Thursday, September 25, 2014

Shell Game

Sea Stars, commonly called Starfish, are found on various sea coasts.  There are many varieties.  This one is the most common.  Since they are so destructive to oysters, enormous quantities of them are destroyed by fishermen.

It was not too long ago that shells were literally the treasure of the sea.  Prehistoric men placed a high value on them and used them in bartering for goods.

Sea Shells ...Treasures of the Sea

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Birds Of A Feather

Common Egret - These graceful white wading birds (note black legs and yellow bill) owe their existence to the protection won for them by the National Audubon Society at the turn of the century.

Cardinal      Richmondena cardinalis
With its brilliant color, the cardinal is probably the most popular bird in the U.S.  It is the state bird of 7 states.  It does not migrate and lives in most states east of the edge of the plains.  With its powerful bill it easily cracks corn and other seeds and feeds on insects.  3 or 4 eggs are laid and the male, shown here, helps care for the family.  Cardinals have a pleasing clear whistle.
Help Conserve Our Birds

Pileated Woodpecker     Dryocopul pileatus
Named for its hairy crest, or pileous crest, this woodpecker is well know to people interested in birds, who know that they can find it in cypress swamps or in heavy timber.  As the trees are cleared, the birds go too.  Huge for woodpeckers, they have a wing span of up to 30 inches.  Its call can be heard some distance through the swamp.  They clean infested trees of great quantities of insects, sometimes removing considerable dead wood to reach them.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Wild Critters

Raccoon    Procyon lotor
The raccoon still exists as one of the very common mammals, even close to towns.  It is a night-going creature, howere, and not often seen.  They love to puddle around in creeks where they find crayfish, a favorite food.  The coons locate them by feeling under rocks.

White-Tailed Deer FAWN (Odacoileus virginianus)
After the first birth, the doe, or mother dear, may have twins.  However, the first birth is usually a single fawn.  Triplets are not unusual.  Fawns are spotted and because of this they are hard to see if they lie quietly on the ground.

Bobcat    Lynx rufus
The bobcat spots its prey by eyesight, rushes it, shoots out a clawed paw and knocks it down before the prey knows what's happened.  Its speed at this is remarkable.  It generally works nights.  Seeing its foot prints is as close as most people ever get to the wildcat.  It may have seen and avoided the person, however.  They are still common in some areas where people would least expect them.  Bobcats weigh from 15 to 30 pounds.
Help Conserve Our Wild Life

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Pets

By The Fire


I'm Ready, Let's Go

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Pyramids At Giza

Giza:  Cheopus Great Pyramid & Sphinx

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Deland, Florida

Quality Inn - Deland
I-4 (S.R.44)
Deland, Florida 32720
Conveniently located on SR44 & I-4
Between Daytona Beach & Orlando
 

Friday, September 5, 2014

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Skydome

Skydome
Where the world comes to play!  Toronto's exciting new stadium is the first to have a retractable roof.  This roof will cover 8 acres at a height that would permit a 31-storey apartment building to fit inside.  Opening in June 1989, the Skydome will be home to Toronto's major league baseball team.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Dania Jai-Lai Fronton

The beautiful new Dania Jai-Lai Fronton.
One of the showplaces of South Florida.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Ching Ling, China

Remains of Ching Ling.
 
Another great stamp.
 

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Germany

5300 Bundeshauptstadt Bonn Bundeshaus
Parliament of the Federal Republic
Siege de la Diete Federale

Friday, August 22, 2014

Miami, Florida

Seven Seas Dreamboat
See and ride the world's largest passenger motorboat.
Miami's Most Complete Sightseeing Water Tour.
Daily sailing time:  10:30 A.M. - 2 P.M.
Pier 10 - City Yacht Basin
Miami, Florida
Phone:  FR 4+2491

Thursday, August 21, 2014

France

 
The print on the back of this card was illegible due to the postmark covering it.  It did, have a stunning stamp, as well.
 
 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

San Gimignano, Italy

Citta' Di San Gimignano (Sienna)

Sunday, August 17, 2014

India

Taj Mahal - Agra
This tomb was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a immortal tribute to the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal at a cost of six crores of rupees (US $13 million).  Twenty thousand workmen completed it in 1648 after seventeen years work.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

So Cute


Soft sad eyes and sorrowful expression belie gay little puppies bursting with affection.


Friday, August 15, 2014

Hong Kong

The floating population of Hong Kong.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Mexico

Plaza Hidalgo/Hidalgo Square
H. Matamoros Tam. Mexico

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Seashells

Most shells have Latin or Greek names.  They also are given what we call "common names" because of the objects they resemble.

It was not too long ago that shells were literally the treasure of the sea.  Throughout the ages, man has placed a high value on them, and has used them in bartering for goods.  This beautiful collection of shells, coral and other treasure, is an example of a few of the many varieties found along our tidal coastline.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Birmingham, England

Town Hall, Birmingham

Sunday, August 10, 2014

The Fontainebleau

The Fontainebleau
America's largest and finest resort-hotel, cabana and yacht club, on the former Firestone estate...a masterpiece of design, air-conditioned comfort, and hospitality supreme.
Oceanfront, 44th to 47th Streets
Miami Beach, Florida
Open All Year

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Rome, Italy

St. Peter's Square