I now have three galleries of photos from the car … I call them my “drive-bys” … this is the second.
DriveTime 1 | DriveTime 2 | DriveTime 3
Click one image for larger photos in a gallery format!
We’ve never had a car delivered, but I guess some owners of Ferraris and other expensive sports cars don’t drive their just-purchased vehicles off the lot. Besides, I don’t know if you can really call a Ferrari dealership a “car lot.” Here’s a shot I got in our hometown of Naples, Fla., of a Ferrari Portofino on a flatbed truck. Since it doesn’t appear to be broken down and there’s no license tag, I made the evaluation that it was being delivered – especially since the Ferrari of Naples dealership decorative tag in on the back. I got this shot on April 4, 2021, as I drove near our home.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office had a busy time this past weekend. I got two shots of deputies, each with a vehicle pulled over for what appeared to be a traffic violation. One (above left) was on a low-speed road that services gated communities and the other was a Corvette (above right) that was stopped – but I didn’t get the ’Vette in the frame. Both shots were taken on April 4, 2021, as I drove near our home here in Naples, Fla., and because I had to shoot with a stationary camera (I don’t take photos while I drive), the framing isn’t very good.
Well, Daylight Saving Time has returned and our evenings are a little brighter because of the time change. However, it is still somewhat dark (a little? a lot?) as we head to work each morning. I got this shot as I was stopped at a red light here in Naples, Fla., on the morning of March 18, 2021.
I casually shoot photos if there’s even just a reasonable subject when I’m stopped at a red light. However, I got this shot several days ago and just now getting around to posting it. Here’s a shot of the afternoon sun illuminating a large U.S. flag on a cell-tower pole near our home here in Naples, Fla. I got the shot March 21, 2021, and the clouds provided the contrast!
I’ve enjoyed spotting decoy patrol cars in both Collier and Lee counties here in Southwest Florida. Of course, decoy cars are marked patrol units that are parked in medians or along a highway to deter speeding. For a time, I was seeing Car 452 from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. I was then spotting some decoys from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. My latest is a new decoy in Collier County: Car 747! I got this shot of the vehicle parked in North Naples on March 21, 2021, and I’m just now getting around to posting it.
Sorry for the poor quality of this photograph, but I was stopped at a red light on March 20, 2021, and I snapped it quickly with my iPhone. A Collier County Sheriff’s deputy had stopped the driver of … a GOLF CART! It was on the sidewalk of a busy highway near our home here in Naples, Fla., and I’m not sure what the law in our state is about driving one on a sidewalk. Well, I’m sure the driver found out from the deputy! I’ll try to remember to keep my Nikon DSLR in my car at all times!
Sometimes in traffic, you might want to let another driver know about something he or she cannot see happening with their vehicle. You know … an open fuel door or a seat belt caught in and hanging outside of a door. However, I knew that this driver didn’t need to be told his windshield wiper had a problem: It wasn’t raining and it was on a dry day – the wiper was just stuck into position on the windshield. I got the shot on Dec. 24, 2020, near our hometown of Naples, Fla.
I’ve posted photos of a Collier County Sheriff’s Office patrol car that is used as a decoy to slow down speeders and found out this past weekend that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office does the same thing! I got these shots of the car – No. 5797 – as it was parked in a median in Estero on Nov. 22, 2020.
I captured this splash of color from the flashing lights of a Collier County Sheriff’s Office patrol car that was stopped behind a minor crash on Nov. 12, 2020. I was driving near our home here in Naples, Fla., just after sunset when I got the shot.
Along with sunrises and sunsets, another subject for my blog photos is … at the car wash! The wonderful blur of the spinning washing device to colors from the lights inside, I just enjoy getting a shot or two. I got this image on Dec. 5, 2020, at the car wash near our home here in Naples, Fla.
You can get into the holiday spirit with red color of brake lights at many intersections here in Naples, Fla.! Even in these pandemic times of COVID, you’ll find lots of folks out at all hours here in Southwest Florida. I got this shot near our home on Dec. 7, 2020.
Bright lights in traffic usually mean a crash and the flashers on the top of emergency vehicles, although it can also mean idiot drivers with their high-beams activated or pickup trucks showing how they can have mis-aimed headlights and enough extra illumination to land a jumbo jet. I got this shot of a crash scene here in Naples, Fla., on the evening of Dec. 10, 2020.
Southwest Florida managed to get just a scrape from Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Tropical Depression Eta on Nov. 11, 2020. We had some wind gusts and lots of rain and you can see the reflection off the rain-slicked highway in this photo. I got the shot while driving near our home here in Naples, Fla.
Here’s a minor idiocy that too many drivers subject onto too many people looking for a parking space: It’s the idiot who doesn’t park in the spot assigned. Here’s one fool that I found in a Publix parking lot on Dec. 17, 2020, near our home here in Naples, Fla. Unfortunately, a fool behind this fool parked and left his or her truck’s backside sticking out into the driving lane. Ah, well. A fool’s a fool is an idiot. So, today, here is the latest in my “Naples Idiot Parking” series.
Ah, the different views of a sunrise as I took a drive on Sunday morning, Dec. 20,2020, near our home here in Naples, Fla. The soon-to-be-blazing sunrise appears in front as I drive eastbound; fiery as a I drive southbound; and then even as a Publix supermarket truck goes past.
Sometimes in traffic, you might want to let another driver know about something he or she cannot see happening with their vehicle. You know … an open fuel door or a seat belt caught in and hanging outside of a door. However, I knew that this driver didn’t need to be told his windshield wiper had a problem: It wasn’t raining and it was on a dry day – the wiper was just stuck into position on the windshield. I got the shot on Dec. 24, 2020, near our hometown of Naples, Fla.
Patrol car 452 where are you? Ha! The Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s parked cruiser being used to deter speeders has found a new home in North Naples. I had a recent post of the spot where it was parked in North Naples here in Southwest Florida. Well, after a week, it found a new home on May 27, 2020. I got this shot … I’m not going to say where, since the traffic enforcement tactic is good! I identified the previous location in a post, but only after five days. It found a new home on May 27!
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office evoked a bunch of braking on the western portion of Orange Blossom Drive in recent days. The two-lane, divided road west of Airport-Pulling Road has a speed limit of 30mph on the road spiked by gated subdivisions, but lots of folks ignore this limit. So, the CCSO parked a patrol car (no deputy inside) on a curve on the road – and I saw a bunch of drivers hitting the brakes when they saw the distinctive white vehicle! The patrol car was parked in the same spot for at least five days – through the Memorial Day weekend. I got this shot on May 24, 2020, near our home here in Naples, Fla. Traffic was light, so I was able to stop, get out and click my iPhone camera. Ha! Maybe they will put a deputy inside after all!
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office evoked a bunch of braking on the western portion of Orange Blossom Drive in recent days. The two-lane, divided road west of Airport-Pulling Road has a speed limit of 30mph on the road spiked by gated subdivisions, but lots of folks ignore this limit. So, the CCSO parked a patrol car (no deputy inside) on a curve on the road – and I saw a bunch of drivers hitting the brakes when they saw the distinctive white vehicle! The patrol car was parked in the same spot for at least five days – through the Memorial Day weekend. I got this shot on May 24, 2020, near our home here in Naples, Fla. Traffic was light, so I was able to stop, get out and click my iPhone camera. Ha! Maybe they will put a deputy inside after all!
I previously posted a photo of a FedEx truck blocking two disabled parking spaces at one time. Today, I’m posting that a competitor, UPS using a Budget truck, did the same thing in the same place. Unfortunately, Budget’s logo is much bigger than the UPS logo. Despite it being after 4 p.m., this is a medical office building where such parking spaces are at a premium.
Millennials might be “snowflakes” and now, you’ll find that vehicles have become “snowflakes,” too. Here’s the first “car umbrella” that I ever saw in person. Obviously, such devices protect a car that is outside. What’s the next step? Not driving in the elements at all? It’s just sad, unless you are protecting a priceless vintage or supercar. I got this shot on Oct. 14, 2019, at an office building parking lot here in Naples, Fla.
Here is my 13th example of “Naples Idiot Parking.” I’ve posted photos before where a driver needs room to get out at a disabled parking space. But you know it’s an entitled idiot when they block the OTHER disabled parking space’s chance to have room, too! Only an idiot parks in this manner. I got this shot at an office building here in Naples, Fla., on Sept. 25, 2019.
I’m always ready to take a photo and then post it of a blazing sunset (or sunrise) in one of my car’s mirrors. Here’s the view I got running an errand on the early evening of Sept. 30, 2019, near our home here in Naples, Fla.
Here is my 12th example of “Naples Idiot Parking.” Yes, I know it was just after opening of the Home Depot store near our home here in Naples, Fla., on a Sunday (Aug. 18, 2019), but no one should ever park this way and take up two spaces — even when there is an empty lot. The driver was showing that he or she is near-sighted or entitled. Take your pick; it comes out the same.
Here is my 14th example of “Naples Idiot Parking.” However, I’m adding a word for today’s driver: Entitled. I know you’ve seen these mooks who park in the fire lane outside stores. It’s for their convience and to heck with everyone else. Of course, they don’t care that they’re exhibiting idiotic, selfish behavior. However, this guy is an officer in that platoon: He was there when I went in this WalMart store to buy one item. He was there when I came out a few minutes later and walked to my properly parked vehicle and was still there as I left on Sept. 29, 2019, here in Naples, Fla. Emergency lights blinking and his also-entitled spouse or friend doing their shopping. Ah, well, one can only point up stupidity.
Here’s a most Naples scene you can get: Folks on a supermarket run to Publix park their drop-top Porsche and Ferrari side-by-side. Really? If you can afford this Ferrari, you can afford a food lackey to go to the supermarket for you! Just joking! Here are the two really sweet rides that I photographed Aug. 9, 2019, near our home here in Southwest Florida. BTW … I like traditional Ferrari red, but the blue works. I believe this is a Pista Spider that goes for about $355,000. Damn! I sound like a hillbilly being impressed with a car costing under $1 million, but … damn!
Although the precipitation is not from Hurricane Dorian, we continue to be deluged with rain each day here in Southwest Florida. I got this shot while stopped at a red light near our home in Naples on Sept. 2, 2019. Favorite descriptions of this downpour would be “gullywasher” or the more Southern “frog strangler.” It would be nice to see the rain ease up a bit.
A beautiful sunset can make your view while waiting for a red light a most enjoyable few moments. Here’s one example from our hometown of Naples, Fla. I got the shot on July 16, 2019, after having “chased” a beautiful sunset.
A beautiful sunset can make your view while waiting for a red light a most enjoyable few moments. Here’s one example from our hometown of Naples, Fla. I got the shot on July 16, 2019, after having “chased” a beautiful sunset.
Here are two photos that show messages about the new texting law. The digital billboards have been parked on Collier County roads for weeks. The photos were taken June 28, 2019. Here’s the link about my commentary on the new law: https://floridagators80.wordpress.com/2019/07/01/new-texting-while-driving-law-today-well-maybe-kinda-sort-of/
I posted yesterday that some sun this week would be a nice break from the rain of the past few days across Southwest Florida. Well, the rain continued as you can see from the window of my car as I returned home from work on June 17, 2019, here in Naples. The forecast says look for sunnier skies on Friday and through the coming weekend.
I am a traditionalist who believes that all Ferraris need to be the proper shade of red. Here’s a Ferrari I spotted here in our hometown of Naples, Fla., on June 5, 2019. It is in the red spectrum – more like the awful color of a certain deficient university in our state – but not the correct red color. Ah well, at least the person’s driving a Ferrari. Oh, I used Photoshop to remove the license plate number to protect the driver’s privacy (although the vehicle is quite distinctive). PS: As a disclaimer, I’m a fan of the University of Florida Gators and that “other” school is a sports rival.
I was riding shotgun on a nighttime drive on May 13, 2019, on Interstate 75 here in Southwest Florida and managed to get a couple of nice photos. We were driving to pick up our daughter’s car at the airport in Fort Myers when I got them on the interstate just north of our hometown of Naples.
Someone must have noticed the error on the digital billboard that incorrectly identified U.S. 41 – Naples’ most historic highway and its virtual trademark at the Tamiami Trail (the road connecting Tampa and Miami). I posted a photo showing how someone typed in “SR 41” – the highway is actually State Road 45 – and posted it on this blog as well as Tweeting it. Well, it has been corrected. Thanks to whomever did the job! I don’t know if the road project that brought out the digital billboard is by the road department of Collier County or the City of Naples, but thanks! I got this shot on July 5, 2019.
It must be my week for finding errors. I just posted about how the IFC network doesn’t know how to use apostrophes or quote marks and, now I find that the road department here in Collier County – or it might be a project by the City of Naples – doesn’t even know the correct designation for its signature highway. One sign on Goodlette-Frank Road that southbound driver can see notes access via “SR 41.” No! Wrong! It is U.S. 41. It is also State Road 45. It is also called the Tamiami Trail and is Naples’ historic highway. But it NEVER has been “SR 41.” Ah well, at least northbound drivers get the correct designation of U.S. 41. I got this shot on June 21, 2019.
I’ve posted before about an idiot who parks too far over to give themselves room in a disabled parking space. OK, I get it. They needed room. However, when the idiot goes this far over, he or she blocks the other disabled parking apace. So, from May 9, 2019, here in Naples, Fla., you my most recently viewed idiot parking job.
Today I’m continuing my posting of “Naples Idiot Parking” photos. It’s my tenth. I got this one April 27, 2019, at our nearby Sam’s Club parking lot. This fool parked in the middle of a blocked-off area next to a disabled parking spot. You just can’t say any more about the stupidity of this driver.
Here’s a continuation of my Naples Idiot Parking series. You know, backing into a space is very popular. Apparently, what isn’t popular for this driver is check his space after parking. Thanks, buddy! You just took up two spaces! I got this shot Jan. 18, 2019, here in Naples, Fla.
Here’s my latest photo of an example of how an idiot parks his car. Sigh. There’s nearly 10 feet of room to be completely in the parking space. You’ll know this driver: he stops three car-lengths back at every red light and has no sense of depth perception. Not only that, the vehicle is slightly sideways in the parking spot he’s almost in. Yes, this driver is on the roads in Naples, Fla., today. I got this photo at a Publix parking lot on Nov. 15, 2018.
I’m sure this driver needed extra room on his or her side of the car to get out, but it sure looks like an idiot parked it since all he or she had to do for more room was park in the other spot. Although apparently needing space, the driver blocks the marked walkway between the parking spaces and actually limits the other space. What an idiot. Sigh. Parking in Naples, Fla., on Sept. 14, 2018.
Here’s my latest “Naples Idiot Parking” photo. I got it Jan. 17, 2018, at a parking garage in our hometown of Naples, Fla. If it was an outdoor parking lot, it would just be a common sight. However, in a parking garage, this means most drivers won’t be able to use the space to the left. Also, as I left the garage, I saw the idiot driver go up onto the sidewalk making a right turn. Fool. I won’t mention the location of the garage to protect it from this idiot’s work and I’ve used Photoshop to remove the license plate number and a distinctive sticker from the back window to protect the identity of the driver.
I call this kind of photo “Naples Idiot Parking.” Here in our hometown in Southwest Florida, drivers prove daily they are congenital idiots. Today’s example comes from a Publix parking lot on Jan. 10, 2018, near our home. This fool didn’t take up two spaces to keep from getting his doors dented, he just doesn’t know how to park and managed to block two head-on spaces with one try. Of course the fool got out with a Chihuahua on a leash (I’m sure the poor thing was embarrassed to be seen with him) and when I returned to the parking lot his car alarm was blaring and he was standing beside it and pointing his key fob at it trying to shut it down. He drove off with the emergency flashers on. Idiot.
Here’s another cloud that looks as if there was an explosion in the distance. I was in Bonita Springs returning to our home in Naples, Fla., after going to the driving range on June 23, 2019, when I got this shot.
Here’s my latest “license plate game” photo and, unlike the last I posted, it’s an OK image. However, it is one from Colorado that I saw here in Naples, Fla., on July 20, 2019. Of course, I gave the driver a bit of privacy by using Photoshop to eliminate the plate’s ID numbers.
Everyone can see that Southwest Florida’s winter “season” has started in earnest with our seasonal friends returning from “up north.” Traffic is more congested; restaurants fill up quickly; and stores are more crowded. However, here’s the most visual proof: a car hauler off-loading vehicles. I got this shot in Estero at a large gated subdivision called The Brooks just north of our hometown of Naples on Oct. 13, 2019.
Here is my 15th example of “Naples Idiot Parking.” Yet, this photo is more of an “entitled” driver or a simply “selfish” one. Note that the vehicle is pulled just far enough into the next space so that another vehicle, unless it is a smart car or Fiat, would fit. And, yes, the inconsiderate driver didn’t bother to check. Ah well … so much for consideration, especially with the parking lot in demand at the time. I got this shot at Headquarters branch of the Collier County Public Library here in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 13, 2019.
Here is one of the few photos I’m posting in my daily spot for images from our trips to Walt Disney World that was not taken at WDW. I’ve seen this vehicle here before in my hometown of Naples, Fla., but never had a chance to photograph the WDW sticker that’s alongside one for my beloved University of Florida Gators (and this isn’t a great photo by any means). It must be a wonderful family to love both WDW and the Gators! I got the shot on Dec. 1, 2019.
Here’s a view of a speed-limit sign in our neighborhood in Naples, Fla., and it has a bush growing up through the post (which is conveniently ventilated to assist the process). I’ve photographed and posted before an image of a bush growing out the top of this post, but I can’t tell if someone hit it with Roundup since last summer. I took this photograph March 7, 2020, and you can compare it what it looked like on June 22, 2019 (click this link). I’ve also posted an even earlier photo. As I noted before, here’s proof that, like in the “Jurassic Park” movie franchise, the statement “nature finds a way” continues to be proven true.
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