Category Archives: landscape

Wake-up Call

Posted by Mike on

Juno Beach Pier, Florida

It is -10 F this morning with a wind chill making it feel like -20 F. Why am I still here?

Now would be the perfect time for a trip to a warmer setting. Actually, I originally planned on being in Disney next week for the Festival of the Arts, but due to starting a new job I cancelled that trip. I moved that trip to June (well, planning any way) but now I think I know what I need. It isn’t Disney, which I’m still having an internal conflict over, it is the ocean. Sunrises on the beach! Waves crashing against the sand!

I was looking through my Lightroom catalog again this morning, searching out places to visit along the Florida coast. It has been three years since my last trip to the ocean. I wish I could have another year like 2016 when I made four trips to the Sunshine state and the ocean. In November of that year I visited Juno Beach for the first time. The weather didn’t always cooperate but I did have one good morning at the pier.

Wake-up Call
Olympus E-M1 MK I, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/13s, 23mm, f/16, ISO 100

Insect Wood Henge

Posted by Mike on

Griffiss International Sculpture Garden

When I first started going to the sculpture garden a few years ago, this sculpture was more accessible. The idea was to create a place for the insects and allow people to commune with nature. You could walk into the center of the sculpture and sit on a stump in the middle. I loved the wild flowers growing all around the sculpture. In recent years it appears nature has taken over with thistles over growing the wildflowers. You no longer can walk through the garden into the sculpture. I miss the way it was.

Insect Wood Henge
Artist: JK “Koos” Buist
Olympus Pen-F, M. Zuiko 17mm f/1.8, 1/40s, f/11, ISO 200

Unfreezing

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Delta Lake State Park

Unfreezing
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/125s, 14mm, f/11, ISO 400

Pick a Side

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

OK, I have had a few days of wishing for the sun and reliving a few trips to Florida. Yesterday the temperatures reached a balmy 19 F so I thought it would be a good idea to visit Delta Lake. There were clouds from the coming winter storm approaching but I like a little drama in the sky. My first stop was at the entrance to get the view across the frozen pond. I decided to go hand-held as I didn’t feel like holding on to the cold tripod. There was plenty of light so I knew it wouldn’t be an issue.

The park added benches around this pond at the end of the season last year. I can’t resist using a bench as some foreground interest. Which bench would you sit in? The one on the side of the clear sky or the one with the orange dramatic clouds?

Pick a Side
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/320s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 400

Sounds of Silence

Posted by Mike on

Silent Sunday
Melbourne Beach, FL

Sounds of Silence
Olympus E-M1 MK I, M. zuiko 40-150mm f/4.5-5.6 R, 1/15s, 100mm, f/16, ISO 200

Bring on the Sun

Posted by Mike on

Cocoa Beach Pier, Florida

I’m sitting at my desk this morning wondering if I’ll even venture out today. It is currently -7 F with a wind chill down to -25 F. The high today will be a whopping 7 F. Tomorrow is expected to be warmer, but then late in the day a winter storm will cruise through. Depending on who you want to believe and exactly where you live, we could see anywhere from 7 – 18″ of snow by late Monday. I need some warmth!

My thoughts turned to the Florida coast. I haven’t visited the east coast of Florida (around the Melbourne area) since late in 2018. I’m not even thinking about Disney, I want the beaches, the piers and the ocean crashing against the sand. I could spend days, heck probably weeks working my way down the coast exploring and photographing everything. I’m hoping I remember I misplaced a large pile of money somewhere so I can jump in an RV and live the life of a photography nomad…

Here is a morning view of Cocoa Beach Pier. I love when I can get the reflection in the wet sand.

Bring on the Sun
Olympus E-M1 MK II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/13s, 19mm, f/16, ISO 200

Crack of Dawn

Posted by Mike on

Framed Friday
Bellamy Harbor Park

I was saving this image from last Saturday until today. I have been attempting to follow the daily themes outlined on the Photofocus Community. Today is Framed Friday and I wanted to use this image of Bellamy Harbor with the natural framing for my post. It was a very cold morning and you can see the “steam” rising off the ice.

Crack of Dawn
Olympus E-M1 Mk III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/20s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 400

Have a Seat

Posted by Mike on

Griffiss International Sculpture Garden

Along the trails of the sculpture garden are these red benches. I assume the bright red color is to allow them to stand out and be noticeable from a distance. Even though they are metal, they are actually quite comfortable to sit on. There are a couple of these benches on the hill above the Pagoda Pavilion. I have sat on them a few times and simply enjoyed the day. This one is interesting as it is tucked in among the trees and quite a few feet off the paved paths.

Even though this is a busy image, I liked the red bench having the orange book ends from the tree leaves. Late afternoon light casting long shadows didn’t hurt either. I thought to walk up to the bench, create a single impression in the snow on the seat and walk away leaving a single set of foot prints in the snow. Obviously I chose the the cleaner view…

Have a Seat
Olympus Pen-F, M. Zuiko 17mm f/1.8, 1/80s, f/11, ISO 200