VISIT TO THE JACKSONVILLE FL ZOO

So my guy gets a new camera lens (no, I don't know what kind; I don't even know why he needed a new lens except that he seems to collect them). He decides to go to the Jacksonville zoo to try it out before we make the long trek to the Alligator Farm down in St. Augustine. Naturally, I go along for the ride.

He wasn't thrilled with the lens but I think he got some great pix.

This is the older jaguar (maybe the mother) taking its bath. Just like my cats!

And here's the cub eyeing something in the water. He was so cute! Just like my cats.

This is one of the latest additions. The Jacksonville zoo now has a tiger exhibit. There are three in all, I believe, but this is the only one showing himself. And boy did he pace back and forth! Just a few feet from all us gawkers! Glad there were a couple of fences between us.

Then we come to the lion and his missus. They were cooling it in the shade but my guy got a good picture anyway.

Not sure what this guy is. Some kind of antelope maybe? Anyway, they'd just put his food out. My guy had to wait for him to stop stuffing his face to get this shot.

And a Komodo dragon that we are all fascinated by, I'm sure. Ugh! Creepy things!

There were a lot more animals -- flamingos, pigs, warthogs, et cetera -- but I wanted to show that deserts aren't the only places cacti grow. This plant is a lot taller than it appears in the photo and it's thriving!

CRIME BLOTTER

Our crime blotter's always good for a few chuckles. In the past few days we've had several items reported, to wit:

A lab mix puppy was stolen. When they talked to a nine-year-old girl, she admitted taking the puppy. Awww. Everyone loves puppies.

A woman reported her daughter was struck in the face by an older female. The daughter says she and the older female were fighting; evidently videos prove it. At least she's honest.

A woman reported someone took her nasal spray (worth $60) from her purse. Ugh! I wouldn't want to use someone else's nose spray!

Two juveniles, male and female, attacked another juvenile in his bedroom before fleeing in a pickup truck. They were reported using alcoholic beverages. Wonder if the pickup was parked in the bedroom!

Someone stole a box of 24 cigars worth $24. Hmmm. Must not have been very good cigars.

A woman reported her Retro 3 Jordan sneakers were stolen from her apartment. At first I said, "So?" Then the value was given: $150.

A woman chased a male from her business. He was wearing two stainless steel bracelets he stole. Wonder how she would have got them off him if she'd caught him?

A man left his girlfriend's $700 iPad on a table in a business. Naturally, it got gone. Bet if it had been his iPad he wouldn't have left it lying around!

And an officer had a suspect steal his taser but retrieved it before it got used on him. Bet he'll be more careful with his questioning next time!

Ah, the joys of small town papers! I only wish they'd name names!

WINGS WHEELS AND RUN

Our mainland airport had an event yesterday. Planes flew in, classic cars were exhibited, and there was also a couple of races for runners.

We missed both runs because we were late getting there due to a lunch engagement (Doesn't that sound important? It was really just lunch with friends.), but I wouldn't have run anyway. I'm a bit of a slug when it comes to exercise. Walking and swimming are about the best I can do.

Anyway, the neat thing was one of the aircraft that participated in the Berlin Airlift. We got there too late to line up and go through it but it was awesome to see a little bit of history.

You may be able to see the writing on this one: "Spirit of Freedom" by the door and on the tail, "Berlin Airlift."

Some more planes, though several were leaving even as we were taking pix:

Most of the cars had departed, too, but there were a few left:

We missed a lot. Like the candy drop for kids (imitating the airlift deliveries) which I would certainly have enjoyed! But it was still a nice hour we spent there.

WELCOME, SPRING!

Yep, getting close to that time of year.

March 20th -- tomorrow! -- is the vernal equinox for 2014. And I'm really glad. This winter's been... Different. I guess that's the word I want. Cold one day, hot the next. Rain one week, drought the next.

I'm looking forward to things getting kind of settled. If weather can ever be called settled.

Anyway, my back yard's looking good, as we ready for Easter and all that:

The shrub on the right is an azalea. The one on the left is a loropetalum. Well, that's what someone who's a better gardener than me says. We'll just take her word for it.

I'm just happy to see things blooming again!

LIGHTHOUSE COTTAGE

The lighthouse keeper's cottage at the foot of our lighthouse is undergoing renovation. Thought you might enjoy some pics.

Here's the lighthouse from a distance. You can see the scaffolding on the cottage.

And here's a closeup of the roofer working.

Lucky the weather has been fairly pleasant, with just a few rain showers thrown in for a day or so.

We're hoping they get done before the busy summer tourist season. But down here, everything seems to run on 'island time' and that means a ten day job takes a month or two!

DRAGONFLY PHOTO

Due to Norma's request, I'm posting the original dragonfly photo my guy shot. For the black and white showing at the art gallery, he put it into graytones???

Anyway, this is what the original looks like. I like it a lot better in color, too!

PHOTO SHOW AT ART GALLERY

My guy had some pix in the gallery show of black and white photographs. They had a reception Saturday night so we took a few pictures while we were there.

This guy looks entranced with the shrimp boat photograph. Wonder if it was his!

This is a shot of some of the attendees. You can't see it very well, but my guy's photo of a dragonfly is on the top left of the wall facing us.

These are, I believe some of the organizers.

As a side note: One of the organizers was coming in as someone was walking out with six photographs he'd bought. The organizer had to plead with him to leave the pictures up at least till Monday. The buyer wanted them right away!

But sales is what they're after, so it was a good night!