Toby has one of the most interesting photo-streams on Flickr. I've followed him down Rt 66 and all points in-between. From brilliant Neon lights, to those that are literately hanging on the side of an abandoned building, perhaps hoping someone will remember them in all their glory. Toby gives them that hope. I… Read more

Toby has one of the most interesting photo-streams on Flickr. I've followed him down Rt 66 and all points in-between. From brilliant Neon lights, to those that are literately hanging on the side of an abandoned building, perhaps hoping someone will remember them in all their glory. Toby gives them that hope. Images that cause you to imagine what these towns looked like "in the day". Buildings and homes that make my mind race and wonder, "How many lives had lived, loved and passed there? What did those good people hope and dream about?" Was it a better life for their children? Did that cause them to move away seeking a better way? Bringing the end of their towns and life as they knew it? Or did the highways change? Did the train decide to pass them by? Where did everyone go? Yes, Toby takes us deep into the heart of America, places alive with a vibrant pulse and others that seem to be on life support. Even then, Toby gives us the hope that there is still a spark there. Thanks Toby for sharing your views of America!

Toby is one of the great finders of roadside America, especially Iowa & the midwest. You can spend hours perusing his memories of road trips and still not see it all. His perspective is always a treat to enjoy and gives me some ideas about how to make a roadside find a little better. It's a pleasure to have him as a c… Read more

Toby is one of the great finders of roadside America, especially Iowa & the midwest. You can spend hours perusing his memories of road trips and still not see it all. His perspective is always a treat to enjoy and gives me some ideas about how to make a roadside find a little better. It's a pleasure to have him as a contact & friend!

Looking at Pete's photostream is like taking a walk through a portal of time. His excellent images of roadside America make one nostalgic for long-gone days. They are amazing snapshots of our past. He's not only an outstanding photographer, but a very supportive and vocal Flickr friend. He was one of the first phot… Read more

Looking at Pete's photostream is like taking a walk through a portal of time. His excellent images of roadside America make one nostalgic for long-gone days. They are amazing snapshots of our past. He's not only an outstanding photographer, but a very supportive and vocal Flickr friend. He was one of the first photographers I added as a contact when I joined the site, and he made me feel welcome and comfortable here, which I will always appreciate. So take a look deep into his pages - you'll find treat after treat, a gift that keeps on giving.

America's history is intertwined with her old roads and all that borders them. All the interesting restaurants, gas stations, and the odd attractions were Americans were happy to stop. Back when two lane roads were the mainstay for weekend trips or the yearly family vacation in our cars. If you enjoyed and are old enou… Read more

America's history is intertwined with her old roads and all that borders them. All the interesting restaurants, gas stations, and the odd attractions were Americans were happy to stop. Back when two lane roads were the mainstay for weekend trips or the yearly family vacation in our cars. If you enjoyed and are old enough to remember those days and all of the interesting signs and monuments that were built to lure us in then you know what you are missing zooming down the Interstate doing 80 mph. Well if you have a hankering to visit those places of yore then all you have to do is click on Toby's Flickr site. He has a special way of knowing the perfect places to go and then just where to stand to get that perfect shot that really takes you there with him. He is a purveyor of Americana, light and colors carrying a bag of tricks of which Felix The Cat would be jealous.

Armed with a great eye, a magic cloud machine and a quick wit, Toby has set out to document an America that is disappearing at an alarming rate. While viewing his stream you may get the urge to drop everything, pack up your camera equipment and hit the road, spending the rest of your days on America's highways and bi… Read more

Armed with a great eye, a magic cloud machine and a quick wit, Toby has set out to document an America that is disappearing at an alarming rate. While viewing his stream you may get the urge to drop everything, pack up your camera equipment and hit the road, spending the rest of your days on America's highways and bi-ways photographing every neon sign, vintage gas station and roadside attraction along the way. I know I have.

My dear Toby you are amazing. I will keep this simple and just say thank you for your never ending supply of the most awesome and wonderful images. How you do it is beyond me, but you do, and then kindly and generously share with us. I have learned so much from them. You are a fine photographer and a wonderful conta… Read more

My dear Toby you are amazing. I will keep this simple and just say thank you for your never ending supply of the most awesome and wonderful images. How you do it is beyond me, but you do, and then kindly and generously share with us. I have learned so much from them. You are a fine photographer and a wonderful contact to have on Flickr. Rose xxx

It's taken me way too long to get around to writing this testimonial. I always look forward to seeing Toby's shots. He's one of the 'old sign' crowd and always brings a sense of wit and humour to his descriptions and to his comments. He always takes the time to comment on others shots, and still keep uploading new … Read more

It's taken me way too long to get around to writing this testimonial. I always look forward to seeing Toby's shots. He's one of the 'old sign' crowd and always brings a sense of wit and humour to his descriptions and to his comments. He always takes the time to comment on others shots, and still keep uploading new work. He is one of my oldest (and I don't mean age) contacts. If you haven't seen his photostream yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. You won't be disappointed

Toby is everywhere, commenting on photographs taken by others, yet he has his own share of photos posted on his site which are truly awesome testimony of what he enjoys the most. It's rare to see someone who is committed in pursuit of capturing what he sees through his viewfinder so well and give us a look into his wo… Read more

Toby is everywhere, commenting on photographs taken by others, yet he has his own share of photos posted on his site which are truly awesome testimony of what he enjoys the most. It's rare to see someone who is committed in pursuit of capturing what he sees through his viewfinder so well and give us a look into his world. I'm glad I have him as my contact as well as a Flickr friend; to communicate with, to share "look what I found moments" with, and to share our opinions and outlook of this world we live in. He taught me a secret or two and I'm sure I'll continue to learn from this incredibly talented and likable photographer. Thanks for being there! You make my day every time I see your comments on my photos.

Your images of signs, old buildings and the animals are wonderful. I personally think you're a talented photographer with genius on your side. How you manage the many animal-related captures is class. Pete is also kind in his comments about other peoples work (like mine!). A pleasure knowing you mate. Have a great … Read more

Your images of signs, old buildings and the animals are wonderful. I personally think you're a talented photographer with genius on your side. How you manage the many animal-related captures is class. Pete is also kind in his comments about other peoples work (like mine!). A pleasure knowing you mate. Have a great day!

Toby tells us that he just hacks away at photography. He's full of baloney. His stream is full of great photos. Dig around, they're easy to find. His "Squirrels" set tickles me (I never get good squirrel photos), and perhaps you too. He's also one of us "off the Interstate" types, which makes him just dandy with m… Read more

Toby tells us that he just hacks away at photography. He's full of baloney. His stream is full of great photos. Dig around, they're easy to find. His "Squirrels" set tickles me (I never get good squirrel photos), and perhaps you too. He's also one of us "off the Interstate" types, which makes him just dandy with me. :-) Did I mention that he's a darned funny guy too?

When I first came to Flickr, Pete Zarria made the first comment on the first photo I posted. Since then I've got to know him better and in many ways he's like the long lost brother I never knew I had. He is always insightful or funny, many times both, in his comments. And he has an immense vocabulary that I find ref… Read more

When I first came to Flickr, Pete Zarria made the first comment on the first photo I posted. Since then I've got to know him better and in many ways he's like the long lost brother I never knew I had. He is always insightful or funny, many times both, in his comments. And he has an immense vocabulary that I find refreshing—I have to admit, though, that sometimes I need to look up words he uses in his comments. His command of American history is awesome, and I mean that in the "filled-with-awe" sense of the word. In a past life he must have been a reference librarian. It's nearly impossible to look through his photo stream without learning something new. He is a fellow rubber tramp on Route 66, appreciating the decay and/or preservation of the eccentricities to be found there. He's walked among the 1,000-year-old ghosts in the American Southwest. He's a wildlife photographer on par with anyone in National Geographic. He makes Iowa seem exciting. ;-) When I have a technique problem with my own photography, he's always there with suggestions on how to improve. Flickr is filled with people who leave comments that say, "Beautiful! Nice composition!" It's rare to find someone who leaves comments like, "Maybe a neutral density filter would help here," or "Try cropping it like this." If you stick with him, you can't go wrong. Thanks, Toby.

Toby is one of the best photographers on Flickr. He always captures the true essence of his subjects and he makes you laugh, think and learn with his words, as well. Whether it be neon to cemeteries to his squirrel photos, "Pete Zarria" will keep you interested. Continued success, Toby. We're always looking forward to … Read more

Toby is one of the best photographers on Flickr. He always captures the true essence of his subjects and he makes you laugh, think and learn with his words, as well. Whether it be neon to cemeteries to his squirrel photos, "Pete Zarria" will keep you interested. Continued success, Toby. We're always looking forward to your photostream!