I’m currently going through the thought and selection process of what camera equipment I’ll pack and take along on a southern Florida vacation beginning the end of this coming week. We’re heading to Marco Island on the Gulf Coast not far from the Everglades. It will be our first “real” vacation since January 2009. Work requirements and life requirements, including struggling to get a handle on a pet with severe seizures, cancelled a couple of vacation opportunities last year but it looks like perhaps the stars are aligning correctly this time (knock on wood for good luck.)
Bonnie and I have adopted a successful formula for vacations. Find a location/vacation spot with nice hotels, restaurants, and amenities, not too far from some interesting landscape, wilderness and/or wildlife photographic opportunities — for at least a few of the days we each enjoy our own pursuits, rendezvousing in the early evenings for good food and time together — she’s happy and I’m happy.
Within 25 miles of Marco Island are Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Big Cypress National Preserve and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. I’ve never been to any of these places so I’m very excited about the new experiences and new locations to photograph.
I’m a reader of Drew Fulton’s “Wanderer’s Apprentice” and he recently returned from a venture to this same Florida area. His beautiful photos and valuable details have given me a little indication of what I might expect. Drew also kindly shared via email some suggestions of places to see when I recently asked his advice. Thanks Drew!
We’ll driving on this trip so the selection of camera gear isn’t such a difficult proposition — I can take most of it and probably will! ;-) For sure my Tamron 200-500mm will be coming along as will both my D300 and D700 camera bodies — the D300 with the Tamron lens give an equivalent focal length of 750mm. I seldom use this lens in day-to-day shooting but I’m glad I’ve hung on to it.
This photo is from our back yard and is of the corner of the White Cedar Pergola and the Japanese Maple Tree I’ve been taking leaf photos of. The angles and the meshing of the tree and structure are what originally caught my eye but when later viewing the photo the sharp edges and mass of details left a rather harsh feel. My post processing goal was to soften the image while retaining those things that attracted me — this is what I came up with. I used Photoshop CS4, Topaz Simplify, and NIK Color Efex in post-processing.
Good for you Earl. You might also want to check out Shark Valley in the Everglades. It has been awhile since I have been there, but I don’t think you will be too far away if you are staying on Marco. That place was rockin with birds and alligators when I was there.
Thanks, Mark, I’ll certainly check it out! :-)
Alligators? Better use the Tamron 200-500mm for those shots. :-)
Hope you two have fun and enjoy the vacation time.
Monte, so you don’t recommend a 35mm prime? ;-) You can bet I’ll be using my zooms.
Yep, a BIG lens for those guys! I hear they can run pretty fast. :-)
Have a great trip Earl! Everything should be green by now and be quite beautiful. Don’t hesitate to send me an email if you have question while in the field!
Drew
Drew, I certainly appreciate it. It’s nice to know I can draw on your expertise and you just may hear from me. :-)