De Coelo

February 15, 2012. De Coelo. Taken at Chez Vincent's in Winter Park, Florida.

A few years back, my wife and I visited Sonoma, California, and fell in love with Benziger Family Winery's biodynamic approach to viticulture.

One of the wines that particularly impressed us was their De Coelo Pinot Noir. We bought a bottle of 2007 and tucked it away for our tenth anniversary.

On February 15, 2012, we got to enjoy it at our favorite neighborhood French restaurant, and I snuck in this low-shutter speed shot in the dim lighting.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/15. f/2.8. ISO 1600. LR 2.

Our Journey

Our Journey

February 4, 2012. "Our Journey."

One of Orlando's most ingenious pieces of street art is on the side of a parking garage outside the Amway Center.

Starting on the ground, eight life-sized cast aluminum figures scale cascading ladders up the side of the garage, culminating in a triumphant figure holding a globe at the top.

The piece is called "Our Journey," and it was commissioned from artist Bill Starke by the City of Orlando.

At night, lights switch on and off to animate the progress of the figures up the ladders. It is quite beautiful.

It's certainly much more inspirational than the half-million dollar "Tower of Light" statue that locals affectionately refer to as "The Giant Glass Asparagus." 

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/60. f/2.8. ISO 1600. LR 2.

Parrot at Rest

Parrot at Rest

February 4, 2012. Parrot at Rest. Orlando, Florida.

A Parrot Head's stuffed parrot hat gets a rest on the bus ride from Margaritaville Orlando to the 2012 Welcome to Finland Jimmy Buffett concert venue at Orlando's new Amway Center.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/60. f/2.8. ISO 1600. LR 2.

Beach Ball

Beach Ball

February 4, 2012. Beach Ball. Orlando, Florida.

A stilted employee of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville catches a beach ball hit in his direction by a fan at the 2012 Welcome to Finland concert tour stop in Orlando.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/250. f/8.0. ISO 200. LR 2.

Because Exotic Cancer is Cooler

Because Exotic Cancer is Cooler

February 17, 2012. Because Exotic Cancer is Cooler.

By now, everyone knows that cigarette smoking makes your lungs look like a decade old piece of raisin bread (warning... graphic health picture), causes cancer, yellows your teeth, and is really, really bad for you and the people around you.

Thankfully for young hipsters, filtering your pack of cigarettes through a lightly cleansed imported Portalet called a "Hookah" makes your smoke much safer. And cooler.

Or does it? Here's what the Mayo Clinic has to say about Hookah smoking. But hey, what do they know? They're only the Mayo Clinic, right? They probably make this stuff up as they go along.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/500. f/11. ISO 800. LR 2.

Concert in the Park

Concert in the Park

March 16, 2012. Concert in the Park.

This picture was not taken by me.

It was taken by my wife, who asked for my camera. She has a good eye for detail. She was with me at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Friday Night Jazz Concert in the Park.

As you zoom down the walkway through the middle of the picture, it is fascinating seeing the multitude of discussions captured in one shot.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/30. f/2.8. ISO 1600. LR 2.

Shadow Puppets

Shadow Puppets

March 16, 2012. Shadow Puppets.

Have you ever had the concert seats right behind that one couple who wouldn't sit down. For hours?

Listening to Peter White play at the Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival this past Friday night, I found myself right behind that couple. Nice folks. Just standing in the same spot for hours, and a bit too opaque.

I started taking a few shots to entertain myself.

After shooting one or two, I realized that someone a row or two behind me was even more bored than I was and was using the gentleman's bright white chinos as his private theatre screen for a shadow puppet show.

Ironically, this happened the same day that a woman in Longwood near the Wekiva State Park was bit in the butt by a black bear.

Note: No shadow bears or white men in dockers were hurt taking this shot.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/30. f/2.8. ISO 1600. LR 2.