It's a sign.

I have never seen a halo around the sun this strong and defined. This halo covered most the sky and was visible for close to two hours. I didn't research what causes this halo but I think the sun is even pissed off at the price of fuel. Enjoy, JP.

Tarpon Season Opens (unofficially)

Tarpon season actually never closes or opens in Key West. Its just a matter of when the masses of fish migrate to our warm waters that I actually decide what is tarpon season. Sat, April 19 was in fact the beginning of tarpon season If i've ever seen it. Captain Aaron Snell and I reached the spot around 9:30 p.m. We both witnessed something we had never seen before. With a full moon overhead there were 50 plus tarpon swimming under the boat that could be seen clear as day and hundreds more breaking the surface for a quarter mile in each direction. The first 3 casts produced three fish hooked up, jumped and spit the lures and this fourth fish that was landed in about 20 minutes right around 100lb's. Tarpon season was officially open. Enjoy, JP.

Family Portrait(s)

These are some portraits of my family around Christmas time. The two of my grandparents (i'm sure you can pick them out) are what really inspired the post. They show how impressive nikons flash system really is. Enjoy, JP.

Around

Just wanted to post new photos for those of you that keep up. Most are taken with 35mm manual focus that makes me work a little. Its sharp if you can get the subject in the focus plane. Enjoy, JP.

Making Simple Complicated

Everytime I edit plants, flowers, and "still" life I always find my self in direct positive. Bringing the object to the front by color and highlight shows the character and the flowers have so much depth in raw editing compared to anything else i've tried. For some, over-the-top. Me, perfect. Enjoy, JP

Historically Antique

These photos are from old town Key West and A&B Marina. In antique grayscale to my liking. They are more passed over thousands of photos ago. Enjoy, JP.

7th Annual Pig Roast

I'm happy to post (very late) that the pig roast is still going and stronger than ever. We had one of the largest gathering once again and the photo trumps previous years by a large margin. Not much new to write here. The food was great. A lot of old friends showed there faces and as usual we took the party to Duval for the A.M. session. Thanks for lookin, JP.

Ambrosia Christmas Party (a little late)

I just thought I would put some photos from my sisters Christmas party at Ambrosia. It late to post but the photos are pretty amazing since they are with a Fuji Point & Shoot at ISO 1600. My D2X struggles at that sensitivity. Some abstracts and one of my sister and I. Enjoy, JP.

My View...

I guess I should count my blessings more often. Just days after moving into my new house I got a chance to shoot this photo from my upstairs porch. The view is much better when you are settled. I have looked forward for a long time so being in one place. Moving through college, apartment to apartment then moving to Miami. Just living in another apartment with a feeling that I really don't belong anywhere. It felt like I was always working toward the next move. Finally those days are over.
I moved back to Key West because the opportunity to build my own house. I'm fortunate to have parents that would give me such expensive gift, land in paradise.
I finally feel like I made it. Like I don't live by semesters or job titles. But I live in Key West in my house that I built. All I have to do now just hold on and everyday I have a place to come HOME to. Not just pay rent to live in someone else's piggy bank. The feeling is one the best you could imagine if you haven't already. Enjoy the view, count your blessings, JP.

Red Ant Climbing

Wish I had a macro lens most of the time, thats all I can say. Another job site photo. D2X, Nikkor 35mm MF f/5.6 @ 1/250th ISO 200. Enjoy, JP.