way down here to set up for a photo. It's amazing how the sense of hearing becomes heightened at such times. I've been in Florida for a while, so I've become familiar with some of the animal sounds. I also carefully scan the water and banks all around to ensure I'm not disturbing them. Alligators don't want anything to do with us, and if you're mindful and steer clear, there will never be a problem. With this knowledge and care, I spent much of my time on the lower path.
Where there are rainbows, there must be rain. In Florida at this time of year, you can count on it every day. Look close, and you'll see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge under the rainbow. I used a wide angle lens, so the bridge seems far away. I took this about five years ago at Fort DeSoto Park. Looking at it now I wish I'd used a smaller aperture so the foreground would be sharper, but I like the photo anyway. Sometimes I try not to sweat the little stuff if I like the image. Technically the picture is a bit subpar, but I like the shot anyway, and in my mind, that's what counts.
