Kind of an interesting shot of our neighborhood at night from 84 meters. I flew the drone straight up fearing that if I travelled in an other than vertical direction, I may never find my drone again. It does have a beacon light blinking on the bottom of the aircraft, but at near 300' in the air, it is difficult to see. I also shot Fort Myers (5 miles away), but the photos were only fair. Fort Myers skyline is not like Miami or New York. ​

DJI Mini, 4mm, f/2.8, 1 sec, ISO 3200, Altitude 84 meters

​...was given its name by French explorers. Native Americans told them the plant was called Itla-okla, which meant “tree hair.” The French were reminded of the Spanish conquistadors’ long beards, so they called it Barbe Espagnol, or “Spanish Beard.” The Spaniards got back at them by calling the plant Cabello Francés, or “French Hair.” The French name won out, and as time went by Spanish Beard changed to Spanish moss.
It doesn't put down roots in the tree it grows on, nor does it take nutrients from it. The plant thrives on rain and fog, sunlight, and airborne or waterborne dust and debris. The plant’s tissues can hold more water than the plant needs, to keep it going through dry periods. When the tissues plump up after a rain, Spanish moss appears more green. As the water is used, it returns to a gray hue.
​
Spanish moss provides a great nesting and breeding location for insects and small animals. Bats rest in its strands during the day. Certain butterflies settle in it at night. Birds use it as nest-building material. Frogs, lizards and snakes find it a source of both food and protection.

If you plan to make use of Spanish Moss (fertilizer, decorating, mulch), be careful.

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec, ISO 100

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO 100

I learned a lot today. All because this Cessna 337C Push-Pull buzzed overhead AGAIN. ​So what have I learned? (1) The FAA at registry.faa.gov has a publicly available registry of all planes. You can see planes registered in a state or city. An Excel extract is available. There are 3,133 registered planes in the US, 679 in Florida, 19 in North Fort Myers. You can search by FAA Call letters. In this case, they are N2610S which I could read from my photographs. I now know the owner (Dave) and where he lives plus other information. I know the plane, known as the Cessna Skymaster, was produced between 1963 and 1982. This one was built in 1968. It has tandem props, one pushing and one pulling. Home is the Punta Gorda Airport, (2) Controller.com will tell you that you can own your own 1966 Cessna Skymaster with 3160 hrs for a mere $70,000 or $553 per month. (3) Flightaware.com tracks flights of almost all aircraft. Some information is sketchy if a flight plan is not filed. Considered a position-only-flight, it obtains its information from an ADS-B satellite tracking system (transmission from the aircraft and received at numerous receiving stations). I could see that the plane took off from Punta Gorda Airport at 12:18PM, flew at a top speed of 161 mph, a top altitude of 1,175 ft and landed 6 minutes and 16 miles later at Pine Shadows AirPark. (4) Airport-data.com will tell you everything the FAA knows about an airport including photograph, location, elevation owner and manager. Pine Shadows AirPark is a privately owned air field owned by the Pine Shadows AirPark Homeowners Assn. Most residents of this small community have some type of aircraft. It has a 3,200' x 50' asphalt runway 09 and 27. Those with helicopters need not care about the runway. What I don't know is why Dave flies this plane from Punta Gorda to Pine Shadows with regularity. Hmmmm.

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO 100

I went to the water today. I miss it. I took some pictures of the water, some boats, some really nice boats and some REALLY nice boats at the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. But today I chose this gal I found walking the streets as if she too was not allowed on the docks or in Centennial Park. Can't get over her blue eyes.  ​The pavement must have been toasty, but it didn't seem to phase her. 

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 230mm, f/16, 1/400 sec, ISO 640

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, F/16, 1/400 sec, ISO 640

I am not sure what it is about this picture that captured me. The glistening stars of color that pop in the background? The bokeh surrounding the halo leaves in the center? The obvious narrow depth of field? Or is it the contrast of death surrounded by life and how much more beautiful life is no matter what? ​

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 210mm, F/16, 1/400 sec, ISO 640

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 28mm, f/22, 1/50 sec., ISO 640

This tricolored heron, responding to nearby paparazzi, bowed as if to say, "I know, I know, I am a gorgeous specimen". Conceit runs rampant in birds.

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/11, 1/125 sec, ISO 200

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/13, 1/60 sec, ISO 200

​Continuing with my insect series, here is an enterprising pollen collector having his way with a primrose willow albeit a rather embarrassing rear-end view. These flowers, filled with sweet nectar,  are everywhere and attract all sorts visitors.

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO 200

Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/8, 1/640 sec, ISO 200

​Early Easter dinner for a group of greedy red ants having their way with an innocent millipede. I wonder if ants sit back with their big belly's and put their feet up after a big meal.
Happy Easter everyone!

Nikon Z6, Tamron 150-600mm, 600mm, f/10, 1/250 sec, ISO 200

Nikon Z6, 105mm, f/2.8, 1/50 sec, ISO 200

Spectacular moon this evening. It was full night before last, but tonight it maintains 97% illumination. A mere 272 thousand miles away, it just seemed to glow orange (not pink). And if you look closely, you can see stars in the background not visible to the naked eye. Not just white stars, but red, blue, green and yellow stars. What was most interesting to me was you can't see stars around the perimeter of the moon -- as if there was an atmosphere blocking clear view. ​

Nikon Z6, 105mm, f/9, 1/800 sec, ISO 200

DJI f/2.8, 1/400 sec, 4mm, ISO 100

Our hibiscus is a pretty ugly plant all things considered. Scraggly you might say. But every day it seems to muster all its strength to pop one of these out. I am impressed.
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I dug out my 105mm lens today. It does such a nice job on things close. But I had to re-learn lessons on depth of field, the more open the aperture, the shorter the depth of field. The less open the aperture, the longer the lens must be open which makes for a shaky photo. The balance must be right-on! This was taken at f/11, 1/125 sec, ISO 100. I think I got it!

Nikon Z6, FTZ, 105mm, f/11, 1/125 sec, ISO 100

Near where I live these days is a 2,600 acre preserve. Prairie Pines Preserve has more than 10 miles of trails available for hiking, horseback riding and some available for biking. I can almost access this preserve from my community however there is a canal running 3 miles north to south between my access path and the preserve. Crossing this canal, although shallow in places is fraught with danger. Snakes and alligators come to mind. In this photo, you can see the narrow path running north, the canal to the east and then Yellow Trail in Prairie Pines Preserve all running parallel. One day, I will muster the courage to cross the great divide. This photo is part of a video of the area. Watch video on YouYube.

DJI Mini, 4mm, f/2.8, 1/640 sec, ISO 100 Altitude 85 meters

DJI Mini, 4mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec, ISO 100

DJI Mavic, 4mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec, ISO 100

A real beauty!  Webb Lake in Charlotte County, FL was created by man dredging the area for fill for Interstate 75. Biologists designed suitable water depths and sloping edges to provide wildlife. It stretches 5 miles north to south with paved access along one side. Boating and kayaking is permitted. No gas engines however. 

Nikon Z6, FTZ, 17-35mm, 17mm, 1/80 sec, f/22, ISO 100; Merged Panorama 

Nikon D610, Tamron 150-600mm, 500mm, F/6.3, 1/45 sec, ISO 800

There is something timeless in this picture. Subjective, I know, but I can see the Cisco Kid or Wild Bill Cody or maybe the Lone Ranger riding into frame. The scraggly old trees add the backdrop and a perch for the buzzards which were flying over head when this photo was taken. It could have been taken in the high desert in Arizona or Nevada. Proof that It is just as much fun developing pictures as it is taking them. 

Nikon Z6, FTZ, 17-35mm, 32mm, 1/1500 sec, f/5, ISO 100