Today, I visited 'Boneyard Beach' at Big Talbot Island State Park. It was my eleventiseventh visit and it's no wonder it's soooo popular with photographers. Some people call the trees here 'driftwood', but they're actually trees that have fallen to wind, tide and general erosion in this place...they're natives! Here are five from today for which I used a #25 Red filter that dramatically darkens blue skies. 

Today, I experimented further with long exposures. I also made a few as indicated by my light meter. It's going to take a while and a lot more work to not only learn how to apply this technique, but when it makes sense to use it.  Here are two from today's adventure; the first with the meter as indicated, and the second with a 6 stop ND filter for 23 seconds. 

 

These two photographs are important to me. The first is a kind of 'establishing' shot that depicts the area. The second is my first attempt with a long exposure...10 seconds in fact on a bright day at f22. I have a lot to learn, but this was my first lesson.

I think I've made more photographs at Little Talbot Island State Park than anywhere else in north Florida. It's always worth the trip, and as the southern end of the park has been closed to vehicles for more than a year, it's even worth the several mile walk. Here are several from yesterday, July 18th 2021,

One of my favorite places to photograph in this area is Dutton Island Preserve. I've quite a few images from there on this blog, and I made three more today. 

 As I've written, in my opinion Florida's state parks are its crown jewels.  Inland, Gulf coast and Atlantic coast parks, are all wonderful!  The foresight it took to resist commercial interests in order to maintain their relatively wild state is admirable. I've often visited Little Talbot Island SP, and have made scores of photographs there...these two were made on July 6th. 

 As I needed a change of view from where I am on the Florida coast, I drove west on I10 toward the Suwanee River.  Leaving the interstate, Route 90 offered some good subjects, and then Suwanee River State Park used up a second roll of Delta 100 film through my ancient Mamiya C220. A glitch in the camera cost me a few frames I thought would be good but I fixed the issue and all worked out okay. This is a hodgepodge of images, but all were from the same foray! 

 I have probably made more photographs in this place than any other. I more often face the ocean, but this view is also interesting. It's called the Fort George Inlet and I was standing on a bridge to take the photograph. 

 Tide View Preserve...I found a lens I thought was defective, but discovered it was not, so these photographs were a test to be sure it was okay.

Sometimes I just don't feel like going anywhere to make photographs. I'm lucky in having a nice backyard with some flowers.  These two posed politely.  (Mamiya C220)

 

The tide came in so rapidly the other day that I was startled and surprised. Here are a couple of photographs made just a few minutes after the one I posted a few days ago. And the amazing cloud fest continues in this season both at waters edge and inland. 

 

 

I really enjoy returning to Dutton Island Preserve to photograph because of its many variables that are always interesting and never exactly the same.  I've photographed this view a bunch of times already, but I was happy with today's variation. 

Memorial Day is usually somber the way I experience it though many consider it part of a three day weekend that should be fun.  I wanted to be away from as many people as I could and took my camera where few go. There was much to think about.

 I had not revisited Kingsley Plantation for several years until today.  I didn't think I would find anything different to photograph, but I did. For me, this place is haunted!  I cannot dismiss the reality of the lives that were lived here. Though this plantation was comparatively less cruel and mean than others, the inhabitants were slaves nonetheless whose lives were not their own to lead. I probably won't return again for many more years as I end up feeling very sad...this is a place inhabited by ghosts!

 

 It's interesting how often places I've photographed before change. The pier has no shrimp boat tied up to it which is unusual. The ruin is something I'd not noticed before though I've driven fairly close to it many  times. The river view with trees is a spot I'd not noticed either despite passing it quite often.  

Here are more from my Suwanee trip on May 16th.