Play at the Plate

Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles in their newly renovated stadium is tomorrow!  When I drove by Ed Smith Stadium Friday night, it was a very busy site with oodles of construction workers scurrying around.  You could tell they all knew their assignments, and the sense of urgency to complete the job was palpable.  This is a peek through the new front gate, which now leads fans directly to home plate.  I'll be in attendance at a game in a couple of weeks and can't wait to check out everything.  To see photos of the construction project I've posted over the past several months click here.

Ski-A-Rees Thriller

When these young water skiers soared over the Ski-A-Rees ramp at about 40 mph....

And looked as though they were attempting to ride phantom bucking broncos over Sarasota Bay, I kind of had a feeling it might end like this...

Ouch.   One (whose helmet you can see) actually popped up on one ski and cruised away, helmet askew.  Fortunately, the other skier was fine also.  But, being ski-less, he had to be retrieved by the boat.  And as soon as he was cleared away, the next stunt got underway.  Fun times!

Lady Ski-A-Rees'ers

Not only are these three ladies synchronized, but they're water skiing backwards -- and all smiles about it.  They're part of Ski-A-Rees, a local water ski group which I introduced you to yesterday.  They were graceful and looked like they were having fun while entertaining the crowd.  Every once in awhile, though, a stunt doesn't go exactly as planned.  Stay tuned to see what I'm talking about...

Flippin' Good Time

Yowza!  These guys were somersaulting over Sarasota Bay during a recent Ski-A-Rees performance.  (Yes, they landed A-Okay.)  Ski-A-Rees is a local group which helps youth and adults learn how to water ski.  They're based on City Island, just down the road from St. Armands Circle, and have free shows every Sunday during tourist season (read:  now!).  I was excited to finally make it to my first show last weekend.  Not only was the performance entertaining, it was a great place to work on my sports action shots.  Anyone want to see a few more?

Antiques Roadshow

If you recognize this gentleman, you probably watch 'Antiques Roadshow' on PBS.  That's Lark Mason, who travels around the country appraising vases, clocks, statues -- you name it -- which people bring to him hoping against hope he'll declare the item actually is a priceless treasure.  Over the weekend, he was at Antiques & Appraisals, an event hosted by the Historical Society of Sarasota County.  Although Lark was sans television crew, it was still fascinating to watch him in action.  Once he opened the back of this clock it took him approximately 2.4 seconds to provide the following information:  it's a Seth-Thomas clock; manufactured in the 1920's; and Seth-Thomas mass produced this type of clock which significantly reduces its value.  At that point, I couldn't hear very well, but I believe he estimated the value at $50...or so. (Insert game show losing sound here.)

Watery Wednesday: Beasts in Boats #1

This guy was on Sarasota Bay, puttering inland, with his best furry friend tagging along.  Not sure, but maybe it was a little Jack Russell.  Whatever it was, the hound sure looked like he was having a good time, sitting up high with the wind in his face, staring straight ahead with his favorite human at his side.  (Enlarge to see what I'm talking about.)  For a few weeks, I've been contemplating starting a series about pampered pooches in boats.  Then, over the weekend, I saw so many canines cruising Sarasota Bay, I've decided it's a done deal.  Consider this photo the first in an ongoing series entitled "Beasts in Boats".  (I feel better about the generic word 'beast'....you never know...I could encounter a confused cat, bird, pot bellied pig or other furry, friendly beast.)  Click here to see other Watery Wednesday photos from around the world. 

Road Work Ahead

Anyone who is a runner will really appreciate this pic.   I snapped it in rural Sarasota County where there wasn't much of anything around.  Just a lot of road work ahead for those two guys to make it to their destination.