Category Archives: landscape

Monorail Reflections

Posted by Mike on

Epcot, Walt Disney World

The weather has not been very cooperative the past few days. Between the wildfire haze and now the rain (very much needed) my opportunities for images are limited. This morning feels like a good time to look through my images from Disney.

I have been a fan of the monorail since my first ride. Add in I’m a photographer and I spend most of my day at Epcot chasing the monorail around the entrance loop. I have limited patience fr some photography but I will wait almost indefinitely for the next monorail to arrive. Especially if the next one is the color I want to capture.

I wish the construction walls were not in this view but with the amount of construction at Walt Disney World it is difficult to compose an image without them in it. I really like this vantage point as I can include the Imagination Pavilion as well as the Land Pavilion with a reflection of the monorail. It was still worth the wait…

Monorail Reflections
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/640s, 14mm, f/8, ISO 200

Wildfire Haze

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

A couple alerts this week saw Delta Lake empty for the sunrise. In addition to the air quality alerts from the Canadian wildfires there is an algae bloom on the lake. I had the beach area to myself for the sunset Thursday evening. The bloom might be on the downside as I didn’t see too much evidence of it but the haze in the sunset is definitely from the wildfires. The constant smell of a campfire is starting to wear thin as well…

Wildfire Haze
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4, 1/60s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100

Harbor Moodiness

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome
Bellamy Harbor Park

The forecast was not looking good for the morning. A weather alert about low visibility due to fog had me thinking I would not get a sunrise image. As the time for the sun arrived I had a thought, why not images of the fog? I started thinking on ways to process the images, obviously they would be monochrome, and of course it had to be down at Bellamy Harbor Park.

Get dressed!

On it. Camera ready?

Yes! Silly question…

Off I went into the early morning to Bellamy Harbor for “sunrise” images. It was a good decision. There was no sun and I could see the fog coming up the canal. I looked for images with contrast that would process well as monochrome. You can see how the fog increased as the morning progressed. These are in chronological order…

Approaching Mood
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 0.5s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 200
Boat House & Tower
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/3s, 25mm, f/11, ISO 200
Duck Parade
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/20s, 75mm, f/8, ISO 200
Harbor Obscure
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/5s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 200
Light Tower
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/15s, 86mm, f/11, ISO 200

Fishing Pier

Posted by Mike on

Silent Sunday
Sebastian Inlet, Florida

Fishing Pier
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 0.5s, 100mm, f/11, ISO 200

Early Light

Posted by Mike on

Castaway Point Park, Palm Bay, Florida

Early Light
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 6s, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200

Emblaze

Posted by Mike on

Indialantic, Florida

One of the best parts of staying in the Melbourne/Palm Bay area of Florida is the duality presented by the barrier island along the mid-Florida east coast. If I want a sunrise I can find it looking out into the Atlantic Ocean but if it is a sunset I crave then I can find it looking out into the Indian River Lagoon. The town of Indialantic is such a spot (hence the name, a blend of Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean).

This is an abandoned dock and boat lift near Riverside Park. I couldn’t resist the framing provided by the clouds and sun rays. Not long after this image was captured it rained briefly in Melbourne but then quickly moved on. Don’t worry, I didn’t wet… 🙂

Emblaze
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/125s, 34mm, f/11, ISO 100

Colors of Serenity

Posted by Mike on

Silent Sunday
Sebastian Inlet, Florida

Colors of Serenity
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/30s, 100mm, f/11, ISO 200

Good Morning Life

Posted by Mike on

Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Thursday morning I spent at the Animal Kingdom. That is a park that can become unbearable when it is hot and humid, which this week has been in Florida. Luckily, the park opens at 8am and early entry got me in the park by 7:25am. I walked over to the Pandora area to see if Flight of the Avatar would be worth the wait. It was already at a sixty minute wait time. I headed over to Asia to ride Expedition Everest.

I spent the remainder of the morning photographing the animals that can be found all around the park. I also enjoy capturing the details the Imagineers built into the park that bring everything to life. And of course, I always photograph the many sides of the Tree of Life. Most visitors get the first view of the tree as you cross the bridge to Discovery Island. There are so many views that can be found and in the early morning the light the better view of the tree is from behind…

Good Morning Life
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200