Solitude at Sunset.... Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

 

 

Most photographers and birders go out early to catch the morning light. I decided to go out late and catch some of the beautiful afternoon light and hopefully a sunset. I started out on Peacocks Pocket looking for some potential locations for nighttime photography. After that I drove over to Black Point where it was mostly deserted. I only saw two cars total and after they passed me I was virtually alone in this beautiful refuge. I took my time so I could still be out there as the sun dipped below the horizon. Since it is a one-way drive I couldn't back track and had to find a suitable place for sunset.

Fotography, Fun, New Friends and Fried Seafood.

 Yes, this was the Forgotten Coast Photography Workshop lead by Cecil Holmes and David Akoubian. I have always wanted to spend some time in the Panhandle of Florida and now I had the chance. I knew it would be full of great photo ops of interesting fishing boats, water and where else can you get a sunrise and sunset at the same location.

On the drive up, I made a short stop in Steinhatchee, which is along the river and near the west coast. It is a small fishing village and very quaint and scenic. I snapped a few pics just to have a memory since the light was harsh. It could very well be a place I return to when I have the time.

My first night was camping at St. George Island State Park. After setting up camp, I drove back into the town to look for a place for sunset. I decided to go over to the fishing pier which is next to the main bridge to the island. St. George has mostly houses that are rented out or maybe permanent residents live there. The nice thing is there are no high rises like most of Florida. The only place for sunrise was on the beach but the sky was rather bald and nothing for the foreground.

The workshop started in Apalachicola just before sunset. We were all staying at the historic Gibson Inn. It is three stories with no elevator. Nice rooms but no mini frig or microwave. Our group met in the lobby at 4 PM and we headed out to explore the town before sunset. The first sunset shoot was at Two Mile. Funny name for a place but it is exactly two miles from the only stop light in town.

 After grabbing some dinner we came back to the same place to take photos of the milky way. What an awesome sight especially when the city lights usually make stars almost impossible to see at home.'

Capturing the Milky Way at Two Mile.

Capturing birds in motion

 

Exploring Rural Connecticut

Curious goats in East Windsor, CT

Enders Falls in Granby, Connecticut

Not any day at the beach

This is the weekend for the Rich Salik Memorial Kidney Foundation Surfing Festival at Cocoa Beach Pier. It makes sense to go early and catch the sunrise before the competition begins. It was better than in past visits. The sunrise was shot from the top of the pier.

The competition got started a little late, and the water was very flat for great surfing. All in all, it is still fun to watch and shoot the surfers. The surfers ranged from the little ones (pollywogs) to the seasoned pros.

 

The men's longboard competition.

 

Getting in some practice.

Stormy Afternoon at Lake Apopka North Shore

Storms all around

Even though some stormy weather was imminent, there were still some photo ops at the new Lake Apopka North Shore wildlife drive. Heading out there around 5 PM I wasn't sure if I would see much, but reports of many alligators was enough incentive to go. We didn't see as many as others but there were still plenty. Other than the usual birds and gators we spotted a bob cat ahead on the road but too far away for a clear photo.

Gators hiding in the duck weed

 

Horse Farms and sunrise

There are miles of fence line surrounding the beautiful horse farms that Ocala is famous for. The fog added some mood to the photo and it just seemed to want to be in black and white.