The rain paused late in the afternoon allowing me to get out with the camera for the sunset. The haze from the wildfires is still apparent in the photos but not of the degree to obscure the view. Of course, there were still plenty of clouds in the sky. The sun decided to jump behind those clouds as I arrived at Delta Lake. It was OK, I had a good time exploring. I really liked colors reflected in the clouds and water…
Floating Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/10s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100
On my second day at Disney I was heading to Epcot. The plan was to spend a good portion of the day stalking the monorail, finding the topiaries and exploring the festival food options. The night would be spent at Hollywood Studios for the After Hours event. The bus situation at the resort didn’t necessarily change the plan but I modified it due to having a very low virtual queue number for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
I stood in line for the bus to Epcot and watched a minimum of six buses arrive for Hollywood Studios. Listening to the other guests complain and one group at the head of the line state they had been waiting for an hour, I decided to grab the next bus for the Studios. It arrived less than five minutes after my decision.
I planned to ride the Skyliner to Epcot but when I arrived at the Studios I noticed the line toward Epcot was not moving. Not a problem, I have walked the path between Epcot and Hollywood Studios numerous times over the years, and I knew in the early morning light the path would mostly be in the shade (it was!).
The bonus for me would be a chance to walk through the Crescent Lake area (Yacht and Beach Clubs, Boardwalk and a view of the Swan and Dolphin resorts). When I’m not staying in this area I tend to walk over whenever I’m in Epcot because I do miss the views and photographic opportunities. The Yacht Club lighthouse did not disappoint…
Early Light Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/250s, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200
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
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
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
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
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