Jim Stafford's Blog

Photo Aired on WPTV 5 at 11pm

2010-06-07T01:31:00.005-04:00

Photos of lightening from tonight's storm over Lake Worth, Florida. I took both from the deck in my backyard. I used a canon rebel xsi

The above photos was aired on WPTV 5 during the 11pm weather segment!

Passion Vine in Bloom

2010-05-22T15:12:00.002-04:00

2010-05-18T23:57:00.000-04:00

More photos from Old Bridge Park in Lake Worth.

Stormy Sunset

2010-05-17T23:58:00.007-04:00

I took this photo of today's sunset from Old Bridge Park on the east bank of the Lake Worth Lagoon.

Venus and Moon

2010-05-15T23:09:00.003-04:00

Just after sunset Venus was chasing the moon in the west.

Facebook Facts Graphic

2010-05-13T12:13:00.000-04:00

[Source: Online PhD Programs for MashableMashable.com]

My Yoda

2010-05-08T17:26:00.000-04:00

The Dark Lord has returned...

2010-05-08T11:17:00.001-04:00

My Facebook profile pic...

2010-05-05T21:25:00.003-04:00

I made the background for a client. They ended up selecting another version. I liked the background so I used it to create my new Facebook profile pic.

Talk.com, Inc on Facebook....

2010-05-02T21:57:00.003-04:00

I finally got around to launching a page on Facebook for Talk.com, Inc. Click here to check it out!

The Warriors....

2010-04-30T20:16:00.004-04:00

I used Lightroom and Photoshop as well as my own skill to bring The Palm Beach School for Autism's Warrior to life...

Tonight's Full Moon

2010-04-27T21:48:00.003-04:00

My oldest son JR and I caught this image of the moon tonight...

Lantana Chili-Cookoff and Craft Show

2010-04-24T16:48:00.003-04:00

Sunset - 20 Mile Bend

2010-04-18T00:29:00.002-04:00

Sunset 20-Mile Bend in Western Palm Beach County, Florida

Surfers for Autism

2010-04-11T08:57:00.003-04:00

I volunteered my lens yesterday at the Surfers for Autism event at Deerfield Beach. Photo of volunteers from The Palm Beach School for Autism. Learn more about The Palm Beach School for Autism at http://www.pbsfa.org

Slash Pines

2010-03-31T12:22:00.003-04:00

Jonathan Dickinson State Park - Kitchen Trail

Hobe Mountain Trail

2010-03-30T17:50:00.002-04:00

Hobe Mountain Trail, Jonathan Dickinson State Park - Photo atop Observation Tower looking east. Intra-Coastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean in background

Sunrise 3.27.10 Lake Worth Beach

2010-03-28T15:09:00.002-04:00

Lake Worth Beach, Florida Sunrise

Today's Sunrise

2010-03-26T11:21:00.003-04:00

Lake Worth Beach, Florida

All I need is the sea... Everything else only takes away from mother nature!

Passion Vine

2010-03-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

Tonight's moon....

2010-02-23T20:22:00.001-05:00

The moon over Lake Worth, Florida.....

Lake Worth Street Painting Festival

2010-02-21T17:56:00.002-05:00

1515 S. Flagler Demo West Palm Beach, Florida

2010-02-14T14:06:00.003-05:00

Today's demolition of the tower located at 1515 Flagler was the third tallest to date in the U.S.

The moon over Lake Worth

2010-01-27T22:34:00.003-05:00

I took this photo tonight while my two oldest boys and I did some stargazing in the backyard. I hand held my canon DSLR.

John and Joseph

2009-12-17T08:23:00.002-05:00

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

2009-12-02T20:28:00.003-05:00

I love to photograph fireworks displays... I did not carry my tripod but did manage to hand hold some pretty nice long exposures of EPCOT's IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks display.

Photos of EPCOT Candlelight Processional

2009-12-02T07:44:00.003-05:00

Spent the weekend at Walt Disney World. Below are photos from EPCOT's Candlelight Processional. Forest High School's Choir participated in both of Sunday night's performances.

Narrator: Isebella Rossellini

Bridge to Station Processing Facility

2009-11-18T10:41:00.000-05:00

Saturn 5

2009-11-17T23:46:00.001-05:00

Photo by Jim Stafford
NASAtweetup

STS-129 Launch

2009-11-17T22:45:00.001-05:00

Photo by Jim Stafford
Launch of STS-129

Heading to Kennedy Space Center for the NASA Tweetup

2009-11-12T10:54:00.003-05:00

Reminder:

I will be out of town Sat-Mon. I will be 1 of 100 @NASA twitter followers attending the NASA Tweetup at Kennedy Space Center. This includes viewing the launch of STS-129 from the press area.

A list of the some of the speakers and events planned:

John Yembrick (@NASA), NASA public affairs officer
Jon Cowart, Ares I-X deputy mission manager

Wayne Hale, strategic program planning manager

Mike Massimino (@Astro_Mike), astronaut, STS-109 & 125

Veronica McGregor (@veronicamcg), public affairs, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Miles O'Brien (@milesobrien), veteran space reporter, former CNN anchor

Tour of KSC

If you want to follow me on this adventure I will be posting updates on twitter. You can follow me @UtalkNews

From the West Palm Beach Home Show

2009-10-10T08:30:00.000-04:00

Under the Bridge

2009-09-28T10:45:00.002-04:00

Can Can Cafe City Place

2009-09-03T12:49:00.002-04:00

Took this photo of a dancer at the New Can Can Cafe in City Place.

My Slave Leia

2009-07-18T20:48:00.001-04:00

Tone sketch of Slave Leia...

My Han Solo

2009-07-18T11:40:00.002-04:00

My 1st Stormtrooper

2009-07-17T18:56:00.002-04:00

I created this sketch entirely using corell...Its my 1st attempt using only a PC...

Wanting to light the fires

2009-07-14T21:31:00.002-04:00

Image above: Space shuttle Endeavour stands on Launch Pad 39A beneath a darkened sky after weather prevented Monday's scheduled liftoff. Photo courtesy of Scott Andrews

source: Nasa.gov

Endeavour Launch Rescheduled for Wednesday

2009-07-13T20:06:00.001-04:00

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:53:38 PM EDT

Liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 mission has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 15 at 6:03 p.m. EDT.

Today's attempt was canceled due to poor weather conditions within the launch area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Anvil clouds and storm cells containing lightning flared up toward the end of the countdown, violating stringent launch safety rules.

A postponement briefing will air live on NASA Television at 8 p.m. EDT this evening. The participants will be Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses and STS-127 Shuttle Launch Director Pete Nickolenko. Watch it live at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Endeavour Launch Now Scheduled for July 13

2009-07-12T20:36:00.000-04:00

Endeavour Launch Now Scheduled for July 13
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:46:24 PM EDT

Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 launch now is scheduled for July 13 at 6:51 p.m. EDT.

Officials at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida called off Sunday's planned liftoff due to inclement weather. Cumulus clouds and lightning violated rules for launching Endeavour because of weather near the Shuttle Landing Facility. The runway would be needed in the unlikely event that Endeavour would have to make an emergency landing back at Kennedy.

Monday's live countdown coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m on NASA Television and NASA's Launch Blog.

I did this Magna/Pinup.....

2009-07-11T22:48:00.001-04:00

I did this sketch for one of my Facebook pages....

Endeavour's Launch Delayed 24-Hours

2009-07-11T11:59:00.002-04:00

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:42:20 AM EDT

Space shuttle Endeavour’s launch has been delayed 24 hours to allow technical teams additional time to evaluate lightning strikes at Launch Pad 39A that occurred during Friday's thunderstorm.

A news conference with Mike Moses, SSP Launch Integration Manager, will be held at 11 a.m. EDT on NASA TV and on the Web at www.nasa.gov/tv.

STS-127 Mission Overview
The 16-day mission will feature five spacewalks and complete construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Astronauts will attach a platform to the outside of the Japanese module that will allow experiments to be exposed to space.

The STS-127 crew members are Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Dave Wolf, Christopher Cassidy, Tom Marshburn, Tim Kopra and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette. Kopra will join the space station crew and replace Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata. Wakata will return to Earth on Endeavour to conclude a three-month stay at the station.

Hand Sketch

2009-06-30T11:05:00.002-04:00

I did this rough sketch of my hand last night using GIMP.... I prefer it for drawing over CS4. I'm still getting use to doing the entire sketch on my machine...I'm still getting adjusted to my new wacom pad...

I added a ship to the mix

2009-06-18T14:41:00.001-04:00

Another try....

2009-06-09T12:05:00.001-04:00

Exploding Star with one planet

Learning something new...

2009-05-31T22:25:00.003-04:00

I'm learning how to do 3-D graphics...This is my first feeble attempt...Click on the image for full size....

A little fun with photoshop on this stormy night

2009-05-25T23:59:00.002-04:00

"Wisdom will be my hammer, Prudence will be my nail. When we build the lives of men, Courage will never fail." -A Dungeon Siege

JR's Graduation...

2009-05-23T18:39:00.004-04:00

You made your father proud today!

The Bubble Burst

2009-05-21T19:49:00.002-04:00

Today I caught this photo of a Bubble Bursting. I had to post it because it just looked so cool...

James Stafford Photography

2009-05-18T08:28:00.004-04:00

I have created a website designed to highlight my landscape and wildlife photography. I hope you enjoy this slide show and take some time to visit the site. http://www.jamesstafford.name

Shark Landed at Boynton Inlet

2009-05-15T11:46:00.002-04:00

Last night Vincent and I went fishing for bait at the Boynton Inlet. The guy next to us caught this shark right after dark. When the dude started to clean the shark Vincent exclaimed: "Fish gotta swim, birds gotta eat"...then asked a million questions about the guts of the shark. He really loves to fish and can't stop talking about the shark and how he wants to catch one...

Thunderstorm in the Everglades

2009-05-13T20:25:00.003-04:00

The boys and I went hiking around Belle Glade and Lake Okeechobee today. Above is a photo of a classic Florida Thunderstorm working its way across the big lake. Below is a photo of the locks and dam at Pt. Mayaca. If you look closely you will see that the level of the lake and the trans Florida Waterway canal are equal and the lock has both gates open.

STS-125 Space Shuttle Launch

2009-05-11T14:52:00.003-04:00

The boys and I watched today's Shuttle Launch from the bridge at Southern Blvd. It was an almost cloudless day. West Palm Beach Skyline in the foreground.

Lake Worth Pier Open

2009-05-09T11:41:00.002-04:00

The Lake Worth Fishing Pier Re-opened today. See more photos at http://www.Utalknews.com

Looking forward to a boat ride....

2009-05-08T11:52:00.004-04:00

I plan to spend most of this weekend out on the water. It seems that a few of Lake Worth's most vocal residents should spend more time enjoying our community and less time bitching! We are fortunate to live in paradise and spending it inside complaining instead of outside is nuts...If you see us out at the "Nut" this weekend make sure to stop by and say "Hi"...I keep a cold one waiting...LOL

Another photo from Camping Trip....

2009-05-08T08:02:00.003-04:00

Crab kissing....

Spent this past weekend camping...

2009-05-07T12:58:00.002-04:00

It's been a rough 2 weeks! The family was able to escape the chaos in our new camper for a few days . I'm already looking forward to our next trip in June!

Mar-a-Lago

2009-04-14T15:50:00.004-04:00

This past Monday I had the opportunity to visit and photograph Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

HDR photo looking at the eastern face of Mar-a-Lago

View more on my Facebook page!!!

Surfing Lake Worth Beach

2009-03-25T08:01:00.004-04:00

Shots of some of the surfing action at Lake Worth Beach on 3.24.09

Lake Worth Beach

2009-03-20T22:49:00.006-04:00

Some photos from my walk today at Lake Worth Beach...

Cara Jenning's Mug Shot....

2009-03-20T16:01:00.000-04:00

Cara Jennings Video

2009-03-17T12:37:00.002-04:00

Cara acting like a complete jackass!!!!

http://www.wflx.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15107&topVideoCatNoB=126358&topVideoCatNoC=114415&topVideoCatNoD=115608&topVideoCatNoE=145712&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3555432

Shuttle Launch from Lake Worth Beach

2009-03-15T23:31:00.007-04:00

Views of today's launch from Lake Worth Beach Florida.

The Cape Canaveral is about 150 miles north of Lake Worth.

Another walk at Green Cay Wetlands

2009-03-08T23:48:00.002-04:00

This morning the family and I went for a walk at Green Cay...It was a great way to start the day!

Photos from visit to Green Cay Wetlands

2009-03-05T13:17:00.004-05:00

Photos from today's visit to the Green Cay Wetlands.

Great Investment!!!

2009-03-04T23:25:00.003-05:00

Donating to Com. Mulvehill's campaign is the best investment you'll ever make! Just ask the tenants at the beach! Make sure you get your cash ready for her re-election!

FixPics Photo Restoration

2009-02-27T19:08:00.006-05:00

The original photo was taken in the 1940's and is a black and white image that had been colored and print on an 8x10 canvas.

The image had significant damage as you can see above. What you can't see in the before shot, are hundreds of small black spots that covered the photo and needed to be removed.

Visit http://www.FixPixs.com for more information

JR Dodge and Burn

2009-02-27T12:46:00.003-05:00

I decide to do another Dodge and Burn for my new site http://www.fixpixs.com/. This time I pick one of my favorite pictures of JR from a Disney Trip. He was about 2 years old at the time.

Florida Master Naturalist Class Photo

2009-02-25T08:34:00.003-05:00

My Florida Master Naturalist Class Photo

The Artist

2009-02-25T07:56:00.007-05:00

This was created from a photo that I took at the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival.

I used photoshop CS3's dodge and burn tool to creat the effect. Below you see her face at actual size. This project took about 6 hours to complete.

Lake Worth Street Painting Festival

2009-02-22T19:54:00.004-05:00

I will be posting tons of Pictures from the Street Painting Festival on UtalkNews.com!

I posted a few here as a preview...

Just hanging around...

2009-02-12T23:25:00.003-05:00

Had a little fun with Photoshop CS 3 tonight.

Boy, I'm really looking for to election time!

Wakodahatchee Wetalnds

2009-01-19T23:13:00.003-05:00

For more information and photos visit http://www.utalknews.com/

Wolf Moon over Lake Worth Beach

2009-01-13T07:18:00.002-05:00

Lake Worth Turns a Blind Eye to Public Safety

2009-01-12T15:32:00.003-05:00

Two years ago UtalkNews first reported safety concerns over the concrete bleachers at the Northwest Baseball Fields to the commission and city staff. The bleachers have exposed nuts/bolts, no longer have seating or floor boards, and are within feet of a children’s playground....

Read and see more at UtalkNews.com

Mounts Botanical Gardens

2009-01-12T07:30:00.002-05:00

To learn more about Palm Beach County's oldest Botanical Gardens visit UtalkNews.com

Back from the High Country....

2009-01-05T12:17:00.002-05:00

It was a great two weeks but like all good things it must and did come to an end. I took tons of photos and will post a few here. I'm looking forward to the day the family and I move to NC and leave the Florida BS behind!

No Lifeguards at Lake Worth Beach

2008-12-18T11:54:00.003-05:00

Due to budget cuts there are no Lifeguards at Lake Worth Beach on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. City ordinance requires the beach to be closed to swimmers if Lifeguards off duty!

Visit http://www.utalknews.com/ for all the details and Mayor Jeff Clemens response...

Cara Jennings's Vision for our Parks

2008-12-16T21:20:00.002-05:00

www. CaraJennings.net coming soon!

The real Cara!

Uncut, Unedited, Unbelievable!

Waste in Action: Lake Worth Beach

2008-12-15T21:22:00.001-05:00

The Lake Worth City Commission wants to spend 20 million dollars on a beach front redevelopment plan and they can't even get a $5 dollar water value to work properly.

Trauma Hawk

2008-12-13T20:46:00.003-05:00

Trauma Hawk air lifts victim from Lake Worth's North West Baseball Field

See more photos at www.UtalkNews.com

Lake Worth Holiday Parade

2008-12-13T15:52:00.004-05:00

See more photos at www.UtalkNews.com

Moon Rise over Lake Worth Beach

2008-12-13T07:41:00.004-05:00

See more photos of the largest full moon for the next 15 years and you can purchase prints!

Click Here

Lake Worth Beach Plan

2008-12-11T13:05:00.002-05:00

Visit UtalkNews.com for complete coverage!

Wildlife Refuge Photos

2008-12-07T23:12:00.003-05:00

See more photos at http://www.utalknews.com/

Lake Worth Tree Lighting

2008-12-06T08:20:00.003-05:00

Lake Worth held its annual tree lighting in the Cultural Plaza Friday night. See more photos at http://www.UtalkNews.com

Photos from Lake Worth Commission Meeting

2008-12-03T07:33:00.003-05:00

Photos from the 12.02.08 Lake Worth Commission Meeting

Clueless Com. Mulvehill

I guess Com. Golden only likes her puppetmaster to take her picture

The new face of power

The new commission....God Help Us All

Buy My Photos

2008-11-30T21:41:00.001-05:00

I have placed a few of my favorite photos for sale at https://www.clustershot.com/jamesstafford

Today'a Sunriae at Lake Worth Beach

2008-11-29T08:47:00.001-05:00

Today the sunrise was spectacular!

My Mom in the Palm Beach Post

2008-11-27T09:58:00.005-05:00

Photo of mom (Mayra Stafford) and dad (Larry Stafford)

My mother is the Principal of Forest Hill High School. She was quoted in today's paper.

"Forest Hill High Principal Mayra Stafford said she's particularly concerned for students who recently emigrated from other countries and are facing the high stakes test with the added challenge of a language barrier and now less attempts to pass it."

Read the complete article: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/11/26/1126fcat.html

Lake Worth Bike Night

2008-11-25T07:15:00.002-05:00

Sunset Walk on a Cool Autumn Day

2008-11-23T21:23:00.002-05:00

Palm Beach Zoo

2008-11-22T14:22:00.004-05:00

Vincent and I went to the Palm Beach Zoo today. We had a blast looking at all the animals. It was wonderful to spend some one on one time with him. I look forward to doing the same with JR in the future!

Boaters Beware the Manatee Zones are Back

2008-11-21T07:53:00.002-05:00

Manatee Season Runs Through March 31
For release on: November 17, 2008
For more information:
Alessandra Medri (561) 233-2512 Paul Davis (561) 233-2509

Manatee season begins November 15th and ends March 31st in Palm Beach County. Manatees are attracted by the warm weather in South Florida as water temperature drops in the north. They seek out water above 68 degrees, congregating at natural springs and warm water discharges from power plants.

The area near the FPL power plant at Riviera Beach hosts some of the highest numbers of manatees in the state during cold fronts. Local “hot spots” where manatees congregate include Jupiter Sound, the C-18 Canal/Southwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River, Earman River, Central Lake Worth Lagoon, Lantana/Boynton area, Lake Wyman in Boca Raton. Side canals along the Intracoastal Waterway may serve as secondary warm water refuges and also provide sources of freshwater.

The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and Palm Beach County’s largest estuary, the Lake Worth Lagoon, are the manatee’s version of I-95. Just as local motorists need to share the road with vacationers, local and visiting boaters need to share these waterways with manatees as they travel.

The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) takes action year-round to help protect manatees. Efforts include a brochure with manatee speed zone maps, educational kiosks at boat ramps, habitat restoration and enhancement projects, and a new Law Enforcement Program to increase compliance with manatee speed zones countywide.

The Manatee Protection Plan (MPP), approved by the Board of County Commissioners on August 21, 2007, provides annual funding in the amount of $200,000 for additional on-water law enforcement. These ad-valorem funds provide a mechanism that allows county marine units to work on manatee details specifically designed to increase patrolling in manatee speed zones.
During the 2007-2008 manatee season, nine law enforcement agencies participated in the new Law Enforcement Program: Tequesta, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Lantana, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. All nine agencies with the addition of the Riviera Beach Police Department will participate in 2008-2009.

To request a free manatee brochure with manatee speed zone maps contact, Alyssa Dodd at 561-233-2448 or ADodd@co.palm-beach.fl.us.

Photos of West Palm Beach

2008-11-20T19:01:00.002-05:00

Some shots I took today...

John Williams, Star Wars Tribute

2008-11-20T07:53:00.001-05:00

More Photos from Lake Worth Beach

2008-11-19T16:14:00.006-05:00

Panorama of Lake Worth Beach

2008-11-19T12:11:00.003-05:00

Vincent and I spent some time this morning at Lake Worth Beach. Below is a 180 degree image. It is made up of several images that I clued together. It my first attempt at a Panorama photo.

Click on image to expand

The Blow has Been Struck

2008-11-19T07:35:00.005-05:00

The final lines of Ernest Lawrence Thayer's poem seem to fit Com. Dave Vespo's loss in yesterday's run-off election for the Lake Worth District 4 seat all to well..

"Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light. And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Lake Worth -- mighty Dave has Struck Out."

The Political landscape of Lake Worth is forever changed. Dave and his supporters failed to see the shift and much like any creature that fails to adapt to a new environment, Dave is gone! I can only hope that his supporters will wake up and adjust to this Brave New World or defeat will become the new norm!

A couple pics from today!

2008-11-18T18:09:00.004-05:00

Our family dog Scooby

Sunrise at Lake Worth Beach

JR on his way to school

Vincent hanging out

Just another great day in Lake Worth!