Self Portrait

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

The other night I ventured over to Delta Lake State Park. My intent was to purchase the Empire Passport which allows entry into the state parks throughout the year. I was able to get the application and now just need to return to get the pass. It works out that I only have to visit the park close to me 9 times to make the pass worth it. With all the other parks I typically visit during the summer this is a great option for me.

While I was there I thought I might explore a little and then setup for the sunset. I hadn’t realized that it was already mosquito season. I had not come prepared! I was only able to last about an hour before I was eaten alive. I did manage to try something different and capture this self portrait…

Self Portrait Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 17mm, f/8, ISO 200

Self Portrait
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 17mm, f/8, ISO 200

Stormy Sunrise Over The Mohawk Valley

Posted by Mike on

Mohawk Valley

I did something yesterday morning that I have not done in a long time. I stopped for a picture. I had been watching the sunrise progress as I drove to work and near the last turn rather than go left to work I went right to the top of a hill to capture the sunrise over the Mohawk Valley. It might sound weird but I generally get to work around 5:30am (officially I do not have to be there until 7am) and I always feel that if I am not there early then I am late. Yesterday, I allowed myself to be “late” to work.

Stormy Sunrise Over The Mohawk Valley Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.8s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 100

Stormy Sunrise Over The Mohawk Valley
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.8s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 100

Crescent

Posted by Mike on

Squared – SQ62

Summer always brings me back to the dandelions. There is something about the intricacies of the seeds and the shapes that are created that fascinate me. It doesn’t hurt that my yard is always full. I gave up a long time ago trying to remove them, now I just live with them.

Crescent Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/60s, 85mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Crescent
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/60s, 85mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Peter Pan

Posted by Mike on

England Pavilion, Epcot, Walt Disney World

From the beginning of this photographic journey I have been a sucker for flower images. I can only name a handful of actual flowers but I love capturing the intricacies of all the varieties. I suppose that is why I am drawn to Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival, well for the flowers and of course because it is Disney.

As always there were plenty of beautiful flowers for me to photograph. I also love capturing all the Disney inspired topiaries throughout Epcot. I did get the impression this year that Disney did not put out as many as I have experienced in the past. I hope this isn’t a trend that continues into the future.

We’ll start the flower flood in England this year with the Peter Pan inspired topiaries…

Neverland? Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/640s, 19mm, f/8, ISO 400

Neverland?
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/640s, 19mm, f/8, ISO 400

Adversaries Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 125

Adversaries
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 125

The Captain Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/100s, 42mm, f/11, ISO 125

The Captain
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/100s, 42mm, f/11, ISO 125

Tick Tock Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 125

Tick Tock
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 125

Fireworks Friday: Crossroads Symphony

Posted by Mike on

Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

I feel I should apologize now for the constant barrage of Disney pictures but I have never shied away from my love of it so everyone has had plenty of warnings. On Flickr in the Disney photography community, Friday is typically fireworks day. Never been to sure why themed days all have to have alliteration or maybe it is a coincidence but it does help me to remember which day is what theme. 🙂

One of the reasons for the timing of my trip was to catch the end of Epcot’s Flower & Garden show and the first Star Wars Weekend at Hollywood Studios. During each SWW, Hollywood Studios ends each night with a wonderful fireworks show called Symphony in the Stars. Last year a captured the show from behind Echo Lake and this year I wanted to try something different. The general consensus would have been to setup at the end of Hollywood Boulevard but that seemed to predictable to me. I have always loved the Crossroads of the World stand at the front of the park and I was hoping I could incorporate it into the pictures.

My concept was a little off. The fireworks didn’t materialize where I thought they would so my composition for the image in my hard didn’t work. I’m including the best of my pictures anyway. It was a gamble that didn’t pay off for me but I like that I was thinking outside the box.

Crossroads Symphony Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 2.5s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

Crossroads Symphony
Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 2.5s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

The Beach Club

Posted by Mike on

The Beach Club, Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

I have the luxury of being a Disney Vacation Club member. It is Disney’s version of a timeshare that allows me to stay at the deluxe resorts on property. Now how long I can stay at these resorts always depends on the time of year and how many points I have left. My home resort is The Beach Club which is situated on Crescent Lake across from the Boardwalk and directly behind the International Gateway entrance for Epcot.

I love staying at this resort. I can walk to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios. If I walk to the front of Epcot I can ride the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. I really only have to ride the bus to Animal Kingdom or Downtown Disney. I also can enjoy the almost 1 mile trail around the lake that will get me to the Boardwalk Bakery for some nice breakfast choices.

Last night on my way back to the room from getting dinner at Downtown Disney I just had to grab some more images of my home away from home. I didn’t have the tripod with me so I pushed the ISO as high as I dared and hoped for the best (I know a little lazy of me but my feet were tired). The first image is the entrance that greets you as you arrive. The next two are a portion of the Villas at the Beach Club (the DVC rooms). Look close at the third image and find the room just left of the light pole on the fifth floor, that one was mine. And the last image was the view from my room.

OK, if you hear me complaining about anything during the next few months you can remind me of this post to straighten me out… 🙂

The Beach Club Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 20mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

The Beach Club
Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 20mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

The Beach Club Villas Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 16mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

The Beach Club Villas
Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 16mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

The Beach Club Villas - 2 Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 12mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

The Beach Club Villas – 2
Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 12mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

Room View Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 12mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

Room View
Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 1/25s, 12mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200

Boba Fett & Lord Vader

Posted by Mike on

Star Wars Breakfast
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

Boba Fett & Lord Vader Nikon D7100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/250s, f/1.8, ISO 200, flash

Boba Fett & Lord Vader
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/250s, f/1.8, ISO 200, flash