Summers End is Approaching

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Summers end is approaching. Labor day weekend, although late, is around the corner. The end of summer is always a sad experience for me. I know you can imagine all the reasons why. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. The bright spot, of course, is that the kids go back to school. Yeah! I wish the lizards went back to school. I know you think I'm on a lizard kick and maybe I am. Cute as that little fellow above is I still find it tough when they jump out of my towels or off my chair.

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

I'm still finding it a challenge to get everything done. I suppose relocation is a big deal and I should give myself a break. There was so much activity this summer also. People visiting and kids coming and going. I've slacked off on my marketing efforts and I still have to give the website an update. I've read some good mysteries this summer. There's a book store in town called Murder on the beach, catchy title no? They are very helpful and knowledgeable. If you tell them the type of mysteries you like they will suggest other authors. So, its time to organize for the fall. I bet some of you are ahead of me on that one. Let's all enjoy what's left of the lazy hazy days of summer.

Lizards and Geckos are Everywhere

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Lizards are everywhere in Florida. I'm really trying my best to get used to them. They are very quick and manage to squeeze into the tiniest of places. I tell the kids to please close doors behind them so that the lizards don't find their way indoors. I know you can imagine how successful I am. Here in Florida people say that an abundance of lizards indicates a healthy yard or garden and insures a reduction of insects or pests.

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

This morning, as I was having my coffee, I glanced outside the living room window to see the largest lizard I've seen so far. It was a brilliant green, exquisite color and climbing the palm tree out front. From nose to tail I would say it was about 18-20 inches long and a little chubby. Well, not chubby naturally, but thick in the middle. Shall we say very substantial compared to the rest. It must be eating lots of garden pests. I briefly came across an article about a massive influx of Iguana's in Florida. I must get back to it. I read a brief headline stating the Iguana was introduced in Florida by careless pet owners who set them free. I remember when I first arrived here, someone, I can't remember who, told me "anything that is brought into Florida survives in Florida". Food for thought.

PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

The image above and several others from my series "Cowboy Diaries" were awarded an honorable mention from this years PX3 awards in Paris. I had no idea this had happened. I suppose with relocating to Florida from Geneva I somehow missed this one. I am really pleased. If you go and visit there, click on my image and the series will appear. It's one of my favorite series, which I think will be part of my new website update soon to come. I'm so pleased to get a nod of recognition from such a prestigious organization. Another image from this series was exhibited earlier this year at The Center for Fine Art Photography in Colorado.

Night Swim

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

Last night my daughter and I went for a night swim. It was utterly luxurious. The palm trees were swaying, the stars were visible between the clouds, the sky was a midnight blue and we could hear the crickets still making their night time sounds. There is something mysterious about swimming at night. I think its connected to our ability to see or not. It increases our sensitivity. Our vision is impaired and sometimes we imagine things that aren't really there, it can be very stimulating, exciting or totally scary. We had a lot of fun. These are some of the joys of living in a tropical climate.

Art of Photography Show

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

My photograph above has been chosen for the Art of Photography show in San Diego this month. The show was curated by Natasha Egan associate director at The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College. The opening is August 28th and the show runs through November 7th 2010. I am very honored to be amongst the final artists chosen. I was amazed that 13,692 artists submitted work and Ms Egan selected only 113 finalists. What a daunting task that must have been. Well, I'm happy. Thank you Natasha.

Tropical Rain

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

The rain comes and goes here in Florida. You can find yourself in a torrential down pour one minute and blinding sunshine the next. Well, I suppose, what else can one expect from a tropical environment?

I really must find the time to update my website. It's such a huge undertaking. It always seems there is so much to get done and so little time to do it in. Living life, the dailiness of it all takes up much too much time. Perhaps I should opt out of sleeping. Maybe then I can get it all done.

Lido Key Sarasota

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

We spent the weekend in Sarasota visiting our daughter who attends Ringling College of Art. It was an easy drive from the east coast to the west coast. We took 710 to 70 and the entire trip took only 3 hours door to door. The highways are more people friendly and not like the interstates with speeding cars bearing down on you. People drive extremely fast here in Florida. I suppose because its flat, there is lots of room and quality roads. Great if you have a sports car. They drive fast in Switzerland too, but somehow it doesn't feel quite the same. Less treacherous.

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

The photos above are of Lido Key Beach. An island connected by a bridge to mainland Sarasota. There a quite a few of these little islands or keys and all are lovely with their own special character. There was no oil anywhere to be seen on the beaches. I understand that only the Florida Pan Handle has been affected by the spill in the gulf.

© 2010 Constance Hobbs. All rights reserved.

The beaches aren't very crowded either. Well, it is summer in Florida after all, not a big summer destination spot. Having said that, the heat I find tolerable. Sometimes the humidity can be overwhelming, but its less so on the east coast. All and all this relocation to Florida is working for me.