Abstract Stingray

The South Carolina Aquarium is a great place to take the kids and escape the heat for a couple of hours. It's got enough of the big exhibits and giant tanks to wow the young and old alike but it is super easy to get to and can be done in an hour or two without feeling like you're rushing through all of the exhibits. Don't get me wrong, you could spend all day there but if you're looking for a quick educational getaway for the kids, it checks off all of the boxes there, too. 

Also, they've got Lemurs! 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Rainbow Over Oz

I'm not sure what you call this sort of rainbow but it was really cool to see. This building in the foreground is one of the villages at Ski Beech Resort. We had just taken the chairlift down from 5506 Skybar, the pub next door to the original Wizard of Oz theme park. It seemed fitting to turn back and see a broad rainbow blanketing the top of the mountain over Oz when we returned to the ski village. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Germany Pavilion

Today's photograph is in honor of the German Grand Prix, which is being raced today in Hockenheim, Germany. I'm hoping for a Ferrari win but have a feeling that Lewis and the hometown team might have something to say about that. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Siesta Key Storm Clouds

The entire time we were at Siesta Key Beach, the clouds threatened to let loose on us but it never rained. It did, however, make for some really cool shadows on the sand under the crystal clear water as the clouds soared by. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Fort Moultrie at Peace

We usually visit Fort Moultrie at sunset, after most of the tourists have left for the day. The grounds surrounding the fort are always so peaceful and it's hard to believe this was one of the locations of the start of the Civil War as the Confederate-controlled forts of Charleston Harbor fired upon Union-controlled Fort Sumter. Maybe Mother Nature is trying to make up for lost time. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.  

Sunrise on the Villages

I'm ready for another week at the beach!

This was the view from our balcony at the Villages at Wild Dunes most mornings during our summer beach trip this year. As the wind pushed the storm clouds out to sea and the sun began to spread rays of light into the sky, we knew we were in for a great day! 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Yawny The Black Bear

Meet Yawny the Black Bear. He likes long walks in the woods and sugary cereals. He's also such a fan of the Harry Potter books that he had Harry's lightning bolt tattooed on his chest. 

If you find yourself in the North Carolina Highlands, you can visit Yawny at Grandfather Mountain. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Edgar Allen Poe

Poe's Tavern is one of the most unique beach bars I've ever been to... and I go there every chance I get! The entire restaurant is dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe, who was stationed on Sullivan's Island at Fort Moultrie in 1827. In fact, Poe wrote many of his famous works on Sullivan's Island. This haunting masterpiece sits above the fireplace as if Poe's ghost is emerging from the smoke. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Q*bert at Oxford Exchange

I've extolled the virtues of Oxford Exchange in the past. The brilliant design touches throughout the building bring a great European flair to Tampa. These caustic tiles are reminiscent of tiles found all over Spain and are likely sourced from Spain or North Africa, where they originated. This particular pattern reminds me of the 1980s videogame, Q*bert. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7. 

Moroccan Fountain

This is a peaceful fountain in the courtyard at the Morocco World Showcase in Epcot. This is one of the most relaxing spots that I've found on all of the Disney parks. It's a great place to step aside from all of the fun and just take a minute to regroup and relax. The cover provided by the hallways of the courtyard also provides good shade and rain protection.

This is another photograph in my Morocco World Showcase series. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.