Florida

The Fallen Tree

There are several amazing trees at Mashes Sands Beach that have withstood the test of time but there was on really beautiful tree that had fallen down and lay on its side. The beautiful patterns of the bark fascinated me and I came here several times attempting to photograph it at sunrise. On this particular day, the conditions lined up with the sun peaking out and lighting up the clouds and tree in a golden glow. It is one of my favorites from this year.

Golden Beginnings

It was a mesmerizing sunrise this morning at a creek near Mashes Sands Beach. As the sun peeked over the horizon, the sky transformed into a stunning blend of soft colors. The sky turned into shades of gold, purple and orange, creating a breathtaking view reflecting off the calm waters of the creek. The peaceful chirping of birds welcoming the new day, and the cool morning breeze carrying a refreshing scent, added to the overall serene atmosphere. Watching the sunrise at Mashes Sands Beach Creek was an awe-inspiring experience that filled the soul with a sense of peace and renewal. It was a perfect reminder of the beauty and tranquility that nature has to offer, and a moment that will be treasured forever.

Nature's sculptures

Nature's sculptures, etched by ocean currents, basking in predawn's gentle glow. It made me wonder what all this tree had seen as eons went by.

Blue hour at St Marks NWR

The blue hour at St Marks NWR lighthouse was a time of serenity, as the clouds created a dreamlike atmosphere above the calm waters of the pond, reflecting the tranquility of the moment in its still waters.

Cloud Tapestry

The sun dipped below the horizon, turning the clouds into an amazing masterpiece, as the still waters of the pond at St Marks NWR reflected its beauty in perfect harmony.

Sublimity

During our stay in Florida, I had the opportunity to visit the small coastal town of Cape San Blas. The lighthouse is a prominent feature of the town and a great place to visit anytime of the day. The pond with lily leaves created an interesting foreground element.

A Remnant from the Past

It had been a cloudy week as the moon had finally dwindled enough for Milky Way photography. The forecast had been iffy but I figured it was still worth trying since this tree stump was not too far from our campsite. I stood for over an hour patiently waiting for the clouds to dissipate, wiping the inevitable dew drops off the lens. Finally, the Gods took pity on me and a small clearing happened for just enough time to capture this image.

Revelation

It started out as a fairly bland sunrise with only a few clouds in the distant horizon. However, the calm water during low tide was still very inviting and I was enjoying photographing the reflections and sand waves as the sun rose. In the meantime, clouds were quietly drifting in and before you know it the sky was suddenly aflame with beautiful golden colors.

Midnight Light Show

There were not too many thunderstorms in the winter during our stay in Carrabelle. There were at least two good ones but I have to admit that I slept through the first one realizing in the morning that I had missed an opportunity to capture something great. So, I was much better prepared when the next one came around and it did not disappoint.

Standing On The Edge

I had a great time photographing the beautiful coastline at Cape San Blas, FL. A short hike along the beach led to the Donna Kay, an abandoned shrimp boat that ran aground shortly before Hurricane Michael made landfall. Attempts to remove her have been unsuccessful; she may become a permanent fixture on this remote stretch of beach in the Florida Panhandle.

Donna Kay Ashore

I had a great time shooting the Milky Way over the beautiful coastline at Cape San Blas, FL right before the COVID-19 lockdowns. A short hike led to the Donna Kay, an abandoned shrimp boat that ran aground shortly before Hurricane Michael made landfall. Attempts to remove her have been unsuccessful; she may become a permanent fixture on this remote stretch of beach in the Florida Panhandle.

Hide and Seek

It was supposed to be a Super Moon but it ended up not being a clear night. When the moon finally showed up it was dark and playing a quick hide and seek behind the clouds. So, had to come up with an alternative composition. Single exposure: ISO 320/30sec/f9

Light Show

The sunrises at Carabelle, Florida could present a different look each morning. Being winter but still warm it was relatively easy to wakeup 'early' each morning of a new spectacle unfolding. This was a low tide morning with amazing colors and reflections as the sky lit up an amazing color this morning.

Phantasm

Milky Way captured above a pier during our stay in Florida. Haze and light pollution were a significant issue with capturing the night skies and single exposure or stacking did not yield satisfactory results. I felt that the tracker did a better job in capturing the night skies.

Moment in the Sun

A beautiful sunrise with morning fog in the background. The bird and paddle boarder complete the scene.

Elemental

The sunsets at Carrabelle were typically more muted compared to the spectacular sunrises often observed here. Many attempts at sunset photography ended up feeling meh except for this evening when conditions came right with the low tide creating beautiful waves in the sand. This was early winter so the setting sun direction behind the forest worked out well for this image in my opinion.