Florida
Space Coast
Alright, so here’s the obligatory Spring Break photo…
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Mothra
Each time we visit my in-laws, there’s some sort of ridiculously huge insect indigenous to Florida waiting for us. Crazy thing is, it usually sticks around the entire time we’re there. This time we named it.
Yep, this is what you get when I accidentally delete my intended one-a-day…
Pit Stop
Any excuse to take the aerial camera out and fly it, right? I saw these trees across the highway on the way down to Florida and said I thought it would make a cool image. So we stopped on the way home. I really missed out on some cool photography on our cross-country RV trip a couple of years ago.
Our first rest stop on the way home from Florida.
Nerves
I wonder when I’ll get past the nervous feeling I get when I’m flying over water. Still, it makes for some awesome footage.
Giving Thanks
With it being almost a year since the demise of the local ABC affiliate in Winchester, I’m thankful that I was able to remain in that area and that my family was supportive as I made the transition into doing what I enjoy doing. It’s been somewhat of a bumpy ride and it’s certainly not over yet, but I’m thankful that they came with me.
I know, it’s not the most traditional image of Thanksgiving. Just another thing I’m thankful for – we missed the first big storm back home.
Escape
On our way to Florida!
The “World” Has Spoiled Me
There’s obviously a lot that’s different between the two parks. After the location (obviously) the biggest difference is simply the size. There’s just more real estate in Florida. But after today’s adventures, the biggest difference for me now is the Disney experience. You get more of it in Florida. I’m not knocking the parks in California – don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed my first day in Disneyland. It’s fascinating to pick out the similarities and differences between all the rides. For instance, in Florida it’s the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. In California it’s Tarzan’s Tree House. Neat. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, right smack in the middle of Anaheim. That’s the biggest difference for me – the fact that you’re navigating through a city as well as the parks in California. The public transportation is Anaheim’s. In Florida, you’re completely immersed in all things Disney (that is, of course, if you stay “on campus”). The public transportation is Disney’s. Walt Disney World has a sprawling 43 square miles (or 27,258 acres) of real estate whereas Disneyland operates on about 160 acres. So you see, the “World” has spoiled me.
The nightly fireworks show at Disneyland Park.
Sneak Peek
A little hint of what’s coming next…
Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
Light Show
So, it’s been quite a while since I’ve actually been at home for the 4th of July. I completely forgot that the fireworks were set off last night. Oh well. No biggie.
I posted an image previously from this lightning storm, but this was what was happening over the ocean in the other direction. Pretty crazy considering that this was taken between 10 and 11 pm. Our own little pre-4th fireworks show.
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Augustine Light
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
– Aristotle Onassis
So I’ve had this urge to photograph lighthouses for a while now so it’s always awesome when I get to visit a new one. Now, apparently, I need to get this same image at every lighthouse I visit. Be sure to check out my other lighthouse images (and more to come from St. Augustine).
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is St. Augustine’s oldest surviving brick structure. | Order a print of this image.
Different
The thing I like the most about the sunrise (sunsets follow suit) is that it’s always (always – no exceptions) different. And the clouds make it even better. In my opinion, a clear sky with just the sunrise is kinda boring. I’ll take it, but I’d rather have the clouds and patterns they make.
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The Funshine State
We’ve renamed the Florida state nickname to the “Funshine” state. Just so you know. That is all.
A protected wildlife habitat that we pass every day on our walk. | Order a print of this image.
Longest Day
Exactly one year ago I was participating in “The Longest Day” sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. I’ve never experienced anybody who suffers from Alzheimer’s, but now understand how traumatic and very difficult it can be and am thankful that a friend asked me to participate. If you’re participating this year either as someone who is going through it currently or as a friend, here’s to hoping that today is filled with good memories of your loved ones and friends as you start your longest day.
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Flora
Anybody know what this plant is called? I’m in Satellite Beach on vacation and the red-splashed leaves really caught my eye.
This is the perfect Christmas plant for Florida.
Travel
After 18 hours, 4 and 1/2 states and only three Red Bulls, the vacation really begins. We chose to drive straight through and I’m kinda glad we did it that way. It may not be so easy on the way home though.
My view for most of the day. With an 18-hour day, this is about the extent of my shooting today.
It’s A Small World
Just having some fun with my extreme wide-angle fisheye lens. Actually a lot of my interior architecture images these days are shot with this lens. The end results have some pretty severe angles of view, but I try to not create them with the extreme, stereotypical, fisheye bulge that most people associate with this type of lens. The trick begins when shooting the images and making sure that the horizon looks real. I’m always looking for scenes where there is a natural built-in curve to the image – the fisheye lens can then enhance the scene. My favorite example is the image from the staircase in our local library – Handley Regional Library.
I usually try to avoid this look, but was just having fun here with this one.
God Rays
One last look at the Florida beaches before I left. My kids used to call this sunlight pattern “God Rays.” Whatever you call it, there’s no denying the fact that it’s an incredible sight.
The wonderful thing about the sun rising or setting is that it’s really never the same.
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Dark
Looking forward to (possibly) two weeks of sunny Florida beaches this summer.
Just saying.
What happens after one week in the sun.
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