Green Living Expo

There was actually a lot happening in Venice FL this last weekend, but the big thing for me was the first annual Green Living Expo put on by the Venice Board of Realtors to support Habitat For Humanity and promote greener living.  It was a great first event, with about 30 vendors, speakers, good food, and music from the Venice High School Orchestra.

Watery Reflections

What a beautiful day of Florida sunshine.  I love the reflections of the water on the boats.

Easter Fun

Families had a fun day in the park for Easter, face painting, egg hunt, music, and more.  Happy Easter Everyone!

Origami Swans

With the untypical cool weather it had actually been some months since I've been to the Saturday Farmers Market.  As I was visiting with a friend in one booth I was commenting on the wonderful Origami Swans in the next booth.  Just as I was taking a photo the lady in the booth poked her head around the corner with a big smile.  Great candid shot!

Freinds at Business After Five

Every month the Venice Chamber Of Commerce has several events, last night was the Business After Five.  It was a great time outdoors in wonderful Florida spring weather.  Here are a couple of my local business friends clearly enjoying the evening Debbi Walters with Calypso Graphics and Paul W. DeClark with Health Products Powerhouse, Inc.

Orange Blossom Special

At last the weather has started to warm up and plants hit hard by the cold are springing back.  I really enjoy these Orange Blossoms and clearly the Bees do to.

On the Corner

I've been by and in this old building in downtown Venice many times but sometimes it pays to look up.  I got an angle on it with the palm tree that I really like.

Back at the beach

After a long cool spell (I won't say cold in respect to those up north!) I got back to the beach Sunday.  I was far from the only one, this beach is never as crowded as big city or resort beach's, but the parking lots where jammed and people where parking anyplace they could find to get to the beach.

It was still a bit cool but obviously people had been hold up inside long enough and had to get out and enjoy the sun.

Crop Walk

Crop Walk took place this last Sunday afternoon here in Venice.  It is neighbors walking together to take a stand against hunger in our world. Walking for those who have to walk to get water and food.  Crop Walk raises awareness and funds for international relief and development, as well as fighting hunger locally.

Seeing the Beauty of Green

 

With the light behind it, I was sure how this photo would turn out, but the trees diffused the light very well.  Besides being one of the older homes in Venice FL, the trees are what caught my attention here.  In my opinion trees are essential to making anyplace livable.  I'm sure there are a lot of environmental experts who would agree with me.  

But just from a simply aesthetic viewpoint the trees, flower box's, and other plants make this an absolutely beautiful home, without them I don't think I would care for it much at all.

Alley Cats

 

Getting a good look over by a couple cats wondering why I'm taking their picture.

Burgundy Square

Many times I have been by Burgundy Square on Miami Ave. in Venice Florida but I hadn't noticed it in the morning light from this angle before.  I thought it looked very inviting over the knoll and through the trees. 

Wall Flower

 

This medallion is on the wall of the historic Granada Apartments in Venice Florida, I don't know if the lady it may have been modeled after was herself a wall flower or not.  Regardless, as she is on a wall and wearing a flower I could not resist the pun!

From the Jetty

 

It's a cooler day here but sunny so I thought it was time for a view from the south jetty.  This is at the far northern end of Venice Island looking south.  There is no beach at this park, but there are great views all around.  This to the south, west to the Gulf of Mexico, north to the north jetty and a much larger park with beaches on Casey Key,  and east into Roberts and Donna Bays with a lot of boats.

Watching the boats go by is a popular past time here as is fishing from the jetty.  There is also a snack shop, restrooms, benches and picnic tables.

Island View

 

This view of Venice Florida is taken from a balcony on the towers shown in the Feb 3rd photo.  These towers sit on one side of the island with this view to the other side.  It's really not that far across but there is a lot here.  

One example is the Venice Theater  in the bottom left of this photo.  I will be talking much more about the theater on this site.  It is amazing, Venice FL really isn't that large of a community, yet this is the third largest community theater in the United States!

Evening Sun

 

Recently I was showing a friend around town and got this photo of the evening sun from the pier.  No photo though can replace the beauty of the moment or really show how the sun sparkled off the water. 

Library Garden

 

 

My favorite parts of Venice Florida, where I take most of my photos are on the island.  But there are some very nice spots off the island as well.  One of those is the Jacaranda Library.  The whole library is very nice one of things that makes it so is the garden and pond outside.  It is a feature that can be enjoyed from large windows inside as well.

Bridge View

 

Not just a view of a bridge, this is a view from one of our bridges to another.  Sometimes it really pays to walk in areas most people don't.  This is a place where most people drive by and don't really enjoy the view, in a car you miss it because of the bridge railings as well.  But as you can see the view of the Inland Waterway is wonderful from the bridge.  

Actually I wouldn't recommend for most people to make the walk for this view, but I'm glad I did I can share it with you.

Alien Seed Pod

 

There is this thing in our yard that looks to me like an alien seed pod, I've been around here over six years and had never seen anything like it before.  It's actually from a common plant, so common that it's best known as the cardboard plant.  Technically it's Zamia furfuracea an evergreen plant that grows in Mexico and Southern Florida.  If I understand it though the seed pod is not as common, it appears only when the plant feels threatened so constant trimming and our recent cold snap might have caused that.

Palmy sky

Right now it's very mild and pleasant, aka balmy.  We are said to have rain heading our way though so I thought I'd post this photo with the brighter sky before it started turning darker.