Boat Yard Relics
The 2002 United States Census report showed that 11.7% of all businesses performed maintenance and repair work. Things break down, wear out, and malfunction–automobiles, appliances, electronics; you name it. As for many Floridians, that included our boat. So, we found a boat yard that would haul our boat out of the water and put it in dry dock for repairs. While my husband occupied himself with the renovations, I explored the boat yard. I found the dockside view captivating.
Rock Harbor
I surveyed the many boats in various stages of maintenance, but then explored behind the scenes. As I poked around, a tableau of settings lured my eye. First, not far from water’s edge a collection of lobster trap buoys awaited their new assignments.
Lobster Buoys
Used traps etched with worm holes and stained with rust bleached in the tropical sun.
Used Spiny Lobster Traps
A neglected sailboat rested in the weeds behind boats that were under active repair, its hull peppered with barnacles.
Retired
After exploring a discarded piece of heavy equipment, I indulged in a bit of “lens play.”
Junked
A vast assortment of discarded boat and equipment parts, a sort of treasure trove for creative boat repairmen occupied the back forty. This particular arrangement of oxidizing iron caught my eye.
Iron Fins
As you can see, it was a day of experimentation; a time for lens prospecting within the far reaches of a Florida boat yard. I must have been a curious sight to anyone who saw me.
I'd say the human with the camera is one strange bird!
Morningjoy's Weblog 
i like these and the first pic, the simplicity. wonderful
Thank you! Shooting without an agenda can be a challenge and a whole lot of fun.
You have a knack for finding beauty in some unlikely places, MJ. The barnacled hull shows such detail, I feel I could touch it and I would feel the rough surface.
I appreciate you, Scott. Sometimes we find ourselves in unlikely places : D
I took lots of photos of that old boat and wondered at its history. I particularly liked the pattern of the barnacles.
It is a bit sad to see old boats. I always feel they want to get back into the water.
I felt the same emotion. It’s odd seeing them out of their element, yet so close.