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We're only a couple of weeks into the Summer of 2018, and it has been steamy across most of the United States. I'm a fan of the heat, but seeing folks in my home state of New Hampshire sweating it out in temperatures at, or above, 100 degrees fahrenheit, I started to think about my favorite time of year in the Granite State. Autumn in New Hampshire is absolutely beautiful. You can still have warmer days as the cooler nights begin to arrive, helping to ignite the richest of colors in fall foliage over the hillsides and mountains. Here are a few photos I took on a trip home a couple of years ago. These are taken in the Sunapee Region.   
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Sarasota, Florida has many art and history treasures. Yesterday, I returned to The Ringling, one of my favorites. There are a few different admission options to this attraction. I chose the free one. You can walk the grounds for free and at your leisure. You'll see flower gardens, banyan tree and bamboo forests, and as was the case for me yesterday, an Osprey having lunch in a tree and dolphins feeding in Sarasota Bay. For a photographers, the rounds offer a variety of options from nature to architecture. Instead of rambling on, I have put together a little collection to give you a sneak peak.          Starting June off right, I was up before the sun, grabbed my camera and was off to Anna Maria Island. If you've been following along with my posts, you know that this is one of my favorite places to shoot. This morning's photos reflect my enthusiasm. I feel like the scenes paint themselves and that I'm there to capture the ever-changing artwork. Enjoy this small sampling from more than a 100 photos taken. If there is anything that captures your interest and you would like to see a photo displayed in your home, or office, just contact me and we'll discuss options.     I like contrast in photography, just as I do in my life. If I'm not finding peace and my center along the shoreline, I'm finding it on a trail in the mountains. The photos shared in this post are from a road trip and some hiking north and east of Asheville, North Carolina. The drive began by getting on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville and then winding through the Pisgah National Forest. There are a number of pull-offs to take photos of the beautiful mountains and valleys. The clouds can take over the peaks, but if patient, you will get pockets of clearing skies. If you make this trip, dress in layers. The temperatures are wide ranging depending on cloud cover.
    The natural morning light always helps produce the best photography. On this early morning, I decided to use it to my advantage while shooting these black and white photos. The contrast is spectacular. I love the turquoise waters in the Gulf of Mexico. That can never be taken away. That said, I'm quite excited with these black and white photos of the beach, taken with my Samsung smartphone. They have a retro-postcard feel that is quite appealing. All captures in this series were taken at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island in Florida.      An early rise on a Saturday normally means that I'm off to Anna Maria Island. Today, was a perfect example. I woke up after a great night of rest, grabbed the camera bag, and was off in the dark. I was hoping to catch a beautiful sunrise, but the clouds were too think as daylight broke. So, I decided to shift gears and go with monochrome. This is one of my favorite formats. The crisp contrasts make the photos pop! Strolling for almost two hours along Coquina Baywalk and the beach, I clicked off 250 pictures. Here's a small sample for your viewing pleasure.      I don't normally go out for midday photography shoots in Florida. But, today was such a beautiful Spring day that I was drawn away from the desk when my writing slowed a bit. I drove over to Perico Preserve in Bradenton where there is some shade built into the trail. There weren't as many birds as there typically are in the early morning hours. Instead, I found other things with wings willing to pose for the camera. Understand, most of the creatures you see in these photos never stay still for long. I felt quite fortunate that they did today. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do.     The Coquina Bay Walk at Leffis Key is one of my favorite nature walks on Anna Maria Island, Florida. While the actual path doesn't change, the nature all around does, on each visit. During my most recent walk, I decided to focus on the crabs in the salt marsh for a photo shoot. Below are just a few photos captured while the crabs stayed still, as did I. They are very skittish. So, it's important to approach slowly and as quietly as possible. The Coquina Bay Walk is under a mile in length. I typically do two laps per visit. There are a number of benches overlooking the water. These are great spots to get some writing done.    |
Robert StanhopeA man who enjoys the simple things in life. Archives
July 2018
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