Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Brickell From The Bay

Here is a look back at the Brickell skyline from the open water of Biscayne Bay, just off Dinner Key.

From the Water

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Tree Gone

The death of a tree is always a sad event for me. In March 05, 2007, yes more than a year ago, I blogged a royal poinciana tree , speculating that it would bloom spectacularly in June. That did not happen! Today, passing by that site, I am sorry to see that it has been taken away as evidenced by the brown circular spot in the foreground of this photo. This magnificent tree did not survive the hurricanes of 2005 and 2006! I hope they will plant another royal poinciana at this exact spot. A yellow one would be very nice!

Death of a Tree

Monday, April 28, 2008

The Samurai

No, not the Japanese warrior, but this restaurant opposite Miami's The Falls shopping center is built like one. It is impossible to avoid the traffic blocking the view from across the 136th street so this photo also shows you the Miami's traffic scene. I like the food here, cubed steak, shrimp and fried rice, yummy, but do not like being rushed through my meals, so I rarely eat at this restaurant. You know this type, they stack total strangers to form a table of 8 or so, expertly express cook for the mass and hurry, hurry get out, clean up so they can start over again... Next!

Hara Kiri Meals

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Classy Bird

I caught sight of this T-Bird on US1. The proud owner was wearing a large headset, possibly listening to his "Route 66" songs of the 50s. This Bird is not as shiny as my friend's but it is a classic nonetheless. This Bird fits Miami to a "T!"

T-Bird in Flight

Saturday, April 26, 2008

B-I-N-G-O

About once a month, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables comes to the VA hospital at the Jackson Memorial hospital complex to entertain the veterans with bingo games, snack and refreshment to let them know that their service to the country is well appreciated. Here is how the games were played today. It is forbidden to show photos of the veterans, but permission from some family members were granted. V-E-T-E-R-A-N-S of all wars, we love you.

VA Hospital

Friday, April 25, 2008

King Size Delivery

This is delivery day for Burger King. I wonder how often this is done. Their newest burger is not so good, but I like their "pomme frites."

Fit for a King

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Fuzzy Corner

Miami-Dade County's 22-mile, elevated rapid transit system runs from Kendall through South Miami, Coral Gables, and downtown Miami; to the Civic Center/Jackson Memorial Hospital area; and to Brownsville, Liberty City, Hialeah, and Medley in northwest Miami-Dade, with connections to Broward and Palm Beach counties at the Tri-Rail/Metrorail transfer station. This is the next to last Dadeland North station at the extreme South end of the metrorail. I just realized that my photos from this camera have a fuzzy area in the lower right corner! I thought that was due to my eyes failing me. Do you see that too?

Fuzzy Spot

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Grove Traffic

Traffic through Coconut Grove's heart usually looks like this: Always busy. Too many people and cars but the crowd is very "hip" and "sympa."

Coconut Grove's heart

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Miami Pharmacy

Here is a fish eye look at a Miami pharmacy in the Target store on US1. The medicine are on the shelves and prescriptions are promptly, efficiently dispatched and ready to be picked up by customers. Many of the payments are very hefty, indeed!

Target Pharmacy

Monday, April 21, 2008

Shake-A-Leg

Shake-A-Leg is a charitable organization founded in 1982. It offers programs to promote body awareness and sailing programs for people having experienced spinal cord trauma or other related neurological disorders. The Shake-A-Leg Miami has its home on a prime location at the edge of Biscayne Bay. It helps children and adults with physical, developmental and economic challenges. This sign is one of many that gives visitors a brief discussion of this great service to the community.

Shae-A-Leg Miami

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Self Portrait

If you look very closely, you may be able to see a self portrait of this blogger. Admittedly, it is not easy, but life is a challenge.

Copper Self Reflection

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Saturday Hallway

This is a hallway inside Baptist hospital Cardiac and Vascular Institute on a Saturday afternoon. It is deserted because elective surgical procedures for outpatients are not scheduled on weekends. There are dome shaped mirrors everywhere to help people navigating with large objects such as hospital beds or bulky equipment. They really work.

Hospital Aisles

Friday, April 18, 2008

BCVI

This is the Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute in Miami, which is a part of the ever expanding Baptist Health empire. Outpatients come here for tests and procedures for all sort of ailments. This is a very nice and modern building but it is difficult to have a nice shot of it.

Baptist Health Empire

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Python Vs Gator

The new Parrot Jungle personnel proudly display their "pets" during a fund raising event for Special Olympics athletes in the Treetop Ballroom at the Jungle Island, the new home of the Miami Parrot Jungle.

Exotic Pets

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Home of the Miami Heat

This is the American Airline Arena, home of the Miami Heat professional basketball team. The court inside is beautiful, and hopefully next time I go to a game here, I'll be able to take a few shots to blog.

Pro Basketball

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Mini Rail

Here is a shot of the Miami downtown's Metro Mover. These little trams move on aerial rails serving local spots of downtown in supplementing the service of Metro Rail, which is its big brother. This location is the I95 exit toward Biscayne boulevard.

Metro Mover

Monday, April 14, 2008

From The Ashes

In mid February , I blogged the "death" of CompUSA. It was premature as this business was bought by some entity with money to spare that believes it can do better. The end result is that this store is rescued from closing and it is coming back. I even bought a storage device from here because their price all of a sudden became competitive. You never can tell in life! The bonus in this photo is that you see another angle of the brand new Town CenterOne complex being built.

I'm BACK

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Going... Going...

I was curious to see what state the historical Miami Orange Bowl is in these days so I swung by to snap a few shots today. Don't let the blue sky fools you. I was under an umbrella taking this photo because it was raining at my location. Poor Orange Bowl is partially demolished and it eventually will be flattened. This place will see a brand new baseball stadium raised from this dust... To be continued...

Not Gone Yet

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Unremarkable Fungi

Here is a close up of an indeterminate fungus thriving on a small tree trunk. The tube-like on the right is but a root of an orchid plant hugging the tree for vigorous growth. Everything grows in Miami.

Fungus

Friday, April 11, 2008

Town CenterOne

Joining the many new constructions in Dadeland is this huge office complex named Town CenterOne. This is behind the Publix supermarket near the Datran center in South Miami.

New Office