Before making the forty minute trip, I checked on line that the Talbot Islands State Parks were open again after yesterday's hurricane had move on.  There was no mention that they were not, but when I got there, the gates were still shut. I was disappointed, but at least the trail to boneyard beach was open, so that's where I took myself.  I was hoping for a roiling ocean surf, and high tide, but I discovered neither of those. The tide was out, and the ocean was quite calm. so I settled once again for portraits of long fallen trees that, in death, survived as relics longer than they had as living trees. I think they're wonderfully sculptural.  (MF Film)

 

Hurricane Dorian has crept up the coast of Florida like an inebriated sloth, but the sea and sky ahead of its arrival has been visually very exciting.  All the access points I had hoped to visit had been closed because of the storm, but these photographs were taken from the side of the road at Little Talbot Island State Park.  (MF Film)

There's something comforting about returning to familiar places that have been photographically fertile. However, it's risky to do that without being sure what is photographed isn't repetitious and stale.  This photograph is one of that kind...I've made quite a few photographs here, but I don't think any duplicates what has already been done except for the actual place.  It's like making multiple portraits of the same person.  The face remains the same, but the expression, lighting, and other details can be different. (MF Film)

I sometimes wonder about the sentience of trees.  Some say they are that to a degree. If so, these two  reveal very different experiences.  The poet (which I am not) could spin a myth of crushing humility and soaring exuberance!  (MF Film)

A day like this one could eventually clear up leaving warm, filtered sunlight, gentle breezes, and puffy clouds. OR, it could devolve into spitting, wind driven rain, and totally grey skies. I don't remember which of those two possibilities actually occurred, but in the moment, it was lovely!  (MF Film)

I hadn't been to Big Talbot Island SP for quite a while, especially this part of boneyard beach.  I had a hunch the sky would be interesting if I visited today, and I was not disappointed.  (MF Film)

Most of the time, I drive north to an area where I've often found worthwhile subjects to photograph.  I decided, instead, to drive south today along Route A1A that hugs the coastline and beaches.  My drive ended at Vilano where these two images were waiting.  (MF Film)

I don't know why it has taken me so long to discover how splendid early light is, but knowing it now gets me up well before dawn.  It's a half hour drive to where these two photographs were taken, but usually well worth it!  I was concerned about internal reflections shooting directly into the sun, but the lens is well coated, and I was using a deep yellow filter which may have also helped. (MF Film)

Getting up very early seems a bit onerous unless there's something to look forward to.  What I'm discovering is how gorgeous early light is.  I'm eager to be up well before dawn now!  (MF Film)

Sand dunes offer a rugged and difficult place to attempt to live and thrive.  I've seen far more dead than living flora and this little tree is typical.  I can't even imagine what it must have looked like when living, but it has a gloomy, majestic dignity in death.  (MF Film)

TO ALL WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED TO POST COMMENTS:  The way blogspot handles comments changed several years ago, and I didn't know that.  So...I just discovered several that were never published and I have attempted to fix the problem.  Now that I know what is happening, that will not happen again!  Thank you for your interest, and please continue to comment if you'd like to. What you write will NOT be ignored now!  Sorry!!!

Though I really want to make photographs inland from the ocean, it's damned hard to ignore cloud forms near the sea that surge with drama.  These two were just begging for a portrait, and who am I to say no! (MF Film)

Besides clouds and their infinite variations, there are whole forests of trees with infinitely varied and twisty shapes often draped in Spanish moss.  Here are two somewhat intertwined that live by the marsh.  (MF Film)

I've never been as impressed with clouds as I have been since moving to Florida.  With flat terrain, clouds are very welcome especially since they're usually so interesting.  Here are several from Saturday, July 20th.   (MF Film)

This part of Little Talbot Island State Park is always a welcome place to visit for photography, but not for swimming or wading. I just love the relative solitude!  The water here is closed because of dangerous currents and no lifeguard.  Apparently, there have been far more drownings than elsewhere in the park.    (MF Film)

I'm getting quite fond of early morning light although these were a little later than 'early'.  The sand formations are unlike any other I've seen and are quite dramatic as the tide recedes.  The kayaker had plenty of sparkle to brighten his day.  (MF Film)

I get it that grass is usually light in color, but where does dark grass come from??  Hmmmm.....  (MF Film)

I was too lazy to get up before dawn again yesterday, but the sky at mid-day didn't make me feel guilty.  This is the mouth of the Fort George River.  (MF Film)

I'm not sure why I've been avoiding dawn and sunset most of the time, but I didn't avoid dawn today!  It was a gorgeous morning and I arrived in plenty of time to set up and make some photographs without rushing.  Here are three.  (MF Film - 45mm lens with #15 deep yellow filter)

Another two from yesterday.  As some have observed elsewhere, this tree has a very Asian visual bias.  I think live oaks in general are that way.