Category: boats

'scene' along the way, a second look, boats, moments, nature, perseverance, photography, sky, sunrise

Aripeka again…

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I stopped at the first bridge on my trip to Aripeka that morning.  I liked that there were lights on in the houses, but it looked like the actual sunrise would be so far to the right that it wouldn’t be the prettiest sunrise photos for me.  So I took a few pictures and then moved on to the second bridge, the more familiar bridge I’ve used for sunrise photos.  In the 30 seconds or so it took to drive that little way up the road not only had the sunrise colors come to life, but the wind had kicked up tremendously.  I overheard the bait shop owner cautioning the boaters who had stopped on the bridge, telling them that they would have some problems if they headed out on the water that day.  While the temperature was mild, the wind was still whipping and the sky was overcast, I wonder how those boaters did out there…

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'scene' along the way, birds, boats, perseverance, photography, sunrise, technology, unintended images

Almost…

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It was almost a full moon.  Seen on a morning with an almost pretty sunrise.  It looked more promising as I left the house than it did when I got to the bridge.  I could have quit after this shot since this was as pretty as it got.12-15shot#1

I suspected that things had taken a turn for the worst as far as the sunrise went, so I tried another approach.  My friend Betty sees the details in things that I never manage to see, so I asked myself what would Betty shoot?  And came up with these.12-15netting12-15redlight12-15redlight212-15snowman

Almost a nice clear shot of that snowman, but now that I see that he’s an inflatable I’m sure he was moving.  Darn it. And the birds on the wire.  They arrive en masse, a flock swooping one way and almost landing, but changing their collective mind and trying that swoop and turn again.  I see them every time I’m on this bridge for the sunrise, but the camera is set wrong to try to catch them in action.  Not that I didn’t try of course, taking shots between the cars zipping by in both directions.12-15birdsonawire

And then along came this guy who stirred up the water and spoiled any possible reflections for long enough that I decided to call it a day.  I was tired anyhow, I’m almost over my cold…12-15disturbingthepeace

 

'scene' along the way, adventure, birds, boats, Florida landmarks, friends, fun, making memories, nature, pelicans, perseverance, photography, sky, weather

Beautiful Tarpon Springs…

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We were out for an early photography class on Saturday morning, which left us lots of time for lunch and a stop in Tarpon Springs before heading home.  I found the Christmas decorations they had up to be a bit jarring, but that’s just me, I’m a bit of a humbug.  It was a lovely, sunny-but-not-too-hot day, perfect for enjoying the sky, and the boats, and the birds.  And trying to remember the tips we’d learned in class that morning.  There are many vendors trying to entice you to take the various cruises that leave out of Tarpon Springs daily.  A sunset cruise would probably be a good idea.  My friend would like to take it one step further and thinks it would be a great idea if we took a sunset cruise out on one of these tiny tiki bar boats.  Hmm, what could possibly go wrong with that idea???11-23tikibar11-23tarponscene311-23tarponscene111-23shipwreck11-23pelican311-23pelican211-23pelican11-23greatblue11-23flyoverfeature

Back when I first began blogging I read that your feature photo ought to be chosen to lure the reader in to read your blog.  Of course that sounded like a good idea.  But I seem to always be limited to only one or two in a series of photos that would lend themselves to that banner-like crop that I need to do for the blog.  There were flocks of these birds flying, but too high up to see detail.  I still don’t know what they are for sure, I suspect wood storks.  Anyhow, he was going to be my feature photo until the dolphin photo came up.  Sorry fella!

'scene' along the way, boats, fun, making memories, nature, perseverance, photography, sky, sunset

And the sunset…

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I rushed to take pictures of the sailboats I could see off in the distance.  I had just arrived and was trying to decide what to focus on first.  They came closer while I was distracted with an osprey, and when I looked again I could see that it may have been a sailing class that was coming to an end.  The sailboats were loaded onto trailers and taken away shortly after these pictures were taken.  Once sunset seems to be finally about to arrive it speeds up and you could miss it entirely as you jockey for position with all the other people on the pier who are also trying to take pictures.  Somehow when you hear people around you declaring that the sunset was just incredible it makes you enjoy it just that much more…

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'scene' along the way, birds, boats, finding my way, Florida wildlife, life, life goes on, memories, moments, nature, pelicans, perseverance, photography, sunset, unintended images

Distractions…

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See that guy on the pier there?  He’s taking a picture of the sunset, while I, on the other hand, was paying attention to the pelican.  I couldn’t help myself though.  I was standing with lots of other people on a bigger pier just across from that one.  Pelicans and sea gulls were passing just over our heads and making assaults on fish in the water nearby.  This was causing tons of excitement for two little kids on the pier near me.  Every swoop was met with much laughing and squealing.  It is funny to hear them chattering in an unusual language, Dutch maybe, but their delight in the situation was universal.  Their mom will have her hands full with another one due fairly soon, or so it would seem.  I wish I would have had more wisdom while I was raising my kids, but on the other hand I was young enough to keep up with them, so I suppose it was a trade off.  In the throes of my divorce my ex told me that it was like I was a kid who grew up and was leaving home.  It made me mad at the time, but I have to admit that there was a grain of truth to it.

Other distractions that night were more birds, and just the lovely light falling here and there.  And the reflections…10-30dunedin210-30dunedin710-30dunedin1510-30dunedin13

'scene' along the way, birds, boats, finding my way, Florida landmarks, Florida wildlife, moments, nature, perseverance, photography

Snowbirds…

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The snowbirds don’t seem to have returned to Florida yet.  Well, this one has, but I seem to be the exception.  The October calendar in the park doesn’t list any activities for the month, and when you go to the pool you just might be the only one there.  I went to Tarpon Springs thinking I’d do some street photography, but the streets were emptier than I’ve ever seen them.  Maybe they are all still up north, waiting for the pretty foliage. And my photographer friends seemed to be rejoicing about the return of the birds to the area, but I haven’t actually found them either.  It’s a lull.  Crowds and traffic will be arriving soon.  And so will the birds.  I need to enjoy the moment while it lasts…10-10tarponquest10-10tarponoldboat10-10tarponoctopus10-10tarpongull10-10tarpon3birds