This was taken at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in western Palm Beach County. Makes you wonder what this bird is thinking. Or does he know something we don't know?

Recently walked around the boardwalk at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in western Palm Beach County...where I came upon this bucolic scene.

Recently took a walk around the boardwalk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Palm Beach County. About 10 minutes in, the battery in my camera died. But I did get a few. Look at this full size, so you can see how his legs and feet are twisted around the reed. He's reaching for his lunch.

Piazza del Campo is the the historic center of Siena and is one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. The twice-per-year horse race, Palio di Siena, is held around the edges of the piazza.

Pompeii was destroyed, and completely buried, during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius during two days in 79 AD. The excavated town offers a snapshot of Roman life in the 1st century, frozen at the moment it was buried on that day in August. The forum, the baths, many houses and some out-of-town villas remain surprisingly well preserved.

My growing-up friend lives in France. She has a flat in Paris and a 14th century farmhouse in Burgundy in a little town called Darcy (about 45 minutes north of Dijon). Everytime we drive from the train station, I see this little building. And when I look at this picture, it makes me think of my life-long friend.

Tallulah the nine-pound, dapple dachshund wishes everyone at Budget Travel a very Merry holiday.

Outside of Prague is a bohemian crystal factory where they make fine crystal. In fact, most of the Waterford crystal is made here. We toured the factory. We found it very interesting that there were no barriers or ropes to keep you away from the actual workers and their work. We commented that in the U.S., there would probably be a glass wall between the tourists and the factory.

Salzburg, noted for its alpine setting and its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. The city is listed as a World Heritage Site. The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is a student city, with three universities.

Odessa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast (province) located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine.