Brian Ely
@elymedia.bsky.social
Husband, father of 4. Local news photographer at WPLG in Miami. Travel and experience enthusiast.
Sailing today bayside in Key Largo.
It’s been way too long.
It’s been way too long.
January 11, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Sailing today bayside in Key Largo.
It’s been way too long.
It’s been way too long.
The art of the back-peddle.
Walking backwards to get the face of your subject and not eating it in the process.
Me in the grey shirt on the right in this video.
This was how the story came out from behind my lens.
Easy day at work today with great friends.
www.local10.com/news/local/2...
Walking backwards to get the face of your subject and not eating it in the process.
Me in the grey shirt on the right in this video.
This was how the story came out from behind my lens.
Easy day at work today with great friends.
www.local10.com/news/local/2...
November 14, 2025 at 1:09 AM
The art of the back-peddle.
Walking backwards to get the face of your subject and not eating it in the process.
Me in the grey shirt on the right in this video.
This was how the story came out from behind my lens.
Easy day at work today with great friends.
www.local10.com/news/local/2...
Walking backwards to get the face of your subject and not eating it in the process.
Me in the grey shirt on the right in this video.
This was how the story came out from behind my lens.
Easy day at work today with great friends.
www.local10.com/news/local/2...
Nerd Alert 🤓 🚨
I Love! Big engineering projects.
And taking tours like these.
Very cool taking pictures and driving on these new ramps everyone will be using soon.
Best part… I was driving shotgun while my young photographer trainee shot the story.
youtu.be/Md8QKx2Y4hg?...
I Love! Big engineering projects.
And taking tours like these.
Very cool taking pictures and driving on these new ramps everyone will be using soon.
Best part… I was driving shotgun while my young photographer trainee shot the story.
youtu.be/Md8QKx2Y4hg?...
August 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Nerd Alert 🤓 🚨
I Love! Big engineering projects.
And taking tours like these.
Very cool taking pictures and driving on these new ramps everyone will be using soon.
Best part… I was driving shotgun while my young photographer trainee shot the story.
youtu.be/Md8QKx2Y4hg?...
I Love! Big engineering projects.
And taking tours like these.
Very cool taking pictures and driving on these new ramps everyone will be using soon.
Best part… I was driving shotgun while my young photographer trainee shot the story.
youtu.be/Md8QKx2Y4hg?...
The Dade County Courthouse is one of my favorite buildings in Miami. With its limestone facade, classical columns, and ornate details, it was once the tallest building in Florida with 28 floors. Now dwarfed by its neighbors on Flagler Street, it now serves as a civil courthouse for the county.
August 14, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The Dade County Courthouse is one of my favorite buildings in Miami. With its limestone facade, classical columns, and ornate details, it was once the tallest building in Florida with 28 floors. Now dwarfed by its neighbors on Flagler Street, it now serves as a civil courthouse for the county.
We celebrated our wonderful friend last Friday in Hollywood, Florida. The Olivia rooftop restaurant is new to me. We got there in time for sunset and the live Sax player. Great drinks, mozzarella charcuterie $$$
Villa Romana to follow. Live singer, great food.
Cheers to the new chapters of life 🥂
Villa Romana to follow. Live singer, great food.
Cheers to the new chapters of life 🥂
August 6, 2025 at 12:34 AM
We celebrated our wonderful friend last Friday in Hollywood, Florida. The Olivia rooftop restaurant is new to me. We got there in time for sunset and the live Sax player. Great drinks, mozzarella charcuterie $$$
Villa Romana to follow. Live singer, great food.
Cheers to the new chapters of life 🥂
Villa Romana to follow. Live singer, great food.
Cheers to the new chapters of life 🥂
Uncle Ron dropped past his gulag in the glades today. Snark.
Bugs. Long hours. Weak cell service. Live next to a major highway.
Covering Florida’s governor and his Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center isn’t the worst gig. But it’s on the spectrum.
www.local10.com/news/florida...
Bugs. Long hours. Weak cell service. Live next to a major highway.
Covering Florida’s governor and his Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center isn’t the worst gig. But it’s on the spectrum.
www.local10.com/news/florida...
July 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Uncle Ron dropped past his gulag in the glades today. Snark.
Bugs. Long hours. Weak cell service. Live next to a major highway.
Covering Florida’s governor and his Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center isn’t the worst gig. But it’s on the spectrum.
www.local10.com/news/florida...
Bugs. Long hours. Weak cell service. Live next to a major highway.
Covering Florida’s governor and his Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center isn’t the worst gig. But it’s on the spectrum.
www.local10.com/news/florida...
I found an old Facebook post in the memories today about The Castillo de Nubes in Soroa, Cuba. 🇨🇺
I called it the Cuban Dante’s 🤣
My Facebook Photography Page
www.facebook.com/share/1F4SyA...
I called it the Cuban Dante’s 🤣
My Facebook Photography Page
www.facebook.com/share/1F4SyA...
July 24, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I found an old Facebook post in the memories today about The Castillo de Nubes in Soroa, Cuba. 🇨🇺
I called it the Cuban Dante’s 🤣
My Facebook Photography Page
www.facebook.com/share/1F4SyA...
I called it the Cuban Dante’s 🤣
My Facebook Photography Page
www.facebook.com/share/1F4SyA...
Key West Food and Drink:
1) Dante’s. Swimming pool is the big draw. Less kid friendly after dark.
2) Schooner Wharf Bar. Outdoor bar and restaurant with live music on the regular. Good at all hours.
3) Key West Waterfront Brewery has video games.
4) Sloppy Joes’s. Table seating and live music.
1) Dante’s. Swimming pool is the big draw. Less kid friendly after dark.
2) Schooner Wharf Bar. Outdoor bar and restaurant with live music on the regular. Good at all hours.
3) Key West Waterfront Brewery has video games.
4) Sloppy Joes’s. Table seating and live music.
July 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Key West Food and Drink:
1) Dante’s. Swimming pool is the big draw. Less kid friendly after dark.
2) Schooner Wharf Bar. Outdoor bar and restaurant with live music on the regular. Good at all hours.
3) Key West Waterfront Brewery has video games.
4) Sloppy Joes’s. Table seating and live music.
1) Dante’s. Swimming pool is the big draw. Less kid friendly after dark.
2) Schooner Wharf Bar. Outdoor bar and restaurant with live music on the regular. Good at all hours.
3) Key West Waterfront Brewery has video games.
4) Sloppy Joes’s. Table seating and live music.
Key West Parks:
1)Two pics from the Truman Waterfront Park, plus the 3 older Ely kids. Truman has a great playground and splash pad.
2)Higgs Beach has two playgrounds, dog park, and the beach.
3)Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, also a great beach space.
4)Nelson English Park, also great playground.
1)Two pics from the Truman Waterfront Park, plus the 3 older Ely kids. Truman has a great playground and splash pad.
2)Higgs Beach has two playgrounds, dog park, and the beach.
3)Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, also a great beach space.
4)Nelson English Park, also great playground.
July 16, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Key West Parks:
1)Two pics from the Truman Waterfront Park, plus the 3 older Ely kids. Truman has a great playground and splash pad.
2)Higgs Beach has two playgrounds, dog park, and the beach.
3)Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, also a great beach space.
4)Nelson English Park, also great playground.
1)Two pics from the Truman Waterfront Park, plus the 3 older Ely kids. Truman has a great playground and splash pad.
2)Higgs Beach has two playgrounds, dog park, and the beach.
3)Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, also a great beach space.
4)Nelson English Park, also great playground.
Here come the family friendly posts.
My spouse is a total Key West girl.
Four kids from 10 to newborn that are all keys kids too.
They all swim, they like boating and sandbars and fishing, and know how to act in adult spaces.
Bars, parks, food & attractions all here. Pick your adventure.
My spouse is a total Key West girl.
Four kids from 10 to newborn that are all keys kids too.
They all swim, they like boating and sandbars and fishing, and know how to act in adult spaces.
Bars, parks, food & attractions all here. Pick your adventure.
Here’s my 56-hour travel log from the Florida Keys last weekend, plus a little guidance for those that may be interested.
Starting in Key West at 4PM on a Friday, wrapping up with dinner in Florida City Sunday evening.
Included: Key West, Pigeon Key, and some family friendly stops along the way.
Starting in Key West at 4PM on a Friday, wrapping up with dinner in Florida City Sunday evening.
Included: Key West, Pigeon Key, and some family friendly stops along the way.
July 16, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Here come the family friendly posts.
My spouse is a total Key West girl.
Four kids from 10 to newborn that are all keys kids too.
They all swim, they like boating and sandbars and fishing, and know how to act in adult spaces.
Bars, parks, food & attractions all here. Pick your adventure.
My spouse is a total Key West girl.
Four kids from 10 to newborn that are all keys kids too.
They all swim, they like boating and sandbars and fishing, and know how to act in adult spaces.
Bars, parks, food & attractions all here. Pick your adventure.
Honorable Mentions:
The little blue cooler has been riding in the bed of this truck for at least a decade. Old reliable is on its last leg.
I bought this Dakota new in 2003. Best purchase I’ve ever made.
And finally, the Craigslist bike that has held up longer than I ever imagined. Like a champ.
The little blue cooler has been riding in the bed of this truck for at least a decade. Old reliable is on its last leg.
I bought this Dakota new in 2003. Best purchase I’ve ever made.
And finally, the Craigslist bike that has held up longer than I ever imagined. Like a champ.
July 16, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Honorable Mentions:
The little blue cooler has been riding in the bed of this truck for at least a decade. Old reliable is on its last leg.
I bought this Dakota new in 2003. Best purchase I’ve ever made.
And finally, the Craigslist bike that has held up longer than I ever imagined. Like a champ.
The little blue cooler has been riding in the bed of this truck for at least a decade. Old reliable is on its last leg.
I bought this Dakota new in 2003. Best purchase I’ve ever made.
And finally, the Craigslist bike that has held up longer than I ever imagined. Like a champ.
When driving the 18-mile stretch that connects the keys to Florida City, please realize that passing doesn’t get you anywhere. Island time people 🏝️ 🕰️.
Capri by Mayamex in Florida City was my last stop before hitting the Turnpike.
Italian/Mexican fusion.
What’s not to love? 🇮🇹 🇲🇽
Capri by Mayamex in Florida City was my last stop before hitting the Turnpike.
Italian/Mexican fusion.
What’s not to love? 🇮🇹 🇲🇽
July 16, 2025 at 1:03 AM
When driving the 18-mile stretch that connects the keys to Florida City, please realize that passing doesn’t get you anywhere. Island time people 🏝️ 🕰️.
Capri by Mayamex in Florida City was my last stop before hitting the Turnpike.
Italian/Mexican fusion.
What’s not to love? 🇮🇹 🇲🇽
Capri by Mayamex in Florida City was my last stop before hitting the Turnpike.
Italian/Mexican fusion.
What’s not to love? 🇮🇹 🇲🇽
I was not expecting the complimentary liquor tasting at IBC. Lucky for me the band had another set left in them before I hit the road again.
Of these two taproom/breweries I prefer the beers at FKBC, but IBC has the bigger operation.
They also make the FAU branded Paradise Lager. Go Owls 🦉
Of these two taproom/breweries I prefer the beers at FKBC, but IBC has the bigger operation.
They also make the FAU branded Paradise Lager. Go Owls 🦉
July 16, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I was not expecting the complimentary liquor tasting at IBC. Lucky for me the band had another set left in them before I hit the road again.
Of these two taproom/breweries I prefer the beers at FKBC, but IBC has the bigger operation.
They also make the FAU branded Paradise Lager. Go Owls 🦉
Of these two taproom/breweries I prefer the beers at FKBC, but IBC has the bigger operation.
They also make the FAU branded Paradise Lager. Go Owls 🦉
I feel a little kinship with the survivors of the Labor Day Hurricane that destroyed the overseas railroad and derailed a train sent to the rescue in 1935.
It is tied with 2019’s Hurricane Dorian as the strongest hurricanes to make landfall. I’ve experienced that kind of wind. It is unsurvivable.
It is tied with 2019’s Hurricane Dorian as the strongest hurricanes to make landfall. I’ve experienced that kind of wind. It is unsurvivable.
July 16, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I feel a little kinship with the survivors of the Labor Day Hurricane that destroyed the overseas railroad and derailed a train sent to the rescue in 1935.
It is tied with 2019’s Hurricane Dorian as the strongest hurricanes to make landfall. I’ve experienced that kind of wind. It is unsurvivable.
It is tied with 2019’s Hurricane Dorian as the strongest hurricanes to make landfall. I’ve experienced that kind of wind. It is unsurvivable.
Marathon is the big city in the middle keys. Airport with the Sheriffs office helicopters and all.
I lunched at the new Papa Joe’s. With a lovely view.
Coconut shrimp and a piña colada.
Tourist lunch.
Lazy Days, Sunset Grill, and Lorelei are all reliable food options in these parts.
I lunched at the new Papa Joe’s. With a lovely view.
Coconut shrimp and a piña colada.
Tourist lunch.
Lazy Days, Sunset Grill, and Lorelei are all reliable food options in these parts.
July 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Marathon is the big city in the middle keys. Airport with the Sheriffs office helicopters and all.
I lunched at the new Papa Joe’s. With a lovely view.
Coconut shrimp and a piña colada.
Tourist lunch.
Lazy Days, Sunset Grill, and Lorelei are all reliable food options in these parts.
I lunched at the new Papa Joe’s. With a lovely view.
Coconut shrimp and a piña colada.
Tourist lunch.
Lazy Days, Sunset Grill, and Lorelei are all reliable food options in these parts.
The 2 mile ride from Marathon to Pigeon Key is a breeze. At least it was today… it wasn’t breezy out.
There’s wildlife, history, solitude, and for me a little bit of American pride on this ride 🇺🇸 🚲.
Also, movie and internet sensation Fred the Tree 🌲 grows a little further down the stretch.
There’s wildlife, history, solitude, and for me a little bit of American pride on this ride 🇺🇸 🚲.
Also, movie and internet sensation Fred the Tree 🌲 grows a little further down the stretch.
July 15, 2025 at 11:08 PM
The 2 mile ride from Marathon to Pigeon Key is a breeze. At least it was today… it wasn’t breezy out.
There’s wildlife, history, solitude, and for me a little bit of American pride on this ride 🇺🇸 🚲.
Also, movie and internet sensation Fred the Tree 🌲 grows a little further down the stretch.
There’s wildlife, history, solitude, and for me a little bit of American pride on this ride 🇺🇸 🚲.
Also, movie and internet sensation Fred the Tree 🌲 grows a little further down the stretch.
The name Flagler, the history of him and his railroad is ubiquitous all over South Florida and the keys.
Built in 1912, then the assistant bridge tender’s house is now the history museum on 🐦⬛ 🔑.
Well curated, and just as appealing, well air conditioned.
Gift shop, water, and WC too.
👀 📸 for deets.
Built in 1912, then the assistant bridge tender’s house is now the history museum on 🐦⬛ 🔑.
Well curated, and just as appealing, well air conditioned.
Gift shop, water, and WC too.
👀 📸 for deets.
July 15, 2025 at 10:59 PM
The name Flagler, the history of him and his railroad is ubiquitous all over South Florida and the keys.
Built in 1912, then the assistant bridge tender’s house is now the history museum on 🐦⬛ 🔑.
Well curated, and just as appealing, well air conditioned.
Gift shop, water, and WC too.
👀 📸 for deets.
Built in 1912, then the assistant bridge tender’s house is now the history museum on 🐦⬛ 🔑.
Well curated, and just as appealing, well air conditioned.
Gift shop, water, and WC too.
👀 📸 for deets.
There is an original stretch of Henry Flagler’s bridge that is still in use. Renovated for pedestrian and bicycle access in 2022, this 2 mile “linear park” takes you to Pigeon Key.
It was a work camp and base of operations for the construction on the 7 Mile Bridge in the early 1900s.
It was a work camp and base of operations for the construction on the 7 Mile Bridge in the early 1900s.
July 15, 2025 at 10:34 PM
There is an original stretch of Henry Flagler’s bridge that is still in use. Renovated for pedestrian and bicycle access in 2022, this 2 mile “linear park” takes you to Pigeon Key.
It was a work camp and base of operations for the construction on the 7 Mile Bridge in the early 1900s.
It was a work camp and base of operations for the construction on the 7 Mile Bridge in the early 1900s.
The overseas railroad was the original overseas highway. Along with the Bahia Honda Bridge, the 7 Mile Bridge was an engineering marvel of its time.
After the 1935, hurricane the bridges were converted for vehicle traffic.
In 1982 a new, modern bridge was built. Leaving the former to rust away.
After the 1935, hurricane the bridges were converted for vehicle traffic.
In 1982 a new, modern bridge was built. Leaving the former to rust away.
July 15, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The overseas railroad was the original overseas highway. Along with the Bahia Honda Bridge, the 7 Mile Bridge was an engineering marvel of its time.
After the 1935, hurricane the bridges were converted for vehicle traffic.
In 1982 a new, modern bridge was built. Leaving the former to rust away.
After the 1935, hurricane the bridges were converted for vehicle traffic.
In 1982 a new, modern bridge was built. Leaving the former to rust away.
Here’s the geek-out thread.
Let me tell you a thing or two about the 7 mile bridge, Pigeon Key, Henry Flagler, the “Key West Extention” of the Florida East Coast Railroad, and the two fiercest hurricanes ever recorded. 🐦⬛ 🔑 🚂 🌀
Let me tell you a thing or two about the 7 mile bridge, Pigeon Key, Henry Flagler, the “Key West Extention” of the Florida East Coast Railroad, and the two fiercest hurricanes ever recorded. 🐦⬛ 🔑 🚂 🌀
I left Ramrod Key mid-morning with no plan in mind.
I did leave my coffee on my host’s counter on the way out the door.
Disappointing. Not devastating.
I stopped for Cuban breakfast, and this arts village I’ve only ever driven past.
Real ducks 🦆
And $6 worth of gifts for the kids.
I did leave my coffee on my host’s counter on the way out the door.
Disappointing. Not devastating.
I stopped for Cuban breakfast, and this arts village I’ve only ever driven past.
Real ducks 🦆
And $6 worth of gifts for the kids.
July 15, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Here’s the geek-out thread.
Let me tell you a thing or two about the 7 mile bridge, Pigeon Key, Henry Flagler, the “Key West Extention” of the Florida East Coast Railroad, and the two fiercest hurricanes ever recorded. 🐦⬛ 🔑 🚂 🌀
Let me tell you a thing or two about the 7 mile bridge, Pigeon Key, Henry Flagler, the “Key West Extention” of the Florida East Coast Railroad, and the two fiercest hurricanes ever recorded. 🐦⬛ 🔑 🚂 🌀
I left Ramrod Key mid-morning with no plan in mind.
I did leave my coffee on my host’s counter on the way out the door.
Disappointing. Not devastating.
I stopped for Cuban breakfast, and this arts village I’ve only ever driven past.
Real ducks 🦆
And $6 worth of gifts for the kids.
I did leave my coffee on my host’s counter on the way out the door.
Disappointing. Not devastating.
I stopped for Cuban breakfast, and this arts village I’ve only ever driven past.
Real ducks 🦆
And $6 worth of gifts for the kids.
July 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I left Ramrod Key mid-morning with no plan in mind.
I did leave my coffee on my host’s counter on the way out the door.
Disappointing. Not devastating.
I stopped for Cuban breakfast, and this arts village I’ve only ever driven past.
Real ducks 🦆
And $6 worth of gifts for the kids.
I did leave my coffee on my host’s counter on the way out the door.
Disappointing. Not devastating.
I stopped for Cuban breakfast, and this arts village I’ve only ever driven past.
Real ducks 🦆
And $6 worth of gifts for the kids.
Middle. Upper. Lower. Each part of the Florida Keys is unique.
But boat culture unites them all. Watching the sun hit the horizon on the water never gets old.
Stormfront [not that Stormfront] was onstage at Boondocks. It looks like a tourist trap from the road, but I recommend all the same.
But boat culture unites them all. Watching the sun hit the horizon on the water never gets old.
Stormfront [not that Stormfront] was onstage at Boondocks. It looks like a tourist trap from the road, but I recommend all the same.
July 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Middle. Upper. Lower. Each part of the Florida Keys is unique.
But boat culture unites them all. Watching the sun hit the horizon on the water never gets old.
Stormfront [not that Stormfront] was onstage at Boondocks. It looks like a tourist trap from the road, but I recommend all the same.
But boat culture unites them all. Watching the sun hit the horizon on the water never gets old.
Stormfront [not that Stormfront] was onstage at Boondocks. It looks like a tourist trap from the road, but I recommend all the same.
The Key Deer is a white-tail deer subspecies found only in the lower keys. They once were critically endangered, now on the rebound.
It’s fawning season right now. These three were busy doing deer stuff on the street leading to my friend’s house in Ramrod Key.
It’s fawning season right now. These three were busy doing deer stuff on the street leading to my friend’s house in Ramrod Key.
July 15, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The Key Deer is a white-tail deer subspecies found only in the lower keys. They once were critically endangered, now on the rebound.
It’s fawning season right now. These three were busy doing deer stuff on the street leading to my friend’s house in Ramrod Key.
It’s fawning season right now. These three were busy doing deer stuff on the street leading to my friend’s house in Ramrod Key.
Night two on this quick visit is going to be with my friends in Ramrod Key 45 minutes up the chain.
So, by about 3PM I made my lunch a frozen Irish coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich at Mary Ellen’s Bar just off Duval. They say good tots to be had here too.
So, by about 3PM I made my lunch a frozen Irish coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich at Mary Ellen’s Bar just off Duval. They say good tots to be had here too.
July 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Night two on this quick visit is going to be with my friends in Ramrod Key 45 minutes up the chain.
So, by about 3PM I made my lunch a frozen Irish coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich at Mary Ellen’s Bar just off Duval. They say good tots to be had here too.
So, by about 3PM I made my lunch a frozen Irish coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich at Mary Ellen’s Bar just off Duval. They say good tots to be had here too.