07-15-12 Frank (Revisited and Reworked)

When I check the viewing statistics of my photo blog, I can see which photos are viewed most often and and what links brought people to my web site. Last week I noticed that my post from a while ago called "Frank" was getting the most hits, which were coming from another web site called Facepunch.com. Facepunch seems to cater to a broad set of interests, including the graphic arts.It turns out that a user who calls himself Bakyte had posted a reworked version of my photo that looks like this:And then the citizens of the forum were encouraged to fill in the blank.Before I reveal a few of my favorites, I would like to mention that all of my posts are shared through a Creative Commons copyright that allows for use as long as credit is given, no money is made and the original work is not altered. I don't want to sound selfish, but Bakyte violated at least two of those provisions. I did politely inform him of my concerns and he politely said he would try to remove the posts if he could.That aside, I enjoyed many of the modifications and will share four of my favorites:And last, one that was inspired by the group A Ha's song "Take On Me":And why not watch the A-Ha official "Take On Me" video? It was aired on MTV in 1985, won many awards and is a brilliant display of the animator's art. It also does a brilliant job of linking a fascinating visual story with a song that is otherwise insipid! In some ways, that's what MTV was all about in the 80s . . .The work of art, incidentally is called Frank, by Chuck Close. It is a photorealistic painting of a photo of a guy named Frank.

07-14-12 A Pre-Tourney Prayer

I am sorry to admit that I was so caught up in finding good photos that I have no idea what the prayer these fisherman were bowing their heads for said. I suspect it asked God for safety and good fishin'. The event was the Lake Oahe stop of the national FLW Walleye tournament. The fishing is high stakes - $60,000+ goes to the fisherman who catches the most big fish.

07-13-12 Justice

I have seen Justice exactly twice in the years that I've been sailing Lake Oahe in South Dakota. Liberty, on the other hand, is my next door neighbor at the Spring Creek Marina. What do Liberty and Justice have in common? They are both boats owned by Bob and Sara H., who live just down the road from the marina.I wish I knew more about this amazing classic Chris Craft. Even more, I wish I had orchestrated an actual photo shoot of this attractive boat and couple. Unfortunately, I did not assert myself and instead I got a bit of a snapshot as the boat sped by on a morning that was nearly perfect for a ride in a classic boat - little wind and nearly glass smooth water.

07-12-12 On the Road Again

I tell me students to avoid taking photos through windows of moving vehicles. After all, who wants to see bug splats? So why did I keep driving as I snapped this photo with my iPhone? I have not good answer other than I guess I don't always practice what I preach.

07-11-12 Twisted Green

I don't know the name of this plant, which was flourishing in Bill and Cathy Zs' garden, but I do know that it fed my penchant for green things with fascinating texture.

07-10-12 Five

There's something about looking at close-ups of flowers that makes me count. And in this flower, five seems to be the recurring number.

07-09-12 Dream Boat

This is the 41' sailboat we chartered in June in the British Virgin Islands. It had a few more creature comforts than my 25' boat, including hot & cold running water, refrigeration and three small, private bedrooms. But I still like my boat better. :-)

07-08-12 On Top of the World

My Garmin Nuvi said the elevation at this point on Mauna Kea in Hawaii was 13,910' though officially, I don't think it is quite that high. What's amazing about Mauna Kea is that you can drive all of the way to the top in your car. It was cold and windy up there and there was snow, which we South Dakotans were trying to escape the December we were visiting our son Jon on the Big Island.

07-07-12 Frosty Love

It's been damn hot and dry in South Dakota and so I thought this rather cheesy posed photo an ornamental ball resting on a frost covered pine tree would be just the right medicine. In the winter, South Dakotans complain about the snow and cold. And in the summer we complain about the heat. But we do manage to survive . . .

07-06-12 One Last Fish

My friend Scott P and I had spent a great week on my sailboat on Lake Oahe in South Dakota. It was incredibly hot but that was OK with us. We had made our way back to the marina and were mostly packed and ready to leave when we decided to go out for one short attempt at fishing. And in a short time, Scott had landed this 10-12 pound northern. I think it helped make Scott P's week.Most people avoid catching northern on Lake Oahe but Scott seeks them out. He says they are more fun to catch than walleye, and they are just as good to eat, if not better, than walleye. But you've got to know how to clean them, which Scott does.I was "netman" on this fish and netting a big fish isn't easy. In fact, earlier in the week I had missed netting two pretty good sized northerns. So I guess landing this fish helped make my week, too.

07-02-12 A Few of the "99 Steps"

Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, has a lot more than 99 steps given that it seems to perch on the hillside above the Caribbean Sea. These steps, though, are a few of a famous stretch of stairs known as the "99 Steps." It was a sultry summer day when Deb and I were walking these stairs and so I guess we burned a few extra calories.

07-01-12 Pussers Bar - Road Town

Deb and I ate twice at this establishment in Road Town on the Island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. We liked the character and we also appreciated stepping into the air conditioning after a mile walk for the B&B we were staying at. And the food was good, too. My favorite: conch stew.