Paul Bates Photography: Travel, Landscape, & Free Stock Photography

Daytona Beach Bandshell on the Boardwalk

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:55:27 +0000

The Daytona Beach bandshell is a historic amphitheater on the boardwalk built entirely of coquina shell from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Daytona Beach bandshell is a historic amphitheater located near the boardwalk built entirely of coquina shell from the Atlantic Ocean of nearby Flagler County.

The story behind the bandshell and the Oceanfront Park Complex is that in the 1920's, local residents felt that the area needed some updating and wanted to do something to upgrade it.

Construction began in 1936 on the Bandshell by the Works Progress Administration along with other structures like the clock tower which was to be completed in 1938.

One interesting tidbit is that the boardwalk actually started off being called the broadwalk until finally the name changed due to people continually calling it the boardwalk.

There are a variety of free concerts at the bandshell in Daytona Beach at different times of the year and still remains a sight to visit.

Daytona Beach Boardwalk Coquina Clock Tower

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:00:19 +0000

The historic coquina clock tower on the boardwalk in Daytona Beach, FL is one of the most recognized landmarks along with the bandshell in this area.

The recognizable coquina clock tower on the boardwalk in Daytona Beach holds an affinity with locals and has a history.

The story behind the clock tower is that in the 1920's, people felt that this area by the beach in Daytona was run down and wanted to do something to liven up the area.

Construction began in 1936 on the Bandshell in the Daytona Beach Park Complex along with other structures like the clock tower and was scheduled to be completed in 1938.

The 4-sided clock was constructed of coquina shells and instead of having numbers for hours, each letter represents an hour spelling out the 12 characters of "DAYTONABEACH".

Originally, the clock mechanism functioned through a system of ropes and pulleys, but then in the 1980's was converted to electric where an antique clock expert named Jack Smith renovated the inner workings to get the clock tower functional again.

At the base, a fountain springs up underneath the clock and sits on top of a few steps. If you're in the Daytona Beach boardwalk area, visit the coquina clock tower just near the bandshell.

Punta Sur Saltwater Crocodile Cozumel

Thu, 10 May 2012 22:05:38 +0000

A motionless saltwater crocodile floats in the lagoon at Punta Sur in Cozumel, Mexico.

When you come to Cozumel, you can be sure to see some tropical animals but most people are surprised to see crocodiles in the salty water of the caribbean.

These are actually saltwater crocodiles that can handle the salty water and seem to prefer to hang out in this lagoon called "Crocodile Lagoon" in southern Cozumel's Punta Sur.

When visiting this area, it's almost expected that you'll see these crocodiles whether it's due to them having an abundant food supply or possibly they're fed near here to keep them lingering.

Saltwater crocodiles are actually the largest of all crocodiles with males reaching the length of 23 feet and females over 10 feet. Even though they predominantly live in salt water, they breed in fresh water.

A short walk away from this view is El Caracol which is a small Mayan ruin that's popular in the area.

Colorful Beach Hammocks Cozumel Mexico

Wed, 09 May 2012 22:00:34 +0000

Empty colorful hammocks wait for visitors to enjoy under a shady pergola on the beach in Cozumel, Mexico.

One of the best things you can do when you visit a beach in Cozumel, Mexico is to find yourself a nice hammock under some shade and sway with the breeze.

I've found that these slim hammocks are so much more comfortable than the static flat hammocks that we're so accustomed to. You can pretty much wrap these around you as you lay back possibly sipping a nice cool drink and close your eyes.

In this image, there are actually several beautifully coloful hammocks waiting under a pergola for someone to come and enjoy.

I've found that when visiting Cozumel, you can purchase these hammocks all over the place so watch the prices at each place since they seem to sell the same things at several different places for wildly varying prices.

Some great memories can be made laying back in one of these, closing your eyes.

Faro de Celerain Lighthouse Window Cozumel Mexico

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:30:25 +0000

The Faro de Celerain lighthouse marks the southernmost point in Cozumel, Mexico and has beautiful views even on the way up the stairs, as seen through this window, to the of the observation deck.

The Faro de Celerain lighthouse lies at the southernmost point in Cozumel, Mexico and is located in Punta Sur Ecological Park.

Even the views on the way up to the top of the lighthouse to the observation deck are breathtaking with vistas of the colorful water and tropical vegetation.

I would've thought the spiral trip up the stairs would have been blazing hot but the breeze from these windows kept it remarkably cool.

Below, the Punta Celerain Faro lighthouse is also home to a navigational museum where you can either browse or relax outside near the beach.

The beach is actually very rugged with rocks that extend out into the crashing water, but worth a short trip to experience.

If you're taking a shore excursion in Cozumel and find yourself at the lighthouse, be sure to climb to the top to see views worth the trip.

Punta Sur Eco Park Beach Cozumel Mexico

Mon, 07 May 2012 22:00:55 +0000

Punta Sur Ecological Park is the southernmost point in Cozumel, Mexico and is a very popular spot for many reasons.

Punta Sur is a 247 acre ecological park that marks the southernmost point in Cozumel, Mexico.

Some things to do in Cozumel at Punta Sur would be seeing the beautiful, natural sights in the area by snorkeling or scuba diving the reefs, visiting the saltwater crocodile lagoon, or just walking down the relaxing beach.

This photo was actually taken from the Celerain lighthouse (or Faro de Celerain) which gives a spectacular view and gets very windy at this height.

Since Cozumel isn't an extremely large island, Punta Sur is just a short trip by regular various means (or even exciting excursions like the dune buggies seen).

Located very close to this area are also some small Mayan ruins called Tumba del Caracol which were used as an early hurricane warning system.

Stingray City Grand Cayman Islands

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:20:00 +0000

Stingray City off of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands is just short distance off shore by boat excursion to a series of shallow sandbars where stingrays are found in abundance in crystal clear water.

Stingray City lies just off of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands and is a series of shallow sandbars in crystal clear water where stingrays congregate in mass.

If I had to review the excursion to Stingray City, I'd give it high marks for a variety of reasons including the scenic boat trip out to the sandbar, water that doesn't get much clearer that that found here, and very docile stingrays that swarm up to the boats when they arrive.

Visitors to Stingray City from the excursion that I took get to feed a small portion of food to the stingrays by holding it below a stingray who is passing by. The stingray then uses its powerful mouth and sucks it right out of your hand no matter how hard you hold it.

This sucking force is so powerful that stingrays can suck a mollusk right out of its shell to eat.

Most tourists get equipped with snorkels and masks to see the stingrays underwater and even get to hold one as it swims up. Supposedly, local legends have it that if you kiss a stingray on the nose, you get 3 years of good luck.

Among other things sea life found here, you can also find large mollusks still in their walking around the sea floor in their shell. This place is definitely a must see when it the Cayman Islands.

Wilbur by the Sea Palm Sunrise Florida

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:00:15 +0000

Looking through a spiky palm, an early morning sunrise warms the sky as the mist rises from crashing waves in Wilbur by the Sea near Daytona Beach in Florida.

While alongside a spiky palm bush, a warm sunrise fills the sky with radiant colorful orange light near Daytona Beach, Florida.

From Daytona Beach, Wilbur by the Sea is just a short 5 minute drive south down A1A where you can find a handful of places to park off beach and walk down to see views like this.

Around this area, surfers love to catch morning waves and usually only locals end up venturing down to spend their time here.

Occasionally, dolphins might venture close to shore but this would be a pretty rare and special occurance.

Wilbur by the Sea is a small, quiet community that lies in between Daytona Beach Shores and Ponce Inlet and only has a couple roads that run parallel as an entrance or exit.

Waking up early to catch a beautiful sunrise like this one is well worth it for the soul.

Reventazon River Florida Section Costa Rica

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:46:09 +0000

Smooth river rocks line the bank of the Reventazon River, Florida section in Costa Rica and clouds roll in for a warm midday rain shower.

Along the river banks of the Reventazon River at the Florida section in Costa Rica, smooth rocks line the edge and clouds roll in for a warm rain shower.

Costa Rica hosts some of the best white water rafting and beautiful natural scenery for travellers wanting to get back to nature.

This trip led us to Rios Tropicales where they take groups out to Class III white water rapids in this section of the Reventazon River in Costa Rica.

Our guide Alonzo was truly what you could hope for in a guide who went out of his way to make sure we had a great time. He yelled out instructions to keep up straight. I was sitting in the right side of the front of the raft and led the right side of the boat in the paddling with Sarah right behind me.

We did our best while getting the workout of a lifetime to keep the boat right-side up. At some calm points of the river, we got the amazing experience of dropping over the edge of the raft and swam alongside in the warm, fresh water while comforting rain showered down upon us.

The Reventazon River runs about 90 miles, flows into the Caribbean sea, and is the source of 25 percent of the fresh drinking water for Costa Rica's largest metropolitan area centered around San Jose. Supposedly, this section soon may no longer be able to support white water rafting as a power generating dam is projected to be built.

Ponce Inlet Beach Sunset Jetty Florida

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:35:23 +0000

The warm sky of a colorful sunset in Ponce Inlet on the beach is making way for the cool of a Florida night.

The sky is filled with warm colors from a beautiful sunset in Ponce Inlet on the beach that's beginning to cool down as shadows descend for a cool Florida night.

This scene is set in the middle of the Ponce Inlet jetties where you can walk a good distance out into the water and see a view all the way around of New Smyrna on the left and also towards Daytona Beach on the right.

On the left just as the rocks begin to make a turn, there is a small beach that's wonderful for a good picnic or just to soak up some rays in the middle of the day.

Also seen is the darkened out lifeguard tower that by this time, the lifeguards have already long since gone home for the night.

With it getting dark, the lighthouse will come to life flashing its powerful light to be seen from several miles around to tell boaters that there's land just ahead.

Just behind me, fishermen seem to never give up the hunt and even wear headlamps at night to keep on fishing.