Month: May 2012

Everglades National Park Afternoon Photography Trip

admin

After work yesterday I ran out to Everglades National Park with my camera to check on the water levels after all of the recent rains we have been experiencing here in South Florida over the last 3 weeks.  I found that the water levels have risen a good bit since I was out there last but still not at there normal rainy season levels.  Either way,  I found alligators everywhere.  They were crossing the park road, sitting in puddles, and occupying the walking trails that are now underwater.  I found a five footer in a deep spot in the middle of one of the trails I was hiking.  Luckily the water was clear and I saw it before I stepped on it.

I did get a few good shots of the blooming string lilies despite the windy conditions causing the saw grass and flowers to move back and forth.  Although, I did have to hike a couple hundred yards out into the saw-grass to get the shot I envisioned.  The water was about thigh deep but clean and clear.  I also captured some good rainbow pictures from some storms that were offshore in the Atlantic.

Everglades Association Board of Directors Appointment

admin

I was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Everglades Association, a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation and subsidiary of the Florida National Parks Association, Inc.  The Everglades Association is the official not for profit arm of the Everglades, Biscayne, Big Cypress and Dry Tortuga’s National Parks Service and was founded in 1951.  The purpose of the Everglades Association is to help raise money for educational and conservation programs related to the associated National Parks and Preserves.

Through my photography I have developed a passion for the Everglades, Big Cypress and Biscayne National Parks and want to ensure that the natural beauty is preserved for future generations to photography and enjoy.  By becoming a part of the Everglades Association I can directly help work toward this goal to preserve and educate the community about the wonders and beauty found in South Florida’s National Parks and Preserves.

Lightning Over Downtown Miami

admin

I had a meeting in Downtown Miami yesterday afternoon I had to attend.  Luckily I had my camera equipment with me in the car because a good lightning storm started building over the city about the time my meeting ended.

After assessing the radar and the storms position, I drove to the bridge that leads to Key Biscayne and parked under it to stay dry.  The storm was very active and producing lightning bolts every few seconds.  I wanted to try to capture some shots of lighting with the city in the background or foreground.  Unfortunately, most of the lightning occurred out over the bay or beach and not over Downtown Miami.  I still managed to capture three OK shots, but not what I was looking for.

I did miss a good shot when lightning struck one of the skyscrapers.  Of course it struck one of the buildings not within my viewfinder.  Eventually the wind and rain overtook my vantage point and I had to seek shelter.

I did get some funny looks as people drove or passed by as I was standing there with my camera and tripod shooting the storm still dressed in my business suit and tie.

Everglades Supermoon and Sunset

admin

I wanted to try and catch the Supermoon rising over the sawgrass and cypress trees of Everglades National Park.  I decided to go to a remote area of the park where I was less likely to have any compeition from fellow photographers also trying to photograph the Supermoon.  While waiting for the Supermoon to rise I also managed to capture a bonus sunset over the marsh and cattails.  The only problem with both efforts was the strong winds which caused all the sawgrass and trees to blow around making it hard to capture a crisp shot that did not have some blur associated with it somewhere.

Pine Glades Lake Everglades National Park

admin

It has been awhile since I have been to Pine Glades Lake for a sunset.  I went out last night for a quick photography trip to Pine Glades Lake to see if the water had returned to normal levels.  With all the rain we have gotten over the last two weeks the lake had not only returned to normal levels but was overflowing its banks in some areas.  I prefer the water level high at Pine Glades Lake as it enhances the reflections of the clouds and sunsets better than when it is low as you can set up your camera closer to the waters edge.

The sunset was not exceptional but the afterglow lasted for a good 30 minutes or more.  I tried a different perspective then usual for a few of the shots and liked the way the came out.

Everglades Building Thunderstorm

admin

After shooting a sunset one morning I noticed some building clouds on the drive home.  I decided to pull over and watch them for a little while to see if they continued to build.  After about 15 minutes or so they continued to climb skyward and then started producing some rain.  They never did produce lightning or thunder but still made for some dramatic skies over the sawgrass prairies.  I also decided to try an HDR shot of the storm in order try and capture the dynamic range of the clouds.